by AllMountin' » June 8th, 2019, 11:26 pm
On dropper length... I ordered a 150mm on accident somehow, instead of a 170mm. 150 is plenty for most anything, but I really wish I had the 170mm if I hit the pump track. A couple extra inches and I can get deeper, higher quality pumps and make the rollers disappear at speed. I run out of room at 150 drop. Annoying, but not a big deal to manual drop for that usage.
I find 150 plenty for virtually every thing else, including jumps.
Not southern Michigan, but I rode the epic loop at Ishpeming today. So much pumpable, undulating terrain. So many rock rolls. So many steep, technical climbs. Sure I could ride it without a dropper, but I'm here to tell you there's no way it can be ridden as well without a dropper as it can with. There's just not enough real estate for quality pumping and sucking up terrain, in addition to having efficient climbing position to scratch up those climbs. Rigid is a serious compromise. And I wouldn't have ridden the steep rock face at the beginning of am/fm with a post up my backside. Suicide.
I don't think dte, maple hill, Andrews Uni, etc can be fully experienced with a full height post. I really don't. There are riders who could do it well enough, but they'd still be better dropped.
I use mine frequently on fun oriented rides, and less to none on pr type rides on xc loops. It's a combination of fatigue level and other factors.
Ultimately, it's a personal choice, but one that even world cup xc riders are making. I've learned over the last several years to utilize that space where the seat goes, and it's improved my riding experience and competency. Dropper over suspension for me, if I had to choose.
--=Steve=--
Tom Robbins wrote:It's never too late to have a happy childhood.