X-Fusion Manic Dropper Post [Rider Review]

Our "Rider Review" article series features the honest reviews from verified purchasers of Worldwide Cyclery. They contain the photos, thoughts, feedback & overall review you are looking for. 

The dropper seat post is hands down one of the best inventions since sliced bread. The X-Fusion Manic dropper post allows you to ride more comfortably and doesn't break the bank. Our friends, Matt and Stephanie, have been running the Manic. See what they think!

Overview

After riding the X-Fusion Manic dropper post for the last several months, I'm still super stoked on my purchase. I highly recommend it for anyone who is looking for a great performing dropper post without breaking the bank.

Background

When I was in my late teens and early twenties, I rode my bike every day and I hit the trails at least couple times a week. After I started a family and moved to the suburbs, I stopped riding almost entirely. This past winter, I decided to get a fresh bike and start hitting the trails again. To help deal with a serious case of cabin fever, I spent a lot of time reading forums, browsing retail sites, and watching YouTube videos… Wow, the industry sure changed a lot in the last 20 years! Learning about things like newer suspension components, disc brakes, popularity of flat pedals, plus sized tires, 27.5" and 29" wheel sizes, frame geometry, and so on kept me busy for a while. Through all that research, I kept seeing people recommend dropper posts as good upgrades for people with new bikes, and how these posts had drastically improved their riding experiences. I figured, what the heck, I might as well give one a try too.

Why Did I Choose the X-Fusion Manic?

I have enough riding experience to know that I would quickly outgrow an entry level bike, but I wasn't ready to justify a hefty investment in a more capable setup. So I looked for a high-value mid level bike with a modest price tag. I ultimately ended up with a Salsa Timberjack 27.5"+ hard tail. That same line of frugal thinking was applied to my various accessory purchases too, including this dropper post.

After reading a lot of articles and reviews on dropper posts, I found that the X-Fusion Manic had great reputation for providing a nice balance between price and performance. It checked the all the boxes on my list: internal cable routing, 125mm travel (but overall length not too long for my medium sized bike), infinitely adjustable positions, sealed cartridge, lever included, a great reputation… and I didn't want to spend more than $200. Worldwide Cyclery had the best price and I seriously appreciated their educational article on choosing the right sized post, so I pulled the trigger.

Installation Experience

I followed the included instructions, and it was a fairly easy, taking about an hour to complete. The hardest part was the internal routing of the cable, specifically getting the cable out of the lower section of the down tube. I ended up making a little hook out of a paperclip to help guide/pull the cable out of the exit hole. I bet it would have taken half as long if I had come up with that little MacGyver trick before I started. The rest of the installation process was a breeze and I was elated when everything worked perfectly on my first test.

Usage Experiences

So yeah, I've had the X-Fusion Manic for several months now and I'm totally happy with it. It works pretty much like you would hope and expect…push the lever with your thumb and the seat smoothly drops down. Release the lever when you are at the appropriate position for your terrain, and then the seat stays put. When you are ready to raise it back up, just lift your weight off the seat, press the lever again and it comes right back up.

I think the speed in which is rises and drops is perfectly fine. It doesn't smack you on the way up, but it comes back up quickly enough. When riding, it generally feels as solid as a traditional seat post. I don't feel any twisting or vertical movement of the seat. The lever itself is fairly adjustable and works well… to the point that I really don't even think about the lever at all when I'm riding. (Although there is a little learning curve with the hand/eye coordination and timing, sometimes I still drop a little late. My left hand is still somewhat accustomed to operating a front derailleur, which I don't have on this bike.)

My only minor concern with the X-Fusion Manic, is that after adjusting the position, the first bump I hit on the trail sometimes causes a minor/light popping noise. It must be the hydraulics settling in after the adjustment or something. I don't actually feel the pop itself and if/when it happens, it doesn’t happen again until I make another adjustment. For all I know, this could be common with all dropper posts... and again from a performance perspective, it's a non-issue, but something I'll keep an eye one during the warranty period.

Final Thoughts

Is it Worth it for My Style of Riding?

Does it live up to the hype? To be honest, on the first couple of rides, I wasn't sure about it. But now that I'm more comfortable with the new bike (including its geometry and 1x drivetrain), I'm riding faster and getting more aggressive… finding that being able to drop the post and lower my center of gravity through sharp turns and rocky sections is huge. Also, living in the Midwest, our trails are fairly hilly with lots of short climbs and downhills. As a result, I'm finding myself raise and lower the seat fairly frequently throughout my rides. And at this point, I can't imaging going back to a traditional seat post. I'm stoked that the X-Fusion Manic actually is everything that I hoped it would be!