My wife does not use her MTB very frequently, anytime she goes to use it, her dropper (PNW) has lost pressure, and it is a pain to take the saddle off to put pressure back on. Can I do anything to remediate this? if replacing it, are there any droppers that are better at keeping pressure with low use?
How infrequently are we talking here? Does it feel different/degraded and that’s what prompts you to put the shock pump back on?
PNW droppers are set to a pretty high pressure with a very low volume, so when you put the shock pump on, just equalizing with the volume of the pump/hose is going to rob a good bit of pressure from the dropper cartridge, but that does not mean there’s a leak.
If you don’t use a dropper for a while, simply working the post up and down to free up the motion may be all that’s needed, or unthread the collar and add a bit of fresh Slick Honey/Slickoleum, etc if it’s dry.
A few thoughts:
- PNW has pretty good service videos on their site - maybe a complete service is in order to make sure things aren’t sticky when beginning to use the post again?
- As part of service, check that cables and housing are not kinked or frayed.
- If the performance of the dropper is totally better after only topping off the pressure to recommended levels, PNW offers replacement cartridges for ~$40usd if needed and that might be the solution here.
- I don’t think it the case with your situation, but I have seen people slightly over-torque their seatpost clamps leading to sticking, dragging, or slow dropper post return. Sometimes using carbon paste on the post instead of grease can allow lower seatpost clamp torque which improves dropper post function.
Good luck!
Maybe twice a month in summer, but hangs up 3/4 months at a time in winter, and sporadic use fall and spring.
will do a tuneup, I believe torque is good, but will cleanup and grease the bolt in the seatcollar to be safe.
In my experience, PNW also has very good customer service. So when in doubt, you can ask them directly.