Review: 6 Months on SDG's New Tellis Dropper Post
It wasn't that long ago that you could count on your dropper post to stop going up and down sometime between when it was brand new and an hour into your first lap on it. Thing is, they added so much flow to a ride that the piss-poor dependability was sorta accepted back then. Riders would fix or replace them, but who went back to a tall posting? No one, I'd guess. These days, a dropper has to not just go up and down, but also do it for a long time without needing any attention.
SDG's new Tellis post needs to do exactly that in order to be considered a contender, which is exactly why I've had the $269.99 USD dropper on a high-mileage bike for the last six months. The cable-actuated, hydraulically-controlled Tellis can be had with 125mm or 150mm of drop, and there will also be a 170mm version available early in 2019.
SDG's new Tellis post needs to do exactly that in order to be considered a contender, which is exactly why I've had the $269.99 USD dropper on a high-mileage bike for the last six months. The cable-actuated, hydraulically-controlled Tellis can be had with 125mm or 150mm of drop, and there will also be a 170mm version available early in 2019.
SDG Tellis
• Travel: 125mm, 150mm (tested), 170mm (Jan, 2019)
• Hydrualic w/ non-indexed
• Routing: internal only
• Lengths: 390mm, 440mm
• Diameter: 30.9mm, 31.6mm
• Warranty: two years
• Weight: 552g (30.9 x 150mm), 36g (lever)
• Replacement cartridge: $44.99 USD
• MSRP: $269.99 USD
• More info: www.sdgcomponents.com
• Travel: 125mm, 150mm (tested), 170mm (Jan, 2019)
• Hydrualic w/ non-indexed
• Routing: internal only
• Lengths: 390mm, 440mm
• Diameter: 30.9mm, 31.6mm
• Warranty: two years
• Weight: 552g (30.9 x 150mm), 36g (lever)
• Replacement cartridge: $44.99 USD
• MSRP: $269.99 USD
• More info: www.sdgcomponents.com
Can a dropper post be reasonably priced and still be reliable? SDG's Tellis is exactly that.
Inside the Tellis
There are loads of different dropper posts to pick from these days, but what isn't widely known is that many of them use the same, or at least very similar, hydraulic cartridge from Wintek to control their stroke. The cartridges are relatively inexpensive - SDG asks $44.99 USD for a new one - but they've also proven themselves to be pretty damn reliable. Sure, they're not serviceable for the most part, but is that a bad thing when they seem to run smoothly for ages? I don't think so, and the rest of the post is easy to service when the time comes.
Alignment is done via a key-way system, and the actuator at the bottom of the post, along with the remote itself, is designed to deliver a very light feel at the rider's thumb. Up top, a 3D forged head is home to a twin, opposing bolt system to clamp the seat rails, which is much more reliable than a single bolt running from left to right that'll eventually let the seat rotate backward.
It's also worth noting that SDG says there are more than thirty international distributors and service centers who offer support backup, all of them stocked with parts that are also readily available and accessible online. On top of that, SDG has created a bunch of how-to videos that cover everything from a basic installation to a 400-hour service or a full cartridge replacement. That's how it should be done.
It's also worth noting that SDG says there are more than thirty international distributors and service centers who offer support backup, all of them stocked with parts that are also readily available and accessible online. On top of that, SDG has created a bunch of how-to videos that cover everything from a basic installation to a 400-hour service or a full cartridge replacement. That's how it should be done.
SDG says that they wanted a dropper that's both reliable and simple to work on. The replacement cartridge goes for $44.99 USD.
The Tellis' lever can mount in just a single orientation: On the left and under the 'bar like a remote should be mounted.
The Tellis' remote isn't one of those that can be mounted every which way to the point of it working on your drop bar-equipped recumbent. Instead, it's a simple thumb paddle that's designed to sit where your front shifter used to be back when dropping your seat meant getting off the bike. The clamp is split, of course, and the paddle sports a braille-like textured section for added traction.
The cable is clamped at the lever (the head slots into the actuator at the bottom of the post) via a rather small set screw, and while it isn't the most elegant way to get the job done, it works.
With flawless reliability, simple construction, and a remote that requires next to no thumb pressure, the Tellis is a worthy dropper to consider.
Performance
Besides slipping the cable's head into the actuator, then pulling it taut and clamping it, there isn't much to do. That first install took fifteen minutes, at most, and the tension hasn't needed any tinkering since.
There was essentially no side-to-side play at the post's head when it was first put on the bike, and there still isn't any six months down the road. That bodes well for long-term performance, as does the smooth action and no hiccups at any point in the stroke. SDG says that the Tellis works well in temps as low as -20c, and while it never got that nippy, it does seem to be indifferent to what the weather is up to. The touch of top-out at the top of the stroke is nice, too, as it lets you know that it's back up to full mast.
SDG touts a very light feel at the lever and they're not lying - the thumb paddle might depress if you blew on it. The shape of the cam is key here, and it'll be boon on any bike that has terrible cable routing that adds friction into the system from the bends being too tight. It should also help keep the lever moving decently when contamination has gotten into the line, although the real solution there is to do some maintenance.
Pinkbike's Take:
 | If the Tellis had been released four or five years ago, it would have been one of the only reliable options on the market and probably one of the least expensive. Things have moved on, however, and there are a handful of decent options to choose from these days, including SDG's now proven performer. The Tellis is relatively affordable compared to many other dropper posts, it's easy to install and, most importantly for many of us, it's demonstrated perfect reliability. |
Must Read This Week
111 Comments
Wish I'd never bought the damn thing.
Other than that I'm happy with it. But I also have two Brand-X's that have been absolutely flawless for 8-12 months. The lever is on the flimsier side but practically speaking that's a non-issue.
So yeah...thumbs up for OneUp (aside from having some minor maintenance) and thumbs up for Brand-X too.
I love the price and the super low stack height, but my other bike has a transfer and the action feels a Swiss watch and makes the one-up feel flimsy and sticky overall. I wish there was a 170mm+ fox transfer.
For me I find I'm having good luck with:
- Running minimal torque on the clamp
- a good cleaning out under the top cap and filling with a very light grease (slickoleum) occasionally. The seal seems undersized, and develops stiction if not lubed well.
- taking all the slack out of the cable housing in the frame - their mechanism seems really sensitive to too much slack.
Having done that it seems to work ok. Not the saviour I'd hoped, but definitely less trouble than the 9Point8 it replaced.
Why is positive actuation so important? Press the lever on the brandx and the seat goes up/down. Ive never had any problems with the actuation. Also the post has been faultless for almost a year now.
So, I don't really think it's the gold standard.
I rode this post for 9 months this year, racing it in Chile, Colombia (see the worst mud ever). Racing is one thing, but I had this post through a season of work - that's days on days of heavy packs, more up/downs than most people will have in years.
Here's the GOOD
- Only replaced the cable twice
- Everything Levy said is on point
- NO MAINTENANCE OR ADJUSTING
- The seals! Why can't everyone just replicate this?
Here's the BAD
- The body is a little long.
- I put another brand on recently, you really notice how bad they are, and now I need to go buy another SDG...
- In bad crashes you may bend the lever body.
Work, race, play - If I'm not breaking it in a year, you're never breaking it. ahahhh
Upon inspection the keyways and actuator were fine after that much use, and if I didn’t get a very good deal at the LBS I would have just bought a replacement gas strut.
It's only the 2019 ones with plastic keyways, which is why I'm worried. Nobody has actually put a long term test on one yet.
If you're yet to get on the dropper post band wagon I highly recommend it. There are plenty of good options out there now.
I like that SDG brought to the market a reasonably priced dropper, and one that only requires a $40(plus or minus) cartridge to replace, but from my experience they still have some work to do on it.
Luckily for me, the place I bought it from(Jenson) returned both(even after a few months of use on the last one), and allowed me to use the credit towards a different brand
The first one I bought was the day they became available(at Jenson at least), and the second one was shortly there after, so they both very well could've been early production pieces.
Thanks for the discount offer. Still rolling your seats on both my bikes 'cuz they're the most comfortable for me
www.specialized.com/de/de/mtb-bandit/p/155910?color=229850-155910
Posting English language link below for those interested:
www.specialized.com/us/en/mountain-bandit/p/133107
Is anyone making dropper remotes that don't get in the way of the front shifter??
I was really hoping for a dropper post finally to have I-Beam. How can SDG miss such a opportunity? And from the I-Beamiest of all I-Beam companies? I'm dissapointed of you @SDG-COMPONENTS
Also, I don't understand your logic? Why try to compete in a market (railed droppers) which there is so many other highly competent competitors, instead of just releasing into a market where you'll be instant kings? (I-Beamed droppers)