Brand-X’s Ascend dropper seatpost has been offering an affordable upgrade for bikes that don’t come spec’d with a dropper for several years. And now its 170mm XL version adds an even longer 200mm travel option, plus all of the 2020 droppers get upgraded with large diameter sliders, lower stack heights & smoother action.
Brand-X Ascend affordable dropper seatpost extends to 200mm
We often spot generically-named Brand-X Ascent dropper seatpost as OEM spec, especially on affordable UK bikes from the likes of Vitus or Nukeproof, for example. That’s not a dig – most people aren’t comparing this to a Kashima-coated Transfer or a remote-control AXS dropper. These are droppers that won’t break the bank, and often get bought after market through online retailers like CRC for a fraction of the cost of those premium droppers.
But the Brand-X Ascend still delivers, and now adds a 200mm travel option to the existing 125mm, 150mm & 170mm of infinitely adjustable dropper post travel (no more 105mm option, apparently). The new longer post isn’t all though…
All of the 2020 Ascend posts more to a one millimeter larger 26mm diameter for the one-piece shaft/slider & zero offset 2-bolt head. That extra stiffness will reduce flex in the shorter posts, enough to allow the new longer travel option. Collar stack heights also decrease by a millimeter down to 27mm tall, giving a tiny bit extra room to fit some smaller frames & riders – and overall lengths decrease, even dropping about 60g off the shortest travel dropper.
Inside, the new sealed cartridge Ascend droppers add an extra mid-cap DU bushing to smooth their slide. They also get upgraded brass keys inside with smaller, lighter pins to further improve performance and reliability, minimizing slop without adding extra friction.
Brand-X Ascend affordable droppers – Pricing & availability
The 125 & 150mm posts now sell for £140 / 164€ in either 30.9 or 31.6, and the XL 170 & 200mm posts in the same diameters for £170 / 190€, all for internal stealth cable routing. The 125, 150 & 170mm posts are also available for external routing. The Brand-X posts are distributed by Hotlines in the UK who will now ship them direct to you if you order through a UK bike shop. But plenty of people will be picking these up direct from mega online retailers like Chain Reaction Cycles & Wiggle.
