Use of dropper post?
#1
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Use of dropper post?
So now that I bought the Kona Honzo, I am the proud owner of a bike with a dropper post. The LBS guy explained its use, but it feels a bit awkward. One second I'm siting on the saddle at the proper height, the next I'm eight inches lower. Share with me your thoughts on the dropper post and its best uses. I'm getting too old to figure these things out for myself. Thanks
#2
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The dropper post allows you to do two things at the right seat height easily, rather than stopping and having to loosen and drop your post manually.
When climbing, or riding flat, you want your seat higher so you get good leg extension and balance.
When you go downhill, especially on technical terrain, you want to drop your seat (and center of balance) so you don't go over the bars.
That's the basic concept.
Set your dropper so its at the best height for riding when extended (high). Then you get whatever drop it allows.
Once you start riding mixed terrain with one you will like it. A good example I did last year was Slickrock Trail in Moab. Used that dropper a lot as the route was like a roller coaster of ups and downs!
When climbing, or riding flat, you want your seat higher so you get good leg extension and balance.
When you go downhill, especially on technical terrain, you want to drop your seat (and center of balance) so you don't go over the bars.
That's the basic concept.
Set your dropper so its at the best height for riding when extended (high). Then you get whatever drop it allows.
Once you start riding mixed terrain with one you will like it. A good example I did last year was Slickrock Trail in Moab. Used that dropper a lot as the route was like a roller coaster of ups and downs!
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When you are going down hill lower the post . It gets the seat the heck out of the way. You can get low off the back of the bike. You can sit low "in" the bike. In fact you can maneuver however you please! Best invention since the front shock. Congratulations!
#5
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It will take a few rides to get used to it. I have ridden one for three years and can’t imagine going back to a regular post on my mountain bike. Where I ride it is more rolling and a middle position is great. It really happens with cornering also. Enjoy the ride!
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It's for Mountain Biker's using in a instant a push of the lever. Your own weight drops the seat down and out of the way. When your ready to raise it you instantly press the lever and it raises right back up to your level. Its for Mountain Bikers. Higher end Gravel bikes are even coming with them they are so useful.
Last edited by Gconan; 03-07-20 at 06:34 PM.
#7
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I am sure OP is clear on how it works, he owns one.
I've had mine for less than half a year and still getting used to it. Basically any time you are out of the saddle, it's better with the saddle further out of the way. That's not just for stunts. Tricky or steep descents, any time you want to pop the bike over something. Sudden steep climbs where you want to put in a burst of power (not grinding up a grade), you can put it down at the same time you would have panic-shifted to the granny gear before, so instead you put some torque down in a higher gear and make through with more speed.
I've had mine for less than half a year and still getting used to it. Basically any time you are out of the saddle, it's better with the saddle further out of the way. That's not just for stunts. Tricky or steep descents, any time you want to pop the bike over something. Sudden steep climbs where you want to put in a burst of power (not grinding up a grade), you can put it down at the same time you would have panic-shifted to the granny gear before, so instead you put some torque down in a higher gear and make through with more speed.
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#8
Full Member
I just started using a dropper post as well. Most situations it's not really necessary but when you do drops downhills and jumps its just better to have the seat out of the way. It's not intuitive but you just have to start practicing and be consistent. When I ride if I come to a stop to rest I drop it down just to get used to it.
#10
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Thanks for the info. I'm starting to use it as directed. So far, no problems, but the real mountain biking hasn't started here yet. Too much snow on the trails.
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The real game changer is the lower center of for turns and getting the saddle out of your way in steep downhills and sections of tech where the bike will be going in all directions
#12
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My local single track is very twisting but generally flat to rolling. When I going thru the turns I stop pedaling briefly, but tend to start again right after a turn, then stop for the next, then pedal, etc..... When I’m pedaling I’d want the seat at the proper height for pedaling efficiency, not dropped down. And I would not want to deal with the post going up and down, up and down, etc....
So how can this be of use in turns ?
Last edited by Steve B.; 03-09-20 at 09:07 AM.
#13
Senior Member
So now that I bought the Kona Honzo, I am the proud owner of a bike with a dropper post. The LBS guy explained its use, but it feels a bit awkward. One second I'm siting on the saddle at the proper height, the next I'm eight inches lower. Share with me your thoughts on the dropper post and its best uses. I'm getting too old to figure these things out for myself. Thanks
https://lmgtfy.com/?q=purpose+of+dropper+post
Too old or too lazy?
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I get the use on a downhill. Turns not so much.
My local single track is very twisting but generally flat to rolling. When I going thru the turns I stop pedaling briefly, but tend to start again right after a turn, then stop for the next, then pedal, etc..... When I’m pedaling I’d want the seat at the proper height for pedaling efficiency, not dropped down. And I would not want to deal with the post going up and down, up and down, etc....
So how can this be of use in turns ?
My local single track is very twisting but generally flat to rolling. When I going thru the turns I stop pedaling briefly, but tend to start again right after a turn, then stop for the next, then pedal, etc..... When I’m pedaling I’d want the seat at the proper height for pedaling efficiency, not dropped down. And I would not want to deal with the post going up and down, up and down, etc....
So how can this be of use in turns ?
Try riding on your saddle and off to see how quickly you can react and make your bike navigate each turn. Notice how when off the saddle while making turns, the saddle gets in the way. The lower saddle positions helps you to separate you from the bike, which is what you'll eventually want to do. Riding off the saddle for extended periods will take time to build up, so expect fatigue. Also being off the saddle follows a simple rule of mtbing where you should have light hands and heavy feet. Meaning you ease off the grips and weight the pedals for better traction.
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I have a trail by me like that, it's about 2 miles of just constant tight rights and lefts.
Try riding on your saddle and off to see how quickly you can react and make your bike navigate each turn. Notice how when off the saddle while making turns, the saddle gets in the way. The lower saddle positions helps you to separate you from the bike, which is what you'll eventually want to do. Riding off the saddle for extended periods will take time to build up, so expect fatigue. Also being off the saddle follows a simple rule of mtbing where you should have light hands and heavy feet. Meaning you ease off the grips and weight the pedals for better traction.
Try riding on your saddle and off to see how quickly you can react and make your bike navigate each turn. Notice how when off the saddle while making turns, the saddle gets in the way. The lower saddle positions helps you to separate you from the bike, which is what you'll eventually want to do. Riding off the saddle for extended periods will take time to build up, so expect fatigue. Also being off the saddle follows a simple rule of mtbing where you should have light hands and heavy feet. Meaning you ease off the grips and weight the pedals for better traction.
#16
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So you typed all of this when the answer you seek is just a google search away?
https://lmgtfy.com/?q=purpose+of+dropper+post
Too old or too lazy?
https://lmgtfy.com/?q=purpose+of+dropper+post
Too old or too lazy?
This is one of those “you have to try it, then you’ll understand” things. Just like I resisted for 15 years things like 29” wheels, tubeless tires, lower air pressure, wider handlebars and 1X shifting, the advantages of which all became clear once I had a new bike with all those things. Sigh....
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#17
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Wisdom?
The quick google search reveals what's it for.
Drops center of gravity which is better for downhill sections of trail. This isn't rocket science.
The quick google search reveals what's it for.
Drops center of gravity which is better for downhill sections of trail. This isn't rocket science.
#18
Senior Member
So you typed all of this when the answer you seek is just a google search away?
https://lmgtfy.com/?q=purpose+of+dropper+post
Too old or too lazy?
https://lmgtfy.com/?q=purpose+of+dropper+post
Too old or too lazy?
Last edited by BirdsBikeBinocs; 03-10-20 at 08:46 AM.
#20
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#21
Senior Member
I do. I try searching google if I don't know. A bike forum is the last place I would look for that type of info.
One quick google search gives you this...
https://www.bikeexchange.com/blog/bu...pper-seatposts
https://www.redbull.com/za-en/five-r...a-dropper-post
https://www.montaguebikes.com/foldin...sts-explained/
The fact that the OP didn't do this is just pure laziness.
One quick google search gives you this...
https://www.bikeexchange.com/blog/bu...pper-seatposts
https://www.redbull.com/za-en/five-r...a-dropper-post
https://www.montaguebikes.com/foldin...sts-explained/
The fact that the OP didn't do this is just pure laziness.
#22
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Didn't you just start a thread for bikes under 1000. Isn't that an easily googled question?
It's a discussion forum. Get over yourself.
It's a discussion forum. Get over yourself.
Last edited by Happy Feet; 03-12-20 at 09:37 AM.
#23
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#24
Senior Member
So you typed all of this when the answer you seek is just a google search away?
https://lmgtfy.com/?q=purpose+of+dropper+post
Too old or too lazy?
https://lmgtfy.com/?q=purpose+of+dropper+post
Too old or too lazy?

#25
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Is is a numbers game. Like.. you'll help a group of people but put down an individual? Or does it depend on whether it's a subject you find interesting. If it's boring you call them lazy but if you like it you'll try to make a sticky for them.
Last edited by Happy Feet; 03-13-20 at 01:23 PM.
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