Adjustable seatpost on XC hardtail 29er?

[sprocket47]

Curious what the thoughts are of putting an adjustable seatpost on a xc hardtail 29er (I imagine it being a 29er has nothing to do with it though). I know there would be a weight penalty but I'm a clydsdale and a few ounces here and there isn't that big of deal to me.

I love my saddle to be pretty high when cruising and climbing and I'm tall @ 6'4". Coming down the steep decents I feel very top and forward heavy. I have a quick release clamp and can make adjustments but, although I don't race, stopping to make the adjustments between ups and downs is becoming a pain and my trail dog scowels at me whenever I stop. I'm sure she's saying "come on you lazy fat boy, stop taking breaks!".

Anyone use an adjustable post for single track xc type riding? Is there one model over another that would be better for this type of application?

If it matters; I ride a 21" 2011 Trek/GF Paragon with G2 geometry and Fox front suspension and flat bars a few inches lower than the saddle.

Thanks!

[Glide the Clyde]

I'd say give it a try. It sure makes seat post height adjustment much more convenient and breaks into the flow of the ride a lot less. The Rockshox Reverb, the Crank Bros Joplin 4 or Kronolog, the Kind Shock i950, the Gravity Dropper, and the Specialized Command Post Black Light are all solid considerations.

[2TurnersNotEnough]

I have a Gravity Dropper on my Ventana HT and it's definitely nice to have. If you get a Gravity Dropper, I'd suggest getting one with three positions: full height, 1" drop, and full drop. I really like the 1" drop for cruising singletrack and the full drop for the steep sections.

[sprocket47]

After some quick research, it looks like my options are limited since I have a 27.2 post size. Looks like the x-fusion and Kind both have this smaller size available.

[muzzanic]

I would run a dropper post on what ever MTB I had, They are awesome.

As for the 29er thing, Yes it does make a little difference to me, I don't get the over the bars feel as much.

I find that on a 29er I don't use the dropper seatpost as much & often don't drop it as far, But still use it lots.

[hillharman]

After some quick research, it looks like my options are limited since I have a 27.2 post size. Looks like the x-fusion and Kind both have this smaller size available.

Gravity Dropper also makes a post in that size. It's the AK-47 of dropper posts. Unlikely to fail and completely rebuildable by the end user. I have one on both of my bikes.

[Just J]

Yup I've got a 27.2 GD on my HT and really like its' simplicity and bombproof nature

[Joel RW]

It makes just as much sense to use a dropper on an xc bike as a 6" full suspension.

Only downside I have is having to sit down to lower it, slows me down a fair bit.

[Guy.Ford]

27.2 Gravity Dropper here as well, love it. My second one and wouldnt purchase anything else.

[wedge962005]

I had a Dropper on my Superfly and loved it. Some people would mock me until we hit the downhills or just the techy areas and I flew away from them.

[Brianisbrain]

if you like having fun on your bike, get a dropper post...

[XJaredX]

Yeah, weight penalty be damned, get one!

I have a Spesh Command Post Blacklite on my Bandit 29, I love it, the only problem I had was I broke the switch when my knee smashed into it as I OTB'd once.

Also having a Surly, I know the annoyance of the 27.2mm restrictions, but both the XFusion and Kind posts are definitely solid choices, but I would probably choose Gravity Dropper for proven reliability

[Matt in Temecula]

I went through the same thing. I've got a dropper on my full susp bike and love it. Bought a light weight carbon hard tail 29er, and was sketched on the descents. My bike also limited me to 27.2. I bought the X Fusion and am a totally happy with it. I will never own a bike without one. I'm a much faster and more confident rider with one.

I wanted to wait for the KS LEV but it's delayed, so while the X-fusion didn't get rave reviews for it's operation, it's a reliable post and works just fine.