AustinBike Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 If you are looking for one locally, I noticed the downtown store has them on display. $200 is a great price for a sweet dropper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mack_turtle Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 That might be the same one I returned a few months ago. At the time, my seat tube was not deep enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinBike Posted August 18, 2019 Author Share Posted August 18, 2019 Was in the display case. Didn't see the diameter at the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridenfool Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 FWIW, an identical post to some PNW models are sold as "Brand-X Ascend II" in the EU. The Brand-X versions are available from Chain Reaction Cycles, at a lower price (and usually free shipping) for the same sweet dropper. The one I bought there took about a week to arrive. https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/us/en/seatposts?f=4294967079,2258  This post, under a number of brand names, has received great reviews for use and durability. Performance Bike online still sells them under their house brand, Forte, for $109.99 https://www.performancebike.com/forte-clutch-dropper-post-external-125mm-travel-30.9mm-50-6322-309/p991162?v=944539 PNW Cascade Brand-X Ascend II KS LEV - https://www.jensonusa.com/KS-E20-Dropper-Seatpost-2019  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 9 minutes ago, Ridenfool said: FWIW, an identical post to some PNW models are sold as "Brand-X Ascend II" in the EU. The Brand-X versions are available from Chain Reaction Cycles, at a lower price (and usually free shipping) for the same sweet dropper. The one I bought there took about a week to arrive. https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/us/en/seatposts?f=4294967079,2258  This post, under a number of brand names, has received great reviews for use and durability. Performance Bike online still sells them under their house brand, Forte, for $109.99 https://www.performancebike.com/forte-clutch-dropper-post-external-125mm-travel-30.9mm-50-6322-309/p991162?v=944539 PNW Cascade Brand-X Ascend II KS LEV - https://www.jensonusa.com/KS-E20-Dropper-Seatpost-2019  I have a Brand X on both of my bikes. The one on my FS has been two years now with no issues at all. The only thing I've done is put a Wolftooth remote onto it. I recently rode a rental with a Bikeyoke dropper and was not impressed. The lever was a bit on the cheap side for such a pricey dropper it also had quite a bit of stiction and was slower than my Brand X at returning to height. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheX Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 I have the KS LEV DX and it's been solid for two years so far. I couldn't do the routing internally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mack_turtle Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 I had a BX for a while, then switched frames and needed a different size. Went with a PNW Bachelor. The lever that came with the BX sucked! It hinged from the top inside of sideways like a shifter would. Replaced it with a KS Southpaw, which is fantastic. I had to clamp an Odyssey Knarp on the Southpaw due to the cable configuration but it never bothered me. I use the Southpaw with my PNW post too as it seems like a more adjustable design than the one that came with the PNW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brentb Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 One difference I saw in these rebranded droppers was the bar lever orientation. Some pivot downward (horizontal axis), while others swing forward (vert axis). Ah, a second reading of mack_turtle's response makes sense to me now - saying the same thing 1 hour ago, mack_turtle said: I had a BX for a while, then switched frames and needed a different size. Went with a PNW Bachelor. The lever that came with the BX sucked! It hinged from the top inside of sideways like a shifter would. Â 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mack_turtle Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 Some droppers come with a crappy lever, then you can buy an "upgrade" lever later. If crapper + lever = more than the dropper that comes with the non crappy lever in the first place, just buy the post that costs more and does not require an "upgrade." I learned that the hard way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinBike Posted August 18, 2019 Author Share Posted August 18, 2019 I have not had an issue with the PNW or KS dropper levers. Clearly there are better ones on the market but I guess, like many other things bike related, I don't have a strong opinion on the difference. The only thing that bugged me about the KS lever was that because it was small, it would slip in sweaty conditions. I put some stuff on the button to give it more of a grip. A $3 solution that works fine now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anita Handle Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 5 hours ago, Ridenfool said: FWIW, an identical post to some PNW models are sold as "Brand-X Ascend II" in the EU. The Brand-X versions are available from Chain Reaction Cycles, at a lower price (and usually free shipping) for the same sweet dropper. The one I bought there took about a week to arrive. https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/us/en/seatposts?f=4294967079,2258  This post, under a number of brand names, has received great reviews for use and durability. Performance Bike online still sells them under their house brand, Forte, for $109.99 https://www.performancebike.com/forte-clutch-dropper-post-external-125mm-travel-30.9mm-50-6322-309/p991162?v=944539 PNW Cascade Brand-X Ascend II KS LEV - https://www.jensonusa.com/KS-E20-Dropper-Seatpost-2019  You've mentioned that they were identical a couple of times but I wasn't able to find where someone actually showed pics of the internals and such so I thought maybe look at the Brand-X manual for disassembly or perhaps look for a link to buy a new internal cartridge but none of that exists as far as I can tell. So I'd probably pay a few bucks extra for good/fast customer service, full documentation and spare parts availability because droppers are the most failure prone parts I've ever used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mack_turtle Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 For reference, this is the lever that came with my BX post. I tried everything, including cutting an old bar end into a stub and mounting it sideways like a shift lever. It hurt my hand so badly after one ride that I could not ride for a week. Fuck that thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree Magnet Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 So did you guys get the air actuated one (Batchelor?) or spring actuated (Rainier)? I just want it to work and I’m sick or my reverb lever and sloppiness/noise.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridenfool Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 1 hour ago, Anita Handle said: You've mentioned that they were identical a couple of times but I wasn't able to find where someone actually showed pics of the internals and such so I thought maybe look at the Brand-X manual for disassembly or perhaps look for a link to buy a new internal cartridge but none of that exists as far as I can tell. So I'd probably pay a few bucks extra for good/fast customer service, full documentation and spare parts availability because droppers are the most failure prone parts I've ever used. Here's a link to someone else who dug further. https://stravaigingmtb.com/2017/11/27/so-who-the-hell-made-this-dropper-post/ Bottom line is that these appear to be from a common manufacturer making droppers for a number of private label customers. The manufacturer customizes some aspects like the seat clamp or dust seal, while all are based upon the same internals, which are not serviceable. Each label seems to provide a different handlebar lever as well. Some of the HB levers are better than others, and can be easily swapped out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 2 hours ago, mack_turtle said: Some droppers come with a crappy lever, then you can buy an "upgrade" lever later. If crapper + lever = more than the dropper that comes with the non crappy lever in the first place, just buy the post that costs more and does not require an "upgrade." I learned that the hard way. I paid $110 for my dropper when I bought it so another $70 for a good lever was well worth it. When It dies I'll buy another and attach it to the Wolftooth lever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamsloan Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 I love my PNW Cascade (external routing, coil sprung). I’ve got their Loam Lever, and it’s fantastic. Perfect ergonomics, perfect leverage, and the little rubber grip is comfy. Bonus is being able to match the colors to your bike bling.Honestly though, I’d much rather support a US company that also has given a few of us amazing customer service. And in this case, it doesn’t cost that much more to do so.*I also think PNWs graphics look rad.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridenfool Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, Teamsloan said: And in this case, it doesn’t cost that much more to do so. Maybe an 82% price bump isn't that much more to some. (referencing Performance Bike's current price of $109.99) Nearly 2 of them could be purchased from Performance for the PNW price while still buying the same post from an American company. Had I found it there when I was shopping I'd have bought it. Spotted one with the Forte brand on their rack at the South store during the liquidation sale months after buying a Brand-X version from CRC. I will keep this source in mind in case I ever manage to break this one.   Edited August 19, 2019 by Ridenfool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ericbike6 Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 Fuck REI!! Â Haven't been there since they stopped carrying Vista Outdoor products. Â Â Â Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mack_turtle Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 REI is a major supporter of ARR, last time I checked. They are generous with their employees, for a retail company as well. Their garage sales keep stuff out of landfills and sell gear cheap. What's not to like? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamsloan Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 Maybe an 82% price bump isn't that much more to some. (referencing Performance Bike's current price of $109.99) Nearly 2 of them could be purchased from Performance for the PNW price while still buying the same post from an American company. Had I found it there when I was shopping I'd have bought it. Spotted one with the Forte brand on their rack at the South store during the liquidation sale months after buying a Brand-X version from CRC. I will keep this source in mind in case I ever manage to break this one.   I didn’t know about the one from Performance bike, but I don’t think I would purchase anything from them these days anyway. I thought they went out of business?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinBike Posted August 19, 2019 Author Share Posted August 19, 2019 Retail shut down, now trying to compete with online only. That is a tough hill to climb because they are up against Amazon with massive fulfillment capability and they are trying to maintain their own inventory and fulfillment mechanisms. I don't see them competing long-term, not because online people can't compete, but because if you start with a retail mentality it is hard to rid your organizations of that mindset. Strictly retail will do OK (if they understand where their money is made) and pure online will do ok if they, again, find their niche. But the combo model has never fared well. Just getting rid of retail stores does not mean that they have also gotten rid of the retail mindset. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridenfool Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 (edited) That was what I thought about Performance as well. Then, when I went looking for their house brand name it was a surprise to find the site still running online. Here's the About page with details. https://www.performancebike.com/about-performance-bicycle/i415 TLDR: "In February 2019, Performance Bicycle returned to its roots when AMain Sports and Hobbies' husband and wife duo, Kendall and Kelly Bennett, purchased the web site to add to their family of successful eCommerce and brick and mortar businesses." They also own Nashbar. Edited August 19, 2019 by Ridenfool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fontarin Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 (edited) I also have a Brand X dropper post from Chain Reaction. It's been solid so far and has smooth action.  So far I'm impressed, especially with the $125 price tag.  I may try a PNW next time since it can be picked up locally and isn't much more expensive. Edited August 19, 2019 by fontarin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anita Handle Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 I wonder when the next 20% off coupon comes out at REI... I need a 27.2 external routed post for my hardtail. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamsloan Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 I wonder when the next 20% off coupon comes out at REI... I need a 27.2 external routed post for my hardtail. Get that dividend money. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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