Why all dropper posts should look like this
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Why all dropper posts should look like this

PNW's chrome Loam Dropper Gen 2 is an awesome example other brands should follow

Alex Evans / Our Media


PNW's second-generation Loam dropper post looks the absolute business, and all other brands should take note.

Modern-day dropper posts are frightfully uneventful-looking, usually sold in the least flamboyant colour possible – black.

That includes the anodised body and the slippery, shiny stanchion.

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PNW Loam Dropper Gen 2 and LTD Silver Loam Lever Gen 2
The Loam Dropper and Lever, both in their second generation. Alex Evans / Our Media

If you're fortunate enough to have a Fox Factory model, the sea of dull is broken up by a bit of Kashima gold, but that's hardly a groundbreaking colour.

The purists will be quick to denounce the Loam dropper post's colour as nothing new – and I'd happen to agree, for it was only 30 years or so ago we all had shiny silver or chrome parts on our bikes, seatposts included. However, in our modern-day anti-technicolour world, it's refreshing to see a dropper post so bright.

But it's not only the throwback colour of the new Loam that's appealing; PNW says it has fully redesigned the post so it performs better, has more drop and less stack, and is easier to service.

It's available with 125mm to 225mm travel, in 25mm increments. The tool-free travel-adjust feature means the post's range spans 100mm to 225mm in 5mm increments, so no matter your dropper needs, it's likely the PNW will fit.

Its collar and seal head are threaded into place with a classic PNW stylised replaceable (for different colours) rubber gripper that gives you access to the travel-adjust shim.

PNW Loam Dropper Gen 2 and LTD Silver Loam Lever Gen 2
Silver parts should be compulsory on all bikes. Alex Evans / Our Media

Of course, it's cable rather than battery operated with a traditional actuator – a design that's shared with basically every seatpost manufacturer – found on the post's base.

It's available in 30.9, 31.6 and 35mm diameters, so it'll fit most bikes compatible with internally routed cable dropper posts.

The saddle clamp uses a traditional dual-bolt design and appears to be compatible with all saddle rail types.

PNW Loam Dropper Gen 2 and LTD Silver Loam Lever Gen 2
The collar uses a standard two-bolt design. Alex Evans / Our Media

Internally, there's a dual air chamber cartridge that's claimed to be super-reliable and easy to service if things go wrong.

On the service intervals, PNW doesn't specify a number of actuations or hours, but recommends keeping an eye on performance, stating that as soon as it goes sticky or slow, it's probably due some TLC.

While it's compatible with almost all other dropper post levers that clamp the cable at the remote, PNW has its very own matching silver-coloured LTD Silver Loam Lever Gen 2.

PNW Loam Dropper Gen 2 and LTD Silver Loam Lever Gen 2
The CNC-machined Loam Lever is a beautiful bit of kit, but it's not cheap. Alex Evans / Our Media

This CNC-machined lever is a thing of engineering beauty and perfectly finishes off the silver look of the Loam post.

It pivots on a sealed cartridge bearing and uses stainless steel hardware to clamp the cable.

It's got a replaceable silicone thumb pad – the silver lever's is black – if you'd like to customise the look.

PNW Loam Dropper Gen 2 and LTD Silver Loam Lever Gen 2
It's got travel adjustment, but uses a standard actuator. Alex Evans / Our Media

Of course, it's compatible with 22.2mm bar mounts, SRAM's Matchmaker, and Shimano's I-SPEC II and I-SPEC EV brake mounts.

On my scales, the 31.6mm-diameter, 175mm-travel silver PNW Loam Dropper Gen 2 weighs 551g.

The silver lever, including 22.2mm bar mount, weighs 50g.

PNW Loam Dropper Gen 2 and LTD Silver Loam Lever Gen 2
You can see how deep the post is inserted thanks to the laser-etched numbers. Alex Evans / Our Media
  • PNW Loam Dropper Gen 2: £229 / $229 / €239.95
  • PNW LTD Silver Loam Lever Gen 2: £75 / $69 / €72.95

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