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    Bontrager DropLock Review
    Gear Reviews

    Review: Bontrager DropLock Remote

    Jason MitchellBy Jason MitchellOctober 20, 20205 Comments4 Mins Read

    Adding both a suspension lockout lever and dropper post isn’t an easy endeavor. You can go for a mixture of twist grips and levers, or you could go for something like the new Bontrager DropLock. This combo lever allows you to operate both the suspension lockout and dropper post from a single unit.

    Bontrager DropLock Remote Features:

    • Integrated dropper and dual-remote lockout lever for a cleaner cockpit
    • Single lockout lever controls both on/off
    • Removeable dropper lever
    • Compatible with mechanically activated droppers and suspension lockout systems
    • MSRP: $119.99
    Bontrager DropLock Review
    The top locks/unlocks and the bottom engages the dropper.

    Lock, drop and roll

    If you’ve got an XC race bike, you’re probably in love with the suspension lockout. With it, as you know, you can lock everything out just before that sprint finish to eke out every last ounce of power. But, what about technical descents? The lockout quickly becomes useless and a missing dropper post could actually cost you more time than a lockout could ever provide.

    RockShox does have the TwistLoc, which can lock out just one or both the front/rear at the same time. But, like most people, I’m pretty picky about my grips and that just won’t do. Enter the Bontrager DropLock Remote, which can simultaneously lock/unlock both the fork and rear shock while also allowing you to activate the dropper post — all within a single unit.

    Trek Supercaliber 9.8 with Dropper Post
    Wait… a Supercaliber with a dropper? Yup. With DropLock, you can.

    With the move to 1x drivetrains, the left side of the handlebars has been freed up for dropper posts, but lockouts also vie for that space. The DropLock is very welcomed on modern XC race bikes, like the Trek Supercaliber 9.8. After riding and loving the Supercaliber, I was determined to find out just how much faster I could be on the descents with a dropper post.

    So, the Bontrager Line Elite dropper post arrived, along with the DropLock and I took the Supercaliber to the local Trek dealer for assembly (because fishing cables through a frame is not my forte). The result is a mess of cables, but glorious lockout and dropper at the same time.

    Bontrager DropLock on Trek Supercaliber 9.8 with Line Elite Dropper Post
    That’s a whole mess of cables, but I have both dropper and lockout.

    The DropLock operates a little differently than a typical lockout since the lockout lever is a push on/push off affair. But, the dropper lever works just as you’d expect it to work. Let’s talk about the lockout. Coming from the standard lock/unlock lever on the Supercaliber, it took some getting used to (and I haven’t quite mastered it 100% of the time). Effectively activating the lock/unlock requires more force than the standard lockout lever. I found that I can’t just use the tip of my thumb to engage it, but instead have to use the meat of my thumb to depress it enough. The amount of lever throw is good, it just requires solid force to lock/unlock.

    Because of the added force to lock and unlock, I have found myself using it a little less (but, on the Supercaliber that’s not a bad thing). It does effectively lock out both front and rear at the same time, but can be configured to just lock out your fork or shock alone.

    Bontrager DropLock Lever Review
    I can finally angulate on the Supercaliber.

    With the dropper lever, everything has been superb. The lever action is responsive and the Line Elite dropper responds accordingly. In head-to-head descents with and without the dropper post, I’m decidedly faster with the dropper. For most climbs, I’m immediately dropping 20-30 seconds from my previous times. The benefits of a dropper post far outweigh the slight weight increase and they also outweigh the less-than-ideal lever situation because there is a case for both lockout and dropper.

    The Good

    • Suspension lockout and dropper lever, all-in-one
    • Dropper lever is easily operated
    • Eliminates tricky grip-based lockout systems
    • Turns your XC bike into a capable descender

    The Bad

    • Lock/unlock lever requires deliberate force
    • You’ll have yet another cable

    The Bottom Line: Bontrager DropLock Remote

    If you have a Trek Supercaliber or other XC race bike that features a lockout, the Bontrager DropLock lever is worth a shot. The benefits of dropper posts is obvious and can even yield significant benefits for short descents, like those on most XC courses. I’m a fan of having both lockout and dropper — even if the lockout mechanism isn’t a slam dunk.

    Buy Now: Available at TrekBikes.com

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    Jason Mitchell
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    A native of the Pacific Northwest, Jason quickly developed a love for the outdoors and a thing for mountains. That infatuation continues as he founded this site in 1999 -- sharing his love of road biking, mountain biking, trail running and skiing. That passion is channeled into every article or gear review he writes. Utah's Wasatch Mountains are his playground.

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    5 Comments

    1. Chris on August 7, 2021 2:12 pm

      Does anyone know what the cable pull is on this new bontrager droplock? Is it adjustable to suit either a 10mm or 17mm pull – most rockshox require 10mm.

      Reply
    2. FABRIZIO CASILLI on November 6, 2021 4:05 am

      Salve a tutti.
      Dove posso acquistare tale comando remoto? Chiedo, cortesemente, un link di riferimento. Grazie e buona pedalata a tutti.

      Reply
    3. Jason Mitchell on November 7, 2021 9:28 pm

      Sfortunatamente, l’Italia non ha impostato l’eCommerce, quindi dovrai trovarlo da un altro rivenditore online o dal tuo rivenditore Trek locale:

      https://www.trekbikes.com/it/it_IT/it/it_IT/accessori/componenti-bici/attacchi-manubrio-e-reggisella-per-bicicletta/bike-seatposts-accessories/componenti-e-accessori-per-reggisella/bontrager-droplock-remote/p/33107/

      Reply
    4. FABRIZIO CASILLI on November 7, 2021 11:16 pm

      Salve. Anche io ho una Supercaliber con Sram XX1 Axs. Come after market ho acquistato un reggisella telescopico. Posso chiedere a te, cortesemente, di acquistarlo e spedirlo al mio indirizzo?
      Oppure un negozio che conoscete.

      Reply
      • Jason Mitchell on November 8, 2021 10:48 am

        Ciao Fabrizio! È una bella bici e ora capisco perfettamente il tuo problema. È possibile ordinarne uno dal rivenditore Trek locale? Sarebbe il più semplice, ma con la mancanza di un inventario globale di biciclette, forse non è possibile?

        Dovrei fare i salti mortali per acquistarlo e spedirlo a te, quindi prova prima il tuo rivenditore Trek locale e fammi sapere.

        Reply

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