American component brand PNW take on the competition under the motto “Good and affordable”! In our 2024 dropper post comparison test, we pitted the PNW Loam Dropper Post, priced at € 245, against the other models. Does it deliver on the trail, or does it get stuck halfway through its travel?

Any of our middle-aged readers remember where grunge was born? That’s right, Seattle! It’s also where PNW Components are based – a young company that might not be reaching for the stars but is firmly committed to offering bike components at affordable prices. Alongside their dropper posts, PNW offer handlebars, stems, grips, and more. Their speciality, however, remains dropper posts, with a wide range of models in various sizes and configurations to choose from. Whether it’s with their budget-friendly Range Dropper Post or the PNW Loam Dropper Post we tested.
You can find an overview of this comparison test here: The best dropper post.
The PNW Loam Dropper is available without a remote or accessories and comes in all three common diameters: 30.9 mm, 31.6 mm, and 34.9 mm, as well as in four travel options, ranging from 125 mm up to a maximum of 200 mm. This might seem a bit short in this test field, with droppers like the OneUp V3 offering up to 240 mm of travel. And while we’re not here to size-shame – everyone knows it’s not all about length! But fans of big droppers go home empty-handed. That said, the PNW shines with a shallow insertion depth of just 293 mm, which makes it more compact than the BikeYoke REVIVE 3.0 (315 mm) and the Turnon Bunker (312 mm) – and thus the ideal choice for bikes with shorter seat tubes!
For € 245, you can get a PNW Loam Dropper in almost any length and diameter. Only the shortest version is € 11 cheaper, which makes the Loam Dropper (in our test configuration) the most affordable dropper post in this test – sweet! A noteworthy and cool detail is the silicone band around the collar, which bears the brand’s logo and is available in eight different colours. There’s also the matching Loam Lever in its second generation, which retails from € 70 and is available in the same 8 colour options. However, the additional clamp on the cockpit can make things look a bit messy. For a small additional cost, you can opt for a Matchmaker or I-SPEC adapter to keep your cockpit clean.
Installing the dropper post is straightforward, and mounting the saddle is equally easy, thanks to the tapered nuts that serve as counterparts to the bolts. These nuts are less likely to fall out compared to the barrel nuts found on traditional saddle clamps, like those of the BikeYoke REVIVE 3.0 dropper.


The remote of the PNW Loam Dropper operates an adjustable air cartridge, allowing the dropper to move smoothly up and down. The extension speed can be fine-tuned within a range of 230 to 300 PSI using a shock pump, with the Schrader valve conveniently located under the saddle clamp.
One of the few minor drawbacks of the Loam Dropper: even at the maximum recommended 300 PSI, extension speed lags behind significantly more expensive models like the FOX Transfer Factory (more than twice the price) and the BikeYoke REVIVE 3.0 (about double the price). However, unless you’re aiming to save every millisecond during an enduro race on steep climbs and fast descents, the performance of the PNW Loam Dropper should be more than sufficient – and for the price, it’s more than fair. Servicing the Loam Dropper is relatively easy and can be done at home without the need for special tools.
At 763 g, the PNW Loam Dropper sits right in the middle of the test field in terms of weight. Its stack height of 47 mm is also average compared to other droppers – neither particularly high nor low, which makes it fairly unremarkable in this area. The travel can be reduced without the need for tools: simply open the collar, and move the notched bushing to reduce the travel in 5 mm increments by up to 30 mm – quick and hassle-free!

We installed the PNW Loam Dropper Post and put it through the wringer on our home trails for one season. Throughout this time, the dropper post delivered solid performance, moving up and down smoothly, and exactly when needed. The post developed no play over time, even when we applied more force to it than usual.
We were especially impressed by the Loam Lever remote. Thanks to the rubberised thumb pad, there’s no slipping, and it requires very little pressure to operate. The Loam Lever relies on a sealed cartridge bearing and is as easy to install as it is to adjust ergonomically, with 3 mounting points to choose from. All of this makes the Loam Lever one of the best remotes in our test field.
Conclusions about the PNW Loam dropper post
With the PNW Loam Dropper Post, the young American brand offers a solid, reliable dropper post. From the option to order the dropper’s collar in a range of colours to the lowest price in the test field, the PNW Loam Dropper ticks a lot of boxes. While its extension speed isn’t the fastest, the Loam impresses with a well-rounded overall package. And if you don’t already have a dropper remote, the Loam Lever is an excellent choice – it’s also one of our personal favourites.

Tops
- Awesome Loam Lever remote
- Reliable
- Affordable

Flops
- None
For more information, visit pnwcomponents.com
The test field
You can find an overview of this comparison test here: The best dropper post.
All dropper posts in test: BikeYoke REVIVE 3.0 | Crankbrothers Highline 11 | FOX Transfer Factory | FOX Transfer Neo Factory | FOX Transfer SL Factory | FSA Flowtron Dropper Post | Kind Shock LEV Circuit | LIMOTEC H1 | OneUp V3 | PNW Loam Dropper | RockShox Reverb AXS | SDG TELLIS V2 | TranzX EDP01 | Turnon Bunker | Wolf Tooth Resolve rev2
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Words: Robin Ulbrich Photos: Peter Walker