Transporting bike with dropper post down

[Wayne509]

Is it ok to transport a bike with the dropper down for extended amounts of time ? Pretty sure I’m going to have to put mine down to get it in the back of the car but curious as to whether the pressure can damage seals ?.

 

[Stompweaver]

No problem with doing that. They only get damaged by lifting the bike by the saddle with the dropper down. I seen a few get broken like that.

 

[theremotejuggernaut]

My bike goes in the back of the car, dropper down. It usually spends the next week in the garage with the dropper still compressed ready for it's next trip in the car.

It won't cause problems.

 

[RustyIron]

Is it ok to transport a bike with the dropper down for extended amounts of time ? Pretty sure I’m going to have to put mine down to get it in the back of the car but curious as to whether the pressure can damage seals ?.

Leaving the dropper down will not damage the seals. However... it's a pressurized system. When the dropper is down, the internal pressure is higher. Higher pressures result in greater leakage. And greater leakage means that you'll be servicing your dropper post sooner.

If you NEED to lower the dropper for a specific reason, go ahead and do it. Just don't leave your bike that way for longer than necessary. I've seen folks park their bikes in the garage with the dropper down. That's not the wisest practice.

 

[Murphius]

This is a joke right? Leave the dropper down all you want. Too many examples to list but here’s one, why do all droppers ship in the compressed position (new bikes and as standalone components) yet none of us receive dysfunctional droppers? Oh yeah because it’s a non issue.

 

[B1rdie]

This reminds me the droppers anthem:

 

[Stihldog]

This is the original “Dropper Anthem” by some group I’ve never heard of.
‘Don’t Let Me Down’ by some insect or crawly thing. The lyrics keep going round and round in my head every time I ride.

 

[Stihldog]

I usually hear this while I’m having a crash.
It’s the part where children have no clipless shoes that hurts more than the impact.

 

[B1rdie]

This is the original “Dropper Anthem” by some group I’ve never heard of.
‘Don’t Let Me Down’ by some insect or crawly thing. The lyrics keep going round and round in my head every time I ride.

Then, there is hope:

 

[Jeff H]

I prefer to leave mine up while stored between rides for reasons already mentioned. On the other hand think of hood/bonnet gas support struts on vehicles (and industrial applications). They’re basically the same underlying technology but we’re not fretting over leaving them compressed.

 

[.zig]

Then, there is hope:

Is that Billy Preston on keys?

 

[cappuccino34]

This is a joke right? Leave the dropper down all you want. Too many examples to list but here’s one, why do all droppers ship in the compressed position (new bikes and as standalone components) yet none of us receive dysfunctional droppers? Oh yeah because it’s a non issue.

I've had loads of new disfunctional Fox droppers, but I'm pretty sure it's because they're just crap rather than how they're shipped.

 

[BIG-DUKE-6]

Is that Billy Preston on keys?

Yep; also known as the “5th” Beatle. R.I.P.

 

[darwink1]

Leave it down for however long you like.

I stopped leaving mine fully up after several got stuck in the up position after cold or rainy rides. I don't know if this is unique to pnw loam dropper posts but mine got stuck more than a few times as has my buddies after not using it for a few days. I could usually get them freed up after repeatedly cranking on the dropper lever but thats not fun.

Hasn't happened to any of my posts since I started leaving them down.


D

 

[Pdoz]

Scratched shaft vs theoretical increased air leakage ...hmmmm......mine get stored down

 

[esselite]

Mine as well. When it is in hidden position it does not attract the dirt

 

[Spangoolies]

I keep mine extended as it limits the chance of me picking the bike up via the saddle with the post down. Also I’m a sucker for keeping stuff in a relaxed state when not using it(even though it will probably be fine down). I do the same with the gears, always shift to the smallest gear to keep the springs relaxed whilst storing. If it helps keep things working better for longer with hardly any effort, what’s the harm.

 

[darwink1]

I keep mine extended as it limits the chance of me picking the bike up via the saddle with the post down. Also I’m a sucker for keeping stuff in a relaxed state when not using it(even though it will probably be fine down). I do the same with the gears, always shift to the smallest gear to keep the springs relaxed whilst storing. If it helps keep things working better for longer with hardly any effort, what’s the harm.

I'm really hoping you take the air out of your suspension as well.

D

 

[Spangoolies]

I keep mine extended as it limits the chance of me picking the bike up via the saddle with the post down. Also I’m a sucker for keeping stuff in a relaxed state when not using it(even though it will probably be fine down). I do the same with the gears, always shift to the smallest gear to keep the springs relaxed whilst storing

I'm really hoping you take the air out of your suspension as well.

D

And deflate my tyres

 

[darwink1]

And deflate my tyres

Unwind that b tension all the way as well gotta be thorough.

D