[mnigro]

I understand the wireless drive train because it supposedly brings a significant improvement in durability and long term shift quality.

Other than ditching the cable/housing, why a wireless dropper?

 

[jonnieoh]

• Tremendously easier installation.
• Can be used on older bikes that don't have internal cable routing for dropper posts.
• Ability to move to another bike, especially if you're the type of person who gets a new bike every couple years or something.
• Helps you easily reduce the amount of money in your obviously overflowing bank account faster.

 

[rapsac]

Less operating force, faster reacting, easier change for fixed post, less cable clutter, FA integration (AXS post), shiny collar. The last one is a joke.

 

[127.0.0.1]

• Tremendously easier installation.
• Can be used on older bikes that don't have internal cable routing for dropper posts.
• Ability to move to another bike, especially if you're the type of person who gets a new bike every couple years or something.
• Helps you easily reduce the amount of money in your obviously overflowing bank account faster.

this. I have the slickest smoothest dropper lever, best cable and best housing, and it still feels like
arse compared to any derailleur shifter cable. motorizing the dropper valve makes sense.

 

[asollie]

I'm convinced the only really reason is that people hate having two cables on one side of the bars and one cable on the other.

 

[jonnieoh]

Oh yeah, that's another reason; it cleans up your cockpit by getting rid of another cable on your handlebars. That's important to some folks, (especially if they're already using wireless shifters, too). Gotta admit, full wireless sure is a nice clean look...

 

[PrairiePeaks]

• Tremendously easier installation.
• Can be used on older bikes that don't have internal cable routing for dropper posts.
• Ability to move to another bike, especially if you're the type of person who gets a new bike every couple years or something.
• Helps you easily reduce the amount of money in your obviously overflowing bank account faster.

while you're reasoning is good It'd be interesting to know how many are inclined to throw an e-dropper on a bike old enough that it lacks routing and is probably dangerously close to worth as much as the dropper itself.

 

[mnigro]

• Tremendously easier installation.
• Can be used on older bikes that don't have internal cable routing for dropper posts.
• Ability to move to another bike, especially if you're the type of person who gets a new bike every couple years or something.
• Helps you easily reduce the amount of money in your obviously overflowing bank account faster.

So to sum up, to ditch the cable. 😀

 

[FrankS29]

So to sum up, to ditch the cable. 😀

Do we need anymore of a reason? 😆

But yes, some of it is just to “get rid of a cable”.

However, there is a lot to ease of installing the dropper and easy of actuation. For my trails, the dropper is used constantly, having zero “throw” and instant actuation is really, really nice.

Also, my AXS Reverb dropper was the single most reliable dropper I’ve ever owned, period.

No maintenance, no play/slop…

It just worked, every single time I needed it to.

 

[Kevin Matherne]

So I can easily use one dropper on any of my 4 bikes. On my xc bikes they all have same diameter and I have no need for one on hometown trails so just got one for all 4. It does stay on my ctx bike as I use one there. If I want a dropper on a different bike it’s nothing time frame wise in doing so.

 

[mnigro]

Do we need anymore of a reason? 😆

But yes, some of it is just to “get rid of a cable”.

However, there is a lot to ease of installing the dropper and easy of actuation. For my trails, the dropper is used constantly, having zero “throw” and instant actuation is really, really nice.

Also, my AXS Reverb dropper was the single most reliable dropper I’ve ever owned, period.

No maintenance, no play/slop…

It just worked, every single time I needed it to.

Understood. I’m not bashing anyone for buying e-droppers. I was curious after I got a Jenson email promoting the $850 fox dropper.

and yeah, cable routing is what I assumed would be the major reason. Removing my bottom bracket to route my dripper is kinda infuriating.

 

[SouthSoundRider]

My AXS dropper fires upward like a rocket. Way faster than my other posts!

 

[FrankS29]

My AXS dropper fires upward like a rocket. Way faster than my other posts!

Annnnnnd, you like it?!

Maybe you’ve installed some “accessories”?

 

[BadgerOne]

while you're reasoning is good It'd be interesting to know how many are inclined to throw an e-dropper on a bike old enough that it lacks routing and is probably dangerously close to worth as much as the dropper itself.

Depends on what you're riding. I have a Ti hardtail with sweet spot geo that I've had for a decade or more. That frame isn't going anywhere. Considering a good dropper isn't a consumable item, why not?

That said...

I see the OP's 'wireless dropper why' and raise him a 'wireless anything why'. People talk about the lever effort required of cable droppers, which is true, and that's because they are direct-actuating which is really kind of stupid. The bike I mentioned above has a Cascade external route dropper, which because of the two 90-degree-plus cable pivot points, has a light feathery actuation and fast response. Nothing is gained with a wireless in this case. I guess if I wanted to stare at bikes instead of riding them I might care, but all I see is extra chit that needs to be managed and remembered. Of course we all have our own aresholes, er, I mean opinions about stuff.

 

[ocnLogan]

From a purely performance/usability front right now, they really only have two benefits. Actuation (button press vs lever press), and ease of installation/ability to move from bike to bike.

Right now they're super expensive. Even in the best case situation, we're talking about spreading the cost around multiple bikes (one dropper post in the same size seat tube on 4 bikes like someone above). But even if you take the price/4, its... about what it would be to have a good cable operated dropper ($200-300 per bike).

Cable operated dropper posts can be fiddly to setup, but IME once you've got it, you get seasons of use out of them without having to do much of anything to them (I mean, greasing the seal head, servicing them, but thats the same either way). Its just grab and go. I just don't want to have yet another thing to worry about charging.

Aesthetics is a different case, and if you're of the mind that its worth it to drop $850-1200 on a dropper post to get rid of one cable, go for it, and good for you for knowing what you want.

 

[tomboyjr]

I just hope y'all dont complain as the price of a decent bike gets astronomical.
Ease of installation? Jeez. You probably pay a shop to do it anyway.

 

[FrankS29]

I just hope y'all dont complain as the price of a decent bike gets astronomical.
Ease of installation? Jeez. You probably pay a shop to do it anyway.

I don’t pay shops to do anything for me, probably why I care if it’s easy to install…

 

[SouthSoundRider]

Annnnnnd, you like it?!

Maybe you’ve installed some “accessories”?

Well yeah, it has a joint dispenser when it fully extends.

 

[mnigro]

I just hope y'all dont complain as the price of a decent bike gets astronomical.
Ease of installation? Jeez. You probably pay a shop to do it anyway.

I won’t be buying an eDropper any time soon but just swapping the dropper housing on my Stumpy was ridiculous. I’d rather have partial or full external routing. Pulling crankset and BB to instal a dropper and still having to futz with it for a while - stupid.

 

[cooliopoof]

Well yeah, it has a joint dispenser when it fully extends.

Would rather it dispense PEZ, but I digress. Just another markup item for the dentist crowd.