PNW Components has released a new, redesigned version of its flagship Loam Dropper Post. The Gen 2 Loam Dropper introduces a much-requested silver color option to the lineup as a mainstay and adds several design features to improve durability and fit.
Between the Gen Two post’s new, lowered stack height and its tool-less travel adjustment system, fitting the correct size post to your bike is easier than ever. If you’ve ever bought a dropper post that ended up being too tall to fit, or in our case, loaned a bike to someone who couldn’t ride it well because the post was too high, the new post is a problem solver.
Features & Specs
- Dual-chamber sealed cartridge
- Internal cable routing
- Listed weight: 452 g- 700 g (depending on size)
- Stachion diameter: 30.9mm/31.6mm: 26mm, 34.9: 29mm
- Compatible with all PNW Levers and most cable-actuated levers – note: levers are sold separately
- Travel adjust feature: 25mm travel reduction in 5mm increments
The Gen 2 in black lists for $229, with the silver costing a bit more at $235.
Gen 2 updates from the Gen 1 Loam Dropper
The saddle clamp and midcap area of the new Loam post have been redesigned to offer lower stack height. Thanks to the lower stack height, riders can add up to an inch of dropper, depending on the post size. If you have a shorter inseam and have had challenges getting enough drop adjustment, this could be the difference between having to run a 125mm or a 150mm dropper post. And with the travel adjustment feature, even if 150mm is a bit too high, you could make it work, and drop it to 145mm or 140mm (or more).
PNW also removed the adjustable air cartridge; they found most riders were happy with the return rate of the post, and that a sealed air cartridge added longevity to the posts. To add more durability and reduce potential side-to-side play, the Gen 2 model now has 6 anti-rotation keys, consisting of 4 brass keys and 2 additional Teflon pins. (The Gen 1 model had 3 brass anti-rotation keys)
The new system creates a tighter stanchion fit without creating more friction. The Gen 2 Loam Dropper also adds 175mm and 225mm travel sizes (and as mentioned, both can be reduced by 25mm of travel),
Improved sizing options + Tool-less Travel Adjustment
The Loam Dropper Gen Two post adds 175mm and 225mm travel sizes to the lineup, with lengths of 125mm, 150mm, 175mm, 200mm, and 225mm. Three diameter sizes— 30.9mm, 31.6mm, and 34.9mm — are available. (Note: silver is not available in 34.9mm)
PNW Components also improved their Travel Adjustment System with the Gen 2 Loam Dropper post. This was accomplished through a notched bushing under the midcap collar. Adjustable in 5mm increments, it allows riders to easily reduce the travel of their post without the use of tools.
Seat post travel can be reduced by up to 25mm in 5mm increments. Not only is it easier for shorter riders to fit a post to their bikes, but riders with short inseams who were stuck with limited adjustment/travel options can rejoice with more travel options.
Ironically, I requested a 150mm travel post for our review sample, as I find myself often swapping posts between bikes so other riders can take them out. In hindsight, I would have selected the 175mm drop post, as it could easily accommodate a shorter rider who needs a 150mm post.
On the trail: First Impressions
Installation, like other cable-actuated dropper posts, is straightforward. In our case, I actually had an older PNW Components Bachelor Dropper Post with 170mm of adjustment installed on a 27.5 NS Bikes EVO. I just added some slack to the housing and cable and swapped the posts out.
While it was great having this much drop on a bike that was fun both on the trail and at the park, when my fiancé took it out, it was simply too high. She could ride it, but only with the post lowered, making her saddle height inconsistent on trail rides.
I requested a 150mm drop sample, and now fits her great – though in hindsight, I could have selected a 175mm option and simply lowered the travel to 160 or 165mm. As a regular gear reviewer, the option to adjust the travel of a dropper post adds a ton 0f versitailty – and as these posts have a lifetime warranty, this just adds so much value as a component that is likely to be transferred between bikes down the road.
The Gen 1 Bachelor Dropper it replaces has been in rotation for 7 (!) years now after being installed on a build way back in 2018. Ironically, for some time, I thought it had some issues, as it wasn’t returning to full travel. When riding the bike, you would have to pull up the post to get it up the last inch of travel. It turns out it was an easy fix; the air pressure just needed to be topped off slightly. Once I remembered the post had an adjustable air cartridge, I pulled the seat off and added additional air pressure, which completely solved the problem.
PNW is moving away from adjustable air cartridges in their new models, which will make that a non-issue moving forward. With the updated design of the sealed cartridge, PNW states this shouldn’t be an issue, as sealing it improves the seals. Should your post need servicing, maintenance is straightforward, and unlike other models, can often be performed by a technically inclined home mechanic. PNW has resources online with instructions as well.
We’ve only had the post for a short time, so we can’t comment directly on the longevity of the Gen 2 Loam Dropper Post. However, as we have several other PNW Components Dropper posts in rotation among our fleet of bikes, they’ve all proved to be quite durable over time.
If you have a drawer full of old dropper posts that need rebuilds like I do, this level of longevity is amazing. With the cost to have a SRAM or Fox post rebuilt being over $125, it’s simply more cost-effective to replace and bin them.
Silver! Challenges in creating the silver anodization
We’re also quite stoked on the silver color. After years of riding all-black bikes, it’s great to add some flair. (I had to add a silver stem to match) It turns out that bringing a silver dropper post to market presented quite a technical challenge.
I connected with TJ and Aaron from the PNW Components team to hear more about the motivation behind the development of the Gen 2 post, as well as the challenges in bringing a silver dropper post to market. With most dropper models either all black or using a Kashima hard anodizing, the silver stanchion color option is unique to PNW.
Creating the silver stanchion was a technical hurdle for the PNW team, and their initial samples were not what they hoped for, with a yellow-ish, milky hue. It took some additional R&D before they settled on a silver hard-anodized finish they like. As standard anodizing wears quickly, a harder coating and more dense anodized finish are necessary in order for it to hold up over years of riding. Due to the process, the silver color option does cost a bit more than the standard black finish.
The Loam Dropper Post Gen 2 sells for $229. Check out the Loam Dropper Post at PNWComponents.com. Or support the site by shopping with our links to retail partner JensonUSA.