Round up: 2016’s six most exciting dropper posts
Nothing has had a bigger impact on the modern mountain bike in recent years than the dropper post. Yet despite their almost ubiquitous presence on high end models, they’re often faulted for being overly expensive and downright unreliable. This fall, several manufacturers released more affordable options that are also user serviceable. A number of brands are also responding to consumers demand for longer travel posts. The most interesting new models, however, are electronic. Here are six of the most exciting and innovative dropper posts we saw during the tradeshow season.
Tall riders rejoice! The new 9Point8 offering comes with 175mm and 200mm of travel (click to enlarge).
9Point8
Dropper posts today generally come in three standard lengths: 100mm, 125mm, and 150mm. These posts accommodate the vast majority of riders, but are insufficient for those with long inseams and/or short torsos. To better accommodate those who are part T-Rex, 9Point8 is releasing a 175mm version of its well-regarded dropper post. They’ve teased a 200mm version to help gauge public interest. Price will be set close to their current retail of $379. Learn more at 9point8.ca.
Crankbrothers has designed the Highline to be ultra reliable and easily serviceable (click to enlarge).
Crankbrothers Highline
While the Kronolog post may have been plagued with reliability issues, Crankbrothers has designed the Highline to be ultra reliable and easily serviceable. Crankbrothers is famed for their unique approach to design, but their last attempt at a dropper post was universally panned for poor long term reliability. Their new post, the Highline, hopes to resolve those issues with a nitrogen spring cartridge system that is cable actuated and can easily be replaced. They also created a sleek new ergonomic remote, which can be mounted in a number of different ways. The post will have 125mm of infinite travel and has a three year warranty. Price is $350. To learn more about the internals and specs, head here and visit www.crankbrothers.com.
At $300, the new Gravity dropper will be one of the more affordable options on the market when it’s released next year (click to enlarge).
Gravity Post
The dropper post has revolutionized the way many of us ride but they’re often written off as an overly expensive (and unreliable) luxury. Gravity Components has attempted to address these concerns with its new $300 cable actuated post. The internals use a sealed hydraulic cartridge that is not user serviceable, but is intended to be easily replaced. In the event of a failure, a new cartridge retails for $25. The actuation mechanism is located on the bottom of the post, so the post is compatible with internal routing. In the event the cable brakes, it is also possible to remove the dropper post and manually adjust the post height. This post will be available in both 100mm and 125mm lengths and expected delivery is early spring. Learn more at ridegravity.com.
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