There are some indexed posts that are three positioned but most are infinitely adjustable.

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What is a dumb dropper post? Haven't heard of that one before. LOL

The Raceface dropper on one of my bikes has infinite adjustability.

The Specialized Command Post on another bike has I believe 12 notches that cover probably 80% of the range (it drops some before it locks to the first position and has no lock near the bottom of travel).

I've never quite understood why one brand would lock in while others do not. Aside from the locking style has a higher guarantee not to sink if somebody were to sit on it.

For me, I lower it because I want it lower (dropped) or I raise it because I want to sit). Any points between are, to me, useless to have locked in to a set position OR to allow me any particular place. I mean, how can I ride a bike and adjust it to the exact MM of drop while navigating the trail conditions.

I suppose a 3 position, including fully extend and fully lowered, would be helpful to a person that wants the seat exactly in the middle of travel.

While you currently pick a position and ride it, that is your only option. I think that option goes away when you have a dropper post as you just raise/lower it as you feel is warranted by the trail condition. Meaning, why would you stop at the top of a hill, lower the post until it is where you prefer, then ride away. You already do that -a dropper is only going to add complication and weight to your bike to accomplish the same thing you already do.

 

I ride with mine dropped just a little a lot. I can still sit but have wiggle room, just like I did before I had a dropper. But then I can raise it to full height for climbing or drop it for bombing.

 

I have googled this and can't seem to get an answer. With a dropper post, are there only two setting: High and low? Considering upgrading to one, but with my current standard post I sometimes pick a height in the middle for technical flat or slightly inclined terrain. Can you set dropper posts to have three settings?

Thanks!

Most dropper posts let you set the seat height anywhere you want between the minimum and maximum. A few have discrete settings, but none I've ever seen have fewer than 3 discrete settings. Pay attention to the specs for each post you're looking at so you're certain what you're looking at.

Infinite adjust is currently the preferred route for most. But for my riding, I don't use intermediate positions very often. It's usually either full up or full down.

 

There are no dumb questions here. There are so many accessories with a lot of options. It's hard to know it all.

My Giant dropper will let me adjust it wherever I feel that it's a good spot. If you're going to get one, it only makes sense to get one that is fully adjustable to any position.

 

Think Specialized were the only big brand to have set heights for dropper posts...

I run Giant Contact dropper posts on both my bikes, for a couple of reasons

i) They're infinitely adjustable. For climbing I'll have it fully extended. For pedaling on the flat I'll drop it 2-3cm's. For bombing the gnar, I'll drop it all the way down.

ii) They're pretty cheap. To service a Reverb for example every 12 or so months costs almost the same price as a new Giant Contact dropper. The Giant dropper usually lasts me 2+ years. Easy maths there.

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Actually there are some road bike dropper posts that only go up about 2 inches, I assume because they are lighter. The road bikes are so upright anyway that they don't need much post travel compared with a modern mountain bike. I put one on my old-geometry 26", a 4-inch travel one and the high point is way too high, almost too high to pedal, but it's AWESOME climbing steep stuff when it's that high and you lean forward over the handlebars while barely sitting on the seat edge.

I almost forgot to ask, can you replace the cable and housing with normal shift cable/housing? And yeah they are so cheap just buy a new one. People in the brake forum agonize over their brake rotors going bad --- a brake rotor is $10-$45. Shimano XT 2-pistons can be had for under $100, Tektros for $35, pads are like $10 each, no excuse not to just buy new ones after several thousand miles.

 

I have both infinite adjust and specialized command post that is indexed. On the infinite one, i used it in the early stages to adjust ride height as i was new to the sport/bike. This helped me find a sweet spot for the knees and also i soon learned that this height was diff for street vs real trail riding (hardtail).

After a ride, Balance a ruler on your saddle and then Just measure from ruler to your pedal it its bottom most position. Keep the tape measure lined up with the crank arm.

Next, Fully extend the post and then loosen post clamp and lower back down to the earlier measurement. Tighten clamp.

Write this measurement down or take a quick picture for later. I have also marked it w black sharpie.