Dropping Droppers

I’ve had three different brands on recent bikes and they all stop working properly within a month.

KS LEV - won’t fully extend. Everything has been checked. Will probably take it in for warranty replacement this week. Every once in a while it’ll work perfect for half a ride then stop. Mucho frustrato.

Reverb - constant slippage. Ended up fixing it several times before selling the bike.

Fox - stuck halfway after several rebuilds.

Maybe I just have bad luck with droppers but I’m seriously considering ditching the one on my Chameleon. I feel like I have to have one on my bikes these days forgetting I rode everything with a normal post before they existed for years.

Do you have one you love that’s been problem free?

 

Not yet, but my E thirteen is doing good so far.

 

I hate to say this but IME, so far every KS dropper I have ever purchased new has ended up requiring warranty service within one month of use. But once I got each of them back, they never failed again. Luckily the KS warranty service center is in da OC so the turn around is fast.

Dunno about other droppers but KS droppers always arrive new in the dropped/down position. Seems odd because I have been told that it is not a good idea to leave your dropper in the down position.

Some guys own a second dropper so that they can switch them out when one needs service.

 

My "new" green/purple Chameleon is having some dropper post issues... Dropping is fine, but currently won't return to the upright position properly - bit like me really... When I picked my bike up from the Live Oak Path after having my Novatec rear wheel swapped out, they mentioned I had a dropper post issue (no kidding), and had worked on it. They said if I had more trouble to take it back. Halfway through the next ride, started "acting up". Haven't got round to taking it back yet. My first dropper. I like having a dropper. So...

forgot to add, it's a Race Face Aeffect, 31.6

 

Thanks I’m going to have it looked at via the path. It’s still under warranty.

 

Same issue here. I’m going back to path soon to have it looked at. Fix or replace doesn’t matter to me.

 

I was just going to post that the Race Face Aeffect dropper on my lizard has been fine with nearly 1,000 miles on it so far. I wipe the dust off after every ride, that's it. YMMV

 

I had a Reverb that was constantly not returning and leaking. Rebuilt by me and SRAM a few times and it still just doesn't work. Finally got a E13 dropper and it is the most basic dropper and it works.

P.S. I have a Rock Shox 1x remote for sale if anyone is interested.

 

Reverb Stealth. Use it a lot. Works fine without any issues.

 

Gravity Dropper.
Mechanical, rebuildable, and ugly.
Goes up. Goes down.
Works for me.

 

I have to +1 on this. I have a Gravity Dropper on my Yeti and it has worked flawless since I think 2013. It ain’t pretty, looks like it belongs on steering unit of a Honda Civic, but it works consistently. Simple and mega easy to disassemble clean, lube and rebuild. Did that once.

 

Guess I’ve been lucky with the 5 bikes in the garage .

3 bikes with KS Lev and only one has ever had problems but it’s got thousands of miles on it and I’ve always been able to fiddle with it and make it work again.

2 bikes with Fox Transfer posts and they have been flawless and by far my favorite. Simple install and cable adjustment and that nice clack sound when the seat is up.

 

I’ve not had any issues w my Rock Shox Reverb

 

Exaform speedup. $80, no remote or spring, no hydraulics to fail, just a lever under the seat to move it up or down and a reliable mechanical clamp. All i need, after 3 times hydraulic droppers have failed me miles deep in the hills.
Tho, the e13 looks reliable because it’s fully mechanical.

 

Wow, crazy how many droppers have issues. I know Crank Bros has a bad rap for shitty performance and nice aesthetics but, I will say that my Kronolog went about 4 years with only one rebuild. The seals finally crapped out on me last month. Mike at Fullerton Bikes had a Giant Contact SL that fit my bike so he put that on this week and on the first ride Friday the thing was already slipping down slowly when I sat on it.

 

Lol, 29er or 26er? Tubeless or tubes? Round and round we go.

 

BikeYoke Revive
1000+ Miles Hot/Cold Wet /Dry have not even had the need to revive.

 

Suz's Reverb is 1.5 years old and I've done basic servicing on it.....so far so good.

My Reverb has about 600 miles on it.....so far so good.

Suz's Kronolog has a few miles on it and so far so good.

I don't like KS posts....you can do basic servicings, but if you gotta do more, you have to send it in.

I know @Faust29 is having issues with his RF Post.

 

Yep... I was just living with it, but it sounds like the Lizard owners above might have success with The Path working on it. Mine does not come all the way back up... I've become quite adept at doing the "thigh grab and lift"!

If I keep the Highball, I could see one of the lever actuated ones that @sir crashalot uses. I like simple...

 

I have a gravity dropper and it is 6 years old, no rebuild and no failures! I replaced my failed Ks, Reverb and 9.8 with an e13 all mech. A bit more refined than the GD. 1 year and not a hint of a problem . Wet, dry, hot or cold it works! And much more inexpensive that the rest.

 

Had issue which typical user servicing could not fix:
CB Joplin
KS i7

Had no problems with:
Gravity Dropper
GD Turbo
Rase Black Mamba
Speci Command Post
RS Reverb
KS Lev


Jordan, I think you have been particularly unlucky. Or...what are you doing to this gear? High pressure wash? (Of course not.) I don't think of myself as being easy on droppers, but have had really good performance overall from many. The Lev I'm running now is probably my fave, run it on my Smash but have had it on my Pedälhead. Hope you can hit a sweet spot....

 

I wish I knew what I was doing if in fact it’s user error. I’m pretty careful with my bikes but just no luck with these. After I get it fixed I’ll pay close attention to anything that I may be doing I don’t realize.

 

@mike could be on to something......didn't you just have to replace a headset bearing that was rusted?

 

I've had 2 KS supernaturals, 1 was flawless for years and the other started to sag about 5-10mm after a year of use, but work great besides that.

I've had good success with 3 different X-fusions, 1 manic and 2 Hi-Lo, the x-fusions are great because everything is serviceable at home or the garage.

 

Yes. Could be my washing technique. I don’t spray anything hard but maybe it’s still too much. I’ll be cutting it way back.

 

But my dropper on the Lizard also has issues going back up, and I've washed that bike with water maybe once...

 

I’m gonna have to go with user error on this one.

 

My issues started before I ever washed it. So it may be me but it’s more than just me

 

Actually checked that 1500 miles... No Maintenance... just wipe clean after every ride... and occasional slick honey (even though supposedly not required)

BTW I think the Wipe Clean after every ride is one the most important things you can do for dropper ... and fork... and shock...

 

Agreed. I try to do that on my bikes.