Do You REALLY Need A Dropper Post?!

⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 - Intro
0:48 - How much are MTB dropper posts?
1:22 - How to use an MTB dropper post
2:08 - Are bike dropper posts heavy?
2:42 - MTB Dropper post maintenance
3:14 - Dropper post comparison test
4:44 - MTB seatpost comparison test
8:05 - Dropper post test conclusion

Do you run a dropper post on your bike? Let us know down below! 👇

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Leave us a comment below!

[Schmat]

I never thought they were worth it until I finally got one. Now I won't live without it. I could imagine bike park and gravity only not needing one but where I live and ride it's needed

[zmooc]

A more realistic test would be to just keep the seat up like XC riders do and then go OTB.

[mike-fplq]

My bike came with a dropper post and I eventually had it removed and replaced with a standard seat post. I love the simplicity and have not looked back. My bike feels a little lighter and livelier too. One less cable and lever on my handlebar and one less moving part that I would eventually have to get serviced. I found that during the time it was on my bike I barley used it. It was just dead weight and mass. I rarely ever adjust my seat height. I find a height that I like and I leave it. It has not really affected my riding either, even on more challenging trails. It's not that hard for me to maneuver around and over my seat. I get the appeal of dropper posts but they're just not for me. I think they are a little overrated.

[WDO]

Yes.... I mean you dont "need" a dropper, and you dont "need" to get out of bed and go ride a bike, but it's better if you go with both.

[IMikePlays]

For those who don't have the money to buy a dropper like me, just set your seat about 1-3 inches lower than the max height you're comfortable with. I find that it gives enough clearance when you stand up and enough height when you want to be efficient climbing 😁

ps. I only advice this for those "downhills" that are not as techy, if it is techy then just slam that seat down and smile and have fun with what you have

[bbitun]

My take on this is, it all depends on the rider. What are the statistics of the normal people riding on a trail just to get fit and enjoy nature compared to people riding aggressively and doing like the pros does? I’m one of those regular riders and for the very least 12 years of riding here on my local parks, on a hard tail then now fully rigid gravel and fat bike, I’ve seen like probably 1 out of 10 rider using a dropper. I’ve seen riders with dropper and never use it as well only seeing them drop to get on and off the saddle for convenience. So, if you are the same type of rider as the guy from GMBN then get a dropper. But, if your just an ordinary guy, who goes out of and ride 1 or 2 times a week, I guess it fair to say you don’t need a dropper. Btw, I’ve seen people owning the most expensive full sus complete with dropper post running on a flat green trail. So, there are that type of riders too. Some say “the best bike, is the one that you own” with or without a dropper post.

[RedDaemon]

From someone who used to be a non-beliver - it is very valuable upgrade in a non-downhill bike. I got a KS eten dropper -an inexpensive (similar price to my pedals) dropper post with 125mm drop and it has revolutionised rides that have any variation of ups and downs for me. Only regret I have is not getting a more expensive one with more drop. Anyone on the fence should give it a try IMO !

[Noop-Noop]

As an xc guy I've never once seen someone stop to drop a rigid seatpost. Most situations in xc can be handled without a drop. On the other hand I'm running rigid ss as of late. Have run droppers and loved them too.

[davebuchanan]

One of my local trails is a half mile rock garden / dry riverbed. Before dropper posts were available it was a dangerous descent. I had two nasty accidents riding it on a 2006 Marin Mount Vision. I embedded 3 teeth of the big front ring in my calf and chipped a bone in my elbow. With the dropper it’s far safer and faster to ride. Also I ride a lot of Bridleways with numerous gates. The dropper makes getting on and off so much easier. Best piece of kit since disc brakes.

[michaelwhite]

I have one on my Fuel EX and am not against using it but haven't really used it in years. I rode for decades before they came along so my riding style is tuned to having a fixed post that you only ever lower in extreme descents like in Southern Utah. So . . . I don't value them the way younger riders do.

[TheWebstaff]

Not watching this video because the answer is yes.
YOU NEED A DROPPER!!

[robertsimeral]

Would have been nice to see a run with the rigid post at an in between setting. For my local trails I just keep my post a an inch or two lower than proper riding height. I find it gives a good balance between being able to peddle while keeping the seat out of the way for the steeper bits.

[Dukster]

Riding a bike in January without gloves. Rich is a beast.

[motrockb]

I recently installed a dropper on my hard tail. What a huge improvement! I can descend significantly faster over rough terrain, as well as corner faster with the seat out of the way. Press the button and I’m climbing in my optimal position. I should have done this long ago.

[carlbailey]

Rode for many years without one. Fair play, they're great to have but riding seat up never slowed me down on the descents, you can blast down without when used to it.

[nukedathlonman]

I know they are worth it, and I'll freely say I just don't want to spend the money. I compromise by lowering my saddle about 2.5cm (1") when I get to the trail. Not fully out of the way, and not exactly optimal for riding in saddle, but that amount is still enough that I can freely move about for weight transfer as needed.

[Rouxenator]

Never ran one, don't have quick release. I found gripping the seat between my thighs gave me a bit more stability.

[markyp]

I was the first one out of a group of 5 or 6 mates, to get a dropper, about 9 years ago. They were all sceptical about the benefits until they saw the difference it made for me and gradually, they all ended up getting one.
Difficult to imagine riding without one now.

[alaskathespeedofplay]

Love ya Rich but I’d argue you only barely touched on a very important criteria we all factor in…terrain. In my town we have two big parts we ride. Both are public parks which have a wonderful network of challenging and well maintained singletrack trails. One is on the coast and has flatter but very undulating trails. These trails drop about 100 feet in about 200 yards and then climb another 100 feet in about another 200 yards a dropper is almost necessary to really have any fun with any flow at all. Trust me, I used to ride them long before we even thought of droppers. 10 miles away are our mountains and they consist 2 miles of climbing to gain 600-700 feet before dropping down our great mostly sustained downhill trails. A rigid post with a quick release works fine here.

[brianmagee]

For a trail of this level, do you "need" to slam it down? There is a time and a place for droppers, but many local trail networks just aren't that steep or technical that you need to get behind the seat. Better test would be to just leave it up.