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This may be futile since I've had a bit of a look already, but I thought it might be worth asking the STW hivemind.
My girlfriend has a 2017 Scott Spark 960. Originally got it for xc purposes but since moving to the FOD the riding is definitely a lot more enduro/downhill focused. The issue is that the bike doesn't have a dropper post currently, and it's the main thing she'd want to get to really be able to enjoy the rowdier, steeper trails, as well as learn to jump.
When she got the bike they actually had to cut the seatpost down to be able to fit it far enough into the frame for her to be able to sit on it in a good position, which isn't a good sign when it comes to finding a suitable dropper.
I've measured the max insert length as 170mm, and the rest of the seatpost up to the middle of the rails measures 140mm. The diameter is 31.6mm.
Would there be any dropper at all that could squeeze in there, or am I on a wild goose chase?
Bump for forums visibility.
100mm Rockshox Reverb (external). Got one on MrsF's XS BMC Fourstroke OK and the collet is right at the top of the seat tube (maximum insert)
Look at the one-up website as they have a low overall height to usable drop. You should be able to get one to fit and they can be shimmed down too to give you exactly the maximum drop to suit.
The insert length for the smallest OneUp is 207mm which is a bit pointless as it wouldn't give much drop at all once you've taken into account how much post is left out unfortunately.
PNW also have a small seat clamp and collar, so can be fairly compact overall. I fitted a 125mm PNW in the space a 100mm Reverb had occupied.
smallest OneUp is 207mm
I'm not sure there is much better then.
Any height to be gained by swapping to a lower height saddle?
Internally routed ones seem to not be good with the insertion length so I've been looking at external ones, as well as under the seat operated ones like KS dropzone. I also did see a post on MTBR about getting an 85mm brand X dropper and then a cane creek seatpost shim to be able to use a 27.2 post in the frame. Looks like there may be some options after all.
That KS LEV Si I sold last week would've been ok. They're still available, not much drop, but only about 120mm insertion.
I had this problem when Deb was riding an xs Giant Reign and eventually managed to source a KS Lev which has an insertion of 173mm and a seatpost to saddle rail dimension of 163mm. This has 100mm drop and is 30.9mm. Not exactly what you need but at the time it was the smallest I could find.
KS Rage-i comes in 75mm drop, 292mm overall length, 161mm insertion and 31.6mm diameter - sounds spot on, if you can find one!
https://kssuspension.com/product/rage-i/
my kids spark 700 future pro came with an 80mm syncros duncan dropper. 190mm insertion incl actuator. 320mm rail to actuator, 130mm stack.
Its laser etched saying intended for 10-14 year olds, max 40kg.
On some frames you can get more insertion with a 27.2 mm post and shim because the seattubes have a kink or lip inside. Externally routed will help too. The BrandX 85 mm CX post (27.2mm) is listed as 350 mm overall. With a very thin saddle, short cranks, and the seatpost shimmed down, it might be possible to squeeze one of those in.
Scott explicitly state no shims and will void warranty if used.
I've used a 27.2 dropper and shim to get past some internal frame obstruction before.
What warranty will be left on a 2017 frame anyway?
Scott explicitly state no shims and will void warranty if used.
If the shim goes to the minimum insertion depth of the seatpost, it won't cause any extra stress on the frame. My rule of thumb is that you want a shim that's 100mm long and extends below where the top tube joins the seatpost. If you are really worried, get an extra shim, grind off the lip at the top, and glue it near the bottom of the seatpost. This will spread the load just like a longer seatpost with no shim.
Scott are just doing the lawyerly cover your arse thing - to a lawyer, if you change anything on the bike, the warranty is voided. Some manufacturers, including Giant, used to fit shimmed seatposts as standard and did not have any problems with cracked frames. I would just fit a shimmed seatpost, keep the original and refit it if you need to take it back to the shop.
Side note, unsure if the recon RL is one of the internally adjustable forks, but 130mm out front with a dropper and the Spark can certainly get pretty rowdy!
( I ran mine the first year with a 140mm 36 out front. It was amazing! It has a 120mm 34sc now though)