Lets talk droppers...

[alan93]

Yet again I would like to start a debate , this one for the benefit of everyone who may be considering a dropper in the near future.

Which dropper would you chose to ride into battle? And why?

At the super cheap end of things we have the likes of this. Simple spring loaded mechanism, no fancy hydraulics.
https://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;navigation=1;product=38801;page=1;menu=1000,2,110;mid=0;pgc=11013:11021::79:5016,11024;orderby=2

At the upper scale of things we have the usual Reverbs, KS Lev, Thomson posts.

[cathalferris]

KS Lev:
Pros:

• Available in many differing sizes and lengths;
• Internal and external cable routing options;
• Effectively infinite adjustment positions - find your perfect height;
• The cable is attached at top of tube, not at the top of the post so no moving of the cable in use - this was something that really annoyed me about the RS Reverb;
• Air spring and cable actuated so easy to sort cable length without bleeding a hydraulic hose;
• Thumb lever attaches to handlebar grip so no extra space taken up by the lever;
• Very little rotation of the post in use;
• Reliable. (so far)

Cons:

• Not cheap

[Psycholist]

RS Reverb
Pros:
No idea what sizes it comes in 30.9 mm does most non-steel frames and the new model Cotics though...
Internal and external cable routing options;
Effectively infinite adjustment positions - find your perfect height;
On the internal one the cable is attached to the bottom of the post, so no moving cable while the post drops.
Air spring and hydraulic actuation, so more likely to stay running properly for longer without user intervention.
Very little rotation of the post in use - virtually none at full height, slightly more at partial height;
Reliable. (so far)
Probably the standard against which all others are judged as it hits good function and reliability levels while remaining cheapish.


Cons:
Cable attaches to saddle in external routed ones, so it moves as the seatpost is dropped, which almost any retrofit to a frame not made in the last year or two will almost definitely need. Can easily be kept not annoying by good routing choice though.
Actuation lever is bulky and hard to find proper space for it on the bars. Especially if you run a front derailleur or have a remote CTD lever on the bars.
If your weight is in the wrong place the post will bind rather than dropping - moving slightly forward on the saddle when you want it to drop makes it work perfectly every time, but this isn't obvious the first time you try it.
No 27.2 mm option available - not sure there's a KS that size either.

I'd be interested in finding out more about the Forca one as it does come in a 27.2 and the more I go playing on the hardtail the more having a dropper seems like a good idea... The thing is it's not all that much cheaper than the Reverb when it shows up on special offer.

[alan93]

The thing is it's not all that much cheaper than the Reverb when it shows up on special offer.

True, and 2nd hand reverbs in decent condition go for €100-150 usually.

Its the cheapness of it new and that I couldn't find any horror stories with reliability about it on a quick search that make me interested in it.

[Psycholist]

You'll probably have to search German speaking forums to find out anything useful about it. That's what I had to do for the Canyon... The thing that worries me about it is the diameter of the upper part of the seatpost and the possible flimsiness of the saddle clamp. If the narrow diameter gives it useful flex than it could be very comfortable. The carbon fibre seatpost on my XC bike at the moment is probably too stiff and it does affect the ride of the bike). I'd be worried that XC riding on a hardtail (Lots of hammering rough stuff while seated or not fully off the saddle) would break it though.

[Joejoebeans]

X-Fusion Hilo:

Pros:
Cheapest air spring one I could find at 27.2 diameter (although most bikes have wider seatposts so not as much of an issue)
Smooth movement
Effectively infinite adjustment positions - find your perfect height
Post doesn't move much except at the very top

Cons:
When at the very top, there's ~10-15mm of squish. Once you get through this there is a solid stop so if you stay seated you don't end up bouncing up and down. Just that the saddle drops a little when you do sit down
Cable takes a 90° turn where it clamps to the post. Might not be an issue but I haven't been using it long enough to see yet
Lever is pretty much the same as the one you posted Alan. It might not fit with shifters as it runs parallel to the bars and isn't a particularly good design either (When you push the lever it ends up bending the cable around a corner and exposing it to any dirt). I've removed the ratcheting mechanism from a shifter and have been using that instead of the lever that came with it

I haven't tried any other 27.2mm hydraulic seatposts so I don't know if the squish is unique to this brand or a problem you see at this diameter. Overall, I'd say it's pretty good but if I was buying again I'd spend a bit more

[dannyk]

the manual KS post I have was on sale for ~120 when I got it. it's air spring and hydraulic with infinite adjustment, and given the few adjustments I'll make in a trail, the under the saddle lever isn't a hindrence. Obviously money was an object for me so that factored. while the style of operation might not be everyone's taste, I've had the post a year now with no issues so far