Dropper posts allow you to adjust the height of your saddle while you ride. They are an excellent upgrade for any mountain bike.
How does a dropper board work? What post is best for your bike? And how do you attach a dropper bar to your bike? This guide will cover everything.
What is a dropper post?
Dropper seat posts enable you to lower your saddle height while riding via a remote lever on your handlebars.
What is the result? You can easily shift your weight on descents, which allows for better control, pumping technique, and ultimately bigger and better shredding. You can then move the post to a higher position by flicking the lever on the bar. This will allow you to climb again, even for just a few pedal strokes, before returning to the descent.
Dropper posts can make a huge difference on trails. They’re so common that they can be found on both adventure and gravel bikes.
Which dropper post should i get for my bike
Dropper posts can make a mountain bike more powerful, but you need to ensure that the one you choose is compatible with your bike. These are some things to keep in mind:
- Seat post width – You will need to determine the width of the existing seat post in order to choose the right size dropper. Your current seat post size will be etched on the bottom of the post. This size is most commonly used on Boardman, Voodoo, and Carrera mountain bikes.
- Travel – Next, choose how much travel (drop) you wish to do. While travel ranges vary, the most common dimensions are 125mm and 150mm. The maximum amount of travel your mountain bike can handle is important. The lower the seat post can be, the greater the travel. Measure how high your seat post is above the frame. Then subtract 30mm to account for the collar of a dropper. This will give you an estimate of how much travel you can use. Full suspension bike gives you the best experience of travel so, If you don’t have a suspension bike then you can buy the best full suspension mountain bike under 2000.
- Next, ensure the body of your dropper fits into your seat tube without bending the post or hitting any bottle bolts. To determine if obstructions exist, push the original seat post down as far as you can and measure its distance.
- After you have tried all the options, choose the largest dropper that fits inside your frame. It shouldn’t be larger than the extension of your existing seat post.
How to Install a Dropper Post for a Seat
It’s now time to put it in place once you have found the best dropper post.
This step-by-step guide will show you how to install a dropper post whose cables run from the bottom through the seat tube. This is the most popular frame design. The cable can be fed through an oval cut at the bottom of your seat tube.
Tools needed
These tools are required to fit a dropper post:
- Allen keys
- Carbon-safe assembly compound for carbon frames
- Cable cutters
You should allow plenty of time, as some elements can be complicated and installation can take up to 30-60 minutes.
Before you start
Lay out your tools neatly and locate a well-lit, open area in which to work. Before you start, make sure to read the entire guide. If you aren’t confident with the task at hand, let one of our skilled technicians handle it.
Mounting the Lever
Mount the lever that controls the post.
You will use your left thumb to operate this lever. To find the most comfortable position on the handlebars’ left side, you should test it. The under-bar levers are usually mounted to the right side of the brake, and the over-bar levers are to your left.
Securely fasten the lever once you are satisfied.
Routing the outer cable
Now it’s time to route the outer cables. Here’s how:
- Start by working backward and routing the outer cable to the right side of the headtube. Then, use the cable mounting points to guide you down the downtube.
- The cable should be routed under the bracket, back up the seat tube, and into the dropper routing hole. Make sure the cable is clear of the cranks and rear tires before you continue.
- Pass the cable through the hole in the seat post routing until it is approximately parallel to the place where your dropper will be placed.
- Now, go back to the front and reduce the outer cable. You should cut it so you can turn the handlebars around. PRO TIP: Be generous with the length of your cable as it might shorten after you adjust your post’s final position.
- Now, feed the cable towards your back so that it pops out from the top of your seat tube. This is the time to attach the ferrules to your outer cable using a little waterproof grease.
Feeding your inner cable
Once the outer cable is routed correctly, it is time to feed the inner cables through.
- Clean the cable first with GT85 or a wet lube, then wipe it down.
- Some droppers require that you feed the inner cable from your lever and some from the post. Before continuing, make sure to read the instruction manual.
- You may need to attach barrel nuts to your inner cable if it feeds from the seat post. Again, consult the manual.
- After you have inserted your inner cable, you will need to secure it. You will need to fasten it with a grub screw. The top tip is to ensure that the outer cable is properly seated at the lever and dropper ends. Otherwise, your cable may slip when it drops into place.
Tensioning your cable
Once the cables are in place, they must be properly tensioned.
Check that the lever is pulled by pulling the trigger at the bottom of your post. You may need to pull the inner cable through the grub screw if the lever feels loose.
Once you’re satisfied that the trigger is working correctly, you can adjust the tension of the cable using the barrel adjuster. This rotates counterclockwise to tighten. To ensure that the trigger moves as soon as the lever is pressed, you need to take out any excess cable.
Positioning your seat post
We are almost there. Now all that remains is to position the seatpost.
- Begin by moving your dropper Seatpost into place. As you move the cable down the seat tube, it is important that the cable passes through the hole in the bottom. This will ensure that the cable does not slip from the bottom. ).
- The dropper should be positioned so that your leg is slightly bent when it’s at its longest length. This will optimize your setup for climbing.
- Once everything is in its correct place, tighten the seat clamp and check the cable for any issues.
- Finally, make sure that the dropper works properly. The trigger may be pulling on the Seatpost. To fix this, use the barrel adjuster (rotating counterclockwise) to loosen the inner cable.
That’s all! Now your dropper is ready to go. You should have enough time to test it on the trails.
