Nothing has had a bigger impact on the modern mountain bike in recent years than the dropper post. Yet despite their almost ubiquitous presence on high end models, they're often faulted for being overly expensive and downright unreliable. This fall, several manufacturers released more affordable options that are also user serviceable. A number of brands are also responding to consumers demand for longer travel posts. The most interesting new models, however, are electronic. Here are six of the most exciting and innovative dropper posts we saw during the tradeshow season.

Tall riders rejoice! The new 9Point8 offering comes with 175mm and 200mm of travel.

Tall riders rejoice! The new 9Point8 offering comes with 175mm and 200mm of travel (click to enlarge).​

9Point8

Dropper posts today generally come in three standard lengths: 100mm, 125mm, and 150mm. These posts accommodate the vast majority of riders, but are insufficient for those with long inseams and/or short torsos. To better accommodate those who are part T-Rex, 9Point8 is releasing a 175mm version of its well-regarded dropper post. They've teased a 200mm version to help gauge public interest. Price will be set close to their current retail of $379. Learn more at 9point8.ca.

Crankbrothers has designed the Highline to be ultra reliable and easily serviceable.

Crankbrothers has designed the Highline to be ultra reliable and easily serviceable (click to enlarge).​

Crankbrothers Highline

While the Kronolog post may have been plagued with reliability issues, Crankbrothers has designed the Highline to be ultra reliable and easily serviceable. Crankbrothers is famed for their unique approach to design, but their last attempt at a dropper post was universally panned for poor long term reliability. Their new post, the Highline, hopes to resolve those issues with a nitrogen spring cartridge system that is cable actuated and can easily be replaced. They also created a sleek new ergonomic remote, which can be mounted in a number of different ways. The post will have 125mm of infinite travel and has a three year warranty. Price is $350. To learn more about the internals and specs, head here and visit www.crankbrothers.com.

At $300, the new Gravity dropper will be one of the more affordable options on the market when it's released next year.

At $300, the new Gravity dropper will be one of the more affordable options on the market when it's released next year (click to enlarge).​

Gravity Post

The dropper post has revolutionized the way many of us ride but they're often written off as an overly expensive (and unreliable) luxury. Gravity Components has attempted to address these concerns with its new $300 cable actuated post. The internals use a sealed hydraulic cartridge that is not user serviceable, but is intended to be easily replaced. In the event of a failure, a new cartridge retails for $25. The actuation mechanism is located on the bottom of the post, so the post is compatible with internal routing. In the event the cable brakes, it is also possible to remove the dropper post and manually adjust the post height. This post will be available in both 100mm and 125mm lengths and expected delivery is early spring. Learn more at ridegravity.com.

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With 25mm of drop, the new KS Zeta dropper is the perfect addition to a cross country or cyclocross bike.

With 25mm of drop, the new KS Zeta dropper is the perfect addition to a cross country or cyclocross bike (click to enlarge).​

KS Zeta

Enduro is cool and all, but Grinduro is the new race format everyone is raving about. It combines the relaxed vibe of non-timed transfer stages, with several timed segments that feature tough descents and brutal climbs. Depending on the course, the best race rig would have either drop bars or front suspension. Whichever you choose, the 25mm Zeta dropper post from KS could be the perfect secret weapon. The internals of the post are housed at the bottom, so the Zeta looks normal when installed. To adjust the height of the post, you must remove the seatpost mast and trim the actual post. The seatpost mast itself has up to 8mm of adjustment built in. The aluminum version of the Zeta weighs 486 grams, while the carbon model cuts weight down to 422 grams. They will be available for 30.9mm and 31.8mm seat tubes and will ship next year. Learn more at kssuspension.com.

One charge of the Vyron is good for about 400 actuations or 40 hours, claims Magura.

One charge of the Vyron is good for about 400 actuations or 40 hours, claims Magura (click to enlarge).​

Magura Vyron

Having proven the reliability of electronic systems in its suspension products, Magura used that expertise to develop the electronic actuated Vyron dropper post. Set to be released next year, the 150mm post weighs 595 grams and has enough battery capacity for 400 activations per charge. The post communicates wirelessly with a handlebar mounted remote so it can easily be swapped between bikes (of the same seatpost diameter), which makes the $460 price tag a little more palatable. To learn more about all of the technology, check out our full coverage here and visit www.magura.com.

Originally available with only 125mm of drop, Thomson is now expanding its dropper post lineup.

Originally available with only 125mm of drop, Thomson is now expanding its dropper post lineup (click to enlarge).​

Thomson

Thomson didn't make any updates this year to its dropper post line-up, but the company did release a new 100mm version, and are finalizing testing on a 150mm model. Also of note, Thomson is launching a new setback post. Instead of the familiar kinked look, the new post will have a 25mm setback built into the head. The post will be available in 27.2mm, 30.9mm, and 31.6mm sizes in 330mm and 367mm lengths. Learn more at www.lhthomson.com.