Magura delivered the first bombshell product of Eurobike by introducing a product that everyone has been clamoring for, a wireless dropper post. They aim to deliver the post by November 2015 for a price of $460.
They're hitting all the marks with a quick delivery date and a price that is reasonable. Most dropper posts today are in the $400+ range and they have no electronics whatsover.
Weight is is right on the mark too at 595 grams with an awesome drop height of 150mm. Most folks do not believe they need that much drop but riding styles are indeed changing and this much drop will be the norm in the next five years we believe.
This is all made possible by Magura's work on the eLect fork and rear shock system. They have been perfecting their wireless, motor and battery technologies. We've been using the eLect forks for the last few months and operation has been flawless. One novel feature is the fork and in this case the post has an accelerometer so it turns itself on and off without the need for a switch. It is instantaneous and seemless. One can turn off the accelerometer off to save even more battery but this seems unnecessary unless the bike is being stored for a long time.
Aside from stating the obvious that we like the fact that it requires absolutely no wires or cables, here's our take:
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Continue to page 2 for more on the Vyron dropper post and photo gallery »
The first of it's kind, Vyron wireless dropper seatpost from Magura uses the proven eLECT, cable-free, remote with ANT+ wireless technology-the same remote already utilized on Magura suspension forks and shocks. The exclusive wireless remote operation adds significant functionality and user-friendliness. With a quick press of the button on the handlebar remote, the saddle height drops smoothly by up to 150 mm-another quick press returns it to its optimal position for pedaling.
Because the Vyron needs no cables-an exclusively unique feature-it is incredibly easy to install or even switch between bikes. The seatposts battery only needs recharging after approximately 400 actuations or typically around two months' use. A motion sensor in the seatpost puts it into sleep mode to save battery power when the bike is not moving, and Magura's engineers have ensured that even if the remotes battery or the main rechargeable pack in the seatpost are almost empty, there are still up to 20 emergency actuations. A full recharge from empty is around 3 hours via a micro-USB port.
The Vyron's eLECT remote can be mounted to your preference on the left or right side of the handlebars, placing the operating buttons close to the grip for instinctive on-trail operation and maximum ergonomic efficiency. The Vyron's remote can also be easily mated with Magura eLECT suspension fork and/or shock units. All three buttons can be used to remotely control each eLECT unit used. Vyron uses Magura Royal Blood hydraulic fluid for a particularly maintenance-free system-and if it ever becomes necessary, bleeding the Vyron's hydraulic system is remarkably easy.
The Vyron will be available early 2016 in two popular diameters-30.9 mm and 31.6 mm. Recommended retail price will be $460.
Technical Details
- Adjustment via air spring, hydraulic clamping via Magura Royal Blood
- Remote operation: ANT+ wireless radio transmission from the handlebar - via an eLECT Remote, either just for the dropper seatpost or as a combined remote for seatpost, forks and/or shock.
- Power supply: Remote: CR-2032 button battery. Seatpost: NiMH rechargeable battery with micro-USB charge socket. Charge time approx. 3 hours. A full charge is sufficient for around 400 actuations of the dropper, or around two months.
- Travel: 150 mm (stepless)
- Length (overall): 446 mm
- Installation height (top of seat tube to saddle rails): 57-207 mm
- Saddle clamp: 2 bolt system
- Seatpost offset: 0 mm
- Weight: 595 g including remote
- Diameters available: 30.9 and 31.6 mm
For more details visit www.magura.com.
This article is part of Mtbr's coverage of the 2015 Eurobike trade show in Freidrichschafen, Germany. For more from Eurobike CLICK HERE.