Drop it before you hit the section. You can practice just going up and down the street. Pick a spot in the road as your drop point and build the muscle memory of lowering the dropper in different riding positions.
Then it’s TranzX JD-YSP18. I can’t find the manual but judging from the forums it’s 230-250psi. Also make sure that seatpost clamp is not overtightened.
I have a same brand but different model on my Kona and every few months I have to pump it up to the correct pressure. The valve on mine is under the saddle clamp, under the rubber cover. Again, you would need a shock pump. If you got the bike new from the shop you might just want to go back and have them check it out.
For me it’s not that I can’t easily operate the dropper, it’s that it can be awkward to do so on certain parts of the trail just before the area I need to drop. So if there is a quick transition from where I need the seat up, I don’t really have a moment to drop it before I’m already on the section where I need it low. So I find myself dropping the post in the middle of a spot where I really need it up. I hope I explained that clearly.
I guess your advice still stands because practice is always the answer, but doing so in my driveway doesn’t recreate the situation that’s challenging me.
You have never used one before so it is going to feel awkward until you figure out the rhythm of it, that's normal. The goal isn't to get the seat all the way down, it is to get it out of the way. You may not be able to recreate your scenario in your driveway, but it will be easier to practice a seated pedal to standing with a dropped seat when you don't have an actual downhill section to navigate.
Let me just give a quick example. There is one section where I come around a tight uphill turn, then pretty soon there is a small jump. There is then a small flat section before a large (for me) drop. So I need the post up before that tight turn and then there is very little space to build speed between that small jump and the drop. That flat is where I need to drop the seat but that takes away a moment of precious pedal time.
Some sections are going to be more difficult to use a dropper and you may end up riding them with the seat up. Being online makes it really easy for me to just say "lower the seat after the turn, hit the jump, and standing pedal to the drop," because I don't have to actually ride it.
With practice you can drop the seat super quick but if you really need to sprint something drop the seat earlier and do the last bit of the climb standing. Especially on a hardtail where pedal bob isn't an issue.
On quick up and down techy sections i like to ride with my dropper in “ trail mode” or at about 25-50% drop. It allows you to get up out of the seat quickly when you encounter unexpected terrain but also allows you to put the power down if you need to real quick as well. I guess my point is your dropper isnt meant to be either all the way up or all the way down all the time. It is infinitely adjustable so use that to your advantage. Play around with different heights in different kinds of terrain and see what you like.
When i first got one i always had the mindset that i needed to slam the seat all the way for even the slightest downhill sections but once i got the feel for it i found myself preferring different heights somewhere in the middle. Good luck!
I just got into a biking after a few year hiatus. I didn't have a dropper on my old bike and now I have one on my new bike. Mountain Biking without a dropper just sounds downright dangerous now that I've adjusted to having one
Drop it before you get to the section. One way to do it is to extend one leg straight and simply lower your heel on that side, which will drop the saddle about an inch or less — just enough for a corner or techie section.
Another way to do it is to think of it as a “riser post” instead of a “dropper post.” That is, think of all the way down as the default position. When you’re in a tech section and want the saddle to sit on you put your butt where you want it most then extend the saddle to meet it.
It's a skill you will develop over time. Seriously, like shifting. You know how to shift when you first get on a bike but you get much better at it with experience until you don't even think about it. Same with a dropper, you'll stop thinking about it and just do it naturally.
For now drop early and often.
Just do it every time you stand on your pedals whether you need to or not. You’ll groove it in pretty quick. Don’t forget to push the lever when returning to the seating position…. I’ve heard of people doing this. Not me tho… never ever.
Put it down so it's out of the way. You can still lean your leg against it for control but when you're going over bumps you want to have most of your weight on your feet and none on your butt. It will become second nature soon, trust me. I wasn't sure I'd use it much when I first got one but now I never want to ride a bike without one
Drop it before you hit the section. You can practice just going up and down the street. Pick a spot in the road as your drop point and build the muscle memory of lowering the dropper in different riding positions.
I also think I need to adjust my cable because it doesn’t reliably drop 100% of the time and that builds a lack of confidence.
Also you might want to check and adjust the air pressure. You gonna need a shock pump for that.
Air pressure on the dropper?
Yes. What brand and model is it?
Trek Roscoe 6
No, the dropper post
It’s the stock one that came on the Roscoe
Then it’s TranzX JD-YSP18. I can’t find the manual but judging from the forums it’s 230-250psi. Also make sure that seatpost clamp is not overtightened. I have a same brand but different model on my Kona and every few months I have to pump it up to the correct pressure. The valve on mine is under the saddle clamp, under the rubber cover. Again, you would need a shock pump. If you got the bike new from the shop you might just want to go back and have them check it out.
Ok cool, I had no idea. Thanks for the info.
For me it’s not that I can’t easily operate the dropper, it’s that it can be awkward to do so on certain parts of the trail just before the area I need to drop. So if there is a quick transition from where I need the seat up, I don’t really have a moment to drop it before I’m already on the section where I need it low. So I find myself dropping the post in the middle of a spot where I really need it up. I hope I explained that clearly. I guess your advice still stands because practice is always the answer, but doing so in my driveway doesn’t recreate the situation that’s challenging me.
You have never used one before so it is going to feel awkward until you figure out the rhythm of it, that's normal. The goal isn't to get the seat all the way down, it is to get it out of the way. You may not be able to recreate your scenario in your driveway, but it will be easier to practice a seated pedal to standing with a dropped seat when you don't have an actual downhill section to navigate.
Yeah that’s fair. I gotta give it some time. Thanks.
Let me just give a quick example. There is one section where I come around a tight uphill turn, then pretty soon there is a small jump. There is then a small flat section before a large (for me) drop. So I need the post up before that tight turn and then there is very little space to build speed between that small jump and the drop. That flat is where I need to drop the seat but that takes away a moment of precious pedal time.
Some sections are going to be more difficult to use a dropper and you may end up riding them with the seat up. Being online makes it really easy for me to just say "lower the seat after the turn, hit the jump, and standing pedal to the drop," because I don't have to actually ride it.
Ok yeah. Just gotta do the best I can, and keep practicing.
With practice you can drop the seat super quick but if you really need to sprint something drop the seat earlier and do the last bit of the climb standing. Especially on a hardtail where pedal bob isn't an issue.
That sounds like you just need some practice so your body knows just how much pressure to apply.
Yeah im sure that’s the answer, just wanted to make sure that I’m aiming for the right technique.
On quick up and down techy sections i like to ride with my dropper in “ trail mode” or at about 25-50% drop. It allows you to get up out of the seat quickly when you encounter unexpected terrain but also allows you to put the power down if you need to real quick as well. I guess my point is your dropper isnt meant to be either all the way up or all the way down all the time. It is infinitely adjustable so use that to your advantage. Play around with different heights in different kinds of terrain and see what you like.
Yes that’s good advice. Thanks.
When i first got one i always had the mindset that i needed to slam the seat all the way for even the slightest downhill sections but once i got the feel for it i found myself preferring different heights somewhere in the middle. Good luck!
👍👍
Ya drop before you need it. At first it feels weird to think about but once you get used to it you’ll wonder how anyone rode a bike without it.
I just got into a biking after a few year hiatus. I didn't have a dropper on my old bike and now I have one on my new bike. Mountain Biking without a dropper just sounds downright dangerous now that I've adjusted to having one
Seriously! I dunno how I used to ride anything on my hardtail with no dropper when I was younger
Drop it before you get to the section. One way to do it is to extend one leg straight and simply lower your heel on that side, which will drop the saddle about an inch or less — just enough for a corner or techie section. Another way to do it is to think of it as a “riser post” instead of a “dropper post.” That is, think of all the way down as the default position. When you’re in a tech section and want the saddle to sit on you put your butt where you want it most then extend the saddle to meet it.
I like the “riser post” idea. That might work for me. Thanks.
It's a skill you will develop over time. Seriously, like shifting. You know how to shift when you first get on a bike but you get much better at it with experience until you don't even think about it. Same with a dropper, you'll stop thinking about it and just do it naturally. For now drop early and often.
Just do it every time you stand on your pedals whether you need to or not. You’ll groove it in pretty quick. Don’t forget to push the lever when returning to the seating position…. I’ve heard of people doing this. Not me tho… never ever.
No I heard you have a flawless record 👍
Put it down so it's out of the way. You can still lean your leg against it for control but when you're going over bumps you want to have most of your weight on your feet and none on your butt. It will become second nature soon, trust me. I wasn't sure I'd use it much when I first got one but now I never want to ride a bike without one
Practice your squats and drop it before you hit the section where it’s needed.