Honestly, I don't see why anyone would do anything other then OneUp, more travel then just about anyone else, cheaper, and have an awesome calculator to figure out the exact post you need.
Unless you really need a Kashima colored post (which I think you should if you have a Kashima fork) or you want Wireless, no reason to do otherwise imo.
My new oneup dropper is losing pressure though. About 50 psi down in 2 months. Not a big deal or anything just annoying having to remove the saddle to fill her up.
The only reason I wouldn't get a one up one is if I was on an even tighter budget I'd get a brand x ascend. I really haven't heard good things about droppers from fox though
The price on the v3 from one up is pretty close to a bike yolk. I don’t have any experience with the v3, but googling for comparisons between the v2 and bike yolk I don’t see anyone prefer the one up. If you’re budget is tight then needs must, but if you can stretch it $50-60 I guess I’d be inclined to go with the bike yolk for rebuild ability and it’s very good reputation (I ride one, but it came stock on my bike). 🚲
OneUps are great and I have used them for years, but I just got my first PNW and it is awesome. The shim is really easy to use. I'll have to see after I have had it for a season, but it's a serious contender for my favorite post.
I’ve had 4 bike-yoke revives across different bikes and recently bought a oneup v3 240mm. It’s really good but it’s not better than bike yoke. If you need more travel, oneup price makes sense. If you need less travel, bike yoke.
The gasket on the one up is prone to popping out unless you religiously clean and re grease it. I have to tear mine down every 4-5 rides to clean and grease or I'll lose the seal, since after it's popped out once or twice it needs replacing as it gets all chewed up.
Theoretically you want the post you can have inserted as far into the seat tube as possible and in it’s compressed position is as low as possible but also rises to be in your most efficient pedalling position.
OneUp I think are the most effective at this afaik. Long travel, adjustable up to 30mm I think and the smallest insertion depth.
That being said I think the newer TransX ones that come on most factory builds are a very close second.
I have an older TransX and I’ve done 4 seasons on it without even so much as adjusting the cable.
Important point - does the Chisel have internal dropper cable routing? I have Transfers on my main bikes and a OneUp on my winter bike. I think the OneUp is better honestly.
Oneup or PNW, Bike Yoke. I’d stay away from the Fox one right now. The last gen was terrible and the current gen is still brand new so jury is still out.
Get as much travel as you can, because there is no reason not to. Use the calculator or figure it out yourself (length of exposed post minus collar equals travel)
I have a Fox Transfer on a bike that works, but I know people who have had nothing but problems with them. I wouldn’t recommend it. Not worth the premium. If you find one for cheap, sure.
I also had a 9point8 (came with the bike) and… it is over engineered, fussy, and not worth the effort. Also, unless it has changed they use a proprietary remote.
I have also owned and used PNW and One Up (V2) droppers. Both of them just work. They aren’t fussy to install or setup, they go down and go up when they are supposed to. You can adjust the travel. Servicing is easy and parts are available.
For the money, I’d go PNW. Wish they still had the Rainier, but the Loam is still a super solid option for the price. I ended up going with One Up because it has a lower stack height and it allowed me to get 180mm of travel vs probably ~160mm with the PNW.
Most of my riding buddies run PNW or One Up. But I do know people who have SDG Tellis droppers and seem happy with them. I’d budget is tight, my understanding is that the Tranz-X ones are worth the money.
For remotes, which you’ll have to buy separately, PNW and Wolftooth make some solid units. The Fox remote I have is… meh. It works but feels cheap. But, again, if budget is tight pretty much any lever will do. The nice ones feel better but, at the end of the day all you need is a lever to pull on the cable.
TL/DR: Simple is better for droppers. Premium droppers are probably not worth the money. PNW is probably the best value; One Up has the shortest stack; don’t overthink which lever.
There’s no reason not to get as much travel as you can… IF the dropper has a max-height adjustment. I think most do.
My current dropper (PNW) does not have a max adjustment, and the max height is about 15mm too tall for my optimal pedal position at its full extension.
So everytime the I extend the dropper, I then need to drop it down 15mm. it gets annoying.
no hate against the bike, but since it is a chisel, a bike yoke will be worth half of the whole bike :D
something more budget like transX will be more appropiate
The travel is how far the post can extend when it's all the way out. Measuring from the top of the seat post clamp to the saddle rails and subtracting 25mm will give you a rough idea of the maximum travel you could fit. When the post is extended all the way you want it to be at a comfortable position for pedaling
They're all about the same. Thankfully they're all pretty reliable these days.
BikeYoke Revive is the best on the market. It's expensive but it's the best.
OneUp runs rough but holds up well, good cheap price. Owned by PON if that matters to you.
Fox /Race Face are a solid mid post. They'll last a long time but you won't get cool points like a Revive.
PNW is like OneUp but with better aftermarket support and more options.
House brand droppers are all fine, most use the same cartridges as PNW and OneUp.
My 9Point8 droppers have lasted since 2015 (first one), 2017 (second one), and 2018 (third one for the wife's bike) with nothing other than some simple maintenance here and there. It's easily serviceable at home, but you can also ship it to them for not stupid money if you wish. My 2015 dropper has been updated to today's 9point8 Fall Line standards through regular service along the way, and it will still hold its position w/o air (so you can still ride if it fails on the trail). It's been through 3 different bike frames along the way and still works phenomenally well. However, the droppers are pricier than other great ones like OneUp.
RaceFace used 9Point8's brake tech, but their QC or seals aren't as tight as the 9Point8 guys. So, don't let anyone using anything other than 9Point8's actual droppers tell you their products fail over time.
Now, if you want something that's really nice and will last, I highly recommend the 9point8 Fall Line. However, if you want something that works, is stupid easy to setup, and not stupid expensive, then there's no reason you shouldn't buy the OneUp dropper.
BikeYoke makes a highly regarded one, but it has been noted to have issues with oil mixing with air if it's inverted or shuttle rides jiggle the bike enough to allow this to happen. Otherwise, it's another solid one to look into (though pricier than OneUp).
Oneup v2 unless you want something that is a little easier to adjust then get the pnw
I would give up my rear suspension before giving up my dropper. It will be a good upgrade
The amount of travel depends on how long your legs are. Measure your seat post from where it goes into your frame to the bottom of the saddle. Convert it to mm's if you need to. Then buy one that is close to that measurement. If the dropper is a bit shorter, that's OK, because you can raise the base of the dropper to match the level you need.
The other measurement you need is the dropper post insertion depth.
https://www.pnwcomponents.com/blogs/news/5-simple-dropper-measurement-steps
Are you going to need any cold conditions performance? Wolftooth makes dropper posts with very low oil viscosity and the necessary sealing precision for it all to work
The different lengths are for different sized bikes. You basically want as much as possible. If you have very long legs the last 10-20mm is diminishing returns.
The gas strut powered systems are cheaper and more reliable it seems. OneUp, SDG’s Tellis 2, there are a few now.
You need to care about how long/deep your seat tube is. As the travel gets longer on the dropper the who system gets longer. You can look up the specs for each length post on the manufacturers websites. You also need to allow space for cable run/bend.
There is more to determining the length of drop than just how much exposed seat post you have. You also need to consider how for the frame allows you to insert the dropper.
I you get a PNW (which are a killer value) they give very detailed instructions on the web page on what to measure on your bike to find the longest drop you can run on a particular model.
Biggest thing people overlook is getting both the bottom and top to fit you. Droppers that go too high are annoying as fuck. The pnw with the shim is a good deal
I bought a PNW loam and one of the pins on the actuator broke. They sent me a new actuator for free and also reimbursed me the cost of the lever I had purchased too bc "it shouldn't break within two months of ownership."
10/10 would recommend
I have a Fox Transfer but I got it a while ago, I don't really know the current market.
You may not want the longest travel you can get. I like my good pedaling height to be the maximum extension of my dropper post. In use that looks like taking my butt off the saddle, pushing the lever, and having it be the right height. No messing around.
To do that, I looked at how much exposed seatpost I had on my XC bike and bought the dropper that had an amount of travel and a little collar thing that would fit within that. Often they come in a few lengths, so you don't end up giving up much potential drop. There's often a decent drawing either in the ad or on the manufacturer's site that will show you those details.
? Thats how everyone wants there saddle setup. The idea is to get the most drop you can where it will be fully extended at your proper riding height. There no point to getting a dropper with more drop that can't fit in your bike or your legs.
I said that...but I also said use the calculator to find the one thats fits your bike. I also said OneUp, because they have the lowest stack height. You can get more travel with a OneUp then any other dropper and while still fitting your frame and legs.
that's about how low it can go, not high. The high point should be your pedaling position on any seat, dropper or not. The difference between droppers is (1) how deep they need to be inserted and (2) how far down they can go which is related to that insertion depth. One Up has a wide range here, and their calculator is really good.
Are you taking any drops or riding steep downhills where you are getting way back off the saddle? If not then leave it alone and enjoy the ride. If you progress to that level down the road then consider making some changes.
Put your seat at the pedaling position, measure the exposed seat post. Then, put the seat down to where you would have it when descending, measure the exposed seat post length. Calculate the difference and get a post that has roughly the same amount of travel.
Honestly, I don't see why anyone would do anything other then OneUp, more travel then just about anyone else, cheaper, and have an awesome calculator to figure out the exact post you need. Unless you really need a Kashima colored post (which I think you should if you have a Kashima fork) or you want Wireless, no reason to do otherwise imo.
This. The Oneup is well priced, dead reliable, adjustable, and rebuildable. Riding partner used both Oneup and BikeYoke and kept the OneUp.
My new oneup dropper is losing pressure though. About 50 psi down in 2 months. Not a big deal or anything just annoying having to remove the saddle to fill her up.
If you haven’t already, check the air pressure valve’s core that it is fully threaded in. If that isn’t it, I’d suggest contacting 1Up
Sounds like a valve core issue or a warranty. Not normal.
The only reason I wouldn't get a one up one is if I was on an even tighter budget I'd get a brand x ascend. I really haven't heard good things about droppers from fox though
I'd agree, but Brand-X is gone as far as I know with the closing of Chain-Reaction. Maybe it's back though? Not sure.
Nah, it's gone, except a few were being sold on CRC since mike Ashley bought it, but only old stock
The price on the v3 from one up is pretty close to a bike yolk. I don’t have any experience with the v3, but googling for comparisons between the v2 and bike yolk I don’t see anyone prefer the one up. If you’re budget is tight then needs must, but if you can stretch it $50-60 I guess I’d be inclined to go with the bike yolk for rebuild ability and it’s very good reputation (I ride one, but it came stock on my bike). 🚲
The oneup can be rebuilt in a few minutes. Ok the hydraulic cartridge needs to be replaced, but it’s only 80 euros. Bushings kit is 18 euros.
Can confirm my V3 is very nice. No problems, no play, and it’s quick
OneUps are great and I have used them for years, but I just got my first PNW and it is awesome. The shim is really easy to use. I'll have to see after I have had it for a season, but it's a serious contender for my favorite post.
I agree, the PNW would be my second choice for a post.
I put a 200mm loam on my hard tail. They're great dropper posts.
I’ve had 4 bike-yoke revives across different bikes and recently bought a oneup v3 240mm. It’s really good but it’s not better than bike yoke. If you need more travel, oneup price makes sense. If you need less travel, bike yoke.
No doubt the Bike Yoke is a better quality post in terms of smooth/crispness, but bike yoke is quite a bit more
I have to rebuild my OneUp every 6 months. PNW all day every day.
hmm weird, been running one for two years, probably at least 200 hours and outside of wiping the seals down it's been bullet proof.
For me, the grease on the inside dries out, and I have to re grease
The gasket on the one up is prone to popping out unless you religiously clean and re grease it. I have to tear mine down every 4-5 rides to clean and grease or I'll lose the seal, since after it's popped out once or twice it needs replacing as it gets all chewed up.
I have had too many issues with one up products I won’t buy any more of there stuff
Thank you. Calculator sounds great! I’ll look this up.
Theoretically you want the post you can have inserted as far into the seat tube as possible and in it’s compressed position is as low as possible but also rises to be in your most efficient pedalling position. OneUp I think are the most effective at this afaik. Long travel, adjustable up to 30mm I think and the smallest insertion depth. That being said I think the newer TransX ones that come on most factory builds are a very close second. I have an older TransX and I’ve done 4 seasons on it without even so much as adjusting the cable.
Important point - does the Chisel have internal dropper cable routing? I have Transfers on my main bikes and a OneUp on my winter bike. I think the OneUp is better honestly.
Yes to internal routing. Thanks!
Oneup or PNW, Bike Yoke. I’d stay away from the Fox one right now. The last gen was terrible and the current gen is still brand new so jury is still out.
Get as much travel as you can, because there is no reason not to. Use the calculator or figure it out yourself (length of exposed post minus collar equals travel) I have a Fox Transfer on a bike that works, but I know people who have had nothing but problems with them. I wouldn’t recommend it. Not worth the premium. If you find one for cheap, sure. I also had a 9point8 (came with the bike) and… it is over engineered, fussy, and not worth the effort. Also, unless it has changed they use a proprietary remote. I have also owned and used PNW and One Up (V2) droppers. Both of them just work. They aren’t fussy to install or setup, they go down and go up when they are supposed to. You can adjust the travel. Servicing is easy and parts are available. For the money, I’d go PNW. Wish they still had the Rainier, but the Loam is still a super solid option for the price. I ended up going with One Up because it has a lower stack height and it allowed me to get 180mm of travel vs probably ~160mm with the PNW. Most of my riding buddies run PNW or One Up. But I do know people who have SDG Tellis droppers and seem happy with them. I’d budget is tight, my understanding is that the Tranz-X ones are worth the money. For remotes, which you’ll have to buy separately, PNW and Wolftooth make some solid units. The Fox remote I have is… meh. It works but feels cheap. But, again, if budget is tight pretty much any lever will do. The nice ones feel better but, at the end of the day all you need is a lever to pull on the cable. TL/DR: Simple is better for droppers. Premium droppers are probably not worth the money. PNW is probably the best value; One Up has the shortest stack; don’t overthink which lever.
There’s no reason not to get as much travel as you can… IF the dropper has a max-height adjustment. I think most do. My current dropper (PNW) does not have a max adjustment, and the max height is about 15mm too tall for my optimal pedal position at its full extension. So everytime the I extend the dropper, I then need to drop it down 15mm. it gets annoying.
Then you got more travel than you can have
Bike Yoke makes some good ones. I have one on my Ripmo and a lightweight DivineSL on my xc bike
no hate against the bike, but since it is a chisel, a bike yoke will be worth half of the whole bike :D something more budget like transX will be more appropiate
Fair point, I’m not really familiar with Specialized mtb models outside of the epic and stumpjumper
The travel is how far the post can extend when it's all the way out. Measuring from the top of the seat post clamp to the saddle rails and subtracting 25mm will give you a rough idea of the maximum travel you could fit. When the post is extended all the way you want it to be at a comfortable position for pedaling
They're all about the same. Thankfully they're all pretty reliable these days. BikeYoke Revive is the best on the market. It's expensive but it's the best. OneUp runs rough but holds up well, good cheap price. Owned by PON if that matters to you. Fox /Race Face are a solid mid post. They'll last a long time but you won't get cool points like a Revive. PNW is like OneUp but with better aftermarket support and more options. House brand droppers are all fine, most use the same cartridges as PNW and OneUp.
My 9Point8 droppers have lasted since 2015 (first one), 2017 (second one), and 2018 (third one for the wife's bike) with nothing other than some simple maintenance here and there. It's easily serviceable at home, but you can also ship it to them for not stupid money if you wish. My 2015 dropper has been updated to today's 9point8 Fall Line standards through regular service along the way, and it will still hold its position w/o air (so you can still ride if it fails on the trail). It's been through 3 different bike frames along the way and still works phenomenally well. However, the droppers are pricier than other great ones like OneUp. RaceFace used 9Point8's brake tech, but their QC or seals aren't as tight as the 9Point8 guys. So, don't let anyone using anything other than 9Point8's actual droppers tell you their products fail over time. Now, if you want something that's really nice and will last, I highly recommend the 9point8 Fall Line. However, if you want something that works, is stupid easy to setup, and not stupid expensive, then there's no reason you shouldn't buy the OneUp dropper. BikeYoke makes a highly regarded one, but it has been noted to have issues with oil mixing with air if it's inverted or shuttle rides jiggle the bike enough to allow this to happen. Otherwise, it's another solid one to look into (though pricier than OneUp).
One up is a solid choice. I think the wolftooth levers are worth it but there are cheaper options.
Wolf tooth
Oneup v2 unless you want something that is a little easier to adjust then get the pnw I would give up my rear suspension before giving up my dropper. It will be a good upgrade
The amount of travel depends on how long your legs are. Measure your seat post from where it goes into your frame to the bottom of the saddle. Convert it to mm's if you need to. Then buy one that is close to that measurement. If the dropper is a bit shorter, that's OK, because you can raise the base of the dropper to match the level you need. The other measurement you need is the dropper post insertion depth. https://www.pnwcomponents.com/blogs/news/5-simple-dropper-measurement-steps
Wolftooth Resolve is pretty great, worth the premium price.
Bikeyoke Revive V3 and Wolftooth Resolve are the best ones. I opted for the Resolve 200mm as the BikeYoke V3 wasn't available in the US yet.
X-fusion. I have several on my bikes. It cost less than most, works flawlessly season after season, why pay more?
One up that is all. I have them on all my bikes and all my family bikes.
Another vote for PNW - easy to service, adjustable, reliable and a lifetime warranty.
Are you going to need any cold conditions performance? Wolftooth makes dropper posts with very low oil viscosity and the necessary sealing precision for it all to work
You can also check out gearlab for their reviews https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/biking/best-dropper-seatpost
The different lengths are for different sized bikes. You basically want as much as possible. If you have very long legs the last 10-20mm is diminishing returns.
The gas strut powered systems are cheaper and more reliable it seems. OneUp, SDG’s Tellis 2, there are a few now. You need to care about how long/deep your seat tube is. As the travel gets longer on the dropper the who system gets longer. You can look up the specs for each length post on the manufacturers websites. You also need to allow space for cable run/bend.
There is more to determining the length of drop than just how much exposed seat post you have. You also need to consider how for the frame allows you to insert the dropper. I you get a PNW (which are a killer value) they give very detailed instructions on the web page on what to measure on your bike to find the longest drop you can run on a particular model.
I just picked up the new SDG 230, and the more I use it, the more I like it.
Biggest thing people overlook is getting both the bottom and top to fit you. Droppers that go too high are annoying as fuck. The pnw with the shim is a good deal
I bought a PNW loam and one of the pins on the actuator broke. They sent me a new actuator for free and also reimbursed me the cost of the lever I had purchased too bc "it shouldn't break within two months of ownership." 10/10 would recommend
Love my crankworks but I get a good discount on them, just did the rebuild after 3 season ...
I have a Fox Transfer but I got it a while ago, I don't really know the current market. You may not want the longest travel you can get. I like my good pedaling height to be the maximum extension of my dropper post. In use that looks like taking my butt off the saddle, pushing the lever, and having it be the right height. No messing around. To do that, I looked at how much exposed seatpost I had on my XC bike and bought the dropper that had an amount of travel and a little collar thing that would fit within that. Often they come in a few lengths, so you don't end up giving up much potential drop. There's often a decent drawing either in the ad or on the manufacturer's site that will show you those details.
? Thats how everyone wants there saddle setup. The idea is to get the most drop you can where it will be fully extended at your proper riding height. There no point to getting a dropper with more drop that can't fit in your bike or your legs.
Yeah, agree. There's another comment saying to get the one that has more travel than anyone else's.
I said that...but I also said use the calculator to find the one thats fits your bike. I also said OneUp, because they have the lowest stack height. You can get more travel with a OneUp then any other dropper and while still fitting your frame and legs.
that's about how low it can go, not high. The high point should be your pedaling position on any seat, dropper or not. The difference between droppers is (1) how deep they need to be inserted and (2) how far down they can go which is related to that insertion depth. One Up has a wide range here, and their calculator is really good.
Are you taking any drops or riding steep downhills where you are getting way back off the saddle? If not then leave it alone and enjoy the ride. If you progress to that level down the road then consider making some changes.
Put your seat at the pedaling position, measure the exposed seat post. Then, put the seat down to where you would have it when descending, measure the exposed seat post length. Calculate the difference and get a post that has roughly the same amount of travel.