FIRST LOOK - SDG Tellis V2 Dropper Seatpost

SDG is best known for its iconic catalog of saddles and innovative I-Beam interface, which dates back over 30 years focusing on durability, simplicity, and ease of installation. More recently, they entered the dropper post market in 2018, following the same ethos of making a durability-focused post with easily serviceable components to fit the widest variety of frames possible. For 2024, the Tellis V2 builds on the feedback from athletes and OEM partners to refine the already proven platform in a more compact package with more sizes and lengths than before. 

Highlights

• 3D forged head
• I-Beam cradle design
• 30.9mm, 31.6mm, and 34.9mm diameters
• 55-230mm travel options
• 26mm stanchion
• Travel adjust spacers available
• Wintek cartridge
• Available with or without a remote lever
• Easily serviceable
• Lifetime warranty
• MSRP: $199.99 USD without lever

The Lineup and Initial Impressions

The new post comes with a redesigned head that utilizes the same I-Beam technology SDG is known for but in a new interface. Side-loading bolts allow for easier access to the seat rails and help reduce stack height by 10mm. The polycarbonate keyway system designed to minimize side-to-side play has been revised with tighter tolerance but now includes copper shims in the lower portion of the post to reduce drag. The stanchion diameter has been increased to 26mm to help eliminate unwanted fore and aft flex, which is especially helpful now that the Tellis is offered in the widest range of travel options on the market, ranging from 55mm to 230mm. Additionally, the post-travel can be easily reduced while mounted to a bike with split spacers that slot below the dust wiper seal head. These are available in 5, 10, and 20mm increments to help fine-tune fitment. 

At first glance, the Tellis V2 looks very similar to the original Tellis. A mixture of satin finish on the lower portion of the post provides a great anti-slip surface for seat tubes, and a gloss anodized finish around the seal head for snugging things up when adjusting travel gives the post a clean and subtle appearance. The seat rail clamping interface differs from any post I've seen, making accessing the pinch bolts much more convenient. A wide range of motion is available from the I-Beam style head and the seat can be fine-tuned into position much more quickly than a traditional rail clamping system. The torque values are high on the seat rail clamps, which is great for keeping things in place and preventing any slipping from the seat, bouncing off jumps, or sitting through dips while pedaling. 

At the handlebar, the revised dropper lever has a great tactile feeling with grippy ridges and a nice concave to it. The lever throw is very light with a nearly hydraulic feeling but with a relatively long throw. I adjusted the cable tension to shorten the actuation of the post to where I found it comfortable. The return speed isn't wildly quick, nor does it lag reaching full travel. It is a touch on the slow side, but it lands close to the middle of the road and makes a solid thud once full travel is achieved. It is worth noting SDG has since increased the pressure within the cartridges on all production-ready posts and should warrant a faster return speed than the post I tested. Dropping the post didn't present any significant drag, nor was it quick to bottom out, but it is, once again, it felt fairly in the middle of the road. 

While the clamping interface for the seat rails is innovative and convenient for adjustments, saddle installation was more difficult than usual. This may have been down to the seat used during testing and may not be an issue when it comes to longer or wider seats, but it proved to be a bit difficult. That being said, swapping saddles isn't the most common occurrence, but if a change is necessary, be prepared to disassemble at least one of the clamping interfaces entirely to wiggle the seat rails into place. 

On The Trail

My test period was took place over two months on various trails across Northern California. Most climbs were sustained cadence at saddle height scenarios, but a handful of rides required more frequent body movement and varied cadence. I appreciated the noise at full top out, as the post was slightly slower to reach full travel than what I am used to. It was in no way cumbersome or problematic, but felt somewhat delayed until I got used to the return speed. Dropping the post has a similar response; it wasn't too quick to drop, but it also didn't feel like it had an unnecessary or notable amount of drag. On rough terrain with the post down, there was no noticeable amount of rattling or movement out of the head of the post and no discernible amount of movement at full extension. After a few days of sitting, the first cycle of the post would be more delayed than others but would return to normal speed after one or two cycles, and it was never an issue once I was out on the trail.

These qualities remained consistent over the two months spent with the post on my bike, which left me with not much more to report other than it simply worked well for its intended use. Two months may not be enough time to report any durability concerns, but I did not foresee any arising during the test period. While a fair amount of grease excreted from the dust wiper seal head, it seemed more like an excess of assembly lubrication that could be wiped away and did not continually return. The only maintenance I could see the post requiring would be to unthread the seal head of the post, lubricate beneath with the recommended grease, and rethread back together should the post develop any friction. 

What's The Bottom Line?

The Tellis V2 lands squarely in the middle of all categories, including return speed, seal drag, and lever feel, presenting no durability concerns. It is about as intuitive as it gets, which is reassuring considering how often it is being spec'd as an OEM product, whether under the SDG name or as an in-house branded component. While it is nothing flashy or groundbreaking, it gives consumers a product they won't have to think about, a straightforward service procedure when it's time for maintenance, and a price that makes it accessible to anyone. As an aftermarket option, it's hard to beat the number of configurations available and the simplicity of the post. I consider the Tellis V2 an excellent baseline for dropper posts. It does exactly what it is meant to do and asks virtually nothing from the end user.

Hit up www.sdgcomponents.com for more info.

About The Tester

Jonathon Simonetti - Age: 30 // Years Riding MTB: 21 // Height: 6’4” (1.93m) // Weight: 230-pounds (97.5kg)

Jonny started mountain biking in 2003 after a trip to Northstar showed him how much more could be ridden on 26” wheels than on a BMX bike. He began racing downhill in 2004 and raced for 12 years until ultimately deciding having fun on a bike was more important than race results. After working as a mechanic in the industry for a few years and developing a deeper understanding of bikes inside and out, he has an aptitude for pairing his riding ability with the analysis of bikes and breaking down what makes them work well. He spends most of his time between trail rides and skatepark sessions, with occasional days on the downhill bike.