Trans-X dropper post issue

[lightning]

My new Kona Ebike has come with a Trans-X dropper post.

The post has an issue where you can press the lever, and nothing happens, you have to jump on the saddle and then it drops.
After that it works fine until you've not used it for a short while, then it sticks again.

How can l cure the stiction? l've unscrewed the clamp, greased the post and also tried silicone spray.
lt's still sticking. How tight should l screw the top cap down? lt's get hard to turn as you wind it down the threads, is it tightened fully or just to a certain point?

l set the air pressure to 250psi which makes it return great, once it's in the down position. But it's annoying pressing the remote lever, and nothing happens.

Once it's off the end stop it responds fine to the lever, it's just that initial move.

 

[Jackware]

Seatpost clamp too tight?

 

[Gary]

Trans-X is basically the same basic cartridge based post design as Brand-X, One up and a few others with a few cosmetic differences, different actuator and levers so there's not a lot to service/work on.

From your discription it sounds like it could just be a cable/adjustment issue.
Have you tried winding your lever barrel adjuster out a little more so the lever has less throw?
is the inner cable smooth and the outer in good condition? (incl ferrules)
and does the post extend normally if you remove it from the bike and and actuate the rocker manually (by hand)

after cleaning and lightly greasing the top seal (using a very light grease) tighten the top cap right down the threads (hand tight)

 

[KennyB]

Seatpost clamp too tight?

Gets my vote. I had to get down to 4Nm, and used carbon assembly pressure to stop the post slipping.

 

[lightning]

Thanks for the replies.
l will try reducing the torque on the seat post clamp and tightening the cable

 

[KennyB]

Gets my vote. I had to get down to 4Nm, and used carbon assembly pressure to stop the post slipping.

Oops carbon assembly paste. It has wee granules in it to increase friction.

 

[lightning]

lt's still doing it, only the initial action.

So you are riding along and press the remote lever, and nothing happens. Bounce on the saddle (or go over a bump) and it drops.

After that it's fine, until you've not used it for a few minutes.

l need to either repair it or replace it, if l remove it from the bike is there anything else l can check or put oil on? lt's just the initial drop when you press the lever when it sticks.
Once its moved off the stop it works fine up and down no issues.

Otherwise can anyone recommend a better replacement (100mm drop)

 

[lightning]

Anybody got any more ideas?

Should l remove the unit from the bike and will l be able to do anything more with it then?

Apart from sling it in the bin?

 

[KennyB]

Remove the post, activate it by pulling down on the release thingy (wear gloves) and see if it is sticky. That tells you if the problem is the post or clamping pressure. If the latter do what I suggested. If the post, strip (Google for how), clean and lubricate.
See how it goes.

 

[RustyMTB]

I've had droppers stick with a kink of a few degrees in the cable. It's easily done too, pushing a dropper into the seat tube. As above, I'd disconnect it from the cable, actuate it manually & if it works ok then the issue is with your cable or lever.

If it's still knackered after that, buy the one I'm flogging in the for sale pages. ?

 

[TQFreak]

Let me guess, you rode it on chill or cold weather and parket it in a warm room and next day you can not actuate it? Mine PMW Loam dropper does the same (it looks like they all do this).

You have to cool the dropper down to unstuck it (bring it outside and let it seat for an hour). People recommend to store the dropper partially compressed to avoid this isue.

Or you have to actuate the dropper time to time until it has the environment temperature (where you parked your bike) so you won't have issues the next day.

 

[big_scot_nanny]

They are pretty easy to service, and a quick clean and lube with SRAM butter or the like usually has them working smoothly again. Whether that is as simple as unscrewing the collar with the post still in the bike, and adding some SRAM butter to the post for a few ‘pumps’, or taking the post out and doing a fuller strip down clean and service, both are easy and effective.

Good tips re. Kink in cable diagnostics too.