Versatile, affordable, and durable too? Sounds almost too good to be true, but that’s exactly what the SDG TELLIS V2 dropper post promises. But how does it fare on the trail, and where does it stack up against the other dropper posts in our group test? Find out here!

Speed Defies Gravity! That’s what SDG stands for – or more precisely, SDG Components, an American brand founded in the 1990s. Known for their bold saddle designs, SDG also have grips, pedals, and handlebars in their portfolio. To perfectly match their saddles with a dropper post, SDG revamped their popular TELLIS V1 in 2024, introducing the SDG TELLIS V2. Retailing at € 280, the SDG TELLIS might not be the most affordable dropper post in this test field, but is still the third-cheapest option. Key updates from its predecessor include a redesigned saddle clamp and a lower actuator height, resulting in a reduced stack height and shorter insertion depth.
You can find an overview of this comparison test here: The best dropper post.
First off, the new SDG TELLIS V2 is available in more travel options as its predecessor. It comes in the three most common diameters – 34.9 mm, 30.9 mm, and 31.6 mm – and with travel options of 75 mm, 100 mm, 125 mm, 150 mm, 170 mm, 200 mm, and 230 mm. Depending on the travel and diameter, prices range from € 240 to € 280.
Needless to say, we opted for the longest travel variant, which reflects our preference for maximum freedom of movement. That said, the travel can be reduced simply by unscrewing the collar and lifting the Igus bushing with a fingernail or by extending the dropper to let the movement push the bushing out. Then, you can wrap one of the included spacers (5 mm, 10 mm, and 20 mm) around the stanchion. Just ensure the spacer groove aligns with the bushing groove before bolting everything back together – easy!
Our 230 mm SDG TELLIS V2 test dropper has 336 mm insertion depth, which is nearly on par with the 240 mm OneUp V3, which has 342 mm. This also outperforms the FOX Transfer Factory, which requires 364 mm insertion depth for the 240 mm version.
With a stack height of 43 mm, the SDG TELLIS V2 sits right in the middle of our test field. It’s 5 mm lower than the PNW Loam Dropper (47 mm) when fully compressed, thus offering a compact profile.
The SDG TELLIS Remote 2.0 is sold separately, with prices starting at € 55. It’s compatible with both Matchmaker and I-SPEC adapters, as well as with standard handlebar clamps, with a small additional charge for each option.
Internally, the SDG TELLIS V2 retains the closed cartridge system of its V1 predecessor. In case of a malfunction, the cartridge can be easily replaced at home using the instructional video on SDG’s website – no special tools required! Routine maintenance, such as cleaning and greasing the wiper seal, is easy too.


Installing the SDG TELLIS V2 dropper is straightforward: grease the lower end, attach the cable, slide the post in – and you’re good to go! The standout feature, however, is the design of the saddle clamp. While it still uses two bolts with their respective barrel nuts, the bolts are positioned sideways rather than vertically in the direction of travel. This allows you to adjust the saddle tilt by sliding the entire clamp and saddle along a guide when the bolts are slightly loosened. Additionally, the steep angle of the bolts ensures that using a multitool doesn’t bring you dangerously close to the stanchion – well done!
Mounting the remote is hassle-free too – except for threading the cable through a small hole. A new cable is easy to work with, but if you try to reuse an old one that’s already frayed, installing the dropper in a rush before a quick post-work ride isn’t an option.
Out on the trail, the remote is easy to operate. The concave, textured thumb pad provides plenty of grip, even on stormy mid-summer rides. The combination of the cartridge and the remote ensures precise control, allowing you to stop the dropper at any point in its travel.
That said, the return speed isn’t among the fastest in this test field, and is comparable to the LIMOTEC H1 and Crankbrothers Highline 11. There’s also a slight sluggishness in operation – if you apply more pressure to the rear of the saddle, there’s less resistance halfway through the travel before the dropper fully drops. However, this doesn’t affect its overall functionality.
Throughout the entire testing season, the SDG TELLIS V2 performed reliably and never let us down.
Conclusions about the SDG TELLIS V2 dropper post
With the TELLIS V2, SDG developed another reliable and robust dropper post. Given the very reasonable price of € 280, the slightly slower extension speed and minor sluggishness are easy to overlook. The excellent serviceability makes maintenance a breeze, while the cleverly-designed saddle clamp protects the stanchion from scratches. The insertion depth is impressive, and the wide range of travel options adds to its versatility.

Tops
- Fair price
- Easy to service
- Compact insertion depth
- Clever saddle clamp design

Flops
- Slight sluggishness
For more information, visit sdgcomponents.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