Any experience with "cheaper" 27.2 droppers?

[auto_rock]

Hey forum

So I'm looking for a 27.2 dropper, and I'm wondering if anyone has experience (positive or negative) with any of the non-Thomson options...

I noticed there are many, but none from a brand I recognize.

[ColonelJLloyd]

I bought an X-Fusion a couple weeks ago. I don't understand why Lynskey bonds a reducer in their seat tubes when it limits dropper posts, but that's the case.

I am a total novice with MTBs and this is my first dropper post. The included remote works fine (I didn't use the included housing because I had spare Jagwire Elite Link). It doesn't seem like a terribly fast return to me, but I don't race so it's not a big deal.

In summary, it does what it is supposed to do and the remote works. This past weekend I did notice some creaking from it and I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong or not. Maybe you're not supposed to put much weight on it when it's not in the fully extended position. To be fair, I just installed it and started riding so if they included some guidance or user tips I ignored them.

What I can say is that this dropper post is a helluva lot better than not having one. I only started riding a MTB recently and it took only two rides for me to solidly realize that a dropper is a must-have for any even moderately technical riding. At least for a guy like me with pretty much no MTB technical skills, I very much appreciate having the saddle out of the way. It has no doubt already saved me from multiple wipeouts.

Untitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr

[.RJ]

Originally Posted by auto_rock

So I'm looking for a 27.2 dropper, and I'm wondering if anyone has experience (positive or negative) with any of the non-Thomson options...

Pay now or pay later. 27.2 leaves you short on volume compared to the 30.9/31.6 posts.

[foo_fighter]

KS makes both a high end and low end 272 dropper.

[ofcounsel]

I've had good luck with KS dropper posts. Others I know have had finicky KS dropper posts. On the other hand, I haven't heard anything bad about Thomson posts, other than the remote, which requires a bit more leverage than average to operate. But that can be fixed with a aftermarket remote, such as the Wolf Tooth remote, or my favorite, the Specialized SRL remote.

[Vientomas]

http://gravitydropper.com/

Mechanical spring. Remote lever. Made in USA. Great service.

[pcxmbfj]

Periodically clean a small area around the slider post and use something like "Slick Honey" to lube.
Dropper works better and may extend life.

[Pegoready]

Unfortunately all 27.2 droppers I've used develop lateral play. Anything from super cheap X-Fusion to swanky Thomson. The diameter is just too small since the stanchion itself has to be considerably smaller than 27.2.

I use the X-Fusion Hilo and it's merely OK. I'm too lazy to remove it from my bike and have too much of a conscience to sell it to anyone. The return is really slow even at their max recommended PSI. While it breaks in, the last 1/2" of the return doesn't really work so you have to "pinch it" to get it to retract all the way. This problem has improved over break in time but still exists in really cold weather. The lateral play is maddening if you're riding on the smooth streets but is forgotten on the trail since there's so much jostling.