Looks a great bike but think that’s probably scuppered it, or would you be happy with a maximum 125cm drop?

Yes, but then I’m 5’6″.

But also it’s a pure XC bike.  Surely the amount of drop you actually ‘need’ is going to be far less than on a trail bike?

I guess if you wanted to test it you could put some kind of limiter on your current dropper post and see if it’s still rideable with ‘only’ 125mm drop.

I’m over six foot and when droppers first came out, 125mm was fine, I dare say still would be fine tbh, I don’t get the need for 200mm+ droppers

I’m over six foot and when droppers first came out, 125mm was fine, I dare say still would be fine tbh, I don’t get the need for 200mm+ droppers

I sort of agree, I have been using a 100mm dropper for ages and recently got a 150mm dropper, that extra 50mm does make a noticeable difference, the saddle is that bit more out of the way, but I’m not sure and extra 50mm (200mm) would benefit me as much (or fit the frame) so there’s certainly an optimal amount of drop for.most people (I’m 5’10”).

As an aside my old 100mm dropper is now homeless and I’ve been mulling if I want to fit it to my HT or my gravel bike, both of which have been fine so far without a dropper. I’m nudging towards the HT, and I know 100mm will be sufficient on either.

It’s an XC bike, just how extreme is the riding you’ll be doing?

FWIW my HT does have a 200mm dropper on it, which is longer than either my FS (170mm) or eebFS (150mm).  Purely down to frame design, they’re all running the longest I could get in.

On the HT for the actual riding I do, 100mm would be enough and when I’m bikepacking I use a Wolftooth Valais which restricts the drop to about 100mm (so the seatpack doesn’t rub the tyre).

Same height as OP.

125mm is loads for that bike even at your height. If it’s not, then maybe you’re looking at the wrong style of frame. I reckon you’d be running into the limitation of limited suspension travel and tyres before an extra 25mm drop would make a huge difference.

would you be happy with a maximum 125mm drop?

At 6′ here, yes. Esp on an XC bike. I find I can get away with most tricky singletrack type stuff with 50-70mm of drop and it’s only the steeper trails or extended downhills where 100-125mm is used. They’re not North Shore steep, just local trails and I’m not hitting the jumps.

OC I could drop it all the way all the time when off the saddle, why not, but I find having the saddle too low almost a disadvantage, a disconnected feeling? And the taller you are with the longer drop post, the more that happens (if it bothers you).

rase used to make a 200mm 27.2 dropper (I’ve got one in my shed thats seen plenty better days) – is it really true no-one makes a longer one any more?

Before droppers were a thing I would always slam my seatpost right down for descents or just messing about in the woods etc so 125mm droppers were always a disappointment to me  – 200mm drop is great. So I’d say it depends, if you like your seat slammed then nope, 125mm is not enough but if you just like a bit more room for your undercarriage then it’ll be fine.

I’m 5’11” and have 125mm droppers on both my XC bikes, never had an issue to be fair.

If you are questioning it maybe you are looking at the wrong kind of bike?

6’2″ here, I run 125 and 150mm droppers, Ive had the rear tyre buzzing my crotch more than the saddle, esp on 29ers. 125 dropper wouldnt be a dealbreaker for me, certainly not an an xc bike, but obvs riding styles/body positioning can vary a lot

What did we all do before droppers, i ride my XC hardtail without dropper and manage ok, 125mm is ample

My Rigid MTB, Gravel and CX bikes have maintenance free, lighter weight ‘fixed’ seat posts on and are fine for their intended off-road use, so it’s entirely possible to manage without one still.

I could just flog the 100mm drop, 27.2 post I have spare, but it is basically worthless now, so I might as well keep and will probably bung it on the rigid MTB with the old ‘under the saddle lever’ just to do away with an extra cable, crotch grabbing dropper operation is genuinely dangerous from memory :)