Originally Posted by
mstateglfr
no.
There is no need for a dropper post on anything that doesnt have steep technical descents. Roadies dont need to get their weight low and over the rear wheel on pavement.
Im still confused as to why droppers are spec'd on some gravel bikes. I get why they are added by some riders, but it seems to be very regional specific and almost exclusively in SoCal where there is no gravel and the bikes are used on steep fire roads that suffer from washout and whatnot. My guess is that they are spec'd on some gravel bikes as stock more for image than need. Since my gravel roads are roads that are gravel, I have 0 need to get my butt low and behind the rear axle.
A bike that is ridden on roads, paved or gravel, just doesnt need a dropper post. I have no idea why someone would want to drop their saddle height while pedaling on a road(straight or twisty).
Many of the gravel roads an easy ride from my door have very steep descents and big time washboard at the bottom. Going down close to gonzo works but doing anything remotely civilized is very difficult. More effective braking power would make those roads far more appealing for a lot of us.