X-Fusion's New Manic Dropper Post - Eurobike 2016

Aug 31, 2016 at 6:01
by Mike Levy  
Eurobike 2016


X-Fusion's new Manic dropper post joins their longstanding Hilo model, but while the Manic is an all-new design, it's the post's $199 USD price tag that will likely win over potential customers.

Manic Details

• Travel: 125mm
• Replaceable sealed cartridge
• New ultra-adjustable remote
• Actuation linkage to reduce lever force
• Reduced overall length compared to Hilo
• Internal cable routing
• Sizes: 30.9 and 31.6mm
• Availability: October 2016
• Weight: 630-grams
• MSRP: $199 USD

The Manic isn't breaking any new ground with its sealed cartridge, but the idea is that X-Fusion can quickly ship out a new one to any rider who does encounter an issue. The Manic's sealed cartridge is a step up from the open system of the Hilo that allows oil to mix freely with air, with the new dropper's cartridge also using a tried and true internal floating piston to keep the two separate. This means that there shouldn't ever be any sagging when the post is at full extension, and the cartridge removes any internal pressure off the post's main seal head, a known issue for the previous design.
Eurobike 2016


Eurobike 2016
Eurobike 2016
A rail clamp and seal head with lower stack heights have allowed X-Fusion to chop 25mm off of the Manic's length compared to the Hilo.


Travel for the first version of the Manic sits at 125mm, but X-Fusion will no doubt offer a model with 150mm (or more) at some point in the near future given that many companies now have droppers with more stroke on tap. One of the limiting factors when it comes to travel, however, is a post's overall length. X-Fusion says that they've addressed this by shaving nearly 25mm off of the Manic's length compared to the Hilo by going with a seal head that has a much lower stack height, and also by designing a lower profile head. Shorter riders who would only be able to run a 100mm dropper might now be able to get away with a 125mm Manic, or possibly even the 150mm-travel model when it comes out.


Eurobike 2016
Eurobike 2016
A small linkage multiples lever force, making the thumb paddle extremely easy to push.


X-Fusion will only be offering the Manic with internal cable routing, and it employs a neat linkage down at the actuation assembly the multiplies the leverage to produce an impressively light feel at the lever. I pushed on the thumb trigger of the display model and the required force is so light that it almost felt as if the cable wasn't attached to anything at all.

The lever still snaps back firmly, however, thanks to a small return spring at the actuation assembly, but the linkage easily overcomes this when pushing on the thumb paddle. This could be a blessing when it comes to bikes that have convoluted and drag-inducing cable routing, or simply a help for riders with small hands.
Eurobike 2016

The remote itself looks quite well done and much nicer than a thumb button picked out of a Taiwanese catalog, and riders can also adjust the angle of the paddle thanks to a ball-joint clamp that lets the whole thing pivot any which way when it's loosened.

MENTIONS: @x-fusion-shox


Author Info:
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87 Comments
  • 120 3
 X-Fusion gets it! Excellent quality in their products at pricing that won't make your wife leave you!
  • 13 49
flag scottrap (Aug 31, 2016 at 7:08) (Below Threshold)
 Too little too late.
  • 6 2
 Then why bother...
  • 17 0
 I think it's abit late. Many wives left.
  • 11 1
 I thought that was the whole idea, spend lots to get em to leave!
  • 1 4
 no one gets it . as awesome as these posts they all are in the 500 -600 gram range and its to much . advance technology and make them lighter . i would love to see more droppers is the 400 range .
  • 2 0
 @driftmonster: don't be a weight weener..just enjoy the ride
  • 34 1
 I feel like everyone is releasing their own giant contact dropper.
  • 24 0
 Agreed. It's a good formula so long as the chassis is robust and the cartridges are reliable for a season or two and relatively inexpensive.
  • 3 8
flag gonecoastal (Aug 31, 2016 at 10:16) (Below Threshold)
 Another throwaway/warranty component.
  • 3 0
 First Brand X and now this. All of a sudden, a dropper post is getting a reality for a lot more people, and making fox, rockshox et all look at there prices..........I hope!
  • 6 1
 @gonecoastal: i've gotten 2 years out of my cartridge, and i'm guessing i'll get at least three. other than greasing the stanchion from time to time, and swapping out the cable and housing once a year (when i'm already doing the cabling on my derailleur), it requires no real service.

i'll gladly pay for a new cartridge every few years to have such a problem free dropper
  • 1 1
 But really a 125mm dropper doesn't do a lot for ya if you're over 6' tall or if you have long legs.... I gotta put my post up, and then adjust it on the seat clamp too, which kinda defeats the idea of the dropper....
  • 12 0
 Key question: how much will a replacement cartridge cost? The Crank Brothers Highline was rad until they told me a replacement cartridge would be $100 outside of warranty. Compared to the $45 Giant cartridge that was a bit steep. If X-Fusion sells the replacement cartridges for under $50, and offers a better remote than the Giant Contact, they'll have a winner.
  • 3 1
 and at 200$, even with a couple replacement unit, they will still be less exensive thant most competitors.
  • 8 1
 I replaced the nitrogen cartridge in a Giant Contact SL seatpost and it was $11, from the Giant Store!!!
  • 1 1
 Cable droppers allow a rider to use whichever remote they please
  • 1 1
 @gonecoastal: Sure, but those are additional costs. The Giant Contact SL ranges in price from $200-$300, and to spend another $50 on a remote is ridiculous. I'd rather pay $200 and get a sweet remote included.
  • 1 0
 @PHeller: @PHeller: The Trek post remote sucks. Many options to rig up a remote including a shifter. And look at the amount of people switching from 2x to 1x...
  • 1 0
 @PHeller: They're dropping the price on them this year, should be about $180USD.
  • 9 2
 Our X Fusion posts have been top notch and when its time to rebuild, super easy. Excited about this post and will still have enough money in the wallet to buy lunch.
  • 6 0
 Was just rebuilding my Hilo and thinking, "wouldn't this work better with an IFP in here?" maybe the new one will actually work!
  • 4 0
 I'm 163cm and can get away with a 100mm dropper, but would be better off with 120. I can imagine why taller guys moan and whine about 120 or even 150 being too little. However, with longer extention comes added flex which I imagine raises reliability issues, unless diameter is increased too.
  • 16 8
 no 150 or 175? no care!
  • 47 9
 I don't think you are as big as you think you are.
  • 11 4
 @unrooted: 150mm is not enough for me, plain and simple. 150mm drop from pedaling height is nowhere near the height I ride at for downhill confidence or jumping, And I'm only 6', (with long legs) so I could see someone taller then myself needing a longer post as well. Everyone has different body geometry, and some people need longer dropper posts.
  • 8 5
 @Buggyr333: And yet, i'm 6'3'' and ride a 125mm. the clearance I get is enough to move the saddle out of the way. Also, there is a lower limit induce by the bike design where the saddle will be in conflict with the rear tire when bottom out occurs. 150 is nice, but i don't think we can push the drop heigh a lot more than this.
  • 17 1
 125mm works for me. suck it tall guys, short dudes win this round.
  • 5 1
 I'm only 5'7 on a medium Norco range and I can make use of a 150mm drop. It really depends on every combination of rider and bike. In general 125mm fits more riders without forcing a too high of a pedaling position.
  • 5 3
 @triptex: maybe your bike is too big?

I'm 6'4" and my 125mm post is good, I rode a 100mm post for a long time too. But my bike is appropriately sized for me.
  • 3 0
 @Buggyr333: I completely agree with you 100%. I'm 6' as well and I don't have longs but still want a dropper post that's longer so I can still have good leg extension when pedaling but get the seat completely out of the way when I point it down hill. I'm still having to carry around an Allen wrench to drop the seat post.
  • 3 0
 @unrooted: My bike may be too big because I can handle a longer drop post than stock? No, It works the other way. If a riders bike is too large they may not be able to ride a longer drop or even the stock drop if the seat cant slam to the collar.
  • 6 1
 @GabrielDugas: Another 6'3er here with 125mm of drop, don't know what the fuss is about.
  • 1 2
 Why are you still riding kids bike
  • 2 2
 @triptex: just checking, but you do know that a longer drop on your seatpost isn't going to make you taller?

I rode some rowdy trails in Squamish and whistler with 125mm seatpost. Maybe it's not the bike???
  • 2 0
 @unrooted: No, a longer drop on the post allows the post to drop more (further out of the way) while allowing the same pedaling position.
  • 1 2
 Ya anyone over 6'1" needs more than 150 unless your area doesnt have steep terrain(up/down)
  • 1 0
 @unrooted: u must have shortish femurs long torso? Or not riding steepish area?
Im 6'1 and my bikes show at least 3" of ks base(150) w/heel to be on pedal and knee slighlty bent-steepest climbs i still feel the seats too low and too high on downs.
  • 2 0
 @Buggyr333:I'm the same as you and agree totally. I really don't get why so many people on this site insist on preaching to other people about what they think they need or don't need(i.e. @unrooted) ??? I know that at 6ft 4' with long arms and legs, an extra 25mm over my current 125mm reverb stealth would actually be quite useful me. I've got quite a tall seat tube that doesn't quite let me get the seat post low enough for really steep descents but is also slightly too short at full extension for decent leg extension on long climbs. Every one is different. Everybody's body geometries are different. Would I change my bike? No. Can I change the length of my limbs? No Can I get a longer drop seatpost to solve all my issues? Yes. So what's the problem? Rant over.
  • 4 0
 @GabrielDugas: Good for you, you don't have a problem with short drop, but everyone is different, different riding styles, different body geometry, ect. Just because something works for you doesnt mean it works for everyone else.
  • 1 0
 @Buggyr333: What a frame allows for insertion also plays a role. I am building out an XL Ripley LS. My fox transfer 150 cannot be inserted flush with the seat clamp. For that bike and my height (6.1) that buys me nothing over the 125 (anyone want to trade a transfer...new). At full extension a 150 is a tad too long, unless I could insert it deeper in the frame. I use a 150mm reverb on my HD3 with no issues(sits flush).
  • 2 0
 @sutter2k: Absolutely, more reason for more variety. And Also a reason seat tubes are getting shorter, because I'm sure there are some people out there at the same height as you, who can only run 125mm of drop because of the same reasons you do, but would prefer to run more if their frame would allow for it.
  • 1 0
 @unrooted: 6'3 34" inseam i can get away with 150 but have room for a 180 gotta get low!
  • 3 0
 So, what's the stack height? It's a shame it's not mentioned and at the same time it's presented as a new important feature...
Current stack is about 70mm I recall?
That gives us 45mm, which is about 20mm less than a reverb. I'm interested
  • 6 0
 MRSP 200$??? If it works I'll buy it!
  • 7 2
 Glad to see the prices on droppers finally come down. Way to go, X-Fusion!
  • 5 1
 If it was 150mm they'd have my money in an instant.
  • 1 0
 I've had an X-fusion dropper and they are fantastic but I would never buy another one ever again because X-Fusions aftercare is useless verging on non-existent. A shame really
  • 5 3
 Its gotta be better than the KS I'm running!! The cap lasted all of 30 seconds before it flew off, bloody uesless
  • 1 1
 i wish i could ask for my money back on a stock component. got a ks with my kona and ive never had so much trouble with a new component.
  • 2 0
 @lyophilization: remember Kona's use to come with crank bros cronolog's. KS is better!
  • 2 0
 This looks real similar to the new crank brothers. The thumb paddle is very similar.
  • 2 0
 their old posts used a lever that was identical to the joplin....
  • 3 0
 Modified XT front shifter is the best dropper remote I have used.
  • 1 0
 Now the real contemplation. The Magura Vyron or drilling a hole in my SB66, because I am really tired of the external cable every time I put the bike in the stand.
  • 2 0
 Whats the overall length?
  • 6 0
 Probably less than they say it is..
  • 1 0
 in case you didn't have enough options. on a different note the content is flying this wednesday morning.
  • 2 0
 because eurobike. Low hanging fruit haha
  • 3 1
 I like the easier to push lever. My Reverb isn't so easy when it's cold.
  • 7 0
 Most Reverbs don't move when it's cold.
  • 10 1
 talk to your reverb first, man, work on your foreplay
  • 9 0
 I love my reverb I HATE their stupid, ugly, worthless remote.
  • 3 0
 @kanioni: move to Florida. Scram said most riders don't ride when its cold out LOL.
  • 3 0
 hahahah I talk to him, and then rub the remote slightly...foreplay works ; )
  • 7 0
 @properp: "move to florida" is the worst insult ive ever read on PB
  • 2 0
 @lyophilization: ^^this is a true statement. It's pretty there, until you talk to people.
  • 2 0
 Really like the idea of the ball joint clamp!
  • 4 3
 I'm on my second xf Hilo dropper. By far the most reliable and maintainence free dropper in the market!
  • 5 1
 I honestly can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not.
  • 1 1
 I wasnt being sarcastic lol
  • 4 2
 Again
Stealth only?
  • 13 5
 just drill a hole!!!!!!
  • 8 0
 @adrennan: that's what she said! wait wat
  • 5 4
 @adrennan - this should be a meme
  • 2 0
 @passwordpinkbike: It's nice to have a few options...
  • 1 0
 Especially if I want to change from dropper to regular post for trails that don't require one. Was excited for the shimano post until I found it was stealth only
  • 1 0
 What is total length for the posT? @mikelevy
  • 1 0
 No 34.9 and external route. Crying again Frown
  • 1 0
 @x-fusion-shox How much do the replacement cartridges cost?
  • 1 1
 Hopefully it doesn't leak like their Hilo model.
  • 2 3
 Nice! Love my XFusion droppers... new remote looks like a nice update!
  • 1 1
 ..
  • 6 8
 X-fusion just schooled Shimano. Koryak what, nobody cares?!
  • 5 0
 by 5mm?
  • 3 0
 lol, nonbody has ridden or even seen either of these posts in action.... They both look good... my question though is who is getting "schooled"?







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