Most fat bike and mountain bike owners have heard about all the benefits that a dropper post can provide while riding. Having the freedom to adjust the height of the seat on the go is undoubtedly great for those who want to change up their ride without having to stop and get a tool out each time.
A dropper post sounds good in theory, but a quick search online shows that things can get very expensive in a hurry. Those who are looking for a way to save a bit of money should shop around a bit before putting money down.
These are the best budget dropper post options on the market right now. Anyone in need can start their search right away and start to find the variety of options available at a great price.
1. Brand-X Ascend XL
Out of all of the super cheap options available, this Brand-X dropper post is definitely one at the top of the list to check out. They make several different sizes for people who are looking to get the right fit, and the Ascend range, in general, is a good place to start.
The shifter style remote lever is pretty reliable, although it is not going to be quite the same as a more expensive option. It is a little more wobbly, but people get used to how it reacts to certain pressure all the time.
Everything does a really good job of adjusting just how a person wants it to, although it does take a little bit of getting used to with that as well.
The reliability that comes from this company is definitely a major reason why so many people are looking at this as a great budget option. People do not have to worry about having to break the bank on a bigger name, and it just all comes together nicely.
Take a look at a few of the different options from us, and if there is a specific size that is needed. Every fat bike and mountain bikes, for that matter, are slightly different, so people need to be aware.
Pros
- Very affordable.
- Different sizes.
- Moves up and down efficiently.
Cons
- A little heavy.
- Vibrations are fairly easy to feel.
2. Syncros Dropper 2.0
The name might not be recognizable to some, but Syncros is the house brand of Scott’s, which means that people should be getting a very reliable dropper post overall. Getting the opportunity to save a little bit of money by not having to invest in a brand-name is certainly beneficial, as the look is really not much different at all.
One of the first things that stand out once installed is that the twin bolt clamp is very secure. It is easy to use so that people always feel like they are getting the right adjustment at the right time.
If installed correctly, nothing rattles ever, and it stays in place as well. It might be frustrating for those who have dealt with a lot of rattling in the past, but this will not be an issue with this dropper post.
Everything else is pretty average for this price range. The weight is not too much for most to handle, sizing is pretty easy to understand, and it has a fairly premium look and finish.
It provides a pretty smooth ride overall for people who might feel like they are sacrificing a bit when moving to a fairly inexpensive option. Most are surprised that it really is not too much different than some of the dropper posts that cost $100 more.
Instructions that come with the dropper post are some of the best out there, so those who are looking to tackle everything themselves might be looking in this direction. It is always nice to have some guidance so that everything goes a little bit more smoothly. If there is an issue whatsoever, there is also the option of turning to a professional to help out.
Pros
- Cheaper thanks to the lack of branding.
- Great instructions.
- Durable.
Cons
- Minor rattling.
- Not compatible with all setups.
Click for the current price for the Syncros Dropper 2.0 from Amazon.
3. X-Fusion Manic
A lot of people love all the different things that the X-Fusion Manic brings to the table. The fact that it also is one of the most affordable options out there is certainly a big selling point as well. They have made a few different generations of these droppers, and this is far and away the best one out there at this price point.
First, let’s look at the negatives to get them out of the way. Yes, it is over 700 g, and it is also longer than most posts out there as well. Some people have a hard time fitting these correctly on their bikes, so make sure that it can take this type of post before going through with it.
If it does fit and it is not too heavy, everything about this dropper functions very well. The changing of the height is very fluid, and people do not feel like it gets in the way much at all. The lever works very well and consistently, and some high-end fat bike riders actually use this as a post on some of their cheaper setups.
Reliability is always somewhat of a concern for people who are investing in a relatively new dropper post. Early reviews show that people do not really have any issues whatsoever keeping is running smoothly every time out. If something does go wrong, they make it very easy to accomplish fixes without having to reach out to a bike shop.
Pros
- Reliable.
- Big improvement over other models.
- Longer than most, for those looking for extra height.
Cons
- Over 700 grams.
- Still too new to know if other issues might pop up.
Click for the current price for the X-Fusion Manic from Amazon
4. OneUp V2
Another very affordable option to try out is the dropper post from OneUp. It is is a very compact post, which allows for a lot of travel up and down. It has a fairly unique design that some people like, while others are frustrated with the need to have an additional adapter so that it works properly.
That additional adapter does not really cost that much money, so people can jump right into using it even in the worst-case scenario.
When everything is attached, the OneUp has a very minimalistic look. It has a pretty low stack height, is very compact, and meshes well with just about any type of bike out there.
One thing that really stands out with this dropper post is that it has a unique rail clamp system to go along with an already low stack. This makes it one of the best ways to get the saddle as low as possible. A little bit of tuning here and there can get everything in just the right spot for a person to really maximize that comfort and flexibility of having a post like this.
Pros
- Very compact.
- Minimalist look.
- Unique clamp system.
Cons
- Needs an additional adapter in some cases.
- Hard to find in stock at times.
Click to see why this dropper post is rated 5 stars on Amazon!
5. PNW Bachelor
Considered by many to be one of the best all-around dropper post out there, the PNW Bachelor is a perfect starting point for anyone who is looking for something they can rely on. It does a lot of things very well, even if it seems like it might be a little bulky out of the box. It is actually a very solid, functional post that looks a lot better once installed.
The reason that it might look a little different to some people out of the box is that it is not a uniform color. Not only that, but it does not have the same shape as some of the others out there. That does not make as much of a difference later on, as it is a lot more streamlined once it goes onto the bike.
The best way to use this is to combine it with a long lever so that everything works together perfectly. This allows for an effortless adjustment and getting the right fit during the right time.
Some people are obviously looking for as low of a stack height as possible, and this dropper post will not provide that. It also does not come with any angle marks on the saddle clamp, which could be frustrating for people who are used to it. However, most are able to adjust how they make changes, and they are still perfectly fine with what this brings to the table.
Priced very affordably and used on many different setups, this is a dropper post that will perform at a high-level for a long time. No one wants to be in a situation where they are having to replace a dropper post after spending a decent amount of money, and no one will feel like that with this.
Pros
- Works very well with a long lever.
- Outstanding performance.
- Durable.
Cons
- Somewhat high stack.
- Lacks angle marks on the side of the clamp.
Click for the current price for the PNW Bachelor dropper on Amazon.
6. KS LEV Integra
KS has several pretty reliable options out there, but the LEV might be the best value for driver posts from the company right now. They have put together an option that is pretty light, flex-free, provides side adjustment options and is overall affordable.
Many who have tried it out on the trails have nothing but nice things to say about the dropper post, and upon further inspection, it is easy to see why.
Some people want as very little amount of weight added as possible when they are riding their fat bike. This appeals to people who are spending a lot of time on the trails, and maybe they need to climb a decent amount as well. The weight difference might not seem like that much, but every little bit matters in the end.
Some users have complained about the post being a little touchy compared to some of the others out there. That means if a person is in the habit of picking up their bike by the post, they might notice that it starts to go up all the way without a normal prompt. It slides back into position, but it is a slight nuisance.
Available in both alloy and carbon, there is a considerable difference for those who are on the fence. Carbon costs a bit more, but it is worth it to some people who already have carbon on a lot of their bike anyway. It improves the ride considerably and is it worth the upgrade for those who can afford it.
All in all, KS gets a lot right with this dropper post. Some think that it is the very best out there for the money, but it is all a matter of what a person is truly looking for.
Pros
- A lot of different options for the perfect fit.
- Easy to use and get used to.
- Trusted brand.
Cons
- A little toasty.
- The carbon option can become a bit expensive.
Click here to see why Seth Recommends this dropper on Amazon.
7. BikeYoke REVIVE
For someone who wants a great looking dropper post that also has plenty of features, it is hard to argue with this option. It has a very low stack height, and everything just moves very smoothly on the post as well. The company spent a lot of time making sure that the functionality is top-notch, and it feels a lot more premium than the price would indicate.
Out of the box, it does not really look like anything too special overall. It stands out as a performer more than anything, as it installs very nicely and just feels lightweight. Moving up and down to get the right fit is something that people have no problems with whatsoever.
The remote also does an excellent job of working quickly and efficiently. There is a slight delay in some of the other droppers out there, but this one is different. It might be a matter of just some split seconds, but it is still a nice feature, so the people do not feel like they are ripped off.
Are there any negatives to this dropper post? Maybe the biggest one is that it does need a bit more reviving compared to some of the other options out there. It does not take much time to revive a post so that it is working as efficiently as possible, so do not be afraid to put in an extra bit of time.
It does seem a bit ironic that one of the biggest issues with this is in the name of the product, but most people do not find this is too much of an issue.
There are some options out there that are a little more lightweight, but they come at a much higher price tag. This is a perfect option for people who do not want to spend too much money in the end, but still want something that is very high-quality.
Pros
- It has a great look.
- Fast working remote.
- Has features not found on similarly priced options.
Cons
- Bigger need for reviving.
- A little heavy.
Click here for the current price for the BikeYork Revive from Amazon.
8. Crankbrothers Highline
They used to be a time where Crankbrothers was not very well known for providing quality dropper post at a reasonably low price. That has all changed in recent years, and they are focusing on simplicity for the most part so that people are a lot more comfortable investing in them.
Why were people so against Crankbrothers in the beginning? Part of the reason came down to just not being all that user-friendly. It took a long time to learn how to adjust the seat at the right time, and sometimes it was unresponsive. The lack of reliability really frustrated a lot of people, and no
one wants to be in that situation when they are on the trail.
The Highline option is certainly a lot better at performing at a high-level, and most people are very surprised with everything and brings to the table. It is a bit on the heavier side at 700 grams, but most of that is south of the collar. That means that it does not necessarily feel as heavy as it looks on paper, but there are lighter options out there.
The attachment process for a mountain bike or a fat bike goes pretty effortlessly, and the shifter style remote works well in real-time as well. Some people are able to install the entire thing by themselves, while others rely on a professional to get everything lined up correctly.
Crankbrothers really seems to be focused on using some pretty quality parts so that they do not have any reliability issues any longer. In particular, the ceiling, bearings, and clamps are all a step up from the past. There are always chances of something wrong happening out on the trail, but it is greatly reduced with their new set up.
Think of Crankbrothers as a nice option to consider for those people who are wanting something different. They are certainly not the most popular brand out there, but more and more people are starting to learn just what type of value they bring to the table. It comes in a variety of sizes, so people can find exactly what they need.
To top everything off, they offer one of the best warranties in the business. Having three years of security when investing in the dropper post is excellent news for frequent riders. They are very quick to respond and make things right for customers as well, which is extremely commendable.
Pros
- Much improved design and reliability
- Multiple sizes.
- Three-year warranty.
Cons
- A little heavy.
- Somewhat tricky to install.
Click here for the current price for this Crankbrothers dropper from Amazon.
Is It Worth the Extra Money to Get a High-End Dropper Post?
Staying under budget is essential for just about any type of fat bike rider out there. No one wants to throw around a ton of money if they do not feel like they are going to benefit from it.
There are several benefits to getting a high-end dropper post, but only for those who take fat bike riding very seriously. The best of the best are going to cost $500 or more, but they come with some of the most advanced specs out there. Think about suspension technology, flawless shifting, premium parts, and longer life expectancy in general.
Some of the most trusted names on the high end include Thompson, Rock sharks, and Fox. He usually makes the most sense for a professional to install these premium models because that way, things do not go south in a hurry.