Bionicon's Prototype Dropper Post is Built Into the Frame

Sep 5, 2012
by Richard Cunningham  
Bionicon is most famous for its adjustable-on-the-fly-geometry bicycles, but this development is bound to take the brand closer towards the mainsteam. The B-Post is a pneumatic dropper post that is built into the seat tube. The mechanism that extends and indexes the post is protected by the seat tube, while the rider's leg-length adjustments are accomplished by a short stub that extends above the sliding part of the mech.

Bionicon B-Post side view showing remote cable entry to seat tube

Bionicon's B-Post is actuated through a threaded port in the seat tube


.
Bionicon chose a three-position strategy that uses a series of indexed holes similar to the all-hallowed Gravity Dropper - but the indexed section of the B-Post is contained inside the seat tube, not in the highly stressed portion of the post that extends above the frame, so there are no dangerous stress risers. Presently, the B-post is actuated with a cable-remote that pulls a spring-loaded pin located mid-way up the seat tube. Releasing the handlebar trigger allows the pin to locate the next index point on the dropper.

Bionicon B-Post retracted showing adjustable segment.

The larger inner diameter of the B-Post allows the entire dropper section to be made larger and more robust. Saddle-height adjustments of the 150mm dropper is done by raising or lowering the stub seatpost visible under the seat.



Like the Fox and Specialized droppers, Bionicon's B-Post features a short drop (about 30 millimeters) for fast technical trails, a mid-stroke option for Enduro type descents, and a full drop option. Presently, the B-Post has 150 millimeters of travel. The extension is actuated via a compressed air cartridge spring and the post slides on a keyed insert. Bionicon did not show us the internals, but the upper section of the set tube was threaded to accept the B-Post seal head, and we imagine that the B-Post mech is contained within a sleeve to eliminate the precise machining required to create a sliding surface within the seat tube of the frame.

Bionicon B-Post actuation lever.

A simple cable-op remote lever actuates the B-Post from the handlebar.



Bionicon oficially admitted that the B-Post they showed at the Eurobike Expo was a raw prototype and to this end, we gave them a bit of slack here. There was a bit more side play in the mech than we would have accepted in a production post, and the indexiong system was a bit rough when it clicked into place. That said, the B-Post may be an indication of things to come. After all, if a dropper post is truly a must have for any decent trailbike, then it makes sense that it should be integrated into the frame design. The sorry performance and longevity of present droppers leaves much room for improvement. Perhaps a different aproach is in order. For future dropper designers, the seat tube offers more room to build a stronger mechanism than a seat post does and Bionicon wants to be on that wave. The party line is that when the B-Post is fully developed and tested, Bionicon wants to offer the system as an integrated frame component to all bicycle brands.

Author Info:
RichardCunningham avatar

Member since Mar 23, 2011
974 articles

60 Comments
  • 38 4
 Wow, Okay?! So if it needs repair, I just dismantle my whole bike and ship the frame to...Europe? It already costs me $140 to FedEx Ground a frame from Seattle to Hawaii!

Can you imagine:
Rider "Ala": Yo, Kimo! Let's ride today!"
Rider "Kimo": "Dude, I can't!"
Rider "Ala": "Why not?"
Rider "Kimo": "My seatpost is busted..."
Rider "Ala": "...Uhh......okay?"

But it sounds like a great idea and product...maybe not the "built-in" to the frame part, though, IMO.
  • 97 0
 Of course its gonna cost $140 for fedex ground to Hawaii. Driving those trucks 2,500 miles through the ocean is expensive!
  • 5 2
 Well how many specific manufacturers and bike shops do you expect to be located on Hawaii?

It seems like that's one of the trade-offs to living in such an incredible place. Hell I live in SLC and the Scott-specific dual chamber rear shock had to be sent off to a certain shop in Colorado leaving a worthless bike (unless you had a spare rear shock that accompanied the frame) for at minimum a week and a half. Changed that out since the fix lasted less than a month... but really you have some high expectations.

Sorry but your argument is invalid Frown . You live in Hawaii.
  • 2 20
flag WAKIdesigns (Sep 6, 2012 at 0:00) (Below Threshold)
 a highway to Hawaii to send people stupid sht they don't need, sounds like a good program point for the campaign. That might be the ultimate solution for the budget hole
  • 8 1
 give the guy a break, he's only saying that by engineering the dropper seat post (a far from reliable invention) into the frame means that the inevitable failure of the post once a year or so, will mean a shit load of down time and added cost to get sorted......all for the sake of a seatpost.
  • 3 0
 I've been using Gravity Dropper Posts for almost 10 years without a failure. I have more than a few friends that can make that same claim. But I have see many others fail, and riders concers are justified.
I applaud Bianocon on their forward thinking. The big Question most of us here have is. If it breaks how easy is it going be to get it fixed? Then what is replacable and what whould render the frame useless? I think we will all benifit from their design in the end. It might not benifit you today but in time it will. But our concerns of durability an ease of repair need addresed first.
  • 2 0
 I don't see why there wouldn't be a simple option for sleeving in a regular post. Can't imagine it would be that complicated. In terms of this being different. I like the thought process of not having to limit your operation system to what would fit into another bike. Having the frame as the housing, as mentioned, gives more room for coming up with improved ideas.
  • 1 0
 hahahahha, when I see this proto. I say mmmm this is a good idea, but just a few moments latter I think. ah! but what happens when my seat post needs maintenance . and bigeyemtb answer to me
  • 1 0
 This is a fantastic idea. In three years, everyone is going to be doing it. Everyone is saying they can't ride without a dropper post on AM bikes, well this is a great way to save a ton of cost for the manufacturers, hopefully bringing the cost down for consumers.

Maintenance you say? Do it yourself. While you're at it, change the spring to a coil and make it even easier. A foolproof design integrated into the frame is the future of dropper posts.
  • 34 0
 Anyone remember the old Hite Rite?
  • 4 1
 YES! Finally someone summed up this latest trend. Wish I could double prop you.
  • 2 0
 I read somewhere that Joe Breeze still has some for sale!
  • 1 0
 back in the day, was thinking I wanted to make a remote quick release cable for my hite-rite.. still doesn't seem like a completely terrible idea.. would be cheap.
  • 1 0
 they go for like 60 bucks on ebay now... wasnt around for them but looked them up and they dont seem like the worst idea ever and for what 10 bucks? its not nearly as bad as buying a reverb and deciding you dont want it
  • 7 0
 For anyone who's wondering what the heck the old folks are talking about: mtbmarin.com/sites/default/files/hite-rite.jpg
  • 13 0
 Some people dream of being at Eurobike. The guy in the first photo, however....
  • 4 0
 It took me a while to catch that. Good spot sir!
  • 4 0
 Maybe he collapsed from too much awesomeness.
  • 5 0
 He's bed is made out of empty boxes of beer... go figure!
  • 11 2
 i love this!!!!!!!!! such a cool concept!
  • 4 3
 Yeah it is the just need to intergrate it into the DH frames now!
  • 2 0
 what's the point of one in a dh frame?
  • 1 0
 Because I don't know about you but I don't like the saddle sticking up my ass when I'm trying to get over the back wheel!!!
  • 3 0
 why not set it up the way it won't go up your arse in the first place?
  • 2 0
 Haha I do now! but when I'm riding to the place were I ride I would prefer the seat to be abit higher! So if this was put onto a DH frame you could ride to were u wanted to go then just drop the seat and away u go!! No messing around with quick release seats n crap! Hence y this seat post was designed in the first place!!
  • 1 0
 Maybe you should think of switching to an AM/enduro bike? Some people benefit from doing so. I don't know the type of riding you usually do though!
  • 1 1
 Ha yeah I've tried that and it was great up untill I got to the downhill!!
I tried allsorts of different suspension set ups but I kept on bottoming out! So I changed to a DH and it is fantastic downhill (not bottomed out yet!) but abit of a pig up hill and were I ride to is about 2hours riding mainly uphill! But its an awesome decent!!
But hey it's keeping me fit lol!!
  • 2 0
 You should have your suspension set up to bottom out on the biggest stuff you regularly do, otherwise you aren't making full use of the travel your bike has.
  • 1 1
 I tried that mate but as I am 6 foot and 15 1/2 stone it still bottomed out lol! I've got it sorted now though had to upgrade my forks and shock! Running sweet now!
  • 8 3
 "After all, if a dropper post is truly a must have for any decent trailbike, then it makes sense that it should be integrated into the frame design."

Good old RC, always apologizing for the massive upward spikes in bike costs by arguing the "improvements" are "essential". I read him enough to wonder if there's ever been an "improvement" or "upgrade" he didn't excuse with fluffy pseudo-rationalizations like the one quoted above. Yeah RC, 1x11 is "necessary" and carbon frames are "essential" and carbon rims "mandatory" and prices that start at $5k for a complete bike "overwhelmingly average". Blah blah blah.

How about a little skepticism and critical thinking, instead of endless praise?

So when this post stops working, how do you repair it? Can you remove it to repair it? Oh no! It's integrated! Because the post is "essential" to the frame's operation.

Man, what a shill.

I'm not convinced dropper posts are essential. I used one for 1.5 seasons including lots of hours in the saddle. Then when I went back to the old QR collar I found I hadn't missed much. So they're definitely not a "must-have" for me. I think it simple enough for a frame or bike mfr to just use a 30.9 post size and in that way give the buyer lots of options. Then, when the dropper post fails to work (as all of them do, eventually), you simply remove it for repair and if you are like me and ride most every day, you have your backup "non-essential" or (according to RC) "useless" standard post.

Imagine that. You're riding a bike without a dropper post!
  • 1 0
 Exactly! What's next that we can't live without?
  • 1 0
 Hear ya on RC. I used to read MBAction and think "Jeez if I took their advice I'd be riding a new bike every 6 months...their advertisers must LOVE them" lol. I recently went back to single speed (lost track of how many times I've done that) and after my first ride out, the only thing I am missing is being able to pedal faster down hills. Seriously, the only time you "need" some of these things are when you are racing/competing at a top level and the rest of the competition has it. For the dropper post, it could cut some time off a enduro or super d race. In my case, I lower my seat to play around. When I race, I have it dialed in for my shoes/pedals/insoles and it doesn't move. So for me, a dropper post would be unnecessary. Going back to RC, he is just a voice helping to rationalize every weekend warrior's (or pro racer who wants this on his trail bike, could be anyone) desire to have a new product.
  • 5 1
 At this point I normally say something cynical and bitter like any decent old bike mechanic would, but this actually seems like a really good idea! WTF!
  • 2 4
 so much for grabbing the frame by the top tube while hiking uphill.
  • 1 0
 if your into dropper posts then this is probably one of the nicest setups. and for all you who are crying about oh no what if it breaks? these things are simple. fix it yourself. why would you ship it to europe, that sounds rediculous.
  • 1 0
 A lot of companies require that you send their products back to them for service, especially dropper post manufacturers. For example KS will not provide service instructions for any of their posts if there is a problem.
  • 5 0
 So much hassle and the shittiest saddle clamping possible...
  • 4 1
 Yeah, it's cool for sure. But what is up with the crazy flowchart in the back of the shots?
  • 3 3
 whats happening in the bike market, am perplexed, ......my friends all know me as a bit slow on the uptake of new ideas etc...fuk!! it took me 2 years after everyone else to convert to disc from V-brakes lol.
but i run 1x9 gears (36t x 11-34) have done so for over a decade now and raced xc pretty damned well with that setup and riddden in the alps and BC with it and never needed more gears (1x11 please take the hint), the last time i dropped my seatpost was to fit it in to my van with 4 other bikes......i dont even use a QR clamp for my seat post. i learned to ride with it up about 15 years ago. it amazes me that there is a big enough market of lazy riders (that havent learned to ride with their seat up, or take the few seconds out to manually drop their seatpost) to allow companies to make £300 seatposts. dropping your seat is something you would teach a beginner to do!!........the only time i can see you needing to drop your seat at all is on a trail with big drops and jumps and long steeps.....so why dont you have your DH bike instead?.........the enduro racers....yes i agree you need a dropper....but how big is that market?.....and dont even get me started on bigger diameter bars (even motocross hasn't gone as big as us yet)......the bike industry has grown stagnant and needlessly bigger wheels, new standards every other week, coupled with pointless geek inventions like dropper posts is their way of saying "we can't make the bikes much better so we are just gonna make em different so we can make more money"
  • 2 1
 You are right we don't all need all the crap they throw at us. I run a 1x9 for enduro, and a 2x9 at home. The amount of difference a tenth or eleventh cog would make isn't worth $10, let alone hundreds. The dropper post market seems a little silly to me. I'd like one for enduro racing, but otherwise it seems like people are being silly.
You do need to take somethings into account:
The new easton handle bar has gone up to the motocross standard so yes, moto has gone that far.
I change my post height a lot because my 6" rig has to do it all. I ride 7 miles of xc and then hit the local DH trail at the end. I do it about 3 times a week on my way to work in fact, and the growth of that market niche (one bike to rule them all) shows that I am not alone. If you ride mostly xc you are part of a shrinking niche so less and less stuff will be pertinent to you. I am not saying xc is dying, only that new niches are taking more market share. I see you ride DH from your profile, so you must know having a low saddle locked between your legs gives a lot of control when shredding some sketchy track.
I agree with you, this is out of hand, but when people don't buy enough to justify development then the production will drop off.
  • 4 3
 So standing up to pedal and use twice the muscle is lazy? Maybe you should check out MTB Strength Training Systems.... You build bigger muscles and learn to ride with more skill when your seat is low and out of the way. I'd say the beginner thing to do is never get up off your seat.... Being off your seat makes for better body language and bike fu to get up and over obstacles or to rail a corner. I run a 1x9 with a 36t up front, so I can agree on the stupid unneeded 1x11. And I don't ride a DH rig, even at resort. Becasue I learned to ride and climb with my seat down, I can throw my Bottlerocket around and get down a DH trail almost as fast a a full on DH rig. That being said, I think dropper posts are pointless.
  • 1 0
 essentially we all agree.
  • 1 1
 @tale to tell......good points well put : ) . ok not sure what the moto standard is in the US but here it is 28.6mm..... less than the new standard of 31.8 and definetly less than eastons 35mm offering. if wider diameter is better ( and I believe it is in engineering terms) why have certain forks gone backwards to 15mm axles when all the tooling was available for 20mm. (geniune question not sarcasm)

as for xc, yes i ride it but you've not seen my local xc tracks.....baggy vest , baggy shorts and 5.10 shoes (flats) i am definetly not a xc rider of the typical sort and at 190lbs definetly not a typical race head lol. i ride alot of technical terrain in all conditions, have pretty much hit every whistler valley trail and northshore trail on my hardtail and only had to put my seat down a handful of times.

@camoguy.....standing up to pedal more than a few hundred metres with your seat down is not crazy fit - its stupidity! You definetly do not have more skill or learn more skill riding tech stuff with your seat down....what it will allow you to do is approach harder lines alot slower and with more body language.....with your seat up its a different sort of fluidity you need and alot more skill to do it FACT.

..if you can genuinely say you have heard someone say "oh my god i can't believe you rode that/kept up with me, with your seat down" in relation to a tech/steep DH then i'll eat my old pisspot lid.

standing up to pedal offers more power but uses more energy...like i said complete and utter stupidity to go longer than 1 minute (on flat or climb) with your seat down......if you can show me a link that says other wise i will send it to Bradley wiggins so he can get more power for his next "tour de france" season
  • 1 0
 The bar size is a change in progress. A lot of bikes still go small, but more are switching to a 35mm bar. I think easton wants bikes to switch so they can start using the same technology on both platforms. Renthal probably wouldn't mind that either.
  • 1 0
 Fork- read and watch. www.bikejames.com/strength/standing-vs-seated-pedaling-posture
This guy (James Wilson) is a local and coach. Also a coach for the Yeti/ Fox team. I've ridden with him and with his seat down, standing up, he outrides most if not all the guys around hands down. Riding tech with your seat up means getting bounced off and certain bits mashed.
  • 1 0
 BTW, how ya hit all those NS drops on the trails you speak of with your seat up without getting molested in more ways than one?
  • 2 0
 takes skill to hit those drops, skinnies, booters and wallrides with your seat up. ok before this turns in to a slanging match i think we have a communication mixup here......

if i am hitting anything bigger than a 2m (7ftish) gap jump chances are my seat will be down ...it safer that way.......take that to about 15ft for a tabletop....but hitting a jump with your seat up all depends on the speed and the transitions inlvolved as to whether its safe or not

hitting a drop any bigger than 5ft i will have my seat down...to flat or transtioned regardless!

stepdowns anything bigger than 7ft x 7ft will definitely have my seat down.

skinnies......doesnt really matter as you will be standing 99% of the time but if theres a big drop or its a really difficult skinny then my seat would be down.

this is all on my hardtail which i use for xc and AM/freeride.

my Dh bike is used for dh and freeride only and will always have the seat down as i will be hitting bigger and faster stuff and you need the seat down to do as you say more technical stuff and also to get you out of trouble when it goes wrong

couple of points....the seat needs to be up at a certain height no matter what - as too low, and you can't use it to grip or lever...ever tried cycling with out a seat......i have ,due to a snapped post 2 hrs into a 4 hr ride..........my legs were jelly at the end of that....your link highlights the need to be strong at both....why train for standing pedalling...because its way harder to do, no one in their right mind would pedal standing up for more than a few minutes...the stress on your core muscles and minor leg muscles is massive, training them to cope with that is a good thing but this guy is talking about being effective at both so you have more postions at your disposal out on the trail....not riding all day without sitting down. like i say send it to the tour riders and see if they change a 5 hr ride to stadinng all the time...i don't think so.
  • 1 0
 i ride tech stuff all the time with my seat up ...deosn't mean i ride sitting down all the time....that to would be stupid and yes as you say the total beginner thing to do.. having raced xc and DH very well at national level i am fully aware of the various positions needed to get the most speed from your bike...

there is huge difference in riding an AM trail that has 5ft stunts in it to riding an AM with 10ft stunts in it...we both know that and we both know its seat down for that or bring the big bike. . i will fiinish my initial comments by saying this.

80% of xc and AM trails that folk ride will not require you to have your seat down if you learnt how to ride properly with your seat up. It takes more skill, yes, but just frigging learn to ride properly instead of shelling £300 on a dropper post. if you race enduro though then its a must have for sure..

i have no doubt your man james knows what he is talking about....he is also probably very fit, but next time you go riding with him try and time how long he is seated and and how long he is standing for, like me it will probably about 50/50 on a technical trail.......now time how long he has his seat down............lets not split hairs here - seat down means tucked out of the way as low as you would put it compared to seat up so you can actually sit on it....i bet its up 90% of the time unless you have exceptionally long steep down hills on your xc routes.
  • 3 0
 i can live with sending in a broken post, but not a whole frame. silly idea.
  • 2 0
 Custom steel frame with a integrated dropper post like this would be pretty cool. Custom drop heights to perfectly suit your style of riding and size.
  • 2 0
 Well hopefully a post manufacturer takes note of the potential of this design and is able to make a post that is semi-integrated into the seat tube of virtually any bike as long as the ST is of the correct inside diameter. Then as long as you had the right seat tube size you could run an integrated post on whatever frame you wanted.
  • 2 1
 Love the concept but theres a few things I'm not crazy about. The stubby seat post adjustment systems needs some refining as does the cable placement...
  • 3 1
 The last line makes it all worth it! such a sick product, totally stoked for it to start moving onto other bike brands!
  • 2 0
 as the classic saying goes, "Good initiative. Bad judgement."
  • 1 0
 That looks so damn clean! I want one.
  • 1 0
 I got a race rite ! Short travel made of titanium
  • 2 1
 Why would you want to limit your options to 1 brand/post?
  • 1 0
 Now THAT's thinking. Way cool.
  • 1 2
 I actually thought of this years ago, but my original design was completely hydraulic. Too bad I don't work for a major bicycle manufacturer.
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