Adjust your seatpost on the fly

If your riding combines seated pedaling with out-of-the saddle ripping — XC, all mountain, freeride, self-propelled DH, even riding to jump spots — you need an on-the-fly-adjustable seatpost.

Here’s the scoop on two contenders: the GravityDropper and Maverick SpeedBall.

Why change your seat height?

Pedaling power: At your optimum seat height you make max power with minimal effort.

Bike handling: Every move in mountain biking is aided by a lower seat. Cornering, hopping, dropping, jumping, even sprinting.

And let’s not forget interrupted seat tubes: These posts give you extra adjustment.

When do you change your seat height?

Spin to your favorite spot, lower your seat and let fly. These seatposts realize the true promise of enduro bikes.

If you have a quick release you probably climb with your seat high, lower your seat at the top of the mountain, then rip to the parking lot. That’s great, but it forces you to compromise. In technical sections and tight turns, a high seat gets in your way. On traverses and rises, a low seat costs you power and energy.

With an adjustable seatpost you can optimize your seat height for every situation. Say you’re climbing and you reach a technical rock section. Lower your seat, work the body English, then resume full-height pedaling. Say you’re ripping down a ridge, and there’s a long traverse. Just raise your seat and hammer it out. Tight corner — lower it and rail the corner — then get back to pedaling.

You’ll be amazed at how often you use an adjustable seatpost. On a typical XC ride I might tweak my seat height a couple dozen times.

When it comes to adjustable seatposts, there are two main choices: the GravityDropper and the Maverick SpeedBall. They both work really well. The decision comes down to bike compatibility and price.

GravityDropper

What:

Remotely controlled, mechanically actuated seatpost that drops three inches. Also available in two- and four-inch drops, and with three settings: up all the way, down all the way and down one inch.

Pro:

Fits all bikes. Lots of colors. Lots of lengths.

Handlebar lever lets you change your seat height whenever you feel like it.

Con:

The tolerances aren’t very tight. The post feels a bit sloppy in the workstand, but you don’t notice while you’re riding.

Doesn’t work as well when dirty.

MSRP:

GravityDropper $250 with remote control – Check out the GravityDropper on RhythmCycles.com

DescenderPost $180 with knob on the post – Check out the DescenderPost on RhythmCycles.com (sorry, they’re sold out and back ordered)

Maverick SpeedBall

What:

Hydraulically controlled seatpost with the lever under the nose of your saddle. Infinite adjustment from zero to three inches. Length: 382 mm.

Pro:

Jewel-quality construction.

Infinite adjustment.

Con:

Only comes in 30.9 and 31.6 mm diameter

No remote yet. One’s in development. Even without the remote, it doesn’t take long to reach the lever and tweak your seat height.

MSRP:

$220 – Check out the Maverick SpeedBall on RhythmCycles.com