PNW Coast Suspension Dropper Post - experience

[E-Wheels]

For all of you interested with the fate of Tygra the Cat:
The pet has been together with me for almost a month now. The bad news is Tygra lost her sight during the accident. She can climb the staircase but is unable to walk down the stairs. I need to carry her three times a day downstairs for her meals. Meaning, the duration of my rides is limited. I might teach her to eat and drink upstairs of course but don't want to leave the cat alone for too long time.

Hi Stefan,
Why haven’t we seen a photo of Tygra yet in this thread

LockDown Fun - Show Us Pictures of Your Pets

For many of us, our pets help keep us sane, during good times and bad. During the current pandemic, I am now seeing a LOT of local dogs having a good time as their owners are taking them for more walks while exercising during this 'shelter at home' time. So let's celebrate all of our pets...

electricbikereview.com

 

[TomD]

I'm curious how this dropper provides effective suspension given travel is at the angle of the seat post? Other than the ability to set the air pressure does it really provide more effective suspension than a cheap pogo stick suspension seat post? My understanding is you really want a suspension seatpost to function at an appropriate angle.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

My rides became softer but I'm generally disappointed with the suspension function of the post. Doesn't seem to do very much. I like it as a dropper post though.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@tomdav yet another interesting experience. On my 4/14/20 ride, I chose several rough segments with the intention to "watch" how the seat-post would really behave. It works. I have just forgotten how unpleasant the rides without the suspension seat-post used to be. For example, I had to ride standing on the pedals when negotiating a speed bump before; I just ride over the bump sitting now. Same on damaged tarmac, gravel, etc. The best was a short off-road ride. The suspension fully activated there, and I could also take the benefit from lowering the seat for a safer ride.

The PNW Coast seat-post is the MTB thing and works the best on a hardtail bike off-road. Certainly, there must be better suspension seat-posts in the market but if you need a suspension and dropper seat-post at the same time, the PNW Coast is the only one.

 

[Marci jo]

Thanks for everyone's input on the PNW seatpost. I'm thinking of putting one of these on my Vado 6.0. Right now it has a Kinect seatpost, which is fabulous and I love it. However, a significant amount of my cycling is through town, including many stop signs and stop lights. It would be nice to be able to comfortably and safely straddle the bike while waiting for the light to change. Then there's the ease of mounting and dismounting.

My local shop would install it I'm wondering if the cable needs to run on the outside of the frame?

And how does the suspension compare with the Kinect?
Is the suspension adjustable?

 

[LimboJim]

The PNW Coast can be ordered with either internal or external routing, and there are several other options as well. Check the website for details.

COAST SUSPENSION DROPPER POST

Suspension + Drop. The Coast Post combines the benefits of a dropper with the joint saving squish of suspension. This witchcraft all happens via a dual chamber hydraulic cartridge featuring 40mm of tunable air suspension, designed to help riders on all types of bikes - from packed up trekkers...

www.pnwcomponents.com

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@Marci jo,

Please please please use the external routing! The Vado is infinitely complex inside. It might turn out the installing the internal routing might even be impossible. (I know such simple thing as replacing the BLOKS display with the TCD-W one means dismantling half of the bike).

Secondly, don't be so sure you need to replace your Kinekt. Yes, it is a nice thing to have a dropper seat-post; it is a luxury. However, I cannot even tell you how the PNW Coast and the Kinekt compare. The reason is my Kinekt seat-post has been stuck in San Francisco since March 10th and there are no news when that would be released to Europe.

Please don't act in the hurry. Are you happy with the way the Kinect absorbs shocks? Stay on that; it works. Otherwise you'd be going to hate me if the PNW Coast didn't meet your expectations. (I wanted to use the Kinekt in my other e-bike).

P.S. The suspension is adjustable by using different air pressure. Normally you wouldn't like to buy the MTB shock pump; the LBS would inflate the cartridge for you. Use the minimum allowed pressure.

 

[Marci jo]

Stefan,
Thanks so much for the feedback. Agreed, I’m taking my time with this decision. I have a tendency to analyze decisions to death, sometimes to the dismay of my husband.

A couple weeks ago I watched a YouTube video of replacing the Bloks display with the one for TCD-W. Omg, talk about major surgery! In order to run all the internal cables, half the bike is disassembled then reassembled. Granted the wiring for the seat post would be different but I’m still nervous about someone reassembling the bike. So an externally routed cable would be best.

Maybe a trip to a bike shop for a emtb test ride is in order. Since I’ve never tried a dropper seatpost I could get an idea on how they work. Careful, I might come back with a new full suspension electric mountain bike, including the dropper seat post!! Lol

Hope you get your Kinect soon.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Maybe a trip to a bike shop for a emtb test ride is in order.

That is a very good idea provided the lockdown allows you doing that. Honestly, I have no experience with suspension seat-posts. (Some praise the Kinekt, some complain).

In case you order the PNW Coast, you also have to order the lever. I recommend the Puget 2x as it fits the Vado handlebars perfectly: it is mounted just to the right of the motor remote and you still have a very good access with your left-hand thumb. (The seat-post comes in one shipment and the lever and the cabling are in another parcel). The mechanic will pump the air spring (ask him for the minimum pressure value). Note: You need the 30.9 mm post.

Regarding any dropper post, that is very easy:

You get on the bike normally and ride. When you are about to stop, just press the lever and push the saddle downwards with your derriere. The saddle will flow down together with you very comfortably. Prepare your feet to rest them on the ground on the stop. You can even ride the last yards on the bike's momentum, as if you were riding a motorcycle with the feet risen. You're sitting while waiting for the green signal. When you're ready to start, you rise yourself on the pedals and push the lever again and the saddle is momentarily but softly at the proper height, so you can sit again.

There are some useful techniques and interesting applications. For instance, if you want to share the bike with someone shorter than you are, the saddle can be set at any height: the shorter rider is above the saddle that is in the bottom position, presses the lever and stops the upward saddle movement with their, er, seat The bike can be thus ridden by tall and short people without the saddle adjustment at the clamp.

When riding difficult terrain, you lower the saddle to the midway position. Your feet are closer to the ground and you can support yourself with a foot in a danger. The centre of gravity is closer to the ground, too. It is just harder to fall.

When riding downhill (and I mean serious downhill), you lower the saddle to the bottom and stand on the pedals; at the same time your, well, bum needs to be far in the rear, well beyond the seat-post. That makes your weight counter the slope and it is less likely to experience the Over The Bars.

Dropped seat is also useful in technical riding such as jumps, as the rider is standing on the pedals, balancing with the body movements; you wouldn't like to have the seat between your legs in such situation.

The greatest thing about the dropper posts is getting off the bike. You do it with the seat in the bottom position; getting off becomes elegant

 

[Marci jo]

Hi there All,

The PNW Coast Suspension Dropper Seat Post, External Routing, PNW Puget 2x lever is in place. The work was so simple for the LBS they only charged the equivalent of US$15 (still some money in Poland but the indication is they did not sweat at the work)

To get the seat down, you are expected to be seated. Simultaneously pressing the lever (I have had it installed under my left thumb to keep the right palm free for braking) and quite energetic downward push of my derrière makes the seatpost move smoothly to the lowest position; it is very easy to stand on the ground on whole feet while seated. Getting on and off the bike is now very comfortable, especially getting off. When starting the ride again, you just stand on the pedals, hit the lever and the saddle is at the right height instantly; still a smooth movement so you are rather not hit in the crotch.

The mechanic inflated the suspension to 250 psi (the average of the recommended 200-300 psi) since the guy had no idea what effect the pressure would have with my body weight -- he didn't seem very experienced with suspension posts (but he can understand what to do with the air-spring suspended fork very well). I have no impression how good the seat suspension is with the PNW Coast. Mind you, my Vado's fork is the rigid one. I was intentionally riding the rear wheel into potholes and I didn't suffer. There was no bouncing ("suspension bob") of the seat-post I could feel (which is good - a spring suspended saddle normally "bobs" under your buttocks) . The mechanic was explaining me the PNW seat-post shock certainly works on the principle of the "Brain" technology found in Specialized shocks: Once the road is smooth, the shock remains rigid; when you get onto potholes, roots, stones, the shock absorber activates.

So far I am happy. The greatest pleasure is the convenience of the dropper seat-post; unless I forget lower it before stopping. It is quite hard to lower the seat just using a hand (you have to push the seat energetically to make it drop).

View attachment 47245
PNW Coast in the low position.

View attachment 47246
The PNW Coast in the riding position.

View attachment 47247
Standing in the "ready to ride" position, as if waiting for the signal change.

Tygra the cat is still in the hospital; I will keep you updated!

Thanks for these photos. It’s good to see where the external cable for the seatpost can be attached.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Since I was not totally satisfied with the seat-post, I asked the PNW for technical support. Chris Siembab at PNW is really great: He identified principal setup problems created by the mechanic who did the setup:

1. The seat-post clamp was over-tightened. I've loosened the bolt and re-tightened it at 4 Nm. The seat-post gained more free play that way (started moving downwards with less force);
2. There is too much of free play at the lever; Chris will write me how to tighten the cable, exactly.

Having said that, my confidence towards PNW Components increased very much!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Friends,

Finally all the issues I had with the PNW Coast Suspension Dropper Post have been identified and positively resolved:

1. The seat-tube clamp was over-tightened; the clamp should be tightened at 4 Nm;
2. The cable had been improperly adjusted and it was too loose; it has been tightened so the thumb press to the halfway of the lever range activates the dropper;
3. The saddle had too much offset backwards and the forces were acting at wrong angles.

Based on the explanation from Chris Siembab of PNW Components and with good skill of my brother Jacek, we've been able to adjust the seat-post so it works as intended:

• Pressing the lever half-way allows the rider to drop the saddle with one hand;
• Riding onto a bump or in a pothole makes the suspension operate up to 4 cm of travel;
• You regulate the initial seat-post sag with an MTB shock pump.

Here is the table of appropriate suspension inflation pressure (the pressure against the rider's weight):
50~75kg, PSI: 200~230psi
75~100kg, PSI: 230~260psi
100~125kg,PSI: 260~300psi

How does the seat-post work?

By inflating the cartridge (that also contains oil) you create an air-spring. When the rider starts the ride, the saddle should remain static during the ride. When the rider wants to drop the saddle (to any height) it is enough to press the lever and the saddle drops, either with the rider's weight or with the hand force. Depressing the lever again makes the air-spring lift the saddle to the original position.

Forces exerted on the saddle from slow shock (speed bumps, potholes, curb, etc) will be significantly dampened, as the post gives you 4 cm of travel. The PNW Coast is not designed to dampen rapid vibrations.

I am very happy the issues have been just resolved and now I can recommend the PNW Coast Suspension Dropper Post to anyone!

 

[Fighter]

I have been thinking about a dropper post for my Juiced RCS. The Coast from PNW looks good but I wish they made a release lever that remains and is operated from below the nose of the seat.
Not planning to use the dropper in the conventional way as do the MTB folks. At 6ft 6in.... I am just looking for a way to manually lower the seat to get on the bike and then pull the lever to raise the seat to a dedicated level once under way. Reverse the procedure when dismounting.
I would prefer not to have the release cable routed down from the seat and then up to the cockpit.
I have seen some very trick handlebar actuator levers and it seems to me something like that would/could work with with a short linkage connected directly to the seat/seat post.
Thoughts??
Fite

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I have been thinking about a dropper post for my Juiced RCS. The Coast from PNW looks good but I wish they made a release lever that remains and is operated from below the nose of the seat.
Not planning to use the dropper in the conventional way as do the MTB folks. At 6ft 6in.... I am just looking for a way to manually lower the seat to get on the bike and then pull the lever to raise the seat to a dedicated level once under way. Reverse the procedure when dismounting.
I would prefer not to have the release cable routed down from the seat and then up to the cockpit.
I have seen some very trick handlebar actuator levers and it seems to me something like that would/could work with with a short linkage connected directly to the seat/seat post.
Thoughts??
Fite

@RandallS, will you chime in?

 

[RandallS]

PNW Coast review and recommendations.

@Stefan Mikes graciously gave me his dropper as he wasn't using it (went with a different one).
For reference, I'm 5'7" with 30" inseam.

I installed it on my HT Fathom, and I will readily admit that for both urban rides and trail/MTB rides, it's a fantastic device.
The suspension is nowhere as good as my Suntour NCX, but it's passable and does help a little on the bigger bumps.
I'm still playing with air pressures to get the right amount of suspension, without the dreaded "bobbing" while pedaling.

But the convenience of dropping the seat at ANY stop, whether it be at a traffic light or road crossing, or halfway up a slope (for whatever reason) it's something that I don't think I will EVER ride without again.
Heck, I've ridden down some sketchy slopes lately, covered in snow and ice, with both feet down for stability, and not felt the least bit concerned about safety. With the photo below, the steepness doesn't show up, and I did a lovely skid turn at the switchback halfway down.



Installing the dropper was pretty easy, and I would strongly suggest you reconsider the actuator location.
Externally routed cable, and a switch on the handlebars will allow you to operate the seat without taking your hands of the handlebars and away from the brake..

I don't use cable ties (pictures may show a couple, but they've been removed) - I use hook and loop tape (Velcro) and it allows me to remove everything in a couple of minutes should I want to.

.

Good luck with whatever you decide - I am of the opinion that your desire for a dropper is absolutely spot on - but, in my opinion, I'd rethink the control method and move to a lever.

Ride on...

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I kept the Puget 2x lever on the left bar @RandallS. So I could operate the gear levers with my right hand, and the dropper lever with the other one.

 

[FlatSix911]

I have been thinking about a dropper post for my Juiced RCS. The Coast from PNW looks good but I wish they made a release lever that remains and is operated from below the nose of the seat.
Not planning to use the dropper in the conventional way as do the MTB folks. At 6ft 6in.... I am just looking for a way to manually lower the seat to get on the bike and then pull the lever to raise the seat to a dedicated level once under way. Reverse the procedure when dismounting.
I would prefer not to have the release cable routed down from the seat and then up to the cockpit.
I have seen some very trick handlebar actuator levers and it seems to me something like that would/could work with with a short linkage connected directly to the seat/seat post.
Thoughts??
Fite

Have you looked at the KS ETEN Dropper Seatpost or the Tranz-X with a seat lever?

KS ETEN Dropper Seatpost | Competitive Cyclist

Amazon.com : Tranz-X Jump Seat Cable-Less Dropper Post (31.6mm, 100mm) : Sports & Outdoors

 

[RandallS]

I kept the Puget 2x lever on the left bar @RandallS. So I could operate the gear levers with my right hand, and the dropper lever with the other one.

I did too.
One of those pictures is from in front of the bike to show the sweeping bend of the rigid cable fixture at the lever.

 

[Alaskan]

Stephan, With my PNW Coast dropper, I used the Wolftooth (Shimano IS II version) dropper lever that mounts under and is held in place by the clamp on my left side Shimano brake lever and hangs below the handlebar. It is just an easy thumb push away. Their mechanism has a small ball bearing for consistent, smooth operation of the lever.

ReMote

The Wolf Tooth ReMote Dropper lever is a great upgrade for all cable actuated bicycle dropper posts. Made in the USA, this low profile lever is lightweight, ergonomically designed, easily installed, handlebar mounted, simple to adjust, with replacement parts available.

www.wolftoothcomponents.com

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Puget 2x lever is very similar