Adding a dropper post to an old MTB hardtail can be a game-changing upgrade, but without internal cable routing, there are limited options. Fortunately, there are a few good externally routed models available; one of the best options is the PNW Components Cascade Dropper Post.
Inexpensive, reliable, and long-lasting – it clicks all the buttons. If you’re not familiar with the brand, PNW Components sells some of our favorite parts. Their lineup consists of smartly designed components that are durable, reasonably lightweight, and affordable. And when I say smartly designed, it’s both in form and function, with a clean design aesthetic and simple, easy-to-service parts.
Features
- External cable routing – ideal for older model bikes that lack internal hose routing
- Available in 30.9mm and 31.6mm diameter options (they also offer 27.2mm models)
- 125mm, 150mm, and 170mm drop travel options
- Lever available separately
- Lifetime warranty
- MSRP $179
The project bike: 2012 Santa Cruz Highball Carbon hardtail
I recently acquired a 2012 Santa Cruz Highball carbon hardtail with the intention of restoring it and converting it into an efficient multi-surface adventure bike – an MTB-gravel bike hybrid, if you will.
While much of the geometry is still totally viable, Santa Cruz took a long time to come around to offering dropper post compatibility on their race hardtails. The 2012 model uses a 30.9mm seatpost, but it is not compatible with internal dropper post routing. Fortunately, the PNW Components Cascade was a perfect fit.
I used to own this bike, so I knew it was light and fast.
There were two reasons I ended up selling it: a tall seat tube and the quick-release rear end. The tall seat tube limited me to a 125mm dropper post, which just isn’t enough for real mountain biking. And quick releases just don’t cut it for the same reason. For a light gravel whip, though? I think we can work with it. The first time I owned this bike, I ran an old school Gravity Dropper Post, then I upgraded to the Fox Transfer Post. However, with both posts, that 125mm of drop just didn’t offer enough clearance.
The PNW Cascade, on the other hand, is a modern external dropper post and is designed to have a lower stack so you can squeeze in a post with a bit more travel. Somehow, the 150mm post fits my 29.5″ center to top leg seat post measurement. YES!
Installing the PNW Cascade Dropper Post
While the 2012 Highball wasn’t designed for an internally routed dropper post, it was designed for a front derailleur, and I took advantage of the cable stops. Back then, all the cables were routed on the outside of the frame tubes. So vintage! Seriously, though, I think we’ve all become quite accustomed to the clean look of internal cable routing, and I have to say, it doesn’t look as neat. However, I was able to utilize the cable stops to route the dropper post cable. Running the full housing with zip ties would have made a mess look even messier, and the cable stops worked quite well. In fact, they removed so much stiction from the cables that the action of the dropper lever is the lightest of any post I own, outside of an electronic post.
On the bike
This dropper post works very well. With the light action, it might be the best-performing dropper post I’m currently running. And when it comes to durability, the PNW dropper post line runs among the very best. Compared to the Fox DOSS post I had in 2012, this thing is amazing, and it retails for a fraction of the price that post did. That post eventually failed, and they offered me a rebuild, which was almost as much as the PNW post costs (once you add the to and fro shipping). Having owned posts from the big two suspension brands, I’d never own one again when I could have a PNW Components model. I just want my seat post to move my seat up and down, over and over again, and PNW delivers.
If you’re looking to retrofit an older bike with a dropper, we’d strongly recommend checking out the PNW Components lineup.
Check it out at pnwcomponents.com.