volksman
New Member
I have never had a dropper before but after 2 weeks with my bike is feels like there is sand or something in the dropper. What is the best way to clean and lube these things?
I did the same to my Bontrager dropper post after it started making a grinding sound on the way down. Surprised since doing this, my dropper has been buttery smooth. I can't see how doing this would void your warranty - but I don't know for sure.All you can do, and depending on which dropper, is unscrew the collar, clean out under seals etc and pack in some light grease, eg SRAM Butter. Even this can void your warranty as I discovered with my X Fusion Manic (even though it is specified in the user instructions), but that is an argument for another day.
This is actually fine to do as long as the post is fully extended. If it is not fully extended, a vaccuum can be created, causing air to mix with the oil = saggy dropper.dont use the saddle to lift or hang the bike.
Perhaps this would keep it cleaner but it is bad practice as the cylinder is charged and will almost certainly cause leaks or reverse charge at some point.Huh! Well I would have actually though storing the bike with dropper lowered would be best as it would avoid any dust build up on the post. Will start storing it with it up! Also the dust cloth for the trails is not a bad idea at all! Thanks folks! Now if I could just keep my chain ring lock to stay tight!
Remove the chain ring lockring (you'll need to get the special spider tool for it), clean everything real good, apply red loctite threadlock, torque to 35nm, (you'll need a torque wrench that reads anti-clockwise) - job done. Don't worry about the o-ring in behind the lockring, it's impossible to fit without it spreading out and breaking, doesn't seem to do anything anyway.Now if I could just keep my chain ring lock to stay tight!
Yeah while I was waiting for my maxxis to turn up I thought that the XR5s weren't as bad as I initially thought. Then I put my Maxxis on & night & day handling & confidence.
I'm presuming got a Trek? If you have the 130mm dropper I'd recommend changing to a 180mm. I found the 130mm was always in the way of my thighs when descending.
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