Bikepacking with dropper posts - well sort of

#1

Hey gang – dropper post questions!

I have a karate monkey that I bought for two sorts of riding, one being bike packing and the other being for some XC use. I have had my dropper post fail already and unfortunately it isn’t a warranty issue (long story). Which has me thinking of how I can set up the dropper in a way that the post can come in and out when I transform the bike over from XC to Bikepacking.

The easy options are out of the picture.

  1. Forget about a dropper - Not an option as I am loving the sort of bike the KM turns into with a dropper

  2. Wireless dropper - I am not made of money

  3. Bikepack with a dropper post - I don’t like the idea of something else to go wrong with the bike, the impact the seat post bag has on the dropper.

So, is there a solution that anyone knows where I can switch the seat post over from an internal routed dropper post to rigid with as little fuss as possible? Are there any quick disconnects I can use on the cable close to the seatpost?

Thanks gang.

#2

KS lev with an external cable will work.

Can remove post and lever from bars as a complete unit.

I have one on my Cotic.

I initially thought I’d do the same as you, I.e. swap between rigid and dropper. But I just leave it on all the time now even when doing bike packing trips. #aerodropper

(Not exactly what your after but easiest solution, can get a rubber grommet to cover old internal dropper hole).

Option 4: get one of these https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/products/valais-25 which you’ll need to run a bag on the dropper anyway, but if the post fails it can keep it up.

#3

I’m also using an external dropper on my fat bike. I just cut the cable ties and pull it all off when I want to swap in a rigid post - pretty quick and easy. But like MD I’ve tended to just leave it in there most of the time.

#4

option 4 - keep dropper, look for different seat bag? or not use seat bag at all?

#5

The KS Lev is the dropper that failed… boo!

#6

Not really keen to drop coin on another seat bag seeing as I already have one. Not using a seat bag probably isn’t an option at this point, I will need the storage space on the bike

#7
#8

I run a Bontrager Dropline, its pretty easy to hookup the cable ends.

You could just leave the cables in there when you swap posts?

#9

Bike Revive Dropper?..post fails mid ride, pull out a 4mm hex key and service trailside and bang, good as new.