Are Dropper Posts Necessary?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Everyone loves dropper seat posts on their mountain bikes, but no one loves when they are not working properly.

Dropper seat posts are crucial for allowing you to get low to build traction when riding rough downhill terrain, corners, and jumps

.

Does a dropper post make a difference?

Why have a dropper post on a gravel bike?

“Droppers are still somewhat rare on gravel bikes,” notes Aaron Kerson, founder of PNW Components. “But the bottom line is that they make your ride more fun by lowering your center of gravity and allowing you to easily move from side to side, which keeps you from going over the bars and helps you to corner better.”

Do dropper posts have suspension?

PNW Components says, “

The Coast dropper is the world’s first Suspension Dropper Post

, combining ride smoothing suspension and the benefits of a dropper into one seat post. This dropper is designed to help riders on all types of bikes, from packed up trekkers, to the cross country wanderers, even the weekday commuters.”

Can you put a dropper post on a road bike?

Can I put a dropper post on any bike?

As you can see, this bike has a completely uninterrupted seat tube, a full 300mm of available frame for a dropper to sit into. This means that

any length post will fit the bike

.

How does dropper seatpost work?

Dropper seatposts work in a remarkably similar fashion to an office chair, in that you put your weight on the dropper post and push the lever, the seat goes down. Lift your weight off the post and push the lever, and the seat returns to its original position.

How much weight does dropper post add?

A dropper post averages

600 grams

, give or take. The average weight of aluminum alloy seat posts is around 250-300 grams. Less for most carbon seat posts. So you’re doubling the weight.

Can you put a dropper post on a hardtail?

Not the cheapest upgrade, but it is easily one of the best. It’s the same for full suspension bikes; but

even on the most humble of hardtails a dropper post will increase your control of the bike exponentially

.

Do you need a dropper post on a hardtail?


definitely yes

. a hardtail pedals better, so it is worth having your seat post nice and high to make the most of that. which will mean you will want to be able to get it out of your way when it starts smacking you in the ass when it gets rocky.

Can I upgrade to a dropper post?

First things first,

when upgrading droppers you’ll need to know your seat tube diameter

. Look at your current seat post. Somewhere near the bottom, it will be stamped in the aluminum. If you can’t find it, either visit your bike manufacturer’s website or grab a trusty set of calipers to measure the current post.

Do I need a dropper post gravel?


Gravel is clearly the next discipline to benefit from dropping the saddle

. With bigger tires, suspension forks, and progressive geometry, new gravel bikes are more capable. Gravel riders are pushing limits and events like Grinduro are getting gnarlier. Even on mellow gravel, a dropper will pay off.

Can you put a dropper post on a dirt jumper?

Condensed Answer:

A dropper post can be installed on a dirt jumper

. However, there are some downsides to this practice because dirt jumpers aren’t designed to be ridden like a regular hardtail or commuter.

How does a dropper post work on a mountain bike?

The dropper-post is a seatpost that is height adjustable and

allows the rider to quickly lower or raise the seat while riding

. These have been around since the 1980s and are currently becoming a standard MTB feature.

Do gravel bikes have dropper posts?


Dropper Post are often an ideal addition to a gravel bike for some people

. Obviously you could buy any gravel bike, and then get a dropper post and upgrade it.

How much does it cost to install a dropper post?

Handlebar/Stem/Seatpost Services Dropper post install (non-stealth) $10
Stealth dropper post install


$15
Reverb remote/hose bleed $10 Dropper post overhaul $65

How much does a dropper post cost?

Model Mechanism Price Bontrager Line Dropper Seatpost Air

USD 262
FSA Flowtron Dropper Air USD 262 Crankbrothers Highline 7 Air USD 256 Ritchey WCS Kite Air USD 307

Who invented the dropper post?

The Hite Rite was invented by

Joe Breeze

, one of the pioneers of modern mountain biking and the winner of 10 of the 24 Repack races.

How do you use droppers?

What is inside a dropper post?

Internals

Inside any dropper is

a locking mechanism to hold the post in place and a spring to push the saddle up when the lock is released

. Some also use a damper to slow the upward motion. The return speed of those without dampers can be a little alarming!

Jasmine Sibley
Author
Jasmine Sibley
Jasmine is a DIY enthusiast with a passion for crafting and design. She has written several blog posts on crafting and has been featured in various DIY websites. Jasmine's expertise in sewing, knitting, and woodworking will help you create beautiful and unique projects.