ABOUT THE GEN 2 PNW LOAM DROPPER POST
The obvious comparison here is between the first generation and the latest Loam Dropper from PNW Components. Now, there is a good chance you or your buddy has ridden the first Loam Dropper. We have spent a lot of time on that first generation post, as it came spec’d on quite a few bikes we had in for review over the last couple years. For all the time we’ve spent on the first PNW Loam Dropper, we’ve suffered zero. That can’t be said for all dropper posts we’ve had!
Moving to the Gen 2 PNW Components Loam Dropper, I’m happy to report that it has the same quality performance we’ve come to expect, if not better. That said, PNW made some improvements to their second-generation Loam Dropper.
Perhaps most noticeable is the addition of a longer travel option. The previous Loam Dropper stretched to 200mm, while the Gen 2 now adds a 225mm option. While adding a longer travel option, PNW also shaved a few millimeters off the Gen 2 Loam Dropper overall lengths. The new dropper is a bit slimmer at the post head, and the collar also has a new design which allows for a few more millimeters of insertion, allowing the saddle to be dropped a touch further. This should help more riders to fit longer travel posts in their bike.
A few other small tweaks and changes: the travel adjust bushing is a bit beefier, with PNW claiming it should last longer. PNW also changed the saddle rail clamps, giving a bit of extra room on the front clamp.
And not to forget, there are now color options: standard black, full silver, or “brass monkey” with a brass colored lower tube. Depending on the color selected, pricing is either $229 or $234 for the post, with no remote included as standard. Our 175mm test post in 31.6mm diameter weighed in at 544g.
THE DIRT
The Gen 2 PNW Loam Dropper has been on my bike since late spring/early summer 2025. And, as I had hoped, it has worked flawlessly and continues to do so.
PNW sent me the 175mm version of the new Loam Dropper, and I’ve used it exclusively on my daily driver trail bike – a size medium Canyon Spectral. I initially toyed with the idea of getting a 200mm drop length, but it didn’t seem the insertion length would correspond well with that frame’s insertion depth. I might have been able to pull it off with PNW’s travel adjust, but it seemed I would be splitting hairs as I calculated the 200mm dropper to have as much exposed post as the shorter 175mm dropper would.
In the end, I opted for the shorter dropper. This worked exceptionally well on my Spectral, which came spec’d with a 150mm post. In the end, I love PNW’s travel adjust, as it makes the dropper incredibly adaptable from bike to bike, accounting for different frames’ seatpost insertion depths. Ideally, one dropper could easily carry over to a new frame, provided it has the same seatpost diameter.
I am also putting some time in on an S4 Stumpjumper 15, which is fitted with a 200mm PNW Loam Dropper. It was a touch too long for me, but adjusting it to 195mm of drop is perfect. That is a lot of drop for me–that seat damn near disappears on that bike!
Now, the PNW Loam Dropper certainly isn’t setting any speed records, especially when compared to a dropper like the RockShox Reverb AXS. However, I don’t really care to have the fastest dropper, especially when one like the Reverb smacks me in the undercarriage.
Speed isn’t a major factor, as long as it isn’t overly slow, which the Loam Dropper certainly wasn’t. It was consistent, and consistency is what I’m looking for in something like a dropper post, which the Loam delivered. After hundreds, of miles and thousands of acuations – as well as thousands of miles behind my car – nothing has changed with the Gen 2 Loam Dropper.
It works as it did on the first day I got it. The only thing I wish is that PNW offered a bundle deal on the Loam Dropper lever, as they do with the Range post and lever.
The Wolf’s Last Word
Simply put, if I am building a bike from the frame up, the PNW Loam Dropper Gen 2 is likely the dropper I choose. Grit and grime, mile after mile, actuation after actuation, the thing just works. It is a no-fuss dropper, which might be worth making a fuss about. 
Price: $229 (black)
Website: PNWcomponents.com
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ABOUT THE WOLF
The local boy — Travis was born and raised in Bend, OR. Skateboarding consumed his life until his high school years (yes, he can still kickflip), but was replaced by mountain biking…then rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and finally back to mountain biking. After a stint in the big city, Travis returned home, trading a teaching career to be an okay mountain biker and above-average journalist. He is an outspoken 90s grunge fan, cornering poor souls in conversations about the meaning behind the lyrics of Alice In Chains’ “Would.” Most days, Travis hopes to be outside, whether that is on an early morning ride or a hike with his family (the best days include both).
Rank: Contributing Writer
Size: 5’8” / 172cm | 195lbs / 88kg
Social: @travis_reill_writes
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