Dropper posts are practically a given on most mountain bike builds today. While several years ago there was only a handful of brands offering up-down posts, today there are dozens to choose from. Competition has led to better overall performance, lower prices, and new features that make dropper posts even easier to use and maintain.
Over the past 18 months or so we’ve tested and reviewed eight dropper posts from seven different brands. Here’s what we found.
| Product | Price | Routing | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| FSA Flowtron | $249 | Internal | 150mm post: 584g, remote: 41g |
| KS E30-I | $209 | Internal | 450g – 640g |
| Marzocchi Transfer | $294 | Both Available | 364g |
| OneUp V2 | $199 – $209 | Internal | 500g |
| PNW Components Bachelor | $199-$349 | Internal | (30.9): 150mm – 540g, 170mm – 560g, 200mm – 635g |
| PNW Rainier IR | $199 | Internal | 622.4g |
| Pro Koryak | $299 | Both Available | 535g (170mm/30.9mm, actual) |
| SDG Tellis | $249 | Internal | 520g |
FSA Flowtron
- Routing: Internal
- Weight: 150mm post: 584g, remote: 41g
- $249 MSRP. Available online at Performance Bikes, Tree Fort Bikes, and other online retailers
After months of having the Flowtron on my bike, it has yet to develop any problems, even after getting caught by rain halfway into rides that left mud and grit sprinkled around the dropper post seals. The weather didn’t seem to phase the return speed of the post either. There’s probably a millimeter of wiggle room standard on the post, like most others, but the movement hasn’t grown at all.
The FSA Flowtron features a unique 3-position attachment option at the actuator to customize the lever feel.
Read the full review here.
KS E30-I
- Routing: Internal
- Weight: 450g – 640g
- $209 MSRP. Available online at Jenson USA (10% off)
The KS E30-I offers solid and reliable performance at a reasonable price. For those who are looking at buying a dropper post for the first time, or adding one to a bike that came without, the KS E30-I is easy to install and gets the job done.
Right out of the box, the E30-I includes everything riders need, but I recommend also purchasing the Southpaw remote to replace the included KGP over-the-bar remote.
Read the full review here.
Marzocchi Transfer
- Routing: Internal or external
- Weight: 364g
- $294 MSRP. Available online at Amazon.com and other online retailers
After more than three months, I haven’t had any issues with the seat post, aside from a few millimeters of side-to-side play, which is common with most dropper posts. Other than that, it is as operational as the day it was installed.
Buyers will need to pony up an extra $65 for a 1X-compatible lever.
Read the full review here.
OneUp V2
- Routing: Internal
- Weight: 500g
- $199 – $209 MSRP. Available online at Jenson USA, REI, Competitive Cyclist, and other online retailers
The travel length for the OneUp V2 Dropper can be tuned to maximize the amount of drop that a rider’s frame design and leg length allow. OneUp claims that they have achieved the shortest stack height and total length of any dropper on the market with this second version.
The OneUp V2 dropper returns with enough speed that I have never wanted it to go faster, but not so fast that it causes any pain or discomfort when it meets my shorts. The clean alloy V2 lever rotates around a sealed cartridge bearing to keep it smooth for the long run.
Read the full review here.
PNW Components Bachelor
- Routing: Internal
- Weight: (30.9): 150mm – 540g, 170mm – 560g, 200mm – 635g
- $199 – $239 MSRP. Available online at Amazon.com, Performance Bikes, and other online retailers
The Bachelor is a cable-operated post with an adjustable air cartridge. Some of the other droppers at this price point do not have this feature, and so as the post ages and loses air, cartridges will need to be replaced rather than inflated. It also means that you have a degree of control over the return speed.
The Bachelor post does not come with a lever, so you can use your old one if you like it, or you can buy the excellent PNW Loam Lever for $69.
Read the full review here.
PNW Rainier IR
- Routing: Internal
- Weight: 622.4g
- $199 MSRP. Available online at REI, Amazon.com, and other online retailers
The PNW Rainier dropper post (Gen 2) returns medium-fast to fast on the trail, which is something I haven’t found with other dropper posts in this price range. Not only that, sub-freezing temperatures don’t seem to affect the return speed, thanks to the coil-spring action. The seals appear to be high quality, and the stanchion is quite smooth, which no doubt contributes to its speed and reliability.
Even at full extension when I’m really hammering, the post remains solid and complaint-free. An annoying squeak during testing turned out to be coming from my saddle, the Rainier silent and immovable throughout.
Read the full review here, and learn about the third generation Rainier here.
Pro Koryak
- Routing: Internal or external
- Weight: 535g (170mm/30.9mm, actual)
- $299 MSRP. Available online at Competitive Cyclist and other online retailers
The Pro Koryak mountain bike dropper post has proven to be easy to install and offers solid and reliable performance on the trail. While it doesn’t excel in any one area — it’s not the fastest, lightest, or flashiest — it’s very, very good at what it does. And that should please most riders.
Read the full review here.
SDG Tellis
- Routing: Internal
- Weight: 520g
- $249 MSRP. Available online at Amazon, Worldwide Cyclery, Performance Bike, and other online retailers
I would recommend the Tellis to any good friend, regardless of their bike budget. It continues to work like new, the lever-action is fantastic, its return speed is spot on, and it’s easily rebuildable. To top it all off, the post sits around the industry-standard weight at 520g, with a short enough stack to satisfy most frames.
Read the full review here.
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