WHY USE A DROPPER POST AND WHEN TO USE IT?
August 29, 2017 BY JERRY DUFOUR
Intro
We have started to see dropper posts more and more over the past couple of years in Cross Country Mountain Biking, especially on the World Cup level. Big names of the sport run dropper posts almost every race now such as Julien Absalon, along with most of the BMC Team, Dan McConnell, and American National Champion Chris Blevins. Even though most professionals are using dropper posts during XCO races now, that doesn't mean they are a necessity to go faster over a 15-20 minute up and down XCO lap. For now they are more of a preference and decided based off a riders strengths and weaknesses, as well as the different types of courses.
When to use it
Many people use a dropper post only for certain races that they feel is necessary to perform better. This decision is based mostly off of the type of course after a pre ride or knowing it from previous years. Experience on what a course will feel like during a race pace effort when your body is at its limits on the climbs and descents will be what most pros will use to decide when or when not to use a dropper. There are some general guidelines to deciding if a dropper post is worth it for you and your riding style.
A dropper post helps with your center of gravity as well as not having a seat post at your backside when things get steep which is more likely to send you over the bars. Steep sections where your seat is at your chest without a dropper, drops or gaps, and anything where you are needing to lean behind your seat to stay "balanced" is where I would throw on the dropper post. Many of the proper skills and techniques used during these situations can only be applied properly when your seat is at a lower, more center and balanced position. This should also help when trying to recover on a technical descent after a challenging steep uphill and less likely to crash when your body is fatigued. In short, a dropper post helps most riders when the terrain is technical and steep, otherwise flatter and smooth terrain suites a lighter high post just fine.
We have started to see dropper posts more and more over the past couple of years in Cross Country Mountain Biking, especially on the World Cup level. Big names of the sport run dropper posts almost every race now such as Julien Absalon, along with most of the BMC Team, Dan McConnell, and American National Champion Chris Blevins. Even though most professionals are using dropper posts during XCO races now, that doesn't mean they are a necessity to go faster over a 15-20 minute up and down XCO lap. For now they are more of a preference and decided based off a riders strengths and weaknesses, as well as the different types of courses.
When to use it
Many people use a dropper post only for certain races that they feel is necessary to perform better. This decision is based mostly off of the type of course after a pre ride or knowing it from previous years. Experience on what a course will feel like during a race pace effort when your body is at its limits on the climbs and descents will be what most pros will use to decide when or when not to use a dropper. There are some general guidelines to deciding if a dropper post is worth it for you and your riding style.
A dropper post helps with your center of gravity as well as not having a seat post at your backside when things get steep which is more likely to send you over the bars. Steep sections where your seat is at your chest without a dropper, drops or gaps, and anything where you are needing to lean behind your seat to stay "balanced" is where I would throw on the dropper post. Many of the proper skills and techniques used during these situations can only be applied properly when your seat is at a lower, more center and balanced position. This should also help when trying to recover on a technical descent after a challenging steep uphill and less likely to crash when your body is fatigued. In short, a dropper post helps most riders when the terrain is technical and steep, otherwise flatter and smooth terrain suites a lighter high post just fine.
MSA World Cup 2017
Pros
- Lower Center of Gravity
The advantages for some people may not outweigh the cons, but for most they usually do. When riding technical terrain on a bike almost all the skills needed is based off of balance, therefore a lower center of gravity and a more balanced position is exactly what you will get when your post is lowered and more center.
- More Fun/Confident
Many riders like having a dropper post because they say it's more fun as they can do much more knowing there is less of a chance they will be sent over the bars from a high seat post. This is usually from riders that are at a high skill level when manuals, table tops, and other advanced techniques are already acquired.
- Better for Bike Packing….
This may seem a bit silly, but when you are traveling every week by plane to a different state or country this can become very convenient. When packing your bike for your next adventure instead of taking the seat post out of the frame, wrapping it with protective foam and finding a place for it to stay protected and not move around while not scratching your bike completely, you can simply drop the post and its all secure and safer.
Cons
- Weight
In XC Mountain Bike Racing weight is often times a huge factor in bike set up and performance. Considering the dropper post does add weight there are still a lot of riders who choose a standard seat post with a lighter weight. A dropper post, depending on the brand and model, can add anywhere from one to two pounds to your bike.
- More Things to Think About
When you are going at a maximal effort challenging both your mind and body, sometimes adding another piece to that equation can be what makes you not want a dropper post as you do have to think about when to use it and when not to use it. After a while of using the dropper it can become like second nature, but for some too much.
Conclusion
Having a dropper post is not a necessity in XCO MTB Racing, but based off of the courses you are racing, your strengths and weaknesses on the bike, and what you want to get out of your riding/racing, it can be a great investment.
- Lower Center of Gravity
The advantages for some people may not outweigh the cons, but for most they usually do. When riding technical terrain on a bike almost all the skills needed is based off of balance, therefore a lower center of gravity and a more balanced position is exactly what you will get when your post is lowered and more center.
- More Fun/Confident
Many riders like having a dropper post because they say it's more fun as they can do much more knowing there is less of a chance they will be sent over the bars from a high seat post. This is usually from riders that are at a high skill level when manuals, table tops, and other advanced techniques are already acquired.
- Better for Bike Packing….
This may seem a bit silly, but when you are traveling every week by plane to a different state or country this can become very convenient. When packing your bike for your next adventure instead of taking the seat post out of the frame, wrapping it with protective foam and finding a place for it to stay protected and not move around while not scratching your bike completely, you can simply drop the post and its all secure and safer.
Cons
- Weight
In XC Mountain Bike Racing weight is often times a huge factor in bike set up and performance. Considering the dropper post does add weight there are still a lot of riders who choose a standard seat post with a lighter weight. A dropper post, depending on the brand and model, can add anywhere from one to two pounds to your bike.
- More Things to Think About
When you are going at a maximal effort challenging both your mind and body, sometimes adding another piece to that equation can be what makes you not want a dropper post as you do have to think about when to use it and when not to use it. After a while of using the dropper it can become like second nature, but for some too much.
Conclusion
Having a dropper post is not a necessity in XCO MTB Racing, but based off of the courses you are racing, your strengths and weaknesses on the bike, and what you want to get out of your riding/racing, it can be a great investment.
