Market: With the BikeYoke REVIVE, there will be a new dropper post developed in Germany with an adjustment range of up to 160mm from next spring. In what is now a highly competitive market for retractable seat posts, the REVIVE wants to set itself apart with a particularly robust and low-maintenance interior.
In the shadow of the "big" developments - wheel sizes, tire widths, etc. - adjustable seat posts have developed from a niche product to a must-have for mountain bikes in recent years. Hardly any bike outside of the XC cosmos can do without the inconspicuous supports and even the racers are now increasingly accepting the additional weight in favor of the great gain in comfort.
But as popular as dropper posts are, many of them have been struggling with the same teething problems for years. The majority of the currently available dropper posts have a hydraulic inner workings, a few rely on closed cartridges and completely mechanical supports belong to a dying breed. Hydraulics offer decisive advantages over the other two systems: the supports are usually lighter, easier to maintain and the driver can influence parameters such as the extension speed. So the perfect solution? Well, not quite.
Because as much as the dropper posts may make everyday bikers' life easier, the components packed with modern technology are unfortunately also prone to defects. By far the most common occurrence is that the saddle lowers slightly when you sit on it, i.e. the seat post has vertical play. This is caused by a floating seal inside the strut (called IFP) that separates the “air side” from the “hydraulic side”. Extremely precise manufacturing processes are required to ensure that this seal remains tight over the long term. Even the smallest tolerances lead to air migrating into the oil or oil into the air cartridge, which results in the above vertical play. In order to fix the problem, the entire support has to be dismantled and completely serviced - this takes a lot of time and considerable technical know-how.
BikeYoke REVIVE: low-maintenance with reset function
The German manufacturer BikeYoke has now found a way to build a modern hydraulic dropper post without relying on the vulnerable technology with an IFP. The result should be a much more robust and low-maintenance post. A special highlight here is the “reset function”: Since the above-mentioned vertical play cannot be completely ruled out with the REVIVE after a while, something special has been thought of to remedy this problem. With a few simple steps, an Allen key and less than 30 seconds, the support can be restored to its original state.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SZW0bCNUaE
Even if the hydraulic part of the seat post is virtually maintenance-free, the mechanics, like all other seat posts, occasionally require minor maintenance work. However, while competitor products often have to be sent in or maintenance takes a lot of time and patience, the BikeYoke REVIVE can be done in just a few minutes and without opening the hydraulic cartridge.
BikeYoke REVIVE: Up to 160mm adjustment range and from €349
The REVIVE is initially available in the two most common diameters of 30,9mm and 31,6mm. You can choose between 125mm (total length 365mm) and 160mm (total length 435mm) for the adjustment range. The weight is 470g for the 125mm variant.
It is controlled mechanically and with the self-developed triggy lever, which is installed in 1-speed drives instead of the second shift lever and is therefore perfectly integrated into the cockpit both optically and ergonomically. If you use a front derailleur, you can use an alternative lever. The BikeYoke REVIVE will be available from early 2017. If you are already convinced, you should visit the manufacturer's website. There it runs until 31.10. a special pre-order deal. The post is available here from €349, including remote, titanium screws for the saddle clamp and suitable adapters for the individual handlebar setup.