Dropper-post remote upgrades
One little upgrade that can make a big difference in your ride
Dropper posts make riding way more fun, technical descents way more approachable and sitting at the end of a trail talking about how huge you just sent that gap, bro, way more comfortable. No more trying to look chill while awkwardly hover-squatting on your top tube like a roadie. Even though dropper posts are notoriously unreliable and ship with remotes that fly in the face of ergonomic science they’re now a standard part of most bike specs. These remotes won’t cure reliability issues, but they will help the system work better, making it easier for you to enjoy riding your bike. Not bad for such a little part.
Cable dropper-post remotes
Wolf Tooth – ReMote Light Action
Wolf Tooth built its reputation on relentlessly looking for ways to improve parts through attention to detail. When it came time to improve their celebrated ReMote, the company decided to focus on feel, making the ReMote LA more sensitive to your needs. Adding the choice between regular pressure and the feathery sensation of the ReMote LA to the impressive array of features and adjustments on the ReMote leaves few reasons to choose anything but Wolf Tooth for your dropper post upgrade.
9point8 – Digit
Developed with technology from Wolf Tooth, 9point8 has added the Digit as a remote option for their Fall Line dropper posts. The small Canadian company has made a name for itself by sweating the small stuff, with high quality workmanship and incredible attention to detail. The Digit is similar to Wolf Tooth’s ReMote, as they share a basic design, but if you’re considering 9point8 at all, you’re also the kind of person who will care about the minute differences between the two. Only compatible with DropLoc seatposts (9point8 Fall Line, Race Face Turbine, Easton Haven).
9point8 – Trigger
If you’re looking for something just a little different, 9point8 offers a Trigger version of its dropper lever. This could be ideal if you are running a 2x or 3x system, or if you have very specific ergonomic requirements. With the busy cockpit setups of modern mountain bikes, remote compatibility can get complicated. It took the industry far too long to develop a second remote option, so it’s great to see 9point8 pushing ahead and creating a third.
KS – Southpaw Polycarbonate
KS edged out a solid place in the dropper market as a more price-conscious option when dropper posts prices were a little more out there. It’s nice that KS has kept that option open, offering a range of price points for their remote, from a posh carbon lever down to a more approachable polycarbonate option. There’s also a Goldilocks alloy option, too. Posts are expensive to start with, having the option for a fix that doesn’t break the bank is a welcome choice.
Hydraulic dropper-post remotes
Hydro posts seem to ship standard with strong opinions. You either love the reliability, or loathe the complication of a secondary hydraulic system. Either way, you’re probably tired of jamming your thumb trying to use that push-button remote. If you’re attached to your hydro post, but are looking for remote options, here’s a few ways to make hydro work for you:
RockShox – Reverb 1x Remote
RockShox is calling this its 1x option to try help you forget those awful push-button remotes they forced on riders for years. If you want to stay hydro all the way, or are just fiercely brand loyal, RockShox has finally produced its own paddle-style remote for the venerable Reverb. This is a great upgrade for your trusty old dropper. Because if you can say “trusty old” and “dropper post” in the same sentence, you’ve got a winner and you should never let it go.
Wolf Tooth – ReMote Sustain
Wolf Tooth has taken its ReMote one step further with the Sustain, doubling up the remote with a hydro-to-cable conversion for RockShox Reverb posts. There’s plenty of reasons to want to convert your post from hydro to cable, from ease of maintenance to ergonomic adjustability and, of course, strong unsubstantiated personal preference. Whether you’re reason is pragmatic or idiosyncratic, Wolf Tooth is there for you with the ReMote Sustain.
BikeYoke – DeHy
BikeYoke were first to the punch with their DeHy hydro-cable conversion remote and kit, which lends them an air of authority on the topic. The company is based overseas, though, so remember you’ll be shopping in Euros. BikeYoke is still worth mentioning, as its conversion kit is compatible with RockShox Reverb A1 Stealth dropper posts. A series of words and letters that is likely only intelligible to those who own a RockShox Reverb A1 Stealth dropper post and have been frustrated trying to find a hydro-cable conversion option.
