I had a great handling bike, up or down and In fast turns or so I thought, I had only one gripe. Going down steep shoots with mean G-outs at the bottom. I felt like I was always on the verge of going over the bars and yes I was behind the saddle, had it in my belly most drops.
A buddy said, "Drop your post" so I stopped and dropped it... Oh yeah my center of gravity was way lower, Steep drops were fun now and I could go alot faster,,,
But stopping to move the seat killed the 'Flow' so I wen't to Aj's bike and boards to look at handle bars with a little rise. At the time all I knew about dropper posts was, They cost $400-$500, they were problematic, expensive to repair and unreliable.
Things have changed with the newer generation two models. The store clerk at Aj's listened to my problem and had the smarts to have a more experienced rider, the store manager btw, talk to me. He was a big dude,, likes his food and beer if ya get my drift. He said, " This post is the only way I can get low"
This Giant Contact SL was a newer model and only $280, cable controlled, (I know how to keep cables going and will upgrade it to a teflon cable when it gives me grief...) The unit inside is a complete sealed replaceable cartridge thats $80
Ok what it did for me,
1st it did exactly what I was told it would do, no drama, just down with a little pressure, and up at the perfect speed.
Going down steep hills was fantastic, then I found out the real benefit, the thing I like even more that getting low going down. With the seat out of my way I could really pitch the bike over fast and farther. snap turns were better, sweeping fast turns were better, pumping the bike was better.
I didn't need to stop and raise it for a ling climb, no flow break XD
It has 100 mm total drop, they sell a shorter 75 mm version that's probably plenty for small bikes.
Funny thing after a few rides I found I was only using a couple of inches of drop, about half let me still grab the seat with my legs to pop up or kick the rear out.
The mind set if when your using one is not to think, "When should I lower my seat?" but Instead to think, "When should I RAISE my seat"
Get my drift ?
Get one..
Giant Contact SL Switch Seatpost - ajsbikesandboards.com
Oh and btw the extra weight after loosing the old seat post was .63 pounds or 285 grams and not noticable at all.
Of course I am not a weight weenie, I don't race for money, I ride for me...