Dropper (Seat) Posts - Best thing ever ?

[egroover]

Dropper (Seat) Posts have pretty much past me by since their invention, I understood the concept for off MTB riding, slamming the saddle on tricky descents and technical stuff where you have to hang you arse out or get lower on the bike, but having now discovered them (one factory fitted on my most recent bike), I can not only appreciate the benefits off road, but I have found they are a game changer on road and busy traffic full commuting.

To be able to reduce the saddle height when approaching a junction or a slow down and stop so to comfortably get your feet down flat is brilliant. Then to pop the saddle back up at a flick of the handlebar switch when you pull away again so your legs are fully extended at the right height. Also, just reducing the saddle height slightly on speedy descents or say when the road surface might be a little slippery adds a level of confidence knowing you can get your full foot flat down in a skid if needed.

If you are doing a lot of commuting (or ride on trails/off road), and stop/start stuff, I think starting from about £50 for a cable operated handlebar lever one they are a great investment. You can get external cable ones or internal cable routed ones

 

[soundwave]

down side is i don't know of any that wont need servicing for new seals ect every couple of years.

not so bad if you can service it urself tho as lbs will be £100+

 

[daniel84uk]

I didn't even know they were a thing. Now i want one. Thanks!

 

[chris_n]

They are also extremely useful for starting on steep uphill sections with loose stones / gravel. Drop the seat, start moving then lift the seat makes it a breeze. My mate bought one when he saw how easily I could start after we had to stop for a gate etc.

 

[egroover]

down side is i don't know of any that wont need servicing for new seals ect every couple of years.

not so bad if you can service it urself tho as lbs will be £100+

Well mine is a Trans X model which can be had from 40 quid so I won't be paying anyone a hundred quid to service it!!

Tranz X YSP16JL Stealth Dropper Post | Merlin Cycles

Buy your Tranz X YSP16JL Stealth Dropper Post at Merlin. Free worldwide delivery available on most items!

www.merlincycles.com

 

[thelarkbox]

I had almost decided on a good seatpost suspension solution to relieve my backside but due to the stop-start of city navigation, you make an interesting argument, perhaps a few more months prevarication are in order..

 

[Gringo]

I like the idea of a dropper but I also love my ncx suspension seatpost and wouldn't do without it. I guess the best compromise would be a sprung saddle with a dropper post

 

[matthewslack]

I had almost decided on a good seatpost suspension solution to relieve my backside but due to the stop-start of city navigation, you make an interesting argument, perhaps a few more months prevarication are in order..

Don't wait four years like I did! Get a Suntour NCX now and then tell me I am right!

 

[guerney]

Even mega-cheapo suspension seatposts are good. My cheapo sprung seatpost has made a big improvement in ride comfort (allied with a pneumatic saddle [thanks again @RoadieRoger's for his post here], it has a pump). I had the option of additional manual dropper function, but decided against it because I don't need one (like the one linked below, but much longer) - I simply keep my saddle at a mad high angle, so no dropper is required. I either sit low or high on the mad angled saddle for max leg extension, or not. This won't work for everyone, but suits me because of my Quasimodo riding posture. No I don't have a bell, it's a horn.

https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005003230537032.html

The cheap combination stated above works well, so I stopped there... but there is a more expensive and better option for anyone with a similar Dahon or Dahon-like folding bike which uses 33.9mm width seatposts - buy a Tern telescopic and stick in a Suntour NCX, which I'm reliably informed by CH White & his Son works wonderfully. Apparently the extra long version of the Cane Creek Thudbuster made especially for Dahon was better, but they don't make those anymore.

Tern Telescopic Seatpost 33.9mm Black

Tern's Telescopic Seatpost extends 90 mm longer than their stock seatpost, but thanks to its unique design, it’s 120 mm shorter when retracted.

foldingbike.biz

 

[tuniwes]

A dropper seat post has transformed my commute comfort...optimum riding position when extended...feet firmly on the floor and very safe and comfortable at junctions and lights. Triggered from the handlebars at will, one of my best upgrades.

 

[thelarkbox]

Don't wait four years like I did! Get a Suntour NCX now and then tell me I am right!

Thanks for the helpful nudge..
any links to suppliers with a trusted supply chain to avoid me opting for a sub standard bargain clone would be appreciated


The combo idea appeals @guerney but i dont spot any trigger/button features to the telescopic option linked to?

 

[soundwave]

https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/fox-transfer-neo-factory-2025-dropper-seatpost?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAwaG9BhAREiwAdhv6Y5V2ySPD7IwCFoCF5HS8sMs2iE6x3OIgdME7Ws5o4nbRfZn1ukWCQhoCeuIQAvD_BwE#186=4404&204=11454

 

[matthewslack]

Thanks for the helpful nudge..
any links to suppliers with a trusted supply chain to avoid me opting for a sub standard bargain clone would be appreciated


The combo idea appeals @guerney but i dont spot any trigger/button features to the telescopic option linked to?

I just paid UK price to a UK bike shop, just under £90. I tend to assume that a £35 from China item may not be the genuine article, but I might be wrong.

 

[guerney]

The combo idea appeals @guerney but i dont spot any trigger/button features to the telescopic option linked to?

Oops, sorry about that. The AliExpress seller I bought my sprung suspension seatpost from, had a manual tilt forward dropper version of the same... but they don't have them anymore, and with AliExpress's so-called search engine being what it is: a useless suggestion engine, I can't find the product I'm looking for.

31.8 33.9mm Mountain Bike Seatpost 550mm Aluminum Alloy Bicycle Damping Suspension Seatpost Bike Seat Tube Cycling Parts XA346Q - AliExpress 18

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

vi.aliexpress.com

A Suntour NCX suspension seatpost of the right size fits into the Tern telescopic. It's not a dropper.