OneUp Components V3 Review

OneUp Components has developed a stellar reputation for quality products at reasonable prices. The V3 Dropper did not disappoint. It is available with an obscene amount of drop, and we tested the longest, the 240mm option. It is smooth and reliable. It is also quite light, especially considering the amount of drop it offers. This post is a great option for the masses, and we love it.

Performance Comparison

Smoothness and Functionality

The V3 Dropper delivers a smooth stroke and is very easy to actuate. OneUp claims the new model offers 75% easier actuation compared to the outgoing version. While that is impossible to quantify, we can say it is easy to get the post to drop and rise. It takes very little weight to get the post to compress and not much thumb strength. The stroke remained consistent throughout testing, and functionality was not altered by cold temperatures. There is essentially no lateral play in the post. The post had an audible “top-out” noise when returning to full height. It was a muted thud that let you know the post had fully extended, but it wasn't loud or rattely.

The most impressive feature is the huge amount of travel this post provides. While we tested the gigantic 240mm version, it is also available in 90mm, 120mm, 150mm, 180mm, and 210mm flavors. You can reduce the travel of any of these posts by up to 20mm by using travel-reducing pins which are provided in the box. Simply depress the post a few inches, unscrew the main post collar, and tap the lever. This pops the collar up and allows you to drop the travel-reducing pins into channels in the post. This process is quite easy and only takes a few minutes. We installed a set of 10mm travel-reducing pins to drop the post travel to 230mm.

The V3 Dropper uses a gas-filled cartridge instead of an airspring. This means there is no need to add air to the post periodically. We can't say the new version felt lightyears better or worse than the old version, but it did work very well throughout our testing period.

Saddle Clamp

The saddle clamp isn't exactly the most exciting aspect of a dropper post. Ideally, after you install your saddle on the post, you will never need to touch or even think about the clamp for many, many rides.

The V3 Dropper uses a standard two-bolt clamp with slots in the upper portion of the clamp to aid installation. We found the saddle installation process to be more or less average. The real story here is the low stack height of the saddle clamp. This low stack height is essentially a way to maximize your amount of drop. Keeping the saddle as low as possible on top of the post allows riders to maximize the amount of drop they can use.

Remote

The OneUp V3 Dropper is compatible with most cable-actuated dropper remotes, assuming the remote in question clamps the cable at the remote. A lever is not included with the purchase of the seat post.

We used the V3 Remote, which offers plenty of adjustability in terms of position. We used this remote with a standard 22.2mm bar clamp. It has three holes that allow you to fine-tune the position of the remote. The replaceable rubber grip pad felt good, and you can choose between seven fun colors to work best with your bike's color scheme. This remote is also compatible with SRAM Matchmaker and Shimano I-Spec mounting standards.

This remote offered a very light feel. The remote was easy to depress, and when paired with the low stiction and easy actuation of the post, it felt very, very easy to get the post to drop or rise. It required very little effort to feather the remote to creep your post up or down a tiny bit if needed. Throw is another important aspect of a dropper remote. Some require the dropper paddle to travel quite a bit before the post is actuated. The V3 remote offers near-instant engagement.

Weight

Our 240mm V3 Dropper hit the scales at 612 grams. We tested the 31.6mm diameter post. That makes this post about 55 grams lighter than the V2 Dropper in the same size and length. That is roughly an 8-9% weight savings.

Seatpost weight isn't as big a deal as wheel or tire weight, but it is notable. In a day and age when bikes are getting heavier and heavier, it is nice to see components getting lighter. Weight-conscious riders will appreciate this weight savings. Riders who don't care about weight won't complain.

Ease of Setup

The OneUp V3 posted an average score regarding the ease of setup. As with most cable-actuated seatposts, the process is straightforward and requires a minimal amount of tools. After running shift housing through your frame's internal routing system, you are home-free. Simply attach cable ferrules to each end of the housing. OneUp provides a cable stop that slides over the cable end on the shift cable. Run the open end of the cable through the housing and pinch it at the lever.

It can take a couple of tries to get the housing length dialed in. You will find out pretty quickly whether or not you got this right. It can also take a moment to dial in the correct cable tension. Too tight, and the actuator will be held open and your seat won't stay up. Too loose, and it will take more throw in the remote to get the post to actuate. As previously mentioned, reducing travel is very quick and easy should you need to do so.

Value

This post is a strong value. While it may not be the best we've ever tested, it is right there. We feel the reasonable price tag, low weight, and adjustability make this post a really solid choice. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a good dropper post at a great price.

Should You Buy The OneUp V3 Dropper?

There are some intriguing options on the market these days. Some of the seat posts in this test class are wireless; others have some interesting features, like a replaceable lower post should a new bike have a different seatpost diameter. That is all well and good, but these clever features often carry a lofty price tag. The OneUp V3 offers an excellent blend of value and performance that is hard to argue with.

What Other Dropper Posts Should You Consider