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Dropper post on a CX or gravel bike?

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Dropper post on a CX or gravel bike?

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Old 05-06-19, 08:40 PM
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Le Mechanic
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Dropper post on a CX or gravel bike?

So I just installed a dropper post on my gravel/commuter bike. I thought about it for a while since I recently converted to a 1X set up and rode a MTB on some pretty gnarly trails with a dropper for the first time. I wondered what would be involved to make my SRAM Doubletap shifter work as a dropper lever, as well as how to make an internal routed post work as well. I got it figured out and made a video of the process if anyone is interested. I'm not sure how it's all going to work out long term, but I'll make a follow up video once I form some kind of opinion on the set up.

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Old 05-07-19, 08:01 AM
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chas58
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Cool, thanks for sharing. Getting my weight back seems to be key for fast loose gravel turns.
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Old 05-07-19, 01:06 PM
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Shimano GRX does this.

The left lever can operate a dropper post when run 1x.


-Tim-
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Old 05-07-19, 01:08 PM
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Next on my list of things to try on my gravel rig (because I insist on riding it like it's a mountain bike).
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Old 05-08-19, 06:49 AM
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Originally Posted by TimothyH
Shimano GRX does this.

The left lever can operate a dropper post when run 1x.


-Tim-
Yeah, I actually just saw some info on the GRX group. Looks sweet! I'd like to get my hands on the lever to see how it works. The only bummer is it looks like it's a dedicated 1X dropper lever only, which is fine, but with a Sram Doubletap shifter, you can switch it back to a shifter fairly easily.
I rode my setup to work for the first time yesterday, works well so far!
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Old 05-08-19, 07:35 AM
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I wish I had an idea that I would be in the market for a dropper when I bought my SRAM Rival HRD levers-- I could have used the paddle on the left for the dropper, as you have. But I didn't, so I'm using the PNW Roadie Lever, which works well enough. It would just have been a lot cleaner (and easier to route the cable) with the SRAM paddle. About 1,800 miles with the PNW Pine on my Swiss Cross, and I don't think I can go back. I've found the dropper to be more handy for my everyday rides, most of which are on pavement-- on a typical ride out on the trails and fire roads, I might only need to drop the saddle 4-5 times. Out on the road, it's down at every stop light.
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Old 05-10-19, 06:06 AM
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some pretty good instructions for it. looks reversible too which is nice
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Old 05-10-19, 10:56 AM
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I did the dropper hack on my Rival shifter and it took a whopping 5 minutes. Most of that time was just spent taking out screws. It's only 3 pieces and you can undo it the same exact way in less than 5 minutes.
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Old 05-10-19, 01:16 PM
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BITD there was the Hite Rite
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Old 05-13-19, 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Jakedatc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngvd0F8JxnE some pretty good instructions for it. looks reversible too which is nice
Pretty sure my video shows the exact method, well, minus the hand gestures...
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Old 05-14-19, 08:07 AM
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Yea your did a good job too. You just need to pimp a sponsor beforehand too..
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Old 05-15-19, 08:56 PM
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Cant say ive ever found the need to drop my post when commuting.
...actually haven't found the need to drop it when riding gravel either.

Our gravel roads are roads, just unpaved. If I were in an area with 15% twisting descents with washout and boulders, that might be a different story.



Thanks for the video, I like seeing how that left shifter is being repurposed on 1x.
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Old 05-15-19, 10:00 PM
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Def been on CX courses with some steep descents that i'd like to have it. But i run the same bike for cx and gravel so i'll keep my 2x for the gearing.
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