Mountain Bike Dropper Post Install | GMBN Tech Essentials Ep. 10
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 8. 03. 2019
- Dropper posts are the order of the day in this episode of MTB tech essentials. Dropper Posts enhance your mountain bike ride by moving the saddle out of the way with little to no interruption at the start of a descent, lowering your centre of gravity and allowing you to ride in a more dynamic manner without any risk of getting caught up on your seat.
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Doddy covers cable vs hydraulic posts, cable orientation, how much drop you should aim for, the necessary tools for installation, and how to negotiate internal routing in this video.
Do you ride with a dropper post? Ever wish you had one? Let us know below!
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The info just keeps getting better. This is this channels best contribution to cycling by far. Doddy knows set up, and its critical for mountain biking.
Thanks! đ
For years I refuse to get a dropper post... then my new bike came with one and is awesome, I am getting more fore my other bikes, thanks for the tutorial Doddie,cheers!
Probably the best purchase for a bike youâll make
I've resisted getting a dropper for all these years, I just never felt like I needed one. I'm installing one on my XC tomorrow, I hope I find it as 'essential' as everyone says they are! Great install video Doddy. The part about measuring the cable still isn't 100% clear, I assume you measured the 165mm down from the original 'frame' mark, and that 165mm amount was based on your dropper length inside the frame, but I'll make sure to measure multiple times before cutting.
1:06 "Anywhere else" is a nice way to describe it.
Thanks for explaining the cable. Other dropper post "experts" never mention it. Your video explaining things so clearly is unique and absolutely outstanding. New fan.
I rode a bike with a dropper for the first time recently, they are game changing bit of kit
That is a good looking bike your working on. I almost ordered one. Great color
Me as well. Went with commencal meta ht instead tho
@@lukerisser9163 what color i got the sand
@@bobbys8762 same lol
Found this vid useful. Good solution I used today to install brand x dropper post cable internally on my 2021 vitus hardtail is to feed a length of wool - yes wool - down thro the top hole in the downtube, put the hoover nozzle over the hole at the lower end of the downtube, which sucks out the wool. Tie a length of decent fishing line to end of the wool, tie other end of fishing line around the end of the outer cable, just below the ferule/end cover so it has something to grip, wrap tape around this to prevent the knot from snagging on the hole(s), making a conical shape so the end is streamlined for smooth egress from the top hole... feed the outer cable up the downtube, pulling the fishing line at the same time... Et Voila... the outer cable pops out the top hole and has been successfully routed internally thro the downtube. Wool works well as being light and 'fluffy' it catches the air better than string/bootlace etc which I also tried without success. The wool and hoover method worked first time for me. The outer cable then easily feeds up thro the hole at the back of the seat tube behind the bottom bracket on my bike - others may be different - the rest is straightforward, follow product instructions. A good spin on the bike followed with dropper post working well :-)
I got a cheap one with the lever under the saddle. I have to take my hand off the bars but it's ok. So far I have no real issues with it. Clean cockpit.
5:55 here you go
Fkn thank YOU!!!
That cable routing tool is a great idea, but I needed one in a pinch so I knocked one up, used a small tie rod end from an RC car with a screw in it tied to a length of string and a magnet inside a sock (using a clean one is optional), then a paper clip to hook it once you're on the port, worked a charm and cost nothing!! Any questions gimme a shout!!
Mate you're on to something. Can you post a photo somehow?
@@danielbromley849 I can't post a photo unfortunately, basically you need to tie something made of a metal that the magnet will grab and small enough to fit through the ports to the string, pop it in the port, then cover a good strong magnet in fabric so as not to scratch the frame and pull the metal along to the exit port then hook it out, then back to where you went in, attach the loose end of the string to your cable outer with a couple of wraps of tape, it needs to be able to fit in the port, so not too much tape (good idea to put a knot in the string so it can't pull out from under the tape), pull the string through and the cable outer will follow, once that's in thread the cable inner through and the hard bit is done
Got my hands on a Ragley Big Al 2.0 without dropper this year. Ordered a Brand X dropper from Chain Reaction Cycles and used your video to aid in my install. Thought I would not say the install was 'easy', your video really made my install relatively headache free. Was very careful every step of the way, especially cutting the cables, so your video was a huge help. Thanks!!
It's worth to take into consideration your bike's water bottle fittings on the seat tube.
Totally excellent. This could not be more useful. Thanks a lot.
I would die to have a shop that looks like that! All the tools match, clean and no son to make off with the wrench that i need the first time I need it. Great video. Thanks.
I am that son
As a former Tradesman this video was excellently done
Concise yet with all needed information đ
Thank you Doddy đ
Man I could have done with this on Friday morning when I was fitting my new crank brothers dropper lol. All in and good now though đ
Set up in my garage. Sure comes in handy. Works great
Great video, I like feed some lub. through a cable like you did but i have been told not to, been doing it for over 30 year with no problems so far and when some of the bikes i service are never kept indoors
as a complete noob a few years ago on a hardtail I knew the single most important upgrade was a dropper, that and tyres that grip and dont puncture by looking at them.
Very useful as always, thank you
Great! Thanks Doddy. Appreciate this but showing the cable routing technique without the cable tool would have been handy to. Its an expensive bit of kit that Iâm not likely to use that often...
Hey Addsy, Find an old spoke and bend the end creating a hooked pick tool and then poke this into the cable exit hole. Feed the cable through until it passes through this and then pull it out. Hopefully this helps you đ
Thanks for the info I just replaced my cable and lever today but got carried away at the start and pulled the old cable and housing straight Out so I had to feed a piece of string with a bolt tied to the end through then tie and tape that to the new housing and pull it back
I used the wire cable itself as a guide. I inserted it first on the bike frame along with the remote lever and protruded it out of the seat tube. Next is I slide the housing cable into the wire cable that is already inside the bike frame thru the seat tube and up towards the routing coming outside of the downtube. And viola, the upper end of the housing will automatically fit to the remote lever as you pushed. Finally is setting the wire cable length with respect to the housing cable using the plastic piece protector that came with the droper post to fit to the engagement of the dropper. (Note: I did not cut my housing cable as I estimated the stock length is appropriate for my frame)
A catch with this specific model: 9:00 minute: when you stick the grey cylinder into the post you have to turn it clockwise to the limit (lock point) and only then tighten the black lockring, otherwise when the remote cable is in its released state the cable-side rotor gets to its most-clockwise position, but the seatpost-side rotor doesn't and the dropper doesn't lock completely.
1:38 actually a problem I had was the lack of information on the actual DEPTH of the seat post.
I have a Giant Faith 2010 and had to do a bit of manual measurement with the old seat post, dropping it as far as it would go, (which is actually not all that far in my frames case) to get the maximum depth, then measuring the old post at its highest ride height for me.. (109% etc) to get the maximum length overall that could fit...
Then it was just a case of finding the best drop I could get within that length... and there actually wasn't many options for my budget or even no price limit.. with factors like no internal cable routing option etc. due to the kink and pivot halfway down the seat post tube.
I went with a Zoom Tequilla (100mm drop) from the cheap range to make sure the calculations were right etc. I have about 20mm unused depth with it at the correct height... but if I really need it, I can always drop the body and run the day with a short max height, but gain the extra 20mm drop. (There wasn't a post that gave a better lower position without loosing upper, or bottoming out before the upper most position was at my riding height (which would have ment having to constantly adjust the seat to get the correct climp position rather than it just being set at full extension.
Due to the frame geometry, the exposed post to the seat is almost the same length as the depth from the top of the frame tube to the suspension pivot they ran through the center of the post tube to ensure it was impossible to get a longer post in.
What I need is a 2 stage telescopic post to get more than the 100mm but the design would have to be heavy to retain strength over the joints...
Great video as always!
Thanks Thomasđ
This is very useful thank you đ
Thanks! đ
Thanks for that. I'm planning on having a dropper post on my next paycheck, and I have absolutely no idea on how it will be installed. This video gave me insight on what to expect. Now I'm not doing any trails, but I live on an area with rough roads.
Glad it was helpful!
great video, thanks
the reverb is more like "the mad king" of hydraulic posts
Hi Doddy, dropper post is the upgrade i would do anytime .. but unfortunately .. got to wait a little bit more .. as the prices of the upgrades are out of my reach for now. Thank's for the video .. always a great help ;-)
Cheers !! ;-)
Very helpful thanks đ
Great Channel! You are my goto for Mountain Bike Setup! I am building a Carbon Scott Scale. My Question/ Concern is, I am adding a Dropper Seat and it requires a fully cased cable terminated under the Dropper itself and at the Control Lever of course. So First question is it ok to drill out the frame entry (Hard Plastic Grommet insert) to have fully cased cable from control to Dropper... Second Concern is Rear Derailleur enters frame "Typical" Left side... Dropper Control will be on the Left Bar and enter the frame "Typical" Right side... I feel like its going to result in an In-Frame cable crossing (Rubbing?), as the Scott has a bare interior cable setup for the rear Derailleur that exits "Right" side under Bottom Bracket! Left over to right! Dropper will be Right to, up the center Seat Tube of course? Whats your thoughts?
Why does this seem so complicated
I love the external routing, installing the Reverb on an internal routed frame must be freakin difficult.
Really nice tutorial. Also, if you were not so advert oriented, you would use a Shimano TL-CT12 cable cutter that already comes with a pick to make sure the housing is opened up properly on both ends.
Can you do a how to mantain a dropper post pls ?
My buddy found a dropper from a company called brand-x he ordered it for $100 with free shipping it works great and it has 150mm of travel itâs actually good especially for the money
Thnxxx man
I've fitted a dropper post on my bike, I've also fitted a gas lift cylinder on an office chair. It seems to me they are basically the same thing.
GMBN Tech can you do a video on the possibility of setting up a dropper post remote for a 2x setup?
Or for anyone who cant afford a more modern bike and the specs are not available (my bike was made in 1999) is to use a venier caliper to measure the seat tube diameter.
Thatâs great, but how do you get it to work if the bottle cage mounts (without screws) block the seat tube halfway down?
Good god I can't wait to install one. No more shouting "illll catchhh upp"
8:22 so do you just push the wire cable through the housing? Will it go around that sharp bottom turn?? @gmbn
Yeah I think Iâm just going to bring it to a bike shop
Could you use a teflon coated cable instead or wouldn't it give you any benefit?
do i need a special cbale or will a regular shifter cable suffice?
thx!!!
Nice
Hey Doddy, I recently mounted an RFR Pro dropper post on my hartail Cube Reaction hybrid. now I have read that There is a maximum rider weight recommended for this dropper. I am not a light weight rider myself and my own weight is sitting against the max weight of the dropper, which makes it not so pleasant, I am afraid that I can damage the dropper if I ride on it. I was wondering why I don't see this in any of the dropper videos? Is this something I should take seriously or just an indication? I wonder how many people have had any problems with this.
"...Won't hit you in the stomach... or anywhere else... " đ
#askgmbn what the sequence for the materials played in reverse? Doddy seemed to place everything together so nice it looks liker it was setup before hand and just played in reverse
After installing this would it be easy to pull apart and add to put on another bike?
Good video but what if you cannot put the cable inside the frame and seat post?
Can I move my dropper post down after the cables are cut/adjusted etc?
My bike came with a dropper post but its little bit high for me, can I loosen the clamp and lower it without messing up any adjustments on the lever?
Im having a heck of a time getting housing thru my frame without it shredding the outer housing up. Ruined the first one already. Gonna try a Jagwire Pro kit as it serms the outer housing is smaller diameter and more flexible
The holes at the bottom of each tube seems really sharp
Are cable routing grommets universal? Or will I need to get them from the manufacturer's (Whyte in my case) site?
You didnât show how tight the collar at the bottom is to take off out of the box. I gave up trying to unscrew my one when installing my dropper seat post.
But I like the crank brother seat post a lot better that the rock shox that came with my T-130s
I heard the custom drop post that dont come standard sometimes get or are a bit loose, leading the post/seat to rattle? Is should this be this case once installed?
What tool is that , magnetic to pull off the cables?
What is the best and affordable dropper seat post for allow frames?
Hey doddy, no internal route on my cube aim, would really like to put internal and drill and use a routing grommet? Probably not advertised but hopefully done right it could be ok?âŠ.. đđœđŽó §ó ąó ·ó Źó łó ż
where do u get those tubs of ferrules and end caps
How you pot the cable on the housing
I want to fit a dropper post to wife's emtb. She finds it hard to get on and off with the seat at the right height for 'straight leg down' when pedalling. Have 20cm inside seat tube but need absolute minimum protruding above top of seat tube with dropper down. Getting info for available droppers is a nightmare!
#askgmbntech I use a seatpostmounted rack/carrier on my bike with a regular seatpost. Can I mount a rack to the part of the dropper post that does not move (the one that is clamped in to the seatpost)? I asked a manufacturer and they said that it is technically posible, but they wouldn't advise it, because it can change the performance of the dropperpost . I think I can if I do not tighten the rack harder than i tighten the seatpost clamp.
Is it possible to pressurize a dropper post with C02 cartridges?
Help... Can you hang your bike from under the seat on your car rack with a dropper post fully extended? My bike is small and only one arm can go through the frame the other allways attached to the seat post but now I have a dropper...What to do beside getting new platform rack?
My 400mm bizango seat post can drop 250mm into the tube. Would I be able to fit a 170mm dropper (274mm insert including actuator) with 30mm left below the collar? So 244mm inserted in the frame. Just curious as the measurements say yes yet I've read someone saying you can't even fit a 150mm post. Maybe they're just assuming a full insert.
I have a specialized stunt jumper 2009 there is no hole for the dropper cable to go threw would i need to drill one
Should the dropper have some air? Since my Fox dropper has a little bit so I don't know if this is normal or should I service it?
Help! I canât get the Park Tool assembly paste for love nor money and canât seem to find an alternative in the UK. Just got a 200mm dropper but donât want to instal it and over tighten so is there any other assembly grease for ali frames as I donât want to fit my ÂŁ160 dropper only to over tighten it on the first attempt.
@gmbn tech, is there a possibilaty to route the cable internaly if there is no routing through the seat tube currently?
My frame (BULLS Copperhead RS+ 2016) has internal gear and brake line routing but I cant see a way to get up in to the seat post.
You may have to remove the cranks and bottom bracket to fish the line from the down tube (assuming you can internally thread the line into down tube to begin with) and up the seat tube. I know with pressfit BB frames there's lots of room in that area to reinstall everything. But for threaded BBs, I don't know if there's is enough space to fit that plastic tube between the cups and not pinch or force a kink in the line.
Hey dodd,
i am currently using a SDG Tellis 150mm with internal routing and was wondering if I just can replace the dropper itself for a oneupcomponents 180mm dropper and use the installed cable from the SDG as it already has the correct length etc. ? Or does the fitting on the Dropper itself differ from brand to brand?
Cheers from germany
Try and comment on a newer vid mate đđŒ
Can you do a video for bleeding sram guide brakes?
Step 1. Buy codes
@@baileydillon7809 thatâs what i did
Are there weight limits on a dropper post ?
Hi. I have a merida big nine 200 2021 model. Can i install a dropper post for this bike?
Well, what should I do, when I cannot put cables through the frame, as there are no holes?
i have a scott aspect 760 2016 and there is two bolts on the seat tube. and the were blocking the seat from going all the way down, so i removed them. but no there are still some weird cylindrical things in the seat tube so i cant get a dropper post. pls help.
Hi there I have bought a brand new bike around a mouth ago I have used it today at a bike park for the first time I have rode it in the past by only on small trails, now my cable dropper post will not stay lock down it keep rising up by its self and the lever for the post feels stiff, is there any Advice you can give for me to fix it thank you
All adult males that attempt to make instructional and informational videos, this is the standard by which all others should be judged. NO bullshit, NO headbanger music, NO childish graphics, NO animated stupidity, just INFORMATION. Thank you GMBN Tech.
I don't have a magnet is there an other way to get it through
How forceful is the post when extending?
Daddy, can you go over the cleaning and protecting of a matte finish?
Well son, you search on CZcams for 'mtb fitting helicopter tape'. Yours, Daddy.
I found a cheap forca dropper. any experience? I am an lazy biker who wants jsut a lttlte bit fun on easy trails
Where can I find the internal routing assisting tool?
do you have a model that will fit a 2021 matlin 5
Cable related stuff gives me the fear. đŹ
It a bloody cable what the worst that happens?
@@YalikemyTigerBeat have you ever cut a cable to short with no spare? Horrific.
What about external cable dropper posts? Some older frames just dont have internal rounting.
You can use the Magura dropper seat, a bit expensive but without cable
@@FredGtn Yes, but there are also dropper posts with external rounting, and they are cheaper.
It's way easier.
What about them? You just put it in your bike
@@conman1395 yes, i think like DODO didnt say u can use it, so a lot of people can think there are only wireless or internal rounting
Can I cut the cable at the end
I just got my Crank Brothers post and I think I screwed up. In the Full Up position it's about 3" too high for me, is there any way to change the stop on this so that when it returns to full up I can have a lower position?
@Jesus Christ I'm guessing you can help me with that right Jesus? Or at the very least ask your Dad to help me?
My Cube is pre cabled for a dropper. Help!
Is it possible to fit a dropper onto a 2 x? I have been reading not but have ordered a bike from a shop and the guy insists yes you can.....
Hi All. I have installed a dropper but it seems to drop a bit when I sit on the seat. Any reasons why it would do this. Thanks in advance.
Checking your pressure would be the first thing to do.
On my Cube aim pro I have a 27.2 seat tube inner diameter. I'd imagine there are no Dropper posts available, right?
There are actually, have a look around on Amazon or ensure you include 27.2 in your search. I have a cube attention and a dropper installed
Dom T internally routed?
Anybody run into the issue with the waterbottle anchor inside the frame limiting the space you have to insert? This is for a medium 2021 Specialized Rockhopper. Was hoping to throw a 200mm inside, but may have to settle with 125mm
What could be the reason when an dropper post dosenÂŽt come up on itÂŽs on? Could it be the cable tension or is it more likely the cartridge
If you can pull it up while actuated, it's probably the cartridge.
I donât have holes in my frame for the cable how do I do this? I have a gt avalanche elite 2016
so he has an internal cable routing system on his bike . your bike sounds like it is external so make sure you order a external dropper.
See czcams.com/video/XgKmXv1CQcg/video.html