I’m looking to buy a dropper post for my gravel bike. It currently serves double duty as gravel bike AND cargo bike (front loading with the Argo Cargo kit) to take the kids to school. I’ve never felt the need to have a dropper post until now.
The reason being it would be easier to get in and out of the bike while starting and stopping and at red lights. The bike is a little tippy at low speeds. I have a Salsa Journeyman, and I believe I need an external routing post. It has to be 27.2
I don’t need anything extravagant as this isn’t my “high end” bike. The cheaper the better.
On Amazon I see at Tranz-X Jump Seat Cable-Less dropper post for $120. Has anybody used a cable less dropper post? Is it a hassle to “actuate” it? I’m thinking for my use case I may want remote actuation.
Speaking of “remotes”. Are they all compatible with each other? What should I look for?
Next I see Kind Shock KS Eten-R, which seems to cove with the remote. I don’t know anything about the brand but I do like the price. It’s $159. Any experience with this brand?
I was looking at PNW Components, but at $200 + $60 remote, I was thinking I could try my luck in the classifieds/ebay to keep costs lower.
Any hints on what I may be overlooking are appreciated.
I’ve installed two KS Eten (without the ‘-R’) dropper posts on my GF’s bikes. They’re heavy and the external cable routing is not pretty, but they are perfectly functional. Double check with the seller whether or not the remote is included. They first one we bought a few years ago included a remote. The second one bought last year did not but that was OK since I re-used an older remote on that bike.
I think remotes are compatible across brands but am not an expert. I would just buy the cheapest one that fits your handlebar for this use.
Thank you, this validates me, as in that a cheap version will work.
The bike is already heavy as it is. 26lbs on the bike itself, + sora components, so I’m good with a cheap dropper.
Thanks for the tips.
I’ve installed two KS Eten (without the ‘-R’) dropper posts on my GF’s bikes. They’re heavy and the external cable routing is not pretty, but they are perfectly functional. Double check with the seller whether or not the remote is included. They first one we bought a few years ago included a remote. The second one bought last year did not but that was OK since I re-used an older remote on that bike.
I think remotes are compatible across brands but am not an expert. I would just buy the cheapest one that fits your handlebar for this use.
From my mountain biking experience, having a remote is really nice / useful (before I had remote I thought it unnecessary and was happy with a lever under the seat. But the remote is a real blessing.
For actuator levers, just check the way the cable fixes at both the dropper and remote end - some use the cable nipple at one end and clamp the cable at the other. Some are opposite. So you’re buggered if you end up needing a cable nipple at both ends !
And the Rockshox Reverb is a hydraulic remote - so obvs you’re ties to that if that’s how you go (I use a Reverb on the mountain bike and it’s been fine for years, external hose (not ‘stealth’) and never had to bleed since new. I do use mudguard to protect the dropper from all the shiiite hitting the post and dirt / grit getting dragged into the post.
You have likely seen already a 27.2 dropper can be limited in choices. But, I installed a Crankbothers XC/gravel 27.2 dropper on a hard tail mountain bike in March and it has worked great. They come in choices of 60 to 125 mm of drop. Mine is internally routed. I use their remote too but you do not have too. Take care and think through carefully dropper and seat tube measurements to ensure the dropper will actually fit your bike. Big mistake to go over min insertion point on a dropper seat post. I wouldn’t ride an mtb anymore without a dropper. Not sure they are worth your $$ and effort for ease of on/off bike.
I have a KS Eten on my second MTB. It’s a good value proposition.
Go for remote for sure, much easier than reaching under your seat.
You have such a good use case for a dropper that I did not even realize until I had one. Dismounting a bike becomes soo easy and lazy with a dropper.
I see Jenson USA has a 2020 model for only $95. Only 65 mm but probably just what you need. I’d jump on that.
PNW makes very good remotes, pretty sure they can use either end of the cable. They are out of stock, but I see Jenson have them. Would put you all in ~$160
Awesome, let me go check them out at Jenson. Found some sales on crank Brothers but as another poster said, 27.2 choices are limited and they didn’t have any.
I have a KS Eten on my second MTB. It’s a good value proposition.
Go for remote for sure, much easier than reaching under your seat.
You have such a good use case for a dropper that I did not even realize until I had one. Dismounting a bike becomes soo easy and lazy with a dropper.
I see Jenson USA has a 2020 model for only $95. Only 65 mm but probably just what you need. I’d jump on that.
PNW makes very good remotes, pretty sure they can use either end of the cable. They are out of stock, but I see Jenson have them. Would put you all in ~$160