Video: Thomson Elite Dropper seatpost is ready to drop

Can the new Thomson Elite Dropper unseat the RockShox Reverb from the top of the adjustable seatpost tree? We’ll find out soon – the 5in (127mm) post is due to hit shops on April 1st (no joke), with an internally routed ‘stealth’ version following in June. And as you can see from the photos, it looks like they’ve been giving it a good pasting in the name of testing!

We caught up with Thomson’s marketing manager David Parrett at Core Bike to get the lowdown:

Source: Thompson Elite Dropper hydraulic seatpost from ChopMTB

Inside the Elite Dropper are a sealed hydraulic cartridge and nitrogen return spring, plus high-quality Norglide bushings

Cable routing’s not as neat as on the KS Lev or CrankBros Kronolog but the upcoming ‘stealth’ version should rectify that

If the cable snaps, you can use the small lever below the saddle to set it at your required height

There’s a choice of under-saddle lever or bar-mounted remote

Return speed is variable, depending on how quickly you release the lever

At US$429 / £349, the Elite Dropper is pricier than the Reverb and its main performance rival, the KS Lev – more on that post soon on ChopMTB – but Thomson kit has always repaid the investment. The post seen here is a final-generation prototype – production units will have a new cable, different size hex key bolts, an air brake at the bottom and the Thomson logo on the shaft.