PNW Components: How to Maintain an Externally Routed Dropper Post

Dropper posts, like any moving part on your bike, need occasional maintenance to keep them performing at their best. Grit and grime can build up on your dropper’s seal and can actually get pushed into the post as you ride. Fortunately, we use a sealed cartridge in our droppers, which makes servicing your post nice and easy. A simple cleaning and reapplication of grease works wonders in making your dropper feel like new and you can do this on an as needed basis or as much as you'd like. Follow along with the video above for step by step instructions, or use the link below to see written instructions if that's what you prefer.
Find the full list of written instructions for how to maintain your externally routed PNW Components dropper post here:
Necessary Tools/Materials:
- 2mm Allen Wrench
- 2.5mm Allen Wrench
- 3mm Allen Wrench
- Adjustable Wrench
- 5/16 Wrench
- Needle nose Pliers
- High viscosity lubricant of choice (we recommend Slick Honey)
- Rubbing Alcohol
- A clean rag (microfiber preferred)
Have questions? Feel free to contact us here:
Website: www.pnwcompone...
Facebook: / pnwcomponents
Instagram: @pnwcomponents or / pnwcomponents
Email: [e-mail]
PNW Components
www.pnwcompone...
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[@abassi1173]

Good tutorial! How often do you guys recommend servicing an externally routed dropper like the Cascade?

[@PNWComponents]

Great question! You can service your dropper as many times as you'd like without damaging the post. However, the more often you service the post, the more likely it is that the nylon cable sustains accidental damage and the more materials (rubbing alcohol and bike grease) you'll end up using. Unfortunately bike grease isn't the most affordable product, so the costs can add up if you service your dropper frequently. As every rider rides in varying conditions and uses their bikes for different durations of time, there is no absolute answer for how often you should service your dropper. So our best recommendation is to service it either whenever you like, or when you feel that the dropper is sticky or slow in its movements. Hope that helps!

[@edt5276]

Great video. There are so many bad videos out there from self-promotional people that think we navigated to a video about a specific product not to learn about that product, but to see how hip & cool the video creator is

[@carloswright]

If you have quit smoking or drinking recently, I would not recommend attempting this. Video makes it look easy. If you can afford to have a shop do it, pay up.

[@noah.putzyang]

Lmao

[@guillaumequevy418]

My nylon cable broke on the second day. Not ideal. Luckily there was enough slack at the bottom that I was able to tighten it back. It's good that this video exists and it is WELL MADE, but I shouldn't have to fix my dropper after maybe 3h of riding total.

[@naterblade]

Sucks for you. Mine lasted 2 years before it broke. And I ride an average of 3 time a week for the past 2 years. This is the first problem I've had with it.

[@russkgreen]

Note for anyone - I was surprised when the brass keys you see at 2:55 or so fell out and tried to hide on my garage floor. Took a while to find them - so be careful and clean over the middle of a table and be prepared for the brass keys to fall out of the the machined slots that they fit into on the cartridge. That said - seat post works much better now - amazing what a service and some new grease can accomplish.

[@ferysery]

hi. after how long usage it get crunchy and stiff?

[@forest_biker684]

Great tutorial! The only thing that slowed me down was getting the cable through the pinch bolt. It had a little nub on the end, but I worked it through and grabbed with the help of a pick. The post went from gritty, to sliding like butter! Thanks!

[@Hawlkeye-e9p]

Ascend model very similar. Doing it tomorrow. Note...found water in lower assembly. Lots of metallic corrosion in some parts. Sitting unit on top of pc rad to heat and evap....wish me luck..... Thanks for vid.

[@dansather3461]

Great video! Followed the directions in the video and my dropper is just like new again. It was starting to get crunchy going down and now it's smooth. Re-assembly was a little tricky getting the outer assembly over the brass keys but just be patient and it'll be back together before you know it.

[@ferysery]

hi. after how long it get crunchy?

[@johnmecham9855]

Watched entire video twice and read every comment. Can't figure out why a dropper post would seem to function great in every way, except that it is buckling under just a little bit of weight (maybe 75 lbs) with a little force I can compress the post with no tension on the nylong string with my two hands, and hear what sounds like air leaking. Which makes sense... because the highly compressed air designed to hold up a 250 lb rider has to go somewhere when compressed when the post is dropped, right? Anyway. Wish the video explained the concept of how a dropper post with no manual air compression works.

[@markortowski5864]

Wondering why you don't mention cleaning and greasing the upper bushing, and also cleaning any grime that might be on the inside of the seal and greasing that to help keep contaminants out?

[@ilyak7048]

Thank you for the video. I got a hint (2:56) how to change direction of cable connector on similar seatpost. My leg touched the connector time to time and it is not a fat (err not only a fat ) )))

[@andys5775]

Does the Pine have adjustable travel?

[@JSFofWT]

Using a nylon cord is fucking ridiculous - mine failed on literally the first use.

[@xalmendrala]

Is there a video on how to service the dropper post with new suspension oil? Thank you!

[@naterblade]

Why take the saddle off?

[@ninjazzrhythm400]

I just broke the cable not knowing it is that fragile. Why not use a good fishing line instead?

[@DrtSqrt]

I cannot get that stupid roller pin to stay in place. Any ideas?

[@codypampling5704]

6:35 I've had trouble trying to get the lower assembly flush into the dropper again, what advice do you have

[@PNWComponents]

Hi! If you've been following the recommendation at around 6:20 and it's still not working, can you reach out to our Customer Service team directly via [e-mail]? They're super quick in providing answers and should be able to help you out. Thanks!

[@bjbhjhi1594]

same here

[@shanefrank3281]

You mention air pressure, but I am not aware of any PNW external droppers that use air springs. Do you make one?

[@PNWComponents]

Hi Shane! The Coast Dropper is our only external dropper post that comes with an adjustable air cartridge so riders can dial in its suspension.

[@nabilfikri7435]

What is the nylon cable thickness?

[@PNWComponents]

Hi Nabil, we'd love to help you out with your nylon cable needs. Can you reach out to our Customer Service team via email at [e-mail]? Thanks!

[@wrmountian4538]

Would it be ok to use WD4O instead of alcohol

[@PNWComponents]

Hi! We would not recommend using WD40 in place of rubbing alcohol. Once dried, the WD40 would leave an oil-like layer on the dropper while the rubbing alcohol will remove the previous grease and clean all the way down to the alloy. If you don't have rubbing alcohol on hand, we would also recommend Dawn soap as long as it is thoroughly rinsed off. Cheers!

[@wrmountian4538]

@@PNWComponents thanks