Dropper posts under £100

joebristol

Hi peeps, the standard answer from bike shops is that you should buy a rs reverb anytime dropper posts are mentioned. The most recent conversation I had with someone at a bike shop was along the lines of "other posts work, but you should either save for a reverb, or not bother getting a dropper". His reasoning was that the remote is hydraulic rather than a cable.

I have £200, but I can't justify it on a dropper - house stuff comes first. However for under £100 I could probably justify it. Generally most of these posts will be mechanical ones with the exception of one hydraulic one I found. Either that or go 2nd hand and I might find a KS dropper on ebay.

What are people's thoughts on the following droppers -

Rsp plummet (mechanical)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/RSP-Plummet-Remote-Dropper-Seat/dp/B00K2WI094

DNM dropper

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/151229134040?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&chn=ps&device=m&rlsatarget=&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F710-134428-41853-0%252F2%253Fipn%253Dicep%2526icep_id%253D67%2526mtid%253D1673%2526kwid%253D1%2526crlp%253D50600204586_563391%2526icep_item_id%253D151229134040%2526itemid%253D151229134040%2526icep_meta_categ_id%253D888%2526icep_etrs%253DY%2526icep_epid%253D-999%2526icep_ctlg%253D-999%2526icep_cond%253DNew%2526targetid%253D106319953986%2526rlsatarget%253D%2526rpc%253D0.08%2526rpc_upld_id%253D52315%2526device%253Dm%2526icep_msku_flag%253Dn%2526icep_cbt%253Dy%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526gclid%253DCLT1vK_T1cYCFWNQ2wodPHYFZA%2526srcrot%253D710-134428-41853-0%2526rvr_id%253D865641810071

The plummet seems to get ok reviews and is available in the uk from bike shops. The dnm is from Australia and I can't find many reviews. But it's a hydraulic post with a cable remote - so would have infinite height adjustment rather than a couple of height notches. It slso looks nicer!

cooldad

Depends what size you need but hydraulic from an Eu source for under £100 delivered and made by KS.

http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/exaform-eten-remote-hydraulic-drop-post-30%2C9mm-44685/wg_id-1815

Or I have just bought one of these, as far as I can see the same as Raleigh and a few others with minor differences. Works fine, but can't comment on longevity.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261588660774?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Bit cheaper if you need 27.2 without the shim.

joebristol

I've got a 31.6mm seatpost (current one is carbon that came on my boardmam pro fs 650b). Think that gives me dome options with or without shims. Read that the tMars type ones need downward pressure to release them to come back up, and can cone up at high speed. The rsp one has notches instead of holes so doesn't have this issue I don't think?

That hydraulic one looks interesting. Could I shim a 30.9mm post up to the 31.6mm seat tube hole I've got? Guess that's a very thin shim?

dirkpitt74

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19649327#p19649327]cooldad[/url] wrote:

Depends what size you need but hydraulic from an Eu source for under £100 delivered and made by KS.

http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/exaform-eten-remote-hydraulic-drop-post-30%2C9mm-44685/wg_id-1815

Fitted one of the above a few weeks back - seems OK to me, does the job and no issues yet.

paul.skibum

cooldad wrote:

Or I have just bought one of these, as far as I can see the same as Raleigh and a few others with minor differences. Works fine, but can't comment on longevity.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261588660774?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Bit cheaper if you need 27.2 without the shim.

I have a Tmars like that one. It works. Just.

The pin inside that locks the post down can work loose and pop the seat back up, usually over rough terrain/jumps which may not be where you want your seat popping back up but I pulled mine apart and went at it with a needle file and seem to have solved some of the issue. The mechanism for making it work is considerably less intuitive than the hydraulic models (unweight saddle, press lever, sit down, release lever, stand up to see if pin engaged, repeat because it didn't, repeat again, find seat is locked down at lowest setting, try to release to get back to mid setting, wont release, stop, get off, smack it around a bit, pin releases unexpectedly and saddle smacks you in the chin, get back on, unweight, operate lever, sit down, etc etc).

For the cash its a good intro to the benefits of a dropper. Then you try a mates Reverb/Lev/DOSS and realize why there aren't many people using the mechanical versions!

joebristol

So I'm avoiding a tMars for sure - sounds like a nightmare!

I've read somewhere that the rsp plummet works better as it has notches instead of holes - has anyone got one?

If not, and no-one has had the dnm, then I'd I can shim up the other one linked, then that's in pole position for me. Just got to sell some bits off from my Kona U'Hu on ebay first.....

paul.skibum

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19650630#p19650630]Joebristol[/url] wrote:

So I'm avoiding a tMars for sure - sounds like a nightmare!

I've read somewhere that the rsp plummet works better as it has notches instead of holes - has anyone got one?

If not, and no-one has had the dnm, then I'd I can shim up the other one linked, then that's in pole position for me. Just got to sell some bits off from my Kona U'Hu on ebay first.....

Ha, mines 2 years old, they may have improved them a bit and its not "that" bad most of the time. When its being temperamental its a pain and since I got my Lev on my Bronson its an unfair comparison between them. When it was the only dropper I had it was still way better than not having one!

dirkpitt74

If you're looking at the DNM post spend the extra and get the EXAFORM/KS from Bike-Discount.

Here's a review from a couple of years back:

KS ETen Review.

The Rookie

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19649475#p19649475]Joebristol[/url] wrote:

I've got a 31.6mm seatpost

What about the Decathlon one
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/100mm-dropper-seatpost-316mm-id_8323994.html
gets excellent reviews, sure it's not the latest word in technology, but its cheap and it works and that makes it good value!

joebristol

The decathlon one gets ok reviews, but it's a lever one (which just reminds me of an office chair) with no remote. Really think a remote one would be easier when out on a trail. Albeit I acknowledge the cables need maintainance every now and then unless you get something like a reverb where the remote is hydraulic.

That one from Germany looks in pole position if I can get it to fit my bike.

dirkpitt74

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19652285#p19652285]Joebristol[/url] wrote:

The decathlon one gets ok reviews, but it's a lever one (which just reminds me of an office chair) with no remote. Really think a remote one would be easier when out on a trail. Albeit I acknowledge the cables need maintainance every now and then unless you get something like a reverb where the remote is hydraulic.

That one from Germany looks in pole position if I can get it to fit my bike.

The KS/Exaform one comes in 31.6 dia, delivery was pretty quick too.

joebristol

Jusy need to sell my old Kona and I'll be all over that post from Germany then! Thanks for the comments.

reformedfatty

Hopefully my decathlon one should arrive today.

I've previously had a tmars which was cack as the remote was rubbish and the cable seemed to be 90% elastic band. It worked for about 18 months before I gave up and bought a reverb.

The reverb is a cracking piece of kit. enough said

My hope with the decathlon one is that it'll be resilient, and I can readily swap it between bikes as there's no remote. I'm cautiously optimistic based on the quality of the btwin 'chain whip' I recently bought, which is a million times better than an actual chain whip.

buddy_club

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19654018#p19654018]reformedfatty[/url] wrote:

Hopefully my decathlon one should arrive today.

I've previously had a tmars which was cack as the remote was rubbish and the cable seemed to be 90% elastic band. It worked for about 18 months before I gave up and bought a reverb.

The reverb is a cracking piece of kit. enough said

My hope with the decathlon one is that it'll be resilient, and I can readily swap it between bikes as there's no remote. I'm cautiously optimistic based on the quality of the btwin 'chain whip' I recently bought, which is a million times better than an actual chain whip.

Has it come? Been waiting for mine for a while - decathlon normally pretty quick for me previously?

codfather

I ordered mine on Monday and was quoted a working week for delivery, so hopefully there's a chance it'll be here tomorrow. Got really excited for this, then smashed myself to bits yesterday. So if anyone wants to try before they buy, mine's not going anywhere any time soon

buddy_club

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19654306#p19654306]Codfather[/url] wrote:

I ordered mine on Monday and was quoted a working week for delivery, so hopefully there's a chance it'll be here tomorrow. Got really excited for this, then smashed myself to bits yesterday. So if anyone wants to try before they buy, mine's not going anywhere any time soon

Ordered mine on sunday morning and again told it will be here on the 20th but its not even been dispatched yet? Just says "the products of your order are being supplied". Just wondering because in the past they've been rapid at getting stuff to me. Which bike you putting it on?

codfather

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19654637#p19654637]buddy_club[/url] wrote:

Ordered mine on sunday morning and again told it will be here on the 20th but its not even been dispatched yet? Just says "the products of your order are being supplied". Just wondering because in the past they've been rapid at getting stuff to me. Which bike you putting it on?

That's a good point, I've had no mention of dispatch yet either, not that I'm in a hurry to get it any more. This one's going on the Bizango, treated the Pitch to a Reverb and I don't much fancy shelling out another £175 for another fancy dropper, especially on an XC hardtail, so the Decathlon deal came at the ideal time

buddy_club

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19654679#p19654679]Codfather[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19654637#p19654637]buddy_club[/url] wrote:

Ordered mine on sunday morning and again told it will be here on the 20th but its not even been dispatched yet? Just says "the products of your order are being supplied". Just wondering because in the past they've been rapid at getting stuff to me. Which bike you putting it on?

That's a good point, I've had no mention of dispatch yet either, not that I'm in a hurry to get it any more. This one's going on the Bizango, treated the Pitch to a Reverb and I don't much fancy shelling out another £175 for another fancy dropper, especially on an XC hardtail, so the Decathlon deal came at the ideal time

It will probably be alright, seem to be a pretty good company to deal with. Mines also going on the bizango.

plugp7

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19649000#p19649000]Joebristol[/url] wrote:

The dnm is from Australia and I can't find many reviews. But it's a hydraulic post with a cable remote - so would have infinite height adjustment rather than a couple of height notches. It slso looks nicer!

For info:-

Mixed reviews but IMO worth a punt.

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/controls/dropperseatpost/dnm/asp-r/prd_497181_6764crx.aspx

codfather

My B'Twin arrived this morning. Not sure why they sent it next day, but waited four days to post it but hey.
Finish feels good, head design is a simple one bolt affair on curved rails. There's a bit of float in the lever, but the action is a lot lighter than I was expecting; you can operate it with your tongue if you so choose. I'll fit it and find someone to test it out later on.
One thing that's to be expected is the weight; despite it's simple design it weighs in at 662g on my kitchen (bike) scales, although this is 37g less than the quoted 699g. More on this as it develops.

One of my favourite things about this post is this little cartoon on the back basically telling you that you're probably too incompetent to properly install it yourself, so the right thing to do is pay someone at Decathlon to do it for you.

buddy_club

Mines arrived as well - just about to fit it and test it out. Will put a few pics up in a moment.

buddy_club

Its nice. More detail in the Bizango thread.

joebristol

That decathlon dropper post looks quite sweet actually. Shame it's not a remote one or I'd be all over that!

buddy_club

The lever is actually fine to use, no different to holding a camelback hose or getting your water bottle out.

joebristol

Hi chaps - just noticed there is a new version of the T-mars dropper - a 619-3Q. Wonder if anyone has this, rather than the older one. Appears to have a front mounting cable to the post rather than a rear one, and apparently the holes are capped int he post so grease can't get out etc. Wonder if this is more like the RSP plummet or not? Tempted by the price still as you can get them delivered for about £45 (if you wait from Hong Kong), or £59.99 from a UK distributor.

Read a couple of reviews of the Exaform one that says it can be sluggish to come back up and that you can't service it yourself - it has to go back to the place it is purchased from. So buying from a German shop isn't filling me with confidence. I guess the same is probably true of the DNM one from Australia, so definitely ruled that out.

RSP Plummet is looking appealing still, unless I go 2nd hand and wait for a decent hydraulic one to come up for sale. I had a go on a mate's Kona recently that had a KS hydraulic post on it, and you had to almost bounce the saddle when in the lowest position before it would pop back up....not sure how useful that actually is on the trail.

Is the Decathlon post with the lever (mentioned above) mechanical or hydraulic? I looked on their website and couldn't find it.

buddy_club

No clue, but the lever is very light to use which would suggest it is hydraulic.

cooldad

I would think it's mechanical - using a steel spring. Unless it has a bleed valve etc. Should be easy enough to work it out.

I bought the new version T Mars one (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261588660774?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) last week. Only a couple of rides and it works fine. Easy enough to get used to the little bumps needed to get it to come up.

Mainly used it on the mid setting, which just gets the saddle out of the way for reasonably steep rough stuff.

It's not a Reverb, but at a quarter of the price or so, I'm happy. Needed a 30.9, so a bit more but includes a decent quality alloy shim.

I can't be bothered to try and save a few £s ordering from China. Too much hassle if something goes wrong (have you seen the cost of posting stuff there? Even if the seller bothers to respond) plus when I want something I want it yesterday.

reformedfatty

Just fitted my decathlon dropper as well. Having owned a tmars post, and currently owning a reverb, it's a damn sight nearer the reverb than the tmars.

No play, nice easy actuation.. there's not a lot to say other than that I'll be ordering another one so all my mountain bikes will have droppers.

Main drawback : it will probably look like I'm having a rummage when I move my hand to use the lever.

joebristol

Update - whilst having a search around I found an RSP Plummet brand new for £60. Too tempting to resist so I pulled the trigger and ordered one!

Hopefully not a mistake, but at that price it seemed worth a punt. Just need to order a shim to go with it as it's a 27.2 post and my bike needs a 31.6 post.

Bike discount de and Leisure lake were out of stock of the ks eten.

trek_dan

I've got a Satori one (RSP Plummet copy) and works great. The only problem is the amount of play/wobble on the seat. Even when it was new there was still a good amount.

joebristol

Fingers crossed the play isn't too bad.....The reviews I found on the rsp post didn't mention that!