Post by goyoyl on Feb 18, 2008 23:51:29 GMT 8
1. Why would a XC rider want a GravityDropper?
In short; for speed and safety. The GravityDropper is especially important for a XC rider or racer. A typical XC bike has a longer stem which positions the handlebar further forward than a free-ride or downhill bike. This makes lowering your center of gravity and being able to get your weight down and back even more important for better handling in technical situations (speed and safety). XC riders also ride with their seats typically higher than a free-rider or downhiller. This is done because a higher seat position allows for nice round pedal strokes needed for sustained, power to the pedals. Many XC riders still ride with their seat too low. They do this so they can have a balance between climbing and descending and thus compromise both the climb and descent. A XC rider using GravityDropper may be able to raise their seat to their optimal height for "climbing" because the GravityDropper allows them to lower for descending. Also, many XC riders refuse to lower their seat because they don't want to lose their current seat height position. The GravityDropper offers them the ability to bring it back to the exact same "up" seat height position.
2. Why would a XC rider or racer add the extra weight?
The only reason we worry about weight is that we don't want to be slowed down or burn extra energy!! The GravityDropper allows you to go faster. This applies to both descending and climbing. The extra control you gain while descending can be translated into speed. It also might save you from crashing which wastes time (and hurts). For climbing, if you are currently riding with your seat too low (see above). The extra energy you gain from having your seat at your optimal height will allow you to climb faster. The GravityDropper will add some non-rolling weight to your bike when replaced with a standard seat post. The performance and handling benefits gained make it well worth it. Many bikers today ride with components that added weight to their bike to gain performance or handling. A few examples would be front forks that offer suspension, rear suspension, and clipless pedals. A XC rider often does not like to waste the time to stop, get off their bike, and raise or lower their seat. A racer can't take the time. The GravityDropper can be raised and lowered quickly without wasting time. A racers' heart rate may recover quicker on descents because of the increased control, thus setting up for the next climb. With all that said, its also just more fun to descend or do tight single-track with your seat lower.
3.How can GravityDropper make riding safer?
The GravityDropper offers a degree of safety by lowering your center of gravity. It may allow you to ride sections that you have had to walk before, or possibly save you from a crash because you were able to catch yourself since your feet are lower to the ground. It makes technical terrain such as steep sections, ledges, and switchbacks easier to negotiate.
4. How can it make me faster?
GravityDropper allows you to have your seat lower for descending and up for climbing or flats. You can move between the two positions as terrain changes. See # 2
5. Can you really feel the difference when riding?
If you have never lowered your seat before, you will definetly feel the difference. You can experiment by lowering your seat post by 3 inches. This can be especially useful when you encounter steep descents, ledges, loose terrain, tight single-track, drop-offs, switchbacks, logs or other elements in the trail.
6. How quickly can the seat be raised or lowered?
The GravityDropper seat post can be raised or lowered in about 1 second. This is done while still pedaling. The Descender seat post requires the rider to take their hand off the handlebar to pull the knob. This can be done it about 2 seconds, but again, the rider must be in a place where they can take their hand off the handlebar.
7. Why a free-rider would want to use the post?
Free-rider's have come to know and understand the benefits of a lower seat for descending! Now, how many times do you leave your seat low because there is another descent or drop coming up and it's not worth jumping off to change? This is hard on your knees and can cause your quad's to burn. You also may end up riding with your seat too high on short downhill sections that weren't worth getting off and making the change. That takes the fun out of the ride. The Gravitydropper allows you not to ride longer than needed in either position. It offers immediate control so you get the most out of your ride.
8. How strong is the seat post?
The GravityDropper is made almost entirely of 7075 T-6 aluminum. Tests have indicated that the inside smaller tube is actually stronger than the outside tube. The seat post was measured to withstand almost 800lbs of static force at a 90 degree angle. Other posts that were tested failed at 650 lbs. The strength of the tube is even stronger while in the compressed position.
9. Can you make seat lower 2or 4 inches?
The standard 3 inch GravityDropper is most common. We do offer a 2 inch drop version as well as a 4 inch drop.. Riders can also choose the multiposition post. The post will then have a UP, Down 1 inch, and Down the full amount. This down the full amount will be the 3 or 4 inches depending on which drop post you have.
10. Is the post hard to clean and maintain?
The seat post is easy to clean and maintain. We recommend not cleaning the inner parts or lubing unless you are having a problem. If the switch gets hard to push due to mud and grime in the cables and housing. A new cable and housing is rececommended. Other replacement parts are available from the manufacturer
11. What kind of warranty does GravityDropper have?
The GravityDropper and Descenderpost have a 6 month limited warranty against component defects. Components that have been damaged or neglected by the purchaser are not covered under warranty. Prior authorization is required prior to returning for warranty replacement. Shipping and handling charges are not covered by the warranty.
12 .Can the unit be run forward or backward?
Yes, the 2" and 3" Gravitydropper and Descenderpost can be reversed 180 degrees so the units are facing forward or backward. The GravityDropper comes with a 38" cable. If you plan to run the unit facing backward, you may want to ask for a longer cable. (note:) The 4inch drop version must be specified whether you want the unit facing forward or backward. It comes standard facing forward.
13. How much post do you need showing to run a 3" or 4" Gravitydropper?
You need to have 6 1/4 inches of seatpost showing in your normal UP riding position. You need to have 7 1/4 inches showing to run a 4" drop post. Measure from where the post goes into the bike to the seat rails. When you lower your post. It will then drop the 3 or 4 inches depending on which one you have 3" or 4" drop.
Gravity Dropper has designated an EXCLUSIVE distributor in the Philippines.
ALL Gravity Dropper posts are made in the USA.
In short; for speed and safety. The GravityDropper is especially important for a XC rider or racer. A typical XC bike has a longer stem which positions the handlebar further forward than a free-ride or downhill bike. This makes lowering your center of gravity and being able to get your weight down and back even more important for better handling in technical situations (speed and safety). XC riders also ride with their seats typically higher than a free-rider or downhiller. This is done because a higher seat position allows for nice round pedal strokes needed for sustained, power to the pedals. Many XC riders still ride with their seat too low. They do this so they can have a balance between climbing and descending and thus compromise both the climb and descent. A XC rider using GravityDropper may be able to raise their seat to their optimal height for "climbing" because the GravityDropper allows them to lower for descending. Also, many XC riders refuse to lower their seat because they don't want to lose their current seat height position. The GravityDropper offers them the ability to bring it back to the exact same "up" seat height position.
2. Why would a XC rider or racer add the extra weight?
The only reason we worry about weight is that we don't want to be slowed down or burn extra energy!! The GravityDropper allows you to go faster. This applies to both descending and climbing. The extra control you gain while descending can be translated into speed. It also might save you from crashing which wastes time (and hurts). For climbing, if you are currently riding with your seat too low (see above). The extra energy you gain from having your seat at your optimal height will allow you to climb faster. The GravityDropper will add some non-rolling weight to your bike when replaced with a standard seat post. The performance and handling benefits gained make it well worth it. Many bikers today ride with components that added weight to their bike to gain performance or handling. A few examples would be front forks that offer suspension, rear suspension, and clipless pedals. A XC rider often does not like to waste the time to stop, get off their bike, and raise or lower their seat. A racer can't take the time. The GravityDropper can be raised and lowered quickly without wasting time. A racers' heart rate may recover quicker on descents because of the increased control, thus setting up for the next climb. With all that said, its also just more fun to descend or do tight single-track with your seat lower.
3.How can GravityDropper make riding safer?
The GravityDropper offers a degree of safety by lowering your center of gravity. It may allow you to ride sections that you have had to walk before, or possibly save you from a crash because you were able to catch yourself since your feet are lower to the ground. It makes technical terrain such as steep sections, ledges, and switchbacks easier to negotiate.
4. How can it make me faster?
GravityDropper allows you to have your seat lower for descending and up for climbing or flats. You can move between the two positions as terrain changes. See # 2
5. Can you really feel the difference when riding?
If you have never lowered your seat before, you will definetly feel the difference. You can experiment by lowering your seat post by 3 inches. This can be especially useful when you encounter steep descents, ledges, loose terrain, tight single-track, drop-offs, switchbacks, logs or other elements in the trail.
6. How quickly can the seat be raised or lowered?
The GravityDropper seat post can be raised or lowered in about 1 second. This is done while still pedaling. The Descender seat post requires the rider to take their hand off the handlebar to pull the knob. This can be done it about 2 seconds, but again, the rider must be in a place where they can take their hand off the handlebar.
7. Why a free-rider would want to use the post?
Free-rider's have come to know and understand the benefits of a lower seat for descending! Now, how many times do you leave your seat low because there is another descent or drop coming up and it's not worth jumping off to change? This is hard on your knees and can cause your quad's to burn. You also may end up riding with your seat too high on short downhill sections that weren't worth getting off and making the change. That takes the fun out of the ride. The Gravitydropper allows you not to ride longer than needed in either position. It offers immediate control so you get the most out of your ride.
8. How strong is the seat post?
The GravityDropper is made almost entirely of 7075 T-6 aluminum. Tests have indicated that the inside smaller tube is actually stronger than the outside tube. The seat post was measured to withstand almost 800lbs of static force at a 90 degree angle. Other posts that were tested failed at 650 lbs. The strength of the tube is even stronger while in the compressed position.
9. Can you make seat lower 2or 4 inches?
The standard 3 inch GravityDropper is most common. We do offer a 2 inch drop version as well as a 4 inch drop.. Riders can also choose the multiposition post. The post will then have a UP, Down 1 inch, and Down the full amount. This down the full amount will be the 3 or 4 inches depending on which drop post you have.
10. Is the post hard to clean and maintain?
The seat post is easy to clean and maintain. We recommend not cleaning the inner parts or lubing unless you are having a problem. If the switch gets hard to push due to mud and grime in the cables and housing. A new cable and housing is rececommended. Other replacement parts are available from the manufacturer
11. What kind of warranty does GravityDropper have?
The GravityDropper and Descenderpost have a 6 month limited warranty against component defects. Components that have been damaged or neglected by the purchaser are not covered under warranty. Prior authorization is required prior to returning for warranty replacement. Shipping and handling charges are not covered by the warranty.
12 .Can the unit be run forward or backward?
Yes, the 2" and 3" Gravitydropper and Descenderpost can be reversed 180 degrees so the units are facing forward or backward. The GravityDropper comes with a 38" cable. If you plan to run the unit facing backward, you may want to ask for a longer cable. (note:) The 4inch drop version must be specified whether you want the unit facing forward or backward. It comes standard facing forward.
13. How much post do you need showing to run a 3" or 4" Gravitydropper?
You need to have 6 1/4 inches of seatpost showing in your normal UP riding position. You need to have 7 1/4 inches showing to run a 4" drop post. Measure from where the post goes into the bike to the seat rails. When you lower your post. It will then drop the 3 or 4 inches depending on which one you have 3" or 4" drop.
Gravity Dropper has designated an EXCLUSIVE distributor in the Philippines.
ALL Gravity Dropper posts are made in the USA.