The Wookie

Yeah, I find a dropper seat to be a bit of a fad. Fashionable now, but helpful, I’m not so sure.

Kapusta

Yeah, just like disc brakes and suspension.

purpurite

And just like dropper posts, depending on what and where you are riding, not always a necessary component. Those things are not the be-all, end-all.

For what I ride, disk brakes and dropper posts are unnecessary extra weight that I don't need. Full suspension definitely not necessary either, but it's great that cyclists today can choose what works best for them and their needs.

Kapusta

So, you think that suspension, droppers and disc brakes are “fads”?

You all have some really interesting definitions of “fad”.

purpurite

Did I say that? No. Reading is a skill. Those components have their place, for sure. But on a gravel bike built for riding railroad paths, do you need a dropper and suspension? No. Do you need a full-sus mountain bike for Midwestern trails? Certainly not, a hardtail is a majority of mountain biking today. Does disc brakes make for a better road bike? It's certainly debatable, and I prefer weight advantages over the marginal stopping power discs provide on a road bike.

Don't be myopic. Not everyone has the same needs on a bike. I definitely don't need the added pound of a dropper post on a fat bike.

staehpj1

I don't doubt for a minute that they are very helpful for some riders in some conditions. I'd expect that most who want full suspension want a dropper. Note that I said most not all. I for one don't want a dropper on my bike, but I am an oldtimer who is set in my ways. I don't think it is a fad. It is here to stay. It just may not be for everyone.

There is still a place for hardtails and even rigid MTBs.

I don't see why anyone would use rim brakes on a MTB other than on a retro frame and fork that didn't support discs. They do still work okay on my old 1990 rigid bike which I still choose to ride sometimes despite have newer bikes, but I wouldn't choose them on a new MTB.

Kapusta

Yes, reading is a skill. And you were replying to a sidebar exchange about whether droppers were a FAD. Did you read that?

purpurite

Correct, and I NEVER said dropper posts were a fad. You put those words in my mouth.

Kapusta

But that does not make suspension a "fad".

Kapusta

So just out of curiosity, what did your post have to do with the sidebar you were responding to?

staehpj1

I never said or implied that it did. Someone else may have said that, but if so it wasn't me. I own a full suspension bike and ride it prettty nearly every day. I also own a hard tail and a rigid MTB that I ride much less frequently.

Kapusta

My point was that droppers are no more of a “fad” than suspension or disc brakes.

None of them are fads. They are all widely adopted, and show no signs of waning in popularity.

Just because some people do not use/like/need something does not mean it is a fad.

veganbikes

Droppers are great and if you aren't wanting to use one don't same thing with any other parts of a mountain bike but a full suspension bike with a dropper and disc brakes is pretty handy. Not always needed and yes back in the day we rode just fine and survived, John Tomac...but I will say I have felt more confident on modern bikes with modern components. All mountain bikes are awesome (I am talking mountain bikes not stuff designed to just look like it) but there are some things that were a lot better than others.

Do I need a dropper no but ask Breezer and Angell who invented the Hite-Rite way back in the day. Getting the saddle out of the way is pretty handy and has been for a while. Not everyone wants it or needs it but it is not some fad and if it was it is sure a long running fad. I mean they invented it in 1984 and it is 2023 so almost 40 years and Kind Shock (KS) invented the modern one in 1998 so 25 years ago.

prj71

Sure do. But if you are from flatlander Illinois...Probably not.


LOL. That's not even remotely close to true. There are other places outside of your little bubble you know.

Not even debatable. Rim brakes are inferior. Take note that if you have a modern car it has disc brakes. Old drum brakes are like having rim brakes.

Eric F 

Have you spent much time riding a MTB with a dropper post?

IMO, "fad" is the wrong word. "Trend" might be a more accurate description. The evolution of MTBs marches relentlessly onward - maybe faster than any other segment of bikes.

I do find it interesting that many of the best XC racers in the world are using dropper posts. Those folks seem to think there's enough benefit to accept the weight penalty.

The Wookie

No, I haven’t given them a fair trial. It’s good to hear your views and one I will consider in future.

DMC707

we never should have let women vote either. Stupid fads

staehpj1

I am getting a nice non dropper post for Christmas. I am looking forward to taking the droppper off and installing the new post. I guess I am the old dog that can't learn new tricks, but I just am used to riding with the saddle up and found dropping it awkward. I'd try to squeeze the saddle between my knees and it wasn't there. I am used to working around the saddle when descending. At 72 old habits are just too ingrained I guess. Also, while a minor thing the little bit of rotational play in the saddle annoys me. It shouldn't since I mostly notice it when handling the bike and hardly at all when riding. It moves just enough to make a click. I complained about it to the mechanic where I bought the bike and he said it was normal. I questioned that, but he walked me around the showroom and every dropper on the floor had some play. Perhaps spending enough might eliminate it, but I don't really want a dropper bad any way so I am definitely not going to drop the kind of $$$ some of them cost.

None of that is to say that there is anything wrong with dropper posts for those who want/need them, that they are a fad or anything of the sort. They just aren't for everyone in every sutuation. Some of us may opt to take them off or not install them in the first place. They are a great tool and a real advantage for some.

prj71

I'm guessing you had a cheaper dropper post. My Bike Yoke revive ($350-$400) has zero play.

Kapusta

I’ve never found some rotational play to make a damn bit of difference when riding.

Regarding pinching the saddle between your thighs, that’s just bad form in most cases. It prevents the bike from moving around under you which is the whole key to riding smoothly.

staehpj1

Yep a TransX probably about $100-125. Original equipment on a $2500 bike. Same for all the bikes on the floor at the shop. Generally under $3000 bokes so the posts weren't high end, but every one had play.

t2p

I’ve seen high end dropper posts with play

most of my hard core off road friends use dropper posts

they appear to be an asset when navigating up and down short / nasty drops and similar … fairly common in our area

surfindabass

Depends on how you ride and the types of trails. I’d forego gears before a dropper which is how my singlespeed is.

Kapusta

Heck I gave up suspension on my fat bike before giving up the dropper.

SCbike864

Situational for me. On my newer bike. I love having it. When I’m riding my 90’s steel bikes I enjoy them how they are