OneUp Components V3 Dropper Seatpost

OneUp has built up a well-deserved reputation as makers of a quality dropper post over the years, and we’ve had excellent results with every iteration of it so far. They released the all-new version three a couple of months ago, so of course we had to put it to the test. Keep reading to find out how we’ve been getting along with it.

OneUp Components V3 Dropper Post Highlights

• 60-70g lighter than V2
• 75% reduction in breakaway force and smoother actuation
• All new cartridge design, 100% recyclable
• Compressed stack height is 3mm shorter than V2
• Total length is 10mm shorter than V2
• Increased bushing overlap
• IGUS self-lubricating bushings
• Low friction SKF Seal
• Cable Routing: Internal
• Warranty: 2 Years
• V3 Dropper Post MSRP: $314.99
• V3 Dropper Post Remote: $52.99
• Lever Cushion (V3 Dropper Remote): $6.99

Initial Impressions

OneUp already made some of the lightest and shortest dropper posts on the market, but they’ve managed to squeeze out a bit more from the V3. The overall length is 10mm shorter than the V2, and it weighs 60 to 70 grams less, too. The compressed stack height has been reduced by 3 mms. The V3 is available with travel options ranging from 90 mm to a whopping 240 mm, and the travel of each post can be reduced by up to 20 mms, in 10 mm increments, by opening the collar and inserting a number of small travel reducer pins in their respective slots. If you’re looking to maximize the amount of dropper post travel you can fit into your frame, chances are pretty good that this post is the answer.

Looking at how the dimensions stack up to other posts on the market, OneUp now has the edge in pretty much every category. Available in all 4 diameters (27.2 to 34.9 mm) and in travel lengths ranging from 90 to 240 mm, there should be a dropper in the range for pretty much every rider on the planet. The V3 dropper is also just about short as it is possible to make it for a given amount of travel. Inspecting our 180 mm travel test sample in greater detail, here’s how the dimensions stack up:

Overall length: 485 mm (measured from the bottom of the rails to the tip of the actuator)
Collar-to-rail: 210 mm (measured from the bottom of the collar to the bottom of the rails)
Collar-to-base: 275 mm (measured from the bottom of the collar to the tip of the actuator)
Minimum insert: 135 mm (measured from min insert line to the tip of the actuator)
Max extension: 350 mm (measure from the min insert line to the bottom of the rails)
Weight: 480 grams (post) / 96 grams (remote + cable)

Beyond the dimensions, OneUp reworked pretty much every other aspect of the new post as well. The cartridge is new, it requires 75% less lever force when seated compared to the previous generation. The bushings have been updated (there’s also an extra bushing on the 180-240 mm versions of the post), and there’s a new collar seal from SKF that should help keep the post running smoother for longer. The number of anti-rotation pins have been doubled to prevent excessive side-to-side play in the post. Looking specifically at how the weight compares to other posts on the market, the new V3 dropper is reportedly 238g lighter than a Reverb AXS, 155g lighter than a FOX Transfer and up to 60g lighter than the 2-position FOX Transfer SL. You can save an additional 10g with OneUp’s Ti Bolt Upgrade Kit. In terms of serviceability, the V3 post can be disassembled at home with just a 14mm wrench, a 5mm hex and 2mm hex. The cartridge is fully sealed and can be easily replaced should it ever wear out in the future - there is a two-year warranty on the cartridge and the post as a whole. The lever supplied by OneUp is the V3 lever that was introduced some time ago now already.

On The Trail

On the trail, the improvements made have really paid off. The V3 post is easy to actuate, even when seated. The action is smooth, and it’s easy to modulate the return speed with the lever. A gentle squeeze sees the post creep up, press the lever fully and you get one of the fastest return speeds on the market. There is an audible clunk when the post extends fully, letting you know that your saddle is back in the pedaling position.

OneUp made some changes to the lever itself a while back already, but we’ll reiterate today what we said about it back then: the geometry of the V3 lever is much better than its predecessors, with a more natural lever angle that feels good throughout the stroke. We also like that OneUp specced three different mounting holes, which provides for better adjustability. There’s a little recess in the lever blade that holds the cable end as well, contributing to a cleaner look.

As far as durability goes, OneUp posts have proven themselves to us over the years. We’ve had the V3 out on the trail for three months now, and so far, it’s been plain sailing. There is barely ANY side-to-side play in the post, and absolutely no sagginess under the rider weight whatsoever. You can pick up your bike by the saddle as well, even with the post down - all signs that point to many happy miles ahead.

What’s The Bottom Line?

With great ergonomics, low weight, and the most compact dimensions available today, we feel like one of the best posts on the market just got even better. OneUp’s droppers were always very competitively priced, the V3 somewhat less so after a fairly significant price increase. It’s now only $80 USD cheaper than a BikeYoke Revive, which we consider to be the outright benchmark post in terms of ergonomics and performance, and that is not that big of a gap. Still, the OneUp is right up there in terms of overall dimensions, and it has definitely proven itself in the reliability department as well. Vital recommends!

More information at: www.oneupcomponents.com.

About The Reviewers

Johan Hjord - Age: 51 // Years Riding MTB: 19 // Weight: 190-pounds (87-kg) // Height: 6'0" (1.84m)

Johan loves bikes, which strangely doesn’t make him any better at riding them. After many years spent practicing falling off cliffs with his snowboard, he took up mountain biking in 2005. Ever since, he’s mostly been riding bikes with too much suspension travel to cover up his many flaws as a rider. His 200-pound body weight coupled with unique skill for poor line choice and clumsy landings make him an expert on durability - if parts survive Johan, they’re pretty much okay for anybody. Johan rides flat pedals with a riding style that he describes as "none" (when in actuality he rips!). Having found most trail features to be not to his liking, Johan uses much of his spare time building his own. Johan’s other accomplishments include surviving this far and helping keep the Vital Media Machine’s stoke dial firmly on 11.

Nils Hjord – Age: 20 // Years Riding MTB: 12 // Height: 5’9” (1m80) // Weight: 176-pounds (80-kg)

Always committed to having fun on his bike, Nils likes to keep his wheels in the air almost as much as on the ground. Although he enjoys going fast and is no stranger to burping his tires off the rim, he has dedicated most of his riding time to mastering manuals and making his tabletops flatter – but that doesn’t mean he can’t put the hurt on his wheels through a high-speed rockgarden too, when needed. Good thing his dad is a full-time Vital staffer with access to lots of bike parts that need testing!

Photos by Johan Hjord