We’ve been expecting a wireless dropper post for a while, but honestly we didn’t expect it to come from Magura. More than just vaporware, Magura is ramping up production of the new post and expects it to deliver by this fall. Even though it is the company’s first dropper post, Magura is swinging for the fences with the fully wireless, electronic controlled Vyron.
Because Magura had already done most of the legwork for the wireless transmission with their eLect lock out system for their forks and rear shocks, creating a wireless dropper post was a natural extension of the technology. In fact, the Vyron uses the same wireless remote as the eLect suspension allowing you to use one or the other – or both.
Checking in with a competitive weight and price, the Magura Vyron just may provide some serious competition to the other droppers out there…
Other than the small electronic pod located behind the seatpost head, the Vyron looks similar to most other dropper posts with an air valve at the base for the return spring and hydraulic internals to control the saddle height. Using a piezoelectric valve like that used in their eLect suspension, the dropper post controls the up and down by shutting off the flow of oil. When the valve is open it allows you to push the saddle down, at which point the valve closes locking in the post height. Pressing the button on the remote again without the saddle weighted allows the post to return to its full 150 mm travel height.
On the ANT+ wireless remote, the upper and lower buttons are set to control the fork and rear shock, while the single middle button will be used for the dropper post. The remote can be mounted on the left or the right side of the bar which will help improve ergonomics, but we can’t help but wonder if an additional dropper switch that would be more accessible might be in the works.
The dropper post itself is rechargeable with a micro USB that is found under the seal on the back of the post. Magura told us the post had a working life of 40 hours, but did not have an answer to how many cycles before the battery would be depleted. However, the post does have a sleep function like the eLect suspension which should allow the battery to last for quite a while. When the battery does run out, it can be recharged in three hours time. There is also a manual on/off switch by the micro USB port on the seatpost itself. For the remote, it uses a non-rechargeable CR2032 coin cell battery. Both the seatpost and the remote include red LEDs to warn you of low battery life.
To us, it seems one of the best features of the wireless design is the ability to easily remove the post for travel or the ability to quickly switch it between multiple bikes.
With expected availability this fall, the Vyron will be sold in 30.9 and 31.6mm diameters but only in 150 mm travel with a zero offset head. Claimed weight is just under 600g, and the post will sell for 400€ (~$456) for the post and a remote.
