Reviews You Can Rely On

The 6 Best Dropper Posts

We tested dropper seatposts from Bike Yoke, Wolf Tooth, Fox, RockShox, and more to find the best posts on the market
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Best Dropper Post
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Friday October 27, 2023

Are you looking for the best dropper seatpost for your mountain bike? Well, you've come to the right place. After researching the best droppers available today, we purchased a dozen of the best models for this comparative analysis review. A dropper post is essential to maximizing your mountain bike ride. Dropping your saddle with the quick flip of a thumb allows you to cut loose on the descent and find a comfortable and stable attack position when navigating difficult trails. There are a mind-boggling amount of posts available today, and working through the marketing copy and technical jargon can be a chore. Fortunately, our professional testers spent hundreds of hours riding these posts in all weather and trail conditions to help you find the best dropper seatpost for your needs and finances.

If you're in need of other components or accessories for your mountain bike (or even a whole new bike!), we can help. From the top-rated mountain bike pedals and best mountain bike wheels to mountain bike shorts, and the best mountain bike shoes and helmets, we've tested each category extensively to discover the best products on the market.

Editor's Note: We updated our dropper seatpost review on October 27, 2023, to add the Bike Yoke Revive 2.0.

Top 11 Product Ratings

Displaying 1 - 5 of 11
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Awards Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Top Pick Award Top Pick Award  
Price $287.00 at Backcountry
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$559.65 at Backcountry
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$185.40 at Backcountry
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Check Price at REI
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Overall Score Sort Icon
91
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81
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Pros Incredibly smooth action, Revive Valve works miracles, perfect remoteNo cables, easy installation, more consistent performance than regular version, excellent remoteshort stack height, easy setup, great leverAffordable, very short stack and extended length, adjustable travel with shims, lightweightAffordable, highly-adjustable, lightweight
Cons A touch heavier than some options, quality comes at a priceVery expensive, you have to remember to charge batteries, heavier weight, not compatible with saddlebagsLever sold separately, above average weightRemote lever sold separatelyFirm lever feel, average stack height
Bottom Line A nearly perfect dropper post with an incredibly smooth stroke and some very clever featuresIt may be very expensive, but the future is here with this wireless dropperA high-quality, easy-to-set up dropper with one of the best remote levers we testedWith a reasonable price and high performance, this post also helps you get the most drop possibleAn affordably-priced and reliable option with plenty of adjustability
Rating Categories BikeYoke Revive 2.0 RockShox Reverb AXS Fox Racing Shox Tra... OneUp Components V2 PNW Components Loam...
Smoothness and Functionality (30%)
10.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
Remote (25%)
10.0
10.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
Saddle Clamp (20%)
8.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
Ease of Setup (15%)
8.0
10.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
Weight (10%)
8.0
4.0
7.0
10.0
9.0
Specs BikeYoke Revive 2.0 RockShox Reverb AXS Fox Racing Shox Tra... OneUp Components V2 PNW Components Loam...
Measured Weight (length tested) 639g (213mm) 768g (170mm) (Post, battery, remote, and bar clamp) 733g (175mm) 662g (180mm) 640g (170mm)
Grams per millimeter of travel 3 4.5 4.2 3.7 3.8
Remote tested Bike Yoke Triggy Alpha AXS 1x remote Fox Racing Shox Transfer Remote OneUp 1x PNW Loam Lever
Positions Infinitely Adjustable Infinitely Adjustable Infinitely Adjustable Infinitely Adjustable Infinitely Adjustable
Available Diameters 30.9/31.6/34.9 (called Revive Max) 30.9/31.6/34.9mm 30.9/31.6mm 30.9/31.6/34.9mm 30.9/31.6/34.9mm
Available Travel Lengths/Extended Lengths 125, 160, 185, 213mm 100/125/150/170mm, 340/390/440/480mm 100/125/150/175/200mm,
308/363/418/475/531
120/150/180/210mm, 360/420/480/540mm 125/150/170/200mm, 385/440/480/540mm
Drop length tested/Extended length, claimed 213mm/582mm 170mm/480mm 175mm/475 180mm/480mm + 16mm actuator 170mm/480mm
Saddle layback zero offset Zero offset Zero offset Zero offset Zero offset
Remote Bike Yoke Triggy Alpha sold seperately Wireless 1x Fox Racing Shox Transfer Remote 1x (comes with standard clamp, MMX, and I-Spec EV mounts), 2x option available Not included. 1x, SRAM Matchmaker X, Shimano I-Spec EV or I-Spec II available for $49 PNW Loam Lever sold separately (SRAM MMX, Shimano I-spec II and I-spec EV, and standard 22.2mm clamp available
Cable Style Internally routed, cable actuated, hydraulic system N/A Internally routed, cable actuated Internally routed, cable actuated Internally routed, cable actuated
Stack Height/Ride height 255mm extended 64mm compressed, 234mm extended 38mm compressed, 213mm extended 33mm compressed, 213mm extended 50mm compressed, 220mm extended(claimed)
Included Cable, housing, cable barrel AXS handlebar controller, rechargeable SRAM battry and charger 1 year warranty Travel adjustment shims, 2-year warranty Lifetime warranty to original owner
Tested Diameter and travel length. 31.6, 213mm travel 31.6, 170mm travel 31.6/175mm travel 31.6, 180mm travel 31.6, 170mm travel


Best Overall Dropper Seatpost


BikeYoke Revive 2.0


91
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Smoothness and Functionality 10.0
  • Remote 10.0
  • Saddle Clamp 8.0
  • Ease of Setup 8.0
  • Weight 8.0
Measured Weight: 639.7 (213mm) | Remote: Triggy Alpha
REASONS TO BUY
Incredible remote lever
Smooth infinite travel
Revive reset valve works miracles
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
On the heavier side of things

The Bike Yoke Revive has been a long-running favorite at GearLab. When the Revive 2.0 was recently released, we were eager to see how it matched up against the original. Perhaps predictably, it is amazing. The stroke is incredibly smooth and consistent and absent of any hitches or sticky points. It takes very little weight on the saddle to drop the post, and the Triggy Alpha remote has excellent ergonomics and high levels of adjustability. The redesigned post features more bearing overlap, a one-piece head, and a new CNC'd actuator. This hydraulic dropper post functions beautifully, and should any air work its way into the system, causing saddle sag, Bike Yoke's Revive Valve is an incredibly easy-to-use tool to purge any air out of the system. This process is very quick and only requires a 4mm Allen. Taller riders will benefit from the increased travel on the updated version, which now offers strokes up to 213mm (tested).

While this is our favorite post we have used, it isn't all peaches and cream. Weight weenies might be concerned about the weight of this post. At 639 grams (31.6mm, 213mm travel), it's not the lightest. It also isn't the heaviest. That being said, this is noteworthy as plenty of riders count grams. In addition, upon arrival, our Revive 2.0 had about 25mm of sag off the top. After a couple of quick cycles of the Revive Valve, the issue was resolved. Yes, the Revive Valve is very easy to use and quick. Still, we would have preferred not to have used it right out of the box.

Read more: Bike Yoke Revive 2.0 review

best overall dropper seatpost
The nearly perfect Revive 2.0 is complimented by an outstanding remote.
Credit: Pat Donahue

Best Bang for Your Buck


Tranz-X Kitsuma Air


78
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Smoothness and Functionality 8.0
  • Remote 8.0
  • Saddle Clamp 7.0
  • Ease of Setup 8.0
  • Weight 8.0
Measured Weight: 732g (200mm) | Remote: Tranz-X 1x
REASONS TO BUY
Reasonable price tag
Offered in three drop lengths
Adjustable air spring
Buttery smooth travel
REASONS TO AVOID
Longer overall length
Lacks bling factor

Tranz-X offers some of the least expensive aftermarket dropper posts on the market. The Kitsuma Air is the most affordable model we've ever tested, yet we were pleasantly surprised by its consistent and reliable performance throughout testing. Installation is easy, and you can use any remote lever you choose. We opted to test it with the Tranz-X 1x remote, which is affordable and has good ergonomics and a light lever feel. We were thoroughly impressed by this post's super-smooth travel in both compression and extension. It also features an air spring that allows you to adjust the rate of return. A simple but sturdy two-bolt clamp secured the saddle rails and gave us no issues during testing.

The 200mm post we tested is among the heaviest in the test. That said, it's also the longest post we tested, and its weight is reasonable considering the drop length. It is sold as a post only, meaning you'll have to purchase a remote if you don't already own one. Extended post lengths are also longer than some of the competition, so that fitment could be an issue for some riders and bikes. Beyond that, we were extremely impressed by the performance of the Tranz-X Kitsuma Air, especially for the price.

Read more: Tranz-X Kitsuma Air review

dropper seatpost - best bang for your buck
You'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the performance of this post and the more expensive competition.
Credit: Jeremy Benson

Best for Maximizing Your Drop


OneUp Components V2


85
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Smoothness and Functionality 9.0
  • Remote 8.0
  • Saddle Clamp 8.0
  • Ease of Setup 8.0
  • Weight 10.0
Measured Weight: 662g (180mm) | Remote: OneUp
REASONS TO BUY
Reasonably priced
Smooth travel
Very short stack height
Adjustable travel with shims
Lightweight
REASONS TO AVOID
Remote lever sold separately

The OneUp V2 is one of our favorite all-time dropper posts. It offers stellar performance with a low price tag, making it one of the best values in the test. This dropper easily performs as well as (or better than) some models that double. OneUp wants you to get all of the drop you can squeeze onto your bike, and every millimeter of length has been shaved from this post, giving it an impressively short stack height and extended length. It also has adjustable travel, so you can fine-tune the drop length and fit even further. For a cable-actuated post, it was super easy to install with the cut end of the cable at the remote. We were thoroughly impressed by its smoothness of travel and easy compression force. The OneUp remote has good ergonomics, a light lever feel, and a short throw, all of which help to make saddle height adjustments easier. It is also offered in 120, 150, 180, 210, and 240mm lengths and the three most common diameters.

The biggest ding to this model is that it doesn't automatically come with a remote lever. While it can be frustrating to purchase a remote separately, it allows you to get the lever you want. We purchased the OneUp remote to test with the V2 post and found them to work very well together. Beyond that, we found this affordable dropper post high-performing and recommend it whether you're on a budget or not.

Read more: OneUp Components V2 review

dropper seatpost - best for maximizing your drop
The OneUp V2 is an impressive dropper and the price is right.
Credit: Ian Pearman

Best For Weight-Conscious Riders


Wolf Tooth Components Resolve


77
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Smoothness and Functionality 7.0
  • Remote 7.0
  • Saddle Clamp 8.0
  • Ease of Setup 8.0
  • Weight 10.0
Measured Weight: 592g (200mm) | Remote tested: OneUp V2
REASONS TO BUY
Very light
Highly adjustable
Self bleeding cartridge
Excellent support from the manufacturer
Expensive

Wolf Tooth Components is an American company that produces a wide range of components. Although they have sold a quality dropper post remote for some time, the Resolve is the first dropper post they've produced. Our 200mm travel dropper post hit the scales at 545 grams (post only) and 592 grams with a remote. That makes it the lightest post in our test class — quite impressive, given its generous amount of travel. Plenty of riders opt for the lightest components possible to minimize the overall weight of their bike. The Wolf Tooth post is an excellent choice for the weight-conscious rider. Not only is it light, but the on-trail performance is also rock solid. This model also has some very cool features such as a self-bleeding cartridge to prevent unwanted sag, travel reduction, and the ability to swap the lower tube to a different diameter in the event you get a new bike frame. In addition, Wolf Tooth has parts available and some excellent technical resources to help users service their products at home.

As much as we liked this post, it's certainly not cheap. Riders on a tight budget can get a highly-functional post at a significantly lower price. And while the Wolf Tooth Resolve is beautifully machined, lightweight, and adjustable, and the self-bleeding feature is neat, it may be more than many riders are willing or able to spend. That said, Wolf Tooth makes great products, and we expect this post to last long enough to justify the expense.

Read more: Wolf Tooth Resolve review

dropper seatpost - best for weight-conscious riders
Long travel, low weight...what's not to love?

Best When Money is No Object


RockShox Reverb AXS


89
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Smoothness and Functionality 9.0
  • Remote 10.0
  • Saddle Clamp 9.0
  • Ease of Setup 10.0
  • Weight 4.0
Measured Weight: 768g (150mm) | Remote: AXS 1x remote
REASONS TO BUY
No cables
Easy installation
Excellent remote
Improved performance compared to regular version
REASONS TO AVOID
Very expensive
Heavier weight
You have to remember to charge batteries
Not compatible with saddlebags

The RockShox Reverb AXS is one of the most exciting new dropper posts to hit the market in some time. By combining their proven Reverb design with their AXS technology, RockShox has finally brought wireless technology to the masses (the masses who can afford it anyway). Without cables or hoses, it couldn't be easier to install and remove, and it allows for a super clean handlebar setup. The post moves very smoothly in compression and extension, and we did not find it to be sensitive to cold temperatures like the standard Reverb Stealth. Should your post ever develop sag, RockShox has also added a Vent Valve so you can fix it at home. The saddle clamp is solid and user-friendly with a single bolt clamp and a separate tilt-adjustment. Finally, the remote is outstanding, with a large paddle-shaped button that requires far less force or movement compared to any cable-actuated system.

The biggest issue with the Reverb AXS is its price. It is super pricey, and the cost may be prohibitive for many riders. It's also a bit heavy — somewhat surprising considering its high price tag. Our 31.6mm diameter 170mm test post weighed in at 768 grams with the remote and battery, the heaviest in the test. It has a claimed 40 hours of ride time, but you've got to remember the extra step of charging your batteries every so often. Caveats aside — and if you can justify the expense — the Reverb AXS offers next-level ease of installation, outstanding performance, and one of the best remotes on the market.

Read more: RockShox Reverb AXS review

dropper seatpost - best when money is no object
Catching the sunset while out testing the Reverb AXS.
Credit: Laura Casner

Another Top Performer


Fox Racing Shox Transfer Performance Elite


87
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Smoothness and Functionality 9.0
  • Remote 9.0
  • Saddle Clamp 9.0
  • Ease of Setup 8.0
  • Weight 7.0
Measured Weight: 733g (175mm) | Remote: Transfer 1x remote
REASONS TO BUY
Short stack height
Easy to install
Smooth and consistent
Great remote lever
REASONS TO AVOID
No travel adjustment
Above-average weight

The Fox Racing Shox Transfer Performance Elite is one of our favorite all-around posts. Fox targeted some weak points of the older model and improved them considerably in their latest version. With a lower weight, shorter stack height, redesigned saddle clamp, and shorter overall length, this post made the jump from a mid-pack offering to one of the best posts available today. It uses the same buttery-smooth internals as the previous version, which provides fast and easy adjustment on the trail. It doesn't take much weight to drop the post, and the return is fast and reliable with a nice thump at top out. In addition to the post updates, Fox also redesigned their 1x remote lever. The new large, high-leverage, textured thumb paddle mimics a shifter and operates using a sealed cartridge bearing for consistent, smooth action. On the whole, the post and remote package was one of our favorites in the test.

While the update offers a whole lot to like, this post still has a couple of minor weak points. Despite the fact that Fox lowered the weight, it's still on the heavier end of the spectrum. At 4.2 grams per mm of travel, it isn't a lead weight, but it doesn't match the lightest posts available. Additionally, the Transfer lacks some features offered by other new posts on the market. The travel is not adjustable to dial in the fit, and the return rate is fixed. These things certainly aren't deal-breakers, but they would be nice options to have.

Read more: Fox Racing Shox Transfer Performance Elite review

dropper seatpost - after countless hours on this post, we think it&#039;s a worthy purchase.
After countless hours on this post, we think it's a worthy purchase.
Credit: Zach Wick

Compare Products

select up to 5 products to compare
Score Product Price
91
BikeYoke Revive 2.0
Best Overall Dropper Seatpost
$350
Editors' Choice Award
89
RockShox Reverb AXS
Best When Money is No Object
$861
Top Pick Award
87
Fox Racing Shox Transfer Performance Elite
Another Top Performer
$309
Top Pick Award
85
OneUp Components V2
Best for Maximizing Your Drop
$230
Top Pick Award
81
PNW Components Loam Dropper
$214
80
9Point8 Fall Line
$324
79
CrankBrothers Highline 7
$300
78
Tranz-X Kitsuma Air
Best Bang for Your Buck
$185
Best Buy Award
77
Wolf Tooth Components Resolve
Best For Weight-Conscious Riders
$380
Top Pick Award
74
SDG Components Tellis
$270
72
Rock Shox Reverb Stealth
$430

dropper seatpost - testing dropper posts requires lots of hours in the saddle, our...
Testing dropper posts requires lots of hours in the saddle, our testers aren't complaining.
Credit: Laura Casner

Why You Should Trust Us


Our testers are obsessive riders and gear nerds who keep up on the latest product releases throughout the season, and our test selection features 12 of the most compelling models on the market today. In testing these posts, we started by weighing and measuring everything for consistency. Each post was then installed on our tester's personal bikes to examine the ease of installation/setup and saddle clamp design. Each post was cycled through its travel in our workshop hundreds of times to closely examine its smoothness and functionality. The majority of our testing took place in the field, where our testers scrutinized the design and performance of the remote levers and posts during compression and extension to see how they fared during repeated and extended real-world use. Posts are swapped out often for back-to-back comparisons. We kept and compared detailed notes, rating the posts across our metrics when testing concluded to determine our favorites.

Our testing of dropper seatposts is divided across five rating metrics:
  • Smoothness and Functionality (30% of overall score weighting)
  • Remote (25% weighting)
  • Saddle Clamp (20% weighting)
  • Ease of Setup (15% weighting)
  • Weight (10% weighting)

Our dropper post teat team consists of three very experienced professional mountain bike testers. Our lead tester is our former Senior Mountain Bike Review Editor, Pat Donahue. Pat has spent the past couple of decades working in the bike industry and has a very critical eye and is adept at finding weaknesses in products.

dropper seatpost - we built a testing apparatus to test dropper posts side-by-side in...
We built a testing apparatus to test dropper posts side-by-side in the lab.
Credit: Jeremy Benson

Jeremy Benson and Zach Wick join Pat as dropper post testers. He spends an inordinate amount of time on bikes testing, riding for fun, and training for races. He is constantly analyzing and scrutinizing the performance of mountain bikes and equipment, and he is especially hard on and critical of gear. Benson is also the author of Mountain Bike Tahoe, a guidebook for the Tahoe area published by Mountaineers Books. Wick has been riding and racing just about every kind of bike you can think of for the last twenty years and has spent years working in a bike-industry test lab. He's developed a keen sense for what comprises a good product and has done his fair share of both destructive and non-destructive testing.

Side by side testing pics
Side by side testing pics

Analysis and Test Results


Dropper seatposts first hit the market about a decade ago. There was a time when these telescoping posts were only found on the top-end build kits that carried a crazy price tag. Long-time mountain bikers viewed this wacky invention as unnecessary as they had survived with their posts jacked up for decades. Additionally, early dropper posts were not the most reliable and were prone to failure.

As the years rolled by, we all gave in, and dropper seatposts became ubiquitous. They've slowly but surely found their way onto almost every new mountain bike. These days even most budget models come with one. We would venture that the dropper post is the single most transformative innovation in recent mountain bike technology. Having the ability to adjust your saddle on the fly opened the door for faster, more aggressive trail and enduro riding. The moral of the story is: if you don't have a dropper, get one.

Almost all frames now feature internal routing where you can feed the cable and housing through your frame for a super clean look. Meanwhile, the proliferation of 1x drivetrains has freed up handlebar space for dropper post remotes.


Value


We don't score products solely on price. We do our very best to focus on the on-trail performance and try to ignore price when ranking these products. That said, everyone loves a good value. Price and performance often go hand in hand, but that is not always the case. The OneUp V2, Tranz-X Kitsuma Air, and PNW Loam are three of the least expensive models we tested, yet they rival the performance of the more expensive competition.

On the other end of the spectrum, the RockShox Reverb AXS costs 2-4 times more than any other post. The Reverb AXS brings cutting-edge wireless technology to the market along with a very impressive performance, absurdly easy installation, and the best remote we've tested to date. The Bike Yoke Revive 2.0 is another example when price is correlated with quality. Whether or not you can justify the additional expense is up to you.

dropper seatpost - testing the dropper posts side-by-side in a controlled environment...
Testing the dropper posts side-by-side in a controlled environment on our custom made OutdoorGearLab testing unit.
Credit: Jeremy Benson

Smoothness and Functionality


How smoothly and consistently a dropper seatpost raises and lowers your seat is the most important aspect of its performance. When the time comes to adjust your saddle height, you often only have a split second to do so. You need to know that your post will drop or rise reliably and consistently. To rate each dropper, we asked ourselves a series of questions: Is the post easy to compress? Is it reliable and predictable? Does it have any free play in the saddle, sag in its air pressure, or other flaws in its performance? Is the travel dampened at the top or bottom of the stroke? Does it have an adjustable rate of return like the RockShox Reverb or 9point8 Fall Line? Or is it set at a fixed speed like the CrankBrothers Highline 7 or Fox Transfer?


We tested each post's smoothness and functionality by putting in hundreds of miles of real-world trail riding on each one. We also ran them through a gamut of tests and cycled through their travel by hand hundreds of times. We used a custom-made OutdoorGearLab test apparatus, mounting the droppers side-by-side in a controlled environment. This mount allowed us to scrutinize every aspect of the dropper post's functionality, from the ease of actuation, compression, and extension to travel smoothness and remote ergonomics. Most importantly, it gave us the opportunity to compare them directly.

dropper seatpost - a smooth, consistent, and reliable dropper allows you to focus on...
A smooth, consistent, and reliable dropper allows you to focus on the trail ahead.
Credit: Jeremy Benson

Several seatposts impressed us with their unflinching smoothness. The Bike Yoke Revive 2.0 is by far the smoothest dropper post we've ever tested. The Revive 2.0 drops like a rock beneath your body weight and is buttery smooth in compression and extension. It takes little weight and effort to get this post to drop. It also has a Revive Valve to quickly and easily bleed air out of the hydraulic system should it ever develop sag. The One Up V2, Reverb AXS, and Fox Transfer also set the bar high with incredibly consistent and smooth travel on the way up and down. They also have little to no saddle play and offer a solid feel and predictable performance. The 9point8 Fall Line and RockShox Reverb Stealth also performed impressively well and came close to meeting the high standard set by the top scorers.

The OneUp V2 and PNW Loam deserve an extra mention in this category for delivering solid performance with a travel adjust feature. These posts both allow riders to reduce the travel of their post—the V2 in 10mm increments and the Loam in 5mm increments. Riders who want to get the most possible seatpost travel can buy a longer post and shorten the travel by up to 20mm with the V2 or 25mm with the Loam to achieve the optimal fit. We assume most users will not fiddle with this feature, but it's nice to have the option.

The ultralight Wolf Tooth Components Resolve posted a decent score in this metric. We used this post quite a bit in well-below-freezing temperatures without a dip in performance. This post offers a smooth stroke and is easy to compress, plus it has a self-bleeding cartridge that purges air from the hydraulics, so it should never develop sag or squishiness.

dropper seatpost - the revive&#039;s triggy lever is one of the best we&#039;ve ever used.
The Revive's Triggy lever is one of the best we've ever used.
Credit: Jeremy Benson

Remote


All of these droppers are actuated by a handlebar-mounted remote for quick and easy access on the fly. Not all dropper remotes are created equal, however. Some have better designs and functionality than others. In testing them, we considered each remote lever's ergonomics, mounting positions, actuation force, and compatibility with shifters or brake levers.

It is worth noting that we only tested the remotes that came standard with each dropper post. Many posts are sold as a post only so you can choose to use whatever remote brand or style you prefer. In these cases, we purchased the remote lever that was designed to go along with that post. An example is the Tranz-X Kitsuma Air. The Tranz-X post is sold by itself, but Tranz-X also sells three affordable remotes. We purchased and tested the Tranz-X 1x remote to see how it performs alongside the Kitsuma Air post. Both the OneUp V2 and the PNW Bachelor are also sold as the post only. For testing, we bought each brand's remote to accompany its dropper post.


Without question, the best remote we've tested is the wireless AXS remote on the Reverb AXS. Essentially a paddle-shaped button, this remote requires the least force and movement to actuate the dropper. It may sound trivial, but the ease of pressing the AXS remote makes saddle height changes that much easier and allows you to focus more on the trail ahead.

dropper seatpost - it may not look all that revolutionary, but the axs remote is next...
It may not look all that revolutionary, but the AXS remote is next level.
Credit: Jeremy Benson

The Bike Yoke Revive 2.0 has another stellar remote lever dubbed the Triggy Alpha. This lightweight, machined lever has a very light feel, excellent ergonomics, and can be mounted multiple ways to suit the rider. The Fox Transfer post features another excellent lever. The new Transfer 1x lever has a thin CNC construction, a nice ergonomic shape, and a large, textured thumb paddle. The quality of the design and execution really stands out as stellar. We would recommend this lever for use on any cable-actuated dropper that clamps the cable at the remote. Another of our favorite remote lever designs came with the 9point8 Fall Line. You can orient the Fall Line's thumb lever vertically, horizontally, or under the left side of the bar if you have a 1x setup. We love that versatility.

dropper seatpost - the loam lever is fantastic, plus you can buy it aftermarket to work...
The Loam lever is fantastic, plus you can buy it aftermarket to work with other dropper posts.

Keep in mind that the remote design that works best for you may depend on your drivetrain. Most new remote styles are made to work with 1x systems, mounting in the spot where the front shifter used to live. Others may function better with a 2x or 3x drivetrain, but those are much less common these days.

dropper seatpost - the best saddle clamps make it easy to install and remove your...
The best saddle clamps make it easy to install and remove your saddle, and they don't make any unwanted noise while you're seated.
Credit: Laura Casner

Saddle Clamp


While it's not flashy, the saddle clamp is important and can make or break an otherwise incredible product. The saddle clamp attaches your seat to your dropper post. Good ones go unnoticed. Poorly performing saddle clamps are often noisy, self-loosening, or make it difficult to remove or install your saddle. Additionally, the saddle clamp design plays a key role in the post's overall stack height. The shorter the stack height, the more travel you can squeeze onto your frame. Most of the dropper posts we tested feature a relatively standard two-bolt head design, fore and aft, to adjust the angle and grab hold of the seat rails. Many posts hide a valve to adjust the dropper's air pressure under the saddle clamp.


The 9point8 Fall Line features an innovative design that allows for easier saddle installation, independent fore and aft angle adjustment, and quick and easy access to the air valve. The Crankbrothers Highline and Fox Transfer came in a close second, with their unique slotted heads and swiveling design, a user-friendly departure from the standard two-bolt saddle clamp. The Reverb AXS has a unique saddle clamp design necessitated by the presence of the wireless system at the top of the seatpost. This single bolt clamp is super user-friendly, and mounting a saddle couldn't be easier — plus, it has a separate angle adjustment screw.

The Wolf Tooth Resolve has a very low-profile clamp. As a result, this post has a very short stack height of 32mm. This is quite impressive and cannot be overlooked, especially for shorter riders trying to maximize dropper travel. The OneUp V2 also has an impressively low stack height, making it another great option for squeezing as much travel as possible onto your bike.

Weight


Virtually all mountain bike gear is subject to weight scrutiny, and dropper posts are no exception. Folks like light bikes. We don't blame them. A dropper is always going to be heavier than a standard post, although most riders are willing to accept the weight penalty for the performance gain. To compare these droppers, we weighed each with its cable, housing, and remote.


We tested a few different dropper sizes, somewhat complicating the results. In an effort to directly compare the weights of different length dropper posts, we calculated each post's weight per millimeter of travel by dividing the total weight by the length of travel.

dropper seatpost - the wolf tooth resolve is a very light post with some interesting...
The Wolf Tooth Resolve is a very light post with some interesting adjustability features.
Credit: Pat Donahue

The lightest post in this review was the 200mm Wolf Tooth Resolve post. Not only was it the lightest, but it was also among the longest travel posts we have tested. At 545 grams (post only) or 592 grams (with OneUp Remote) it was extremely light.

The 180mm OneUp V2 is also quite light for its length. In contrast, the heaviest dropper we tested was the RockShox Reverb AXS at 768 grams for the 170mm travel version.

dropper seatpost - with no cables or hoses, the wireless reverb axs is astonishingly...
With no cables or hoses, the wireless Reverb AXS is astonishingly easy to install.
Credit: Jeremy Benson

Ease of Setup


Manufacturers recommend having a professional mechanic install your dropper post, and we won't argue with that. Not only do we need to patronize our local bike shops to keep them around for parts, service, and camaraderie, but they will probably do a great job at this somewhat arduous and occasionally complicated task. Installing a dropper post can also be done at home, assuming you have some basic mechanic skills and the right tools for the job.


If you're the DIY type, then you're probably interested in how easy it is to install your own dropper post. We've become quite proficient at installing and removing dropper posts and identifying the ease or challenge of each model. This includes everything from attaching the remote to the handlebar, how the cable attaches to the post and remote, and how easy or hard it is to service each post in the field.

Arguably the most challenging part of installing any internally routed seatpost is routing the housing through the frame. After that, most models vary in setup. Many new models like the 9point8 Fall Line and Crankbrothers Highline 7 have quick connect systems which, once installed, allow tool-free post removal.

dropper seatpost - on the oneup v2, the head of the cable fits into a cable bushing...
On the OneUp V2, the head of the cable fits into a cable bushing that sits in the cradle on the post's actuator. Installing this post is quite easy.
Credit: Jeremy Benson

For cable systems, whether you cut the cable to length at the remote end or the post end makes a difference in how difficult your dropper is to install. For example, you connect the barrel, or uncut, end of the cable to the bottom of the seatpost on the Fox Transfer, SDG Tellis, Tranz-X Kitsuma Air, OneUp V2, and PNW Loam posts. Then you pull tension on the cable and cut it at the remote end by the handlebar. This gives you more space to work with, resulting in less guessing and double-checking. We found all of these posts to be easier to set up.

The RockShox Reverb Stealth presents serious installation challenges due to the hydraulic fluid in its housing that actuates the seatpost. If you have to shorten the hydraulic hose, which is quite likely, there is a good chance you need to bleed the system to remove any air. Yes, RockShox uses the Connectamajig quick-connect system to attach the hose to the post without letting any air in. This is a nice touch. That said, unless you ride an XXL frame, you are likely going to need to shorten the hydraulic line, and bleeding it is generally a job for the professionals as it can get messy in a hurry.

In stark contrast to the Reverb Stealth, the Reverb AXS is the easiest dropper to install that we've ever tested. Without cables or hoses, installing it is as simple as sliding it into your seat tube, attaching the remote to your handlebar, and pairing the wireless connection by holding the buttons for a few seconds.

dropper seatpost - internally routed droppers posts are connected at the bottom of the...
Internally routed droppers posts are connected at the bottom of the seatpost for a very clean look and no cables outside of the frame.
Credit: Jeremy Benson

Types of Dropper Seatposts


Infinite or Multi-Positional Travel

All of the dropper posts we tested feature infinite travel adjustment, meaning they can stop anywhere in their travel between fully compressed and fully extended. Older-style dropper posts might have fixed stopping points, but these are quickly disappearing.

Internal or External Routing

Routing dropper seatpost cables and housing inside your bike's frame is the norm for modern mountain bikes. All the droppers we tested feature this style of routing. This routing style cleans up your bike's appearance by limiting the number of cables running along the outside. It also makes your bike physically easier to clean. There are still a few externally routed dropper posts on the market, which are great for frames that do not allow for internal routing. Externally-routed dropper posts are often easy to install but lack the clean look of an internally routed post.

Sizing

Dropper posts are available in various travel lengths, typically 100mm, 125mm, and 150mm, with many brands offering 170, 175, 180, or even 200+ millimeters. For example, the 9point8 Fall Line is available in an astounding six travel lengths. The length you choose will vary based on your height, personal preferences, and what you can fit on your bike. Important numbers to have on hand are your seat tube length, the maximum insertion length of your seat tube, and the minimum insertion length of the dropper post. Ideally, you want the dropper's highest point at your ride height, and you want it to drop as low as your bike will allow. The OneUp V2 has an impressively low stack height and extended length, plus they have a system to adjust the travel length so that riders can theoretically squeeze more travel onto their bikes.

All of the posts we tested are available in the standard seat tube diameters of 30.9mm and 31.6mm. Most models are also offered in the newer diameter of 34.9mm.

Hydraulic, Mechanical, Cable, or Wireless Actuation

Nearly all dropper posts feature a cable-actuated hydraulic cartridge or air spring. The RockShox Reverb Stealth is one exception that actuates hydraulically. It uses hydraulic fluid in the housing as opposed to a standard cable. The Reverb AXS is the first post we've tested that uses wireless actuation. This technology is currently quite expensive, but we found that it works incredibly well and helps to simplify the installation process.

dropper seatpost - a good dropper post will undoubtedly make you riding experience...
A good dropper post will undoubtedly make you riding experience better.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Conclusion


Dropper posts have made enormous strides in recent years. Within the last several years, posts have gotten more reliable and simpler, with longer and longer travel options. We hope this detailed, side-by-side review will help you identify the best dropper seatpost for your riding style, bike, and checkbook.

Jeremy Benson, Pat Donahue, Zach Wick