MEAT Engines 2024...

Posted by: Endurimil

Have spotted on Amazon a couple of dropper seatposts that look similar to Brand X droppers. Just checked the PNW website and their Cascade post looks very close to the Brand X version with the external cable routing.

Probably the same factory that makes various versions with slight variations that get shipped from a different loading dock.

It’s good to be aware that while many factories build product for many different brands, and while those products may look similar, there is a huge range of quality available. 

With dropper posts it’s most often notable in the quality of the seal head and the tolerances of the sliding action and these things do make a big difference to performance and longevity.

Talking about Wintek cartridge posts (which most less-expensive posts are) there is also a range of quality when it comes to the cartridges. For example, the cartridges I’ve pulled out of Crankbrothers posts have been significantly smoother and quieter than Wintek cartridges I’ve pulled out of some other posts. 

TL;DR - many things that look the same externally are not the same internally.

Posted by: fartymarty

Posted by: AndrewMajor

Posted by: fartymarty

Super annoyingly I have a Brand X 200mm dropper that I can't get a cartridge for as no one stocks them atm.  Worst thing is it was only 6 months old.

Is it just a Wintek cartridge or something else? 

If it’s a Wintek cartridge then chances are some other brand’s cartridge fits.

I think it is but need to have a serious look again for it.  I ended up getting another 170 Brand X.  Best thing is I have 31.6 on both bikes so I can swap between.

Looks like PNW have stock - I just need to fork out the £45

Posted by: fartymarty

Looks like PNW have stock - I just need to fork out the £45

Much less expensive than a new post, and easy to install one's self. Assuming the post still runs tight, a bit of Slickoleum on the seal head at the same time and it'll feel decently close to new and it's a swap pretty much anyone can do. 

It's one challenge that comes up in talking to folks about a fully rebuildable option like a BikeYoke Revive. The full service (labour, seals, and material) is more expensive than chucking a new cartridge into a Wintek post, and it's not something that everyone is going to be comfortable tackling at home. The Revive is so smooth and something that will last years and years, but then the dropper post's only job is to make the seat go up and down so something that performs sweet-and-smooth may not be a priority.

Posted by: AndrewMajor

Posted by: fartymarty

Looks like PNW have stock - I just need to fork out the £45

Much less expensive than a new post, and easy to install one's self. Assuming the post still runs tight, a bit of Slickoleum on the seal head at the same time and it'll feel decently close to new and it's a swap pretty much anyone can do. 

It's one challenge that comes up in talking to folks about a fully rebuildable option like a BikeYoke Revive. The full service (labour, seals, and material) is more expensive than chucking a new cartridge into a Wintek post, and it's not something that everyone is going to be comfortable tackling at home. The Revive is so smooth and something that will last years and years, but then the dropper post's only job is to make the seat go up and down so something that performs sweet-and-smooth may not be a priority.

Sad reality is the one truly rebuildable dropper post is no more as of last year. Gravity Dropper closed there doors last year. 

Though IRD sold a dropper post very similar in how it worked. Though it could have been the same as the one offered by TMARS who as I recall was the original copy of the Gravity Dropper from Taiwan. Recall think it was on MTBr and the Singletrack Mag forums where UK riders talked about tearing them apart and so on.

And while have had a Reverb for a while and kept it running. If you live where out of your riding is place where winter can be cold. It acts up around Minus 10. 

Brand X one’s well at least the one got in 2021 worked even at minus 25.

Posted by: Endurimil

Sad reality is the one truly rebuildable dropper post is no more as of last year. Gravity Dropper closed there doors last year. 

Though IRD sold a dropper post very similar in how it worked. Though it could have been the same as the one offered by TMARS who as I recall was the original copy of the Gravity Dropper from Taiwan. Recall think it was on MTBr and the Singletrack Mag forums where UK riders talked about tearing them apart and so on.

There are a number of fully rebuildable dropper posts on the market - BikeYoke Revive, Wolf Tooth Resolve, 9Point8 Fall Line. It's easy enough to get your hands on an e13 TRS+ if you want a coil-sprung post you can tear into. I know a couple of folks who've picked those up for free (just sweat equity). 

I've rebuilt plenty of Gravity Dropper posts, including installing and shaving down new guides to try and find the perfect balance of sliding and play. There was a time and a place for them but it was a long time ago. They didn't keep up with folks' preference for saddle drop or their expectations for smoothness. I'm certain if they're your preference it won't be difficult to keep finding them in excellent condition for a very small investment for years to come.

Posted by: heckler

https://na.tranzx.com/collections/service-parts/products/replacement-cartridges?variant=32036313661475

Snowsnake, read the reviews and decide if you will support your LBS or your HBS. (Home Bike Shop). I think I already know your answer.

Among other projects, I have fully disassembled an out of warrantee broken washing machine to replace a cracked drum mounting arm. It is well worth the effort and quite rewarding to fix instead of trash or pay someone to repair. Many parts are found online, or direct from the manufacturer.

Right to Repair affects many, and is supported (on paper at least) by highest levels of government.

https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/competition-bureau-canada/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/learn-about-right-repair

frustratingly, the best LBS around here is the Tr*k store, and there’s one mechanic at the aforementioned shop who is good, and is helping me learn to rebuild the post. I do almost everything in the HBS when I can get away with it.

Posted by: AndrewMajor

Posted by: fartymarty

Looks like PNW have stock - I just need to fork out the £45

Much less expensive than a new post, and easy to install one's self. Assuming the post still runs tight, a bit of Slickoleum on the seal head at the same time and it'll feel decently close to new and it's a swap pretty much anyone can do. 

It's one challenge that comes up in talking to folks about a fully rebuildable option like a BikeYoke Revive. The full service (labour, seals, and material) is more expensive than chucking a new cartridge into a Wintek post, and it's not something that everyone is going to be comfortable tackling at home. The Revive is so smooth and something that will last years and years, but then the dropper post's only job is to make the seat go up and down so something that performs sweet-and-smooth may not be a priority.

That’s what has me going back and forth between a BYR and a Oneup for my 200+mm dropper for the SST.

Posted by: snowsnake

Posted by: AndrewMajor

Posted by: fartymarty

Looks like PNW have stock - I just need to fork out the £45

Much less expensive than a new post, and easy to install one's self. Assuming the post still runs tight, a bit of Slickoleum on the seal head at the same time and it'll feel decently close to new and it's a swap pretty much anyone can do. 

It's one challenge that comes up in talking to folks about a fully rebuildable option like a BikeYoke Revive. The full service (labour, seals, and material) is more expensive than chucking a new cartridge into a Wintek post, and it's not something that everyone is going to be comfortable tackling at home. The Revive is so smooth and something that will last years and years, but then the dropper post's only job is to make the seat go up and down so something that performs sweet-and-smooth may not be a priority.

That’s what has me going back and forth between a BYR and a Oneup for my 200+mm dropper for the SST.

OneUp has great after sale support, an extra size of pins (for when they get a lot of play), and replacement cartridges aren’t ridiculously expensive. They’re almost as short as the Resolve (essential matched) for the same drop and the quality/$ is solid. 

No matter what you do to a OneUp post it will never be as smooth as a BYR. I’ve worked on plenty of both. The only negative of the BYR is the height (above and below) for a given amount of travel, if clearance in either direction is an issue, and the additional cost. 

Have had quite a few friends and customer agonize over the choice. Not something you’re buying every year.

Posted by: snowsnake

frustratingly, the best LBS around here is the Tr*k store, and there’s one mechanic at the aforementioned shop who is good, and is helping me learn to rebuild the post. I do almost everything in the HBS when I can get away with it.

There’s a reason for that. I know plenty of great shop folks who’ve left to do something less stressful and far less skilled for substantially more money. 

The way we pass on knowledge in shops (teach future mechanics) the impact of someone great leaving can’t just be measured as one person. 

.

Put another way, I’m a grumpy and opinionated asshole who wrenches part time / flex-time around my kid’s schedule, riding bikes, and writing for NSMB, and who isn’t around for a couple of weeks in the summer, and I had a positively flattering number of shop owners/managers ‘wondering what I’m up to’ over the last couple years. 

That’s how short the industry is for wrenches.

Posted by: AndrewMajor

Posted by: snowsnake

Posted by: AndrewMajor

Posted by: fartymarty

Looks like PNW have stock - I just need to fork out the £45

Much less expensive than a new post, and easy to install one's self. Assuming the post still runs tight, a bit of Slickoleum on the seal head at the same time and it'll feel decently close to new and it's a swap pretty much anyone can do. 

It's one challenge that comes up in talking to folks about a fully rebuildable option like a BikeYoke Revive. The full service (labour, seals, and material) is more expensive than chucking a new cartridge into a Wintek post, and it's not something that everyone is going to be comfortable tackling at home. The Revive is so smooth and something that will last years and years, but then the dropper post's only job is to make the seat go up and down so something that performs sweet-and-smooth may not be a priority.

That’s what has me going back and forth between a BYR and a Oneup for my 200+mm dropper for the SST.

OneUp has great after sale support, an extra size of pins (for when they get a lot of play), and replacement cartridges aren’t ridiculously expensive. They’re almost as short as the Resolve (essential matched) for the same drop and the quality/$ is solid. 

No matter what you do to a OneUp post it will never be as smooth as a BYR. I’ve worked on plenty of both. The only negative of the BYR is the height (above and below) for a given amount of travel, if clearance in either direction is an issue, and the additional cost. 

Have had quite a few friends and customer agonize over the choice. Not something you’re buying every year.

Yeah, I figure I’ll end up going with the BYR as I think the SST will be a long-time bike, if not a forever bike, and it’s got a short seat tube so clearing the 213 won’t be a problem.

For me the One Up dropper is by far the best value for $$. Decent initial cost, easy/cheap to service, parts are cheap and readily available, and performance is excellent. It goes up/down when I push the lever and stays in position, and that's all I need in a dropper.  The adjustable air pressure is a nice feature as well.  PNW would be a close second for all of the same reasons, and you can even re-build the cartridge if you want to.

Posted by: AndrewMajor

It's easy enough to get your hands on an e13 TRS+ if you want a coil-sprung post you can tear into. I know a couple of folks who've picked those up for free (just sweat equity). 

Sadly my gravity dropper is no longer rebuildable- the part where the cable anchored in the mechanism at the post decided to seek separation from the post itself. Would show a pic however the NSMB photo part seems to be buggered.

That e13 TRS would be something would have used. You did remind me how much easier Van and BC is when it comes to easily acquiring things like that cheap.  As have learned finding stuff like that TRS post is incredibly rare in this part of Canada.

The whole earlier discussion of less waste reminded me Andrew your article on what is in your pack. You mentioned the maple syrup one use tube. Share what I learned. Back in 2002 when got into trail running there was lots of options sought in the ultra trail running crowd to gels. Maple Syrup was one option used by some and I carried it in a gel flask. 

To be honest haven't touched gels in almost 20 years. If I do decide to start using maple syrup on rides I'll go down to the store to buy some maple syrup and put it in a gel flask like used to. Cheaper and less waste. And one less thing to potentially litter the trail with.