Could You Descend Faster With A Dropper Seatpost?! | Dropper Post Road Bike Test
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- čas přidán 23. 07. 2016
- UPDATE: March 2022. Matej Mohoric has answered this question definitively and the answer is... Watch our highlights of Milano Sanremo 2022 to find out: • Big Names Light It Up ...
Dropper seatposts are common on mountain bikes where they allow riders to descend faster on technical stuff. Would the same thing apply to road bikes?
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Could a dropper seatpost help you to nail corners, lower your centre of gravity and get more aero on your road bike?
Will we ever forgive ourselves for how Dan's bike looks with his dropper seatpost bodge?
We're honestly not sure, but the results of using a dropper seatpost on a descent are seriously interesting.
Let us know your thoughts down in the comments and SHARE this video!
Want to buy a dropper seatpost for your road bike? Click here: gcn.eu/2aB6pNe
We really should throw to our mates at GMBN for more info on dropper seatposts... gcn.eu/2afArbl
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This aged well. Milan San Remo 2022 won with dropper seatpost. Nice one GCN!
This video will take credit when every high end road bike has a D shape dropper post for faster descending. I hope dropper post will be the next big thing in road bikes.
Matej Mohorič definitely watched this video.
Here after Matej Mohoric won MSR 2022 with Dropper Seatpost.
UCI ban in 3...2...1...
Comment of the week
+Eoin Mellon I agree
+Eoin Mellon agreed
When UCI directors are dickheads...
Well, it's allowed in MTB so why would they? Considering the cornering crashes we saw in the TDF, the safety benefits are obvious. Sorry for the serious comment but it has to be said that UCI will test things out now and again. (I'll still say comment of the week, though).
I remember footage of Bernard Hinault in the 1986 TDF pulling an Allen key out of his pocket to lower his seat post for a long descent.
Alan P adding the time spent to lower the seat post and vice versa, was it worth it?
Today with Matej Mohorič in Milano-Sanremo 2022 demonstrated and confirmed this application ... as he was also inventor of Supertruck position that was banned by UCI ... but you still have to have a good skills of descending the hill even with this technical innovation.
you posted the exactly same comment on a another video.
dropper seatpost and a car up the hill? you're pretty much a MTBer now
ferrarone We arent all downhillers. Also have you ever tried downhill? Your lower legs back, arms and shoulder are gonna hurt a lot after you do it the first time when not going soft. You need a ridiciolus ammount of body tension.
that comment was meant to be pretty ironic :) have been trying some light downhill and i'm with you on that that it is really damn hard on you
I guess i just go pranked.
Yo bro can I get a shuttle
Hahaha
Imagine if you actually trained using the dropper post!
Its one thing to slap a new bit of kit on you bike and give an opinion, but if you actually rode with the dropper post for training, you would no doubt gain more than 10 sec even for that short track run. I am impressed that you gained so much time just using it twice!
This video and mainly final comment aging pretty well after 5 years and Mohoric’s superb victory of Milano-SanRemo’22. 🙌
Don't the pros have to strap extra weight to their bikes to get them above the weight limit? In that case, just replace that lead block with a dropper seatpost. Can't hurt. And if someone wins, Shimano will be selling a lot of people a third STI lever ;)
exactly, when top end road bikes are coming in at around 4.6kgs the .3kg this adds would mean you still need added weight to get up the UCI limit. no issue
in this example the time gain was 10s, im sure there have been tours where the raceoverall has been won by such gaps, so on the odd stages im sure this could prove useful, also, im sure mechanics could devise a solution to help rid weight from this.
It's just 300 grams, not 3000. There really is no weight problem. Just cut 300 grams from the balast.
thats only if you use tuning parts nearly everywhere on the bikes... which they clearly dont at the world tour team level due to sponsor restrictions. thats why some bikes dont even make the 6,8 kg cut
+velo1337 It's not a problem. Example- Cavendish rode with non sponsored Pro bars and the only thing he did was to put electrical tape over the logos. And if the team decides to buy some non sponsored stuff, they just order it without logos. It's simple.
Unclip your feet and stick them straight out behind you. Planking is the most aero position.
actually I believe Iban Mayo did the full superman with his stomach more or less on the saddle.
That should be tested by women' pro peloton, they can roll to that aero position way easier.
I did that once while sitting on the toptube. Hurt my crotch so bad almost fell of the bike
No no, unicycle has the lowest rolling resistance.
+Gustav Kaskema Chris Froome twittered a photo of him doing that last winter
POV: you’re here after the UCI banned supertucking
POV : You are here after Matej Mohoric wins the Milano-Sanremo using the dropper post
Some of us are old enough to remember the likes of Mr Merckx raising and lowering his seatpost while on the move - there is even film of him in action on YT. Just goes to show, there is nothing new under the sun...
anyone got a link?
5 years on, still relevant from Milan-Sanremo 2022.
Always ahead of the curve, GCN. Milan - San Reno 2022!!!! Had no idea what Mohoric was talking about.
Lots of dropper posts just have a small lever under the seat to raise and lower the post. Since you won't be constantly raising and lowering like a mountain biker would, this kind of post would work great
In 2014 Tour de France one of the riders had it integrated into one of his hoods
Who?
Nibali
Just looked on the GCN Shop, but found no official GCN can opener. Which is odd. You must have one to open all these cans of worms.
I tip my hat to you.
GCN bottle opener is needed for beers.
*slow clap*
Gerald Tan Thanks Gerald. *slowly nods head in appreciation* ;)
I didn't get it. Can you please explain?
This is the video I've been waiting for all week!
I have always wondered why roadies don't use dropper posts. Surprised SKY's marginal gains team hasn't employed this yet. I think it would be a huge advantage and the bikes in the pro peloton are so light that they could still keep a weight of 6.8kg with a dropper post included.
would love to see you good guys at GCN start adding some track cycling to your reviews. I feel there would be a mountain of knowledge to share! keep up the quality work
This was the best GCN video in a while. Good work guys, loved the "bodge of the century"!
Mohoric just won Milan-Sanremo with one of these.
Thank you, Dan, for doing the math on this, fascinating and I agree with others in this forum that you may very well have changed the game for the better with this revelation of quicker and safer descents, very cool. And it would seem that this time is right for these, now that aggressive descending is in vogue in racing with the top-tube tucking. Thanks again, GCN, and keep blinding us with science!.
Way ahead of the game 🎯
Back after Milano-Sanremo
A friend of mine have set up a lot of dropper post for road/cross bike. If you run a 1X they set up the front shifted to do the dropper post.
time to revisit this after the ban of the supertuck :)
Love this! Dropper post is on my list for the CX bike (gravel ride bike)
"Bodge of the century" hahaha, laughed my eyes off. Though, some great music in the background - I'd love it if you brought it back to your GCN videos.
Very interesting idea ! I will try that.
Truly an innovative bit of GCN testing/science. With XC MTB riders eschewing the dropper-post, i doubt whether Peter Sagan will give it a go in the XC at the Olympics. Perhaps interview some of the pro-peloton who are ex-MTB junior champions and similar? (Though GCN has a few of them). By the way dan, what saddle were you using on that Canyon, your usual or a new one?
theres an awnser to the problems he mentiond 1: theres a lighter version... this is not the lightest model, 2: theres an integreated version so it looks way better @globalcyclingnetwork
A lower center of gravity helps cornering for sure, also having confidence in tight corners to really stay low. i could also see the benefit if your commuting or urban riding as a way to get you feet on the ground faster too! When i was descending Mt. Diablo i immediately wished i dropped my seatpoast height. You catch more air and are taller.
A video deserve mentioning, after the 2022, Milano-Sanremo
Droppers are awesome for mtbing. Nice test. Never thought about using it on a road bike.
Mohiric 100% watch GCN :)
This would actually be useful.Especially getting on and off a bike, Cyclocross would love this.
how crazy is that? This was exactly the question i had stuck in my mind after i watched Froome descent at the start of this TdF
One of those 151,204 views was definitely Mohoric!
Good thought
In the beginning I was asking myself, what in the bloody hell is that lever for? And why it was there. Thank you for answering in the video.
And 5 years later, Matej Mohoric did it
Now that UCI banned supertuck, this may going to become a common thing in grandtours.
Well you predict it well. Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious) also the one who invented the supertuck that got Banned by uci used a dropper seatpost on descent on poggio and win the race. lol
Well this is looking pretty prophetic now that Mohoric has shown the way.
Fascinating. I'll do it if Sagan does ...
Great Video!😀
It's always a good video
Yes Jacob Beck
Here's some advice from a mtber turned roadie: Try the Specialized Command Post. It has an initial drop of 35mm drop or full drop. So you could have a TT position, a climbing position and a descending position ? It's cable actuated so can be used with a variety of levers. It has a locking clamp that will allow you to pull the post up to where you want it in case of pressure failure. If the hydraulic ones fail you are cycling home Froomey style!
it is not going to look as bad if you have a internal ruting
avoid the rutting season altogether is my advice,
That's how I always get my bikes. I take two old carbon forks and rattle them together. Last year I bagged a nice madone. Way more work out of rutting season.
Or you know, buy those expensive "wireless" versions
Now I want one on my road bike.
Proven at Milan San Remo today in 2022 wow.
Dropper post were used in the TDF several years ago. The Mavic service bikes had them to accommodate variations in rider size.
Says I before I realized this is a2016 video.
I think you're on to something GCN! Though improved handling is the real benefit to be had here in my opinion. The problem is if you give this to pro's they'll just go faster and faster around corners, basically offsetting the benefit of the dropper post.
10 secondes.. .that is exactly what Mohoric gained and made him win MSR !!! awesome study haha
What can we say? we're visionaries
You have started something Daniel, at next year's TdF these will be common, and we won't have see riders dry humping the top bar.....thank you.
Oh my god, i was found here searching for a fresh drop toilet deodorant
That took some time to catch on.
who come here after Mohoric Milan San Remo wins
Very relevant subject nowadays
A dropper seatpost might be a godsend for my cyclocross bike. Just maybe.....
I've always wondered why I don't see cyclocross riders using dropper posts. I still can't answer that.
Probably a question of how to route it to the road handlebars and to the seat.
+The DarKris Simple. Use the front derailleur shifter (which most cross racers don't use anyway) to route the cable. It ends up right where it needs to go if the bike was built with a 2x anyway.
+Alex King I would like a bar end solution, since I use my Front derailleur and I think it's be more universally available for Cross and Gravel.
.
Considering the xc mtb crowd barely started using droppers this year, maybe we'll see a dropper in the peloton in the year 3000. The advantages certainly are there.
Vincenzo Nibali had one at Le Tour de France 2014.
cdn.mos.bikeradar.imdserve.com/images/news/2014/07/07/1404740858555-41rwen2baqgo-700-80.jpg
I was just about to make this comment.
Mohoric just won MSR using one of this!!
Just came from bike vacation in Alps, was thinking about this several times. It was 10s now, but with some practice it can be twice as much
Considering that certain of this year Tour de France victories were played on the descent, this could be an interesting new feature on road bikes indeed
The last thing I need is another STI.
hilarious
id love another Subaru wrx sti
MTB switches are tiny, but they couldn't fit it, so they have this huge solution. MTB ones are like a third gear change paddle on one side. Thumb operated.
go 1x and use the left shifter for the dropper!
How about a video of the different weights going down hill? Ideally, you would have a short course that goes up for a third (constant power), down for third (coasting?), and flat (constant power).
A follow on to that would be the same course but maintain the same speeds, but with one or two domestiques pulling you along and see what the difference is in power at the different weights.
Dan, all you needed was to add a chain holder and that would have been the hack AND bodge of the century!
i thought the same thing after the badly accident of Nibali at Rio 2016 .....it might be a good idea for long decends on Grand Tours!!!! Mycolnago-Greece
2:37, nice Toyota FJ-40 pickup!
could you guys make a video testing the time savings of slammed handlebars?
Cool experiment :-) How about using them for cyclocross? Could a lesser god with a dropper compete with the pros descending on the more technical bits?
Dropper post ftw. And also that bodge is epic
I have to admit, I never gave this a thought for my roadbike's... The seat post looked alright on that bike, but the 3rd oddly placed brake leaver not so much... Would want to see another solution before I consider adopting it. So did you attempt to move your body rearwords (behind the seat post)? Actually, the better question - was it the freedom of being able to move your weight around that gave you the quicker time?
this aged like a fine wine
Very apropos again !
Dan ACTUALLY knows what he's talking about!
YES !!!!!!!!!!! So awesome.
It only took 5 years but MSR has been won due to this!
I heard talk of Mavic possibly putting dropper posts on their neutral service bikes for quick seat height adjustments for whichever rider ends up needing one of their bikes. Now about that pedal issue (Froome) :-P
If you were running a one by setup you could easily modify the left shifter to run the post.
4:11 - the weight might be not as much of consideration since some bikes have to have additional weights added in order to comply with UCI minimal weight policy.
What is the perceived benefit to having one on a road bike? Is it just to make you more aero in a more sensible position than sitting on the top tube? MTBers descend standing up so it just gives them more clearance to move around the bike etc.
Which dropper post did you test?
Now all we need is to couple this with that transforming handlebars that go from regular tt position into aerobar extended and woala most epic decent bike ever. If you got the plums for decending on aero bars that is
After four years, UCI now banning sitting on top tubes... this will come up trendy
You should review the bollé one helmets
to what extent do clip shoes and pedals save power? Are they worth there cost?
With SRAM AXZ wireless dropper, the aesthetics are cleaned up. Sitting on the top tube and pedaling looks so awkward, I can't believe you can get much power down. Has Chris Froome seen this yet?
they do have an electric dropper seat post whic is a lot nicer, but i was also thinking about in ride adjusting steam lenght and mby saddle tilt?
Will we see it in races like Tour de France tho?
What´s the point of NOT adjusting the height during the ride - up when pedaling, down through the corners?
Dan 'Nostradamus' Lloyd !
hope the seat stays on when you raise the post - may bring a tear to the eye!!
Makes sense and weight isn't an issue due to the UCI weight limit.
Guys! Check out Peter Sagan final sprint. Back wheel is slip and sliding.
5 years ago still very actual!
Dropper post are the future.
Who is here after Milano-San Remo 2022?
With some work, it may be possible to integrate the switch into one of the hoods
Came to see if GCN had anything to say about Mohoric's drop seatpost attack, and it looks like they predicted it all the way back when Dan Lloyd rode his bike. GCN ahead of the game by AGES.
Always! 😂 (although GMBN would say us roadies are behind the times!!)
What's the name of the soundtrack at 2:23?