SDG is best known for its range of saddles, but they also make a dropper post known as the Tellis. Affordable, durable, and easy to maintain, it checks all the marks for anything and everything one could ask of a dropper post. Its reliable performance and light cable pull make it a personal favorite.
Tellis 2.0 just dropped, posting boasting more of the same, but adding several key upgrades that make a great product even better. The stanchion tube was increased to 26 mm in diameter to boost durability, adding stiffness as well. They also updated their copper polycarbonate keyway for smoothness and strength. Aside from the boosted durability, a few new design changes make the post more usable for a range of users. The stack height has been reduced, in both the head and the bottom of the post, which makes it able to fit more frames.
Travel can be reduced using travel reduction shims in 510 and 20 mm lengths. Tellis posts have always been easy to service as they do not require any proprietary tools to disassemble them. That said, out of the several Tellis posts I own and have in rotation on my bikes, only one has developed enough play to consider replacing the keys. With the new models, maintenance time should be increased even further with the updated and improved polycarbonate keyway system.
The seatpost head has been completely redesigned and they managed to reduce 10 mm of stack height. If you’ve ever had a frame where the seat post is too tall and you had to switch to a lower-length drop, this means you’re more likely to fit the model in the drop amount you were hoping for.
The adjustment bolts have also been redesigned, with the fixing bolts now accessed from the side. It could be challenging to adjust the front bolt with the previous post and the new design addresses that.
One other thing I’m psyched about is that elements of the previous I-beam post design have been integrated into the new post-head. I’ve always been a fan of the I-beam posts and seats for their durability; if you ever slip pedals or do no-footed tricks, broken seat rails are a consequence. I-beam saddles hold up exceptionally for freestyle riding. Does this mean Ibeam saddles will be coming back? Tyler at SDG has certainly teased it in the past, knowing that I am a big fan of it, it’s great to see that the new dropper post could be compatible with those saddles.
SDG also increased the range of post options to ensure a Tellis model can fit your bike regardless of height or age, with available travel options ranging from 55 mm to 230 mm.
I should have a sample post on the way to play with soon, though I won’t get to ride it right away, as I’m off the bike for a few months recovering from shoulder surgery. That gives me a lot of time to geek out and play with different setups and document them.
Not only are the Tellis posts relatively inexpensive in terms of sticker price, but with the lack of maintenance, the cost of ownership of this post is super low, which adds to the value. Compare that to for example the Fox Transfer post; in the past not only did these posts break down, but they could not be serviced by the end user. Sending them back to Fox required the cost of shipping as well as a 150+ dollar fee -assuming they still make parts to service that model. If you own one of these, it’s cheaper to replace it with a post like the SDG.
Admittedly, several reliable post models compete with the Tellis model, but with the new improvements, the updated Tellis may have them beat.
MSRP on the Telus V2 post starts at $199. Note that like other dropper companies, the levers are now sold separately. As levers have become a popular aftermarket accessory, this is a nice feature that makes a new post more affordable and allows riders to choose the lever of their choice.
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