Bargain buys thread

[kten]

Speaking of which, I rode my mate's Specialized Stumpjumper (L) and it had a 150mm dropper, it let me lean into the corners and I thought it felt fine.

With that in mind and hearing that longer droppers are less durable than shorter, I'm thinking of buying a 150mm dropper instead. As someone that's never had one before, do you think I'm making a terrible mistake?

150 dropper can be fine until you ride a bike with a longer one and then it's not.

At your height I wouldn't consider anything less than 180.

 

[moorey]

150 dropper can be fine until you ride a bike with a longer one and then it's not.

Unless he’s short.

 

[HamboCairns]

How tall are you? 150mm is more than enough for my 173cm...and usually the longest I can run in my frame. Taller mates wouldn’t touch under 200mm.

195cm tall. My friend's Stumpy was a large, not XL (bike felt a bit small).

 

[rstim]

I'm 6'5 using a 150mm dropper and it's fine but if I were to get a new one it would be longer for sure. You might as well have the seat completely out of the way if you can.

 

[moorey]

Also, some frames limit insertion. A 150 on my tranny leaves about 30mm of mast I can’t insert due to bend. That makes 150 my limit when fully raised.

 

[moorey]

195cm tall. My friend's Stumpy was a large, not XL (bike felt a bit small).

Yeah, go 170 or more if frame permits, you huge bitch.

 

[beeb]

Yep, longer the better. Gives a lot more freedom to move around the bike and soak up impact with your legs.

 

[Isaakk]

Longer for sure. I'm 187cm and whilst a 150 works, the 210 OneUp is way better in that I can get the seat out of the way when leaning/jumping etc. Next post I buy will be 200+ if possible.

 

[The Reverend]

195cm tall. My friend's Stumpy was a large, not XL (bike felt a bit small).

193cms here and 210 on all bikes. Accept no substitutes.

 

[HamboCairns]

Do you want a longer drop because you do jumps and all that?

 

[The Reverend]

Do you want a longer drop because you do jumps and all that?

It's just better everywhere. Saddle where you need it for climbs and well out of the way on descents. I've had 150 / 170 / 210 and longer drop wins, at least for me.

 

[HamboCairns]

Do you find the dropping part to be annoying? It was weird having to sit and drop every time I approached corners and drops.

 

[creaky]

Do you find the dropping part to be annoying? It was weird having to sit and drop every time I approached corners and drops.

You get used to it pretty quickly. If you’ve got the space I’d be aiming for at least 175mm.

 

[The Reverend]

Nope, too busy having fun without the saddle near me. :^)

 

[Chriso_29er]

Do you find the dropping part to be annoying? It was weird having to sit and drop every time I approached corners and drops.

You will get used to it to the point you will not even realise you're doing it.
Don't have to always drop all the way either. If not a full on descent but still has corners you can drop halfway to allow seated pedalling without having to adjust for every corner. But having the larger drop will make a huge difference when you do head into steeper trails.

 

[beeb]

Do you find the dropping part to be annoying? It was weird having to sit and drop every time I approached corners and drops.

You get used to it pretty quickly. If you have enough gravity on your side you can often get away with seat up on the climbs, down on descents.

Undulating trails get a bit more of a dropper workout, and working out when to use the dropper and when not to will only come with practice.

 

[beeb]

One of thing worth mentioning is on a hardtail your legs are your suspension - so the longer the dropper the more "suspension travel" you have before family-jewels meet seat.

 

[creaky]

If not a full on descent but still has corners you can drop halfway to allow seated pedalling

I honestly can’t do that. Pedalling with a half height saddle just doesn’t feel right so mine are always full up or full down.

 

[HamboCairns]

I'm convinced - I'll get the 200mm

(I confirmed it does indeed fit well on a Ragley Big Al)

 

[PJO]

My missus is 165cm and I recently upgraded her from 125mm to a 150mm dropper. I have dropper envy because I only have 150mm dropper but I'm 181cm, which has been fine but now I want more!