HK

Should I get a dropper post or not for my ML8? On paper it sounds great, but there are next to no reliable posts it seems..

Do it. You have to keep in mind that the vast majority of people who take the time to write reviews online are those who have been dissatisfied enough by the product to take time out of their day and tell others about their issues.

I've had a specialized command post blacklite since last October and it's been flawless. It's also given me so much more confidence to tackle techy sections at speeds that I would never have considered without it. It added maybe a pound extra compared to a standard Thomson post, but since then I've also gotten rid of the front shifty bits so that got rid of that weight again and gave me some extra cable guides so that I could cleanly rout the cable along the frame.

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I was supposed to type something here....

I cannot ride without a dropper any more.

If at all possible I will have a dropper post for any bike I ride.

I'm still getting used to mine and it is weird. I will admit that my lever is in a bad position and not very easy to reach when you're preparing for a decent. I'm going to get a better lever and hopefully I will love it as much as I had hoped. I don't think you can decide based on others opinions. Go demo a bike with one on a trail to decide if it's for you or not.


Sent from my hammock

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Nothing to see here

There is a learning curve. Riding without having the seat anchored between legs is different, it took me a while to unlearn bad habits and get stable and comfortable on the bike with the seat down. Positions in between are only good for that transition period IMO.

^ agreed with sti. It took me a couple rides to get used to a dropped seat, but it was well worth it. Also, I don't see much need for an intermediate stop or infinitely-adjustable range. I have a three-stop post and it's always either all the way up or all the way down. When there are short sections where the seat is down and I need to pedal, I just pedal while standing up.


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I like the infinite adjustable style, of course that's all I've ever used. But I do use different heights depending on the situation.

Does anyone make one that drops and rises with no assistance?


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Nothing to see here

How would that work? Battery?

Sounds exciting.

Here ya go: http://amzn.com/B002NNCU7S

Magura just released an electronic dropper post about a week ago. It's wireless and does all its movement without sitting on it.

It also uses the same wireless protocol as Magura's suspension, so the same remote could be used for both suspension and seat post. It would probably be simple to program it so that the post and suspension do similar things with one push of a button. Maybe you want the suspension to lock out and it could also raise the saddle at the same time.

Edit: it hasn't been released to consumers yet, just to the press for first looks. Also it does need to be weighted, since it uses a combination air/hydraulic spring. A small motor would easily move it without input, or something similar to forks that can have their travel adjusted on the fly.

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I was supposed to type something here....

Nah, anything wireless (except the bike computer that is) is NOT going on my ML8. Too much of a botnet-ish thing for me, I don't want my post to be hacked and getting my ride ruined by some faggot.

While I would love to have the new SRAM Red wireless for my roadie, I just don't like much wireless on my off road bike. I don't know why though.... maybe I view my off road bike to be more off a utility vehicle like an old Jeep while my carbon fiber rocket ship of a road bike is "cool" enough for wireless.

Totally sold. I have Crank Brothers, Thomson, and a Reverb. Get the Thomson if you can.

These really make a difference if you go for steep stuff, skinnies, and ride a big bike or big wheels in tight spaces. You can tilt the bike, better carve turns, and press the edges of your tires into the ground.

^ bitflogger knows his stuff. Droppers open door to a whole new dynamic of riding!

One obligatory picture from this afternoon.

You guys, along with tons of industry propaganda, have convinced me to put a 125mmX 27.s dropper on my 13 Y.O. Joker. With 170 front/180mm rear travel, I'm told this will be a "game-changer".
If it changes the game so much that I crash so hard I'll never pedal again, you can all expect a visit from me.

Most likely I'll end up thinking' of the NEXT
"game-change"........stupid never ends, until it's goal of natural selection prevails.

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'Merica's Finest City

I still don't have one.

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"Take a giant step, outside your mind" Taj Mahal.

I’ve used one since 2008. Game changer, it could be depending on the terrain you ride regularly. I will say that once you have one it’s hard not having one. Nice to have for that steep technical descend. Some even use them for cornering. I’ve tried that but it doesn’t click with me. Many times I’m through a tech section before I even think of dropping it. Nice to have it for the times it does register in time to use though.

Me neither.

Magura

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DIY all the way

Getting a visit from somebody who's real pissed off, but can hardly walk, seems pretty safe to me.


Magura

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DIY all the way

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'Merica's Finest City

Welp, I took my first ride on my Joker today with the Thomsen dropper. I think I crashed least 10 times. Bike is fine.
I guess it IS a game-changer, of sorts....

Oh yeah, the Bros at the bike shop even upgraded me to a wolf tooth lever, so extra-cool.

Some guy asked me about the post. I asked him to ask me about Tahiti instead.

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'Merica's Finest City

I feel that a rider is only going to benefit from a dropper if their style already involved manually dropping the seat post for extended descents through techy sections.

If so, then it's like a dream come true.

If not, then it is going to feel very foreign, but appreciation for it can be learned when it is used at the proper times. It will place you in a more aggressive position so that has to be your goal in the first place.

Yeah, but, howaboot Tahiti?

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'Merica's Finest City

I just got me a new, longer dropper.

A longer dropper requires you to do longer drops. So, if you're comfy with a 6 foot drop, we wanna hear about an 8 foot drop.

Congrats! And which one did you drop trou for?

I chose the Bike Yoke Revive as I have heard good things about them, and they have the built-in air bleed valve which, IMHO, is an absolutely essential feature. So far so good!