PNW Components is known for durable and affordable components, with adjustable height dropper seat posts being a core product. The updated Range Dropper and Range lever sets a new bar for quality affordability with a combined retail price of $199 for the set.
Dropper posts have been the standard for mountain biking for a few years now, with many of us on our 2nd or 3rd (or more in our case) iteration. It’s hard to beat the reliability of a mechanical cable-actuated dropper; with a retail price of $159 for the Range dropper, it is now cheaper to replace a RockShox or Fox Racing seat post than it is to send one in for a repair or rebuild – assuming your model is even still being supported. (last time we had Fox repair a dropper post it cost $125 for the labor and parts, and another $20 to ship it to them) Having tested other seat posts from PNW Components, they sent over a sample of the new Range Dropper and lever for us to try.
Features (via PNW Components)
Range Dropper
- Diameters: 30.9mm and 31.6mm
- Internal routing
- Sealed air cartridge
- Available in 125mm, 150mm, 175mm, and 200mm travel
- Lever not included (compatible with most cable-actuated levers)
- Cable and housing packaged with the lever kits
Range Lever
- Kit includes 1x Range Lever with 22.2mm mount, cable, and housing kit
- Compatible with all cable-actuated dropper posts
- Clamp styles: 22.2mm handlebar mount, SRAM MMX Direct mount built into the lever
PNW Components offers several models of dropper posts with options for internal and external routing as well as 27.2m diameter models. With an adjustable air cartridge and tool-less travel adjustment, the Loam Dropper is positioned as their top-level post with the features on the Range minimized to save on costs and focus on value.
Streamlined to core features, the Range Dropper post goes up and it goes down. Unlike the flagship Loam post, the Range post travel is fixed, simplifying the design. The air cartridge is fixed as well, removing the adjustability. Though there are fewer features, the primary functionality and reliability carry over.
On the trail
The Range post is available in 125mm, 150mm, 175mm, and 200mm of travel. We requested a 200mm dropper post for our sample; however, a 175mm would have been a better choice. At 5′ 10″ with a 31.5″ inseam and a 28.5″ saddle height, the post was about .5″ too tall for me to utilize on the size large full-suspension bikes I ride. Fortunately, I have a Binary Maniak hardtail a low enough seat tube I could use for our testing.
If you’re looking at picking up a Range post you’ll want to pay close attention on the product page to the full insertion length required to purchase the correct model. Our 200mm test model has a full insertion length of 316mm and a minimum of 150mm.
Not everyone needs the 200mm drop; the Range post is available in 125, 150, 175, and 200mm iterations.
Riding the post, it did all that was required of it, and like other PNW dropper posts we’ve used has proven a reliable and issue-free product.
The Range lever can be bundled with the Range Dropper post, but it’s a great product that stands on its own. Compatible with cable-actuated droppers, the Range features the same comfortable silicone thumb pad we liked from the 2nd generation Loam Lever. To cut costs, the Range lever is forged instead of CNC’d from aluminum. It keeps the stainless steel hardware and seal cartridge bearing for smooth levering and is available in one color: black. . In terms of feel and function, we didn’t notice any difference from the Loam Lever. (If you want to add some color to your ride, the Loam Lever is an additional $20)
The Range Dropper and Lever are sold separately, and available in a bundle for $199. Or shop for PNW Components products at retail partner JensonUSA.