What’s the best dropper post remote? 6 models reviewed

One of the best ways to clean up your cockpit and boost the performance of your dropper post is to fit an aftermarket remote. We test 6 of the most popular options to find out which dropper post remote will make the best upgrade.

If you’ve already read our ‘What is the best mtb dropper post group test’, you will know that not all dropper post remotes are created equal. In many cases, the standard remotes are wobbly and while totally functional, not a joy to use. Many specialist component companies now offer a universal aftermarket dropper remote, allowing you to customise the ergonomics for more performance and individuality. We chose 6 of the most popular options and put them to the test.

Which dropper post remotes are included in this comparison?

While there are many dropper post remotes on the market, we chose the 6 most common choices for those looking to upgrade. Wolf Tooth Components were perhaps the first to release an aftermarket remote option and we have chosen to test both their ReMote and ReMote LA (Light Action). BikeYoke impressed us with their Triggy remote and OneUP now also have a promising affordable option. With so many FOX Transfer droppers fitted as OEM parts, we pitched the FOX Transfer Remote against the competition and were particularly interested how it would fare against the beautifully designed PNW Components Loam Lever which sits at a similar price point.

Why upgrade your dropper post remote?

If your dropper post remote is stiff to use and wobbly, then an upgraded remote will delight your thumb. The best aftermarket dropper remotes feature a longer lever running on a smooth bearing or bushing to give maximum leverage for effortless activation. They will also have an ergonomic paddle that is easy to reach with your thumb and has ridges or a traction pad to stop you slipping off in the wet. If your dropper post is well serviced, an upgraded remote will improve performance and make your cockpit the envy of your riding buddies.

Will the remote be compatible with my dropper post?

All the dropper post remotes in this group test feature a cable clamp that does not rely on the fixed cable-end found on gear cables. This means they can be used with any cable operated post, no matter if the fixed cable-end is meant to be used at the remote or the dropper end. If you have a hydraulic RockShox Reverb dropper, your choices are very limited, only Wolf Tooth Components and BikeYoke offer a cable conversion kit. However, luckily the stock RockShox 1X Remote is exceptionally good. If you have a RockShox Reverb and are still using the small thumb push remote – we recommend upgrading to the 1X Remote immediately.

Why are all the dropper remotes in this test underbar shifter style models?

With 1X drivetrains now the standard for trail, enduro and eMTB bikes, all the dropper post remotes in this test take the place of the left hand underbar shifter. We think this style offers the best performance and ergonomics, offering easy access while riding. If you are still running a 2X drivetrain or have an eMTB with a large assistance selector near the left-hand grip there aren’t many upgrade options available.

Conclusion – which is the best dropper post remote of 2019?

After extensive testing, washing and the occasional smash into a tree, we’ve reached our conclusions. With the exception of the FOX Transfer Remote, all the remotes in this test performed impeccably and would make a great upgrade for those looking to improve their OEM dropper remote. The BikeYoke Triggy is perfect for the rider looking for great ergonomics and low weight, while the OneUp Dropper Remote brings great grip and performance to an affordable price point, taking our ENDURO Best Value award. The battle for victory came down to the excellent Wolf Tooth Components ReMote and the PNW Components Loam Lever. While heavier, the rugged construction and smart bearing cover of the PNW Components Loam Lever is very appealing. However, it’s the Wolf Tooth Components, with its dedication to value for money, offering spare parts and a unique sacrificial axle that lets the lever separate in a hard crash, that takes the well deserved ENDURO Best in Test accolade.

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ENDURO Best in Test Wolf Tooth Components ReMote LA Review

For those who want a light lever action and maximum control, Wolf Tooth Components offer their ReMote Lever with a longer lever for reduced activation force, but does it work?

The 35 g Wolf Tooth Components ReMote LA takes everything that made the original Wolf Tooth ReMote great, and adds a longer 57.1 mm lever to reduce the actuation force by over 25%. The longer 6061 T6 aluminium lever provides more leverage, resulting in a super light action that also makes it easier to ‘feather’ the movement of the post to stop it mid-travel. The lever features a large, secure 3 mm cable clamp allowing it to be used with any cable-operated dropper post. The clamp has a channel to prevent flattening and damaging the cable end. The large 21 mm sealed cartridge bearing provides a silky smooth action with zero wobble or play. The machined, high-traction lever provides a lot of grip, though is not as grippy as the concave OneUP paddle. One thing we do like is that the remote has an inexpensive, replaceable plastic axle, designed to break and protect the lever in a crash. The Wolf Tooth Components ReMote LA can be purchased with adaptors for Shimano I-Spec A,B, EV and II, SRAM MMX, Magura, Hope and a standard 22.2 mm split clamp bar mount. Using the 22.2 mm clamp, the remote slides on a rail to give around 1 cm of lateral adjustment. In use, the Wolf Tooth Components ReMote LA offers a silky smooth action that would be an excellent upgrade to any post. The Wolf Tooth Components LA is available in stealth black, or in three limited edition colours.

Conclusion

If you want a super-light action with beautiful ergonomics, the Wolf Tooth Components ReMote LA is an awesome upgrade to any cable operated post. With a longer lever than the standard ReMote, it’s the perfect choice for riders who like to feather the post and use different dropper positions. However, what stands out for us is the availability of spare parts and the ‘sacrificial’ axle that protects the expensive lever in a crash. BEST IN TEST.

For more information head to wolftoothcomponents.com

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Best Value OneUp Dropper Post Remote Review

Affordable, high-quality and high-performance. There’s a lot to like about the OneUp Dropper Post Remote, but how does it shape up against the competition?

There is a lot to like about the 31 g OneUp Dropper Post Remote. First of all, it works with any cable operated post thanks to the cable clamp on the lever. The remote runs on an oversized bearing and has a solid and very smooth action. The lever arm sits a little higher than most other options, mirroring the position of a standard right-hand upshift, rather than the downshift, paddle. This position requires less thumb movement to reach and we really like the concave and ridged thumb paddle which gives a very secure grip. The remote can be purchased with adaptors for Shimano I-Spec II, SRAM MMX or a standard 22.2 mm bar mount and has 3 positions to adjust the lateral position of the remote. In use, we have experienced no issues at all with the OneUp Dropper Post Remote and the action is smooth and wobble-free.

Conclusion

The OneUp Dropper Post Remote is perfect for those who want a compact and highly tactile dropper remote. The concave, ridged paddle offers great tactile feedback and grip in the wet. At an affordable € 45.50, the OneUp remote is our BEST VALUE winner, and a great choice if you are looking to upgrade your dropper remote.

For more information head to oneupcomponents.com

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BikeYoke Triggy Review

BikeYoke have always focussed on clever engineering solutions to bike related problems. Their Triggy remote is no exception, using intelligent design to minimise weight and maximise performance.

Like all the remotes in this group test, the BikeYoke Triggy is compatible with all cable operated dropper posts. The 6061-T6 aluminium design is beautiful, with smoothed edges and extensive cutouts to keep the weight to a minimum. Weighing only 25g it’s certainly light. The BikeYoke Triggy features two mounting points allowing you to adjust the horizontal position. Unlike the Wolf Tooth Components and PNW Components remotes, the Triggy uses a bushing instead of a bearing, though the tolerances are very high and there is no play or wobble in the lever at all. The Triggy can be bought with a Shimano I-Spec B or II adaptor and can be fitted directly to a SRAM MMX mount. A 22.2mm bar clamp is also available, that is not hinged but flexible enough to fit without removing the grips. In use, even after extensive abuse, no play has developed in the bushing. Our only slight concern is that the paddle is not the grippiest and is a little slippery in wet conditions. The perforations help keep weight down, but without dimples, do little to increase the grip.

Conclusion

The BikeYoke Triggy will please engineers and those looking for high performance at a minimal weight. Neat, compact and ergonomic, the Triggy is a great upgrade to a standard remote lever.

For more information head to bikeyoke.de

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FOX Transfer Lever Remote Review

We love the FOX Transfer dropper post, which is sold ‘post only’ with a choice of two remote options. We tested the standard Lever Remote to see if it lives up to the quality the quality of the dropper post it matches.

We have been fans of the FOX Transfer Factory dropper post since its launch in 2016. However, while the Transfer post remains at the top of the pile in the post-market, the €79.00 remote has not kept up. At just 28 g it is very light and with a neatly integrated cable clamp that can work with any post, it’s certainly minimalist. Additionally the lever has a nice action that works well to modulate the post travel, but that’s where the good news runs out. Mounted on a simple pivot without a bearing the FOX Transfer Lever Remote wobbles and feels very cheap in use. The small dimpled paddle also lacks a positive grip and feel. Compared to the similarly priced competition, the FOX Transfer Lever Remote is a poor choice and is only for those who demand complete minimalism.

Conclusion

While the FOX Transfer post is still very much at the top of the pile, the standard FOX remote does not have the same quality feel. If buying a new post, we would always pair the FOX Transfer with a different remote.

For more information head to ridefox.com

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PNW Components Loam Lever Review

PNW Components are on a roll. Their Bachelor Dropper Post is exceptionally good, but what impressed us most during our dropper post-test was their rugged Loam Lever. Engineered to survive anything, we put the Loam Lever to the test.

The 46 g PNW Components Loam Lever is a seriously rugged dropper remote. CNC machined to high tolerances it is an absolute joy to use. A cool feature of the PNW Loam Lever is that the injection-moulded rubber panel is available in five colours, allowing you to match it to your bike. The lever uses a durable 3 mm cable clamp bolt, making it compatible with all cable operated posts. The lever is 59 mm long which provides the same light actuation force as the Wolf Tooth Light Action remote, and running on the same 21 mm oversized bearing, the action is impeccably smooth. The long lever makes it easy to feather the post position through its travel and makes setting mid positions a lot easier. In use, the rubber pad is easy on gloves but is not quite as grippy as the ridged options of the OneUp and Wolf Tooth. The finish is exceptional with no play or wobble and even after some big hits on the trail, the lever is proving very durable. The Loam Lever can be purchased with adaptors for Shimano I-Spec II, SRAM MMX and a standard 22.2 mm bar mount. It also has 2 positions to adjust the lateral position of the remote. Unique to the Loam Lever, an extra stop-screw lets you adjust the angle of the lever forwards and backwards, like a reach adjustment on a brake. A full lower bearing cover gives maximum protection to the 21mm sealed cartridge bearing, nicely rounding out a fantastic package.

Conclusion

The PNW Components Loam Lever is an excellent upgrade for any dropper post with the fantastic build quality and cool looks. The long lever provides maximum control with minimal resistance and the fully protected bearing is a great touch for those who ride in the wet.

For more information head to pnwcomponents.com

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WolfTooth Components ReMote Review

Wolf Tooth Components are perhaps the first company that comes to mind when a conversation turns to dropper post remote upgrades. We put their original ReMote lever to the test to see how it compares to the competition.

The 32g Wolf Tooth Components ReMote is the original remote from Wolf Tooth Components and with its shorter lever compared to the LA model, it is a more compact option. The 46.3 mm, 6061 T6 aluminium lever provides ample leverage for most posts and has a quick and positive action. The lever features a large, secure 3 mm cable clamp allowing it to be used with any cable-operated dropper post. The channel in the cable clamps avoids flattening and damaging the cable end when installed. Running on the same 21mm sealed cartridge as the LA model, the lever is silky smooth with zero wobble or play. Just like the LA model, the remote has an inexpensive replaceable plastic washer, designed to break sacrificially and protect the lever in an impact. The machined, high-traction lever provides a lot of grip and rumour has it that having a wolf’s head laser-etched on your remote will make you ride at least 5% faster. The Wolf Tooth ReMote can be purchased with adaptors for Shimano I-Spec A,B, EV and II, SRAM MMX, Magura, Hope and a standard 22.2 mm split clamp bar mount. With the 22.2mm clamp, the remote slides on a rail to give around 1 cm of lateral adjustment. In use, the Wolf Tooth ReMote provides faster actuation and firmer action than the LA model, perfect for those who run their post full up or full down. The Wolf Tooth Components is available in stealth black, or in four limited edition colours.

Conclusion

Running on a 21 mm bearing, the Wolf Tooth ReMote has a beautifully smooth action. Faster than the LA model, it is the perfect choice for riders who want their post to move quickly between full up and full down.

For more information head to wolftoothcomponents.com

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You’re dropper post or remote is actually new but don’t work anymore? Then check our dropper post service article. If you’re looking for a new seat post you should definitely check our comparison review of the best mountain bike dropper posts.

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