Dropper post for XL frame — Rider = 5’11 184cm

[P3cca]

Collected a spec Levo HT from the specialised concept store in Hamburg last week (2020 model, pale blue, 400w — 1.2e). Not sure if the unit was a demo or a trade in. The shop stated that I still get a 2 year warranty on battery & motor & life time on frame?

Picked it up for what I consider a steal of a bargain BUT it is size XL (Beggars can’t be choosers).

Would a dropper post allow me a little more cockpit flexibility as I’m 5’11” or 184cm, inside leg of 84 I think ?

thanks in advance

peck

 

[urastus]

I can only assume you're new to mountain biking - the question could easily be seen as click bait. With the correct size frame a dropper is awesome; with a frame that is on the larger side a dropper is even more necessary. I use a dropper on an ancient mtb that has been repurposed for urban duties - I use it often in anticipation of having to brake hard, esp coming down hills. I also use it when hopping curbs or going down steps or manoeuvring through slow traffic. Also when starting off on a hill, or even to just get on or off the bike in an awkward place (when I don't want to roundhouse kick someone close by )

 

[nickfrog]

Sorry but 5ft11 is 180cm for starters. Sounds pedantic but if that was the basis for validating XL, this may be an issue.

 

[P3cca]

I can only assume you're new to mountain biking - the question could easily be seen as click bait. With the correct size frame a dropper is awesome; with a frame that is on the larger side a dropper is even more necessary. I use a dropper on an ancient mtb that has been repurposed for urban duties - I use it often in anticipation of having to brake hard, esp coming down hills. I also use it when hopping curbs or going down steps or manoeuvring through slow traffic. Also when starting off on a hill, or even to just get on or off the bike in an awkward place (when I don't want to roundhouse kick someone close by )

Sorry if the question comes across as click bait It was none intentional.

Back in the had a Gary Fisher hard tail. This is the first hard tail I have had in 20 years so I am a little rusty & 20 years all we had were forums to read!!!

Really great description for the many uses for the dropper post (never imagined they were that responsive & very interested in the 101 uses for such a purchase. The bike is mainly used on the flat in the city instead of an Omnium cargo bike (the ht feels like a Mercedes g class amg in comparison)!
Using the post to manoeuvre through traffic certainly has opened up my eyes. Big thank you for your reply.

The next question now is what length post & which brand / model does everybody recommend and do I buy a cheap as chips post or go full stir fry crazy kamikaze ? ?

 

[P3cca]

Sorry but 5ft11 is 180cm for starters. Sounds pedantic but if that was the basis for validating XL, this may be an issue.

hi Nick, my bad, typing last night & converting mentally from metric to feet. I am actually 184cm? (If it is of any help the dealer thought the bike was a size large)!!! It is only because I measured the geometry that I pointed out to the dealer it was in fact an Xl.

Long story short the Mrs has zero concept on the cost of these eMT and to plough any more of an initial purchase into a ebike would mean me being sacralised for eternity?

At the moment the bike is used / shall be used heavily on the road as my daily commuter & then used for a bit more adventure during the weekends.
Because the price of the bike was such a bargain direct from the speacilised concept store I am convinced that from an economics stand point the bike can be sold at a later date for around what I paid for it & by that point the wife shall be then brain washed into allowing me to spend that little but more for a bike that fits bang on.

in my humble opinion there is method to the madness ???

 

[STATO]

You need to determine your ideal seat height then measure how much space you have from the top of the frame seat clamp to the centre of the saddle rails. Height does not determine seat height, everyones legs are different lengths and even then people like different seat heights.

 

[urastus]

hi Nick, my bad, typing last night & converting mentally from metric to feet. I am actually 184cm? (If it is of any help the dealer thought the bike was a size large)!!! It is only because I measured the geometry that I pointed out to the dealer it was in fact an Xl.

Long story short the Mrs has zero concept on the cost of these eMT and to plough any more of an initial purchase into a ebike would mean me being sacralised for eternity?

At the moment the bike is used / shall be used heavily on the road as my daily commuter & then used for a bit more adventure during the weekends.
Because the price of the bike was such a bargain direct from the speacilised concept store I am convinced that from an economics stand point the bike can be sold at a later date for around what I paid for it & by that point the wife shall be then brain washed into allowing me to spend that little but more for a bike that fits bang on.

in my humble opinion there is method to the madness ???

I'm interested in your brainwashing method You're lucky, those specialized hard tails look as though they will take a dropper as long as you like. If it is flat where you ride, a dropper won't be as awesome as they are in hilly country. I'd always have one though for stairs, curbs, any little drops etc. It looks as though specialized use seatposts that are 30.9mm diameter. This is from chain reaction (UK) but has lots of good reviews. A couple of things to note: 1. this post needs the cable to be internally routed - that is something you will have to find out about, or decide if you want it. 2. I don't think this will be too long for you and your bike, but you need to make sure. For example, from the top of your seat as it is now to the top of the frame where the seat post goes in will need to be greater than 255mm (my guesstimate). If it is shorter than this then you will want a smaller dropper, 125mm or even 100mm. Or you can measure from the top of the frame where the post goes in to the base of the seat post clamp; it needs to be greater than 177mm (see picture that shows measurements). There is the same brand of dropper that uses externally routed cable. There is also a longer dropper if you think it will fit, 170mm. I won't link that one, but it's available external and internal etc, all here. So, 30.9mm diameter, internal or external? What length? And stay with brand x. All that is just what I think, my opinion etc etc.

 

[P3cca]

I'm interested in your brainwashing method You're lucky, those specialized hard tails look as though they will take a dropper as long as you like. If it is flat where you ride, a dropper won't be as awesome as they are in hilly country. I'd always have one though for stairs, curbs, any little drops etc. It looks as though specialized use seatposts that are 30.9mm diameter. This is from chain reaction (UK) but has lots of good reviews. A couple of things to note: 1. this post needs the cable to be internally routed - that is something you will have to find out about, or decide if you want it. 2. I don't think this will be too long for you and your bike, but you need to make sure. For example, from the top of your seat as it is now to the top of the frame where the seat post goes in will need to be greater than 255mm (my guesstimate). If it is shorter than this then you will want a smaller dropper, 125mm or even 100mm. Or you can measure from the top of the frame where the post goes in to the base of the seat post clamp; it needs to be greater than 177mm (see picture that shows measurements). There is the same brand of dropper that uses externally routed cable. There is also a longer dropper if you think it will fit, 170mm. I won't link that one, but it's available external and internal etc, all here. So, 30.9mm diameter, internal or external? What length? And stay with brand x. All that is just what I think, my opinion etc etc.

WoW awesome wicked reply thank you.
It’s all about the brain ? washing ? ...

Had to go through the same brain washing with her in doors with the last bike. Purchased a correctly fitting cargo frame only (Omnium mini max ).

Everything else was ordered from hope in orange. The wife found out the overall build cost a year later when she looked at the end of year account. Luckily I never got bounced as I had spent that summer and subsequent 2 summers shuttling being her whilst she was sat on the front.

When I finish painting the shed I shall take a couple of measurements for that dropper post and further investigate the internal / external routing option.

That Rockshox Remote battery dropper sure looks the nuts but don’t think a dropper should cost a smidgen over 1/3 of the actual bike purchase!

Thank you again for the detailed and in depth reply including links.

VB

Peck