Reasoned, lightweight take on simple concept
Just as during the early days of suspension forks, with the increasing adoption of dropper posts, there are currently a wide range of interesting ideas and executions coming to market. Fresh out of Germany is this take on a pin-style dropper from Vecnum.
A long-travel post, the Moveloc is available in 140mm, 170mm, and 200mm travel options (each with four positions). Weights – especially for the travel – are impressive: 490-560g including cable and remote.
The locking-pin style of dropper posts is hardly new, Gravity Dropper makes probably the most common version, but do present challenges in terms of structure and sealing. Vecnum has taken the simple concept, in which a pin engages holes at various points in the post’s travel, and addressed those challenges, as well as those seen in other common models.
Because pin-lock designs involve a series of holes passing the pin mechanism, bushings, and seals, there is often a clear route for dirt and water ingress. While boots have been successfully used in the past, Vecnum has filled each hole with spring-loaded plastic inserts. Pushed aside when the pin is engaged, inserts provide the seals with full contact as they pass, reducing the liklihood of contamination.As drilling any number of holes in its face will weaken a seatpost, the Moveloc places its pin and holes to the less-stressed side of the ‘post. A straightforward idea, this configuration allows for a lighter, stronger upper than competing designs.
Clearly the result of experience with other dropper posts, Vecnum goes out of their way to address a number of common dropper complaints. With its external mechanism located at the base of the post, the Moveloc’s cable position is fixed, reducing the potential for rubbing and snags. Should the lever or cable fail in a crash, the post can be actuated via a button on the post itself. A low-pressure spring assembly sits inside of the post itself, well away from the elements, and is easier on seals than higher-pressure models. Compression force and return speed can be adjusted via a shock pump (though that valve is located under the saddle clamp).
The Syntace-esque 2-bolt head is a straightforward, proven design and the extended lower cradle provides plenty of saddle rail support. The cable can be detached without tools, allowing the seatpost to be readily removed for bicycle maintenance or packing. The linear guide is designed to be self-centering under load, reducing lateral play. Finally, a double sealing system is located under a knurled collar and designed for lubrication and cleaning without the need for tools.
The Moveloc will be available from March for around €360. Only a 30.9mm diameter will be offered, 31.6mm and 34.9mm seat tubes are accommodated via standard shims. (Much) more at vecnum.com.
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Well, that looks really good! Cable actuated and easy to maintain, low cable clamp so no dangly housing, sensible looking lever. If it’s as reliable as the gravity dropper then it looks like a much more attractive option than that. I wonder what the GBP price will be…
550mm for the longest option? Spidey senses point to snapped posts and cracked frames if ridden at the min insertion!
And who’s going to be able to ride it an minimum insertion?
The post itself will probably have a generous mininmum insertion of it own. Certainly a 435mm 150mm drop KS i950 has a minimum insetion of around 120/130mm or so
Price I want to know in GBP Also, this looks like my perfect dropper post, they’ve even supplied a diagram of measurements. I’ve now to work out if I’ve enough exposed seatpost to run to 200mm version, I’m thinking it might be a goer. Oh and work out if the seatpost is actually the same diameter internally ALL the way to the bottom
Tom,
Wouldn’t that leave 191mm in the frame (C – D or 551mm – 360mm)? That’s 7.5in- three times the 2.5in many frames and seatposts ask… (In drafting those dot/dashed jogged lines mean that there’s a break in the drawing for the sake of space.)
Marc
Ah, hadn’t registered what the D mesurement was! I had images of a 7 foot giant rolling round on a jump bike! As you were…
268mm (min exposed length on the 200mm drop one) is still probably a lot less than most people have exposed but I wonder if we will see a shift in frame design to make the seat tube height even lower for a given TT length to allow these use of 200mm drop posts and beefed up to account for extra leverage?
“images of a 7 foot giant rolling round on a jump bike!”
me too, which jump frames come with a 30.9mm or bigger seattube?
I’d buy one if it went all the way down. Bigger bunny hops…