Anodized bike parts are cool, no doubt. But, anodized silver or polished aluminum bike parts are just flat-out classy! PNW Components knows this (obviously) as they just released a limited run of anodized silver Loam and Rainier Dropper posts – and they’re only $10 more than the originals.
These are some handsome droppers, with an interesting shine. Even though this limited run is new and shiny, make no mistake, these are the same posts as the OG Loam and Rainier.
For the limited Rainier 27.2, the stanchions are hard silver ano with a bit of sandblasting. PNW says this “adds an extra boost of durability to the bling”.
The LTD Loam has a more polished look with the added option of the customizable midcap band.
According to PNW, the introduction of a silver dropper lever was more complicated than just changing the color. The stanchions typically use a coating called Hard Anodizing, or Type III Ano, which usually is only available in black and often 2-5 x thicker than more common Type II anodizing. That meant PNW had to work with their factory to not only develop a silver hard anodized finish, but a testing process to guarantee it would hold up to the abuse.
That need for testing led to a system they developed with a “container filled with mud” around the midcap and stanchion, through which they cycled the post up and down “tens of thousands of times.” In their testing with this method, Type II anodizing quickly wore through while the new silver hard ano did not.
PNW LTD Loam Dropper Specs
Retail: $219
- Cartridge Style: Adjustable air cartridge
- Routing Method: Internal
- Diameters: 30.9, 31.6
- Travel: 150mm, 170mm, 200mm
- Stanchion Diameter: 26mm
- Lever Compatibility: All PNW levers and most cable-actuated levers from other brands
- Cable and Housing: Cable and housing are included only with the purchase of a lever kit
PNW LTD Rainier 27.2 Dropper Specs
Retail: $209
- Routing Method: Internal
- Diameters: 27.2
- Travel: 125mm, 100mm
- Stanchion Diameter: 22mm
- Seatpost material: 7075 Alloy
- Lever Compatibility: All PNW levers and most cable-actuated levers from other brands
- Cable and Housing: Cable and housing are included only with the purchase of a lever kit
