The Kronolog isn’t Crankbrothers’ first foray into the dropper seatpost market, the Joplin (which they inherited from Maverick) was released some five years ago but was plagued by reliability issues. With the new Kronolog they’ve gone back to the drawing board and in doing so have created a dropper post that has delivered reliable and smooth service in the two months I’ve been testing it.

Unlike the Joplin, a hydraulic dropper post, the Kronolog has simpler mechanical internals. It has 127mm (5in) of infinitely adjustable travel, operated by a cable remote lever (as opposed to a hydraulic system). The cable enters the front of the lower section of the seatpost which makes for dramatically tidier cable routing – no huge loop of cable hanging out behind the frame here. The potential pitfall is that the module sitting on the front of the post where the cable enters limits how low the post can be inserted into the frame. I have less than a centimetre showing on my large Santa Cruz Tallboy frame. Riders with short legs will therefore need to be aware the Kronolog might not fit their frame..

Despite the fact that it’s a mechanical design, the Kronolog feels like a hydraulic post. It returns at a reasonable speed, quick enough certainly that you don’t need to stand up for too long. The last inch of travel is further damped so the saddle doesn’t smack into your undercarriage (there have been nasty results with other posts..). The downside is there’s little feedback that the saddle has returned to full extension. Here an audible sound would be appreciated, so you know the saddle is full up before you sit down again. An air valve on the bottom of the post lets you add or release pressure. Maximum is 100psi so you can, in effect, adjust the speed of return by adding more air.

The shaft of the post has a unique keyed quill design with flat sides. This stops any rotational movement from occurring, a factor that can happen to some dropper posts as the bearings wear out. There’s no play at the nose of the saddle at all. The locking mechanism locks the post in both directions, with the upshot that you can hang the bike from racks by the saddle, or just pick the bike up by the saddle without affecting saddle height.

Norglide bushings limit lateral play and it’s a well sealed unit. In the two months I’ve been testing it in the depths of the British winter, it’s proved to be adequately sealed. I’ve had no problems at all, it’s still working as smoothly as the first ride. The fact that every ride has been one that has seen the bike caked in mud and slop requiring a full wash afterwards, is good evidence that post can survive such abusive conditions. I’ll report back again in a few months time and let you know how it’s getting on.

Setting the Kronolog up couldn’t be easier. It’s supplied with the remote lever cable already attached so it’s simply a case of inserting the post into the frame, fixing the lever to the handlebar and zip-tying the cable to the frame. The one-bolt clamp is easy to use and it couldn’t really be any simpler to fix the saddle rails into place. Once there the saddle is kept nice and securely in place.

The Kronolog weighs in at 556g for the complete system, including the remote lever, putting it in the same ballpark as the RockShox Reverb.

The RockShox Reverb is the undisputed king of dropper posts, but it’s very pricey. I reckon the Kronolog is a good match for the Reverb, with its smooth operation and (so far) extremely reliable service. Yes the Reverb’s hydraulic remote feels that bit nicer than the cable and is less susceptible to dirt and grit, but the Kronolog’s lever is ergonomic and doesn’t require too much force at the finger and, so far, is still working smoothly.

At £250 (though it can be picked up for £225) it’s a good deal cheaper than the Reverb. I suspect many will save up a little longer and go for the Reverb, but so far, two months in, the Kronolog has proven to be nearly every bit as good.

It’s available in 30.9mm and 31.6mm sizes.

Verdict

The Crankbrothers Kronolog is a well designed dropper post that works reliably and simply, offers infinite adjustment and is reasonably light. After two months of solid use it’s had no hiccups, but time will tell how it fares in the long term. So far it’s easily the best mechanical cable operated dropper post I’ve ever tested.

Pros

Smooth operation
Cheaper than a Reverb
Infinite adjustment
Reliable – so far

Cons

It’s not light
The housing for the cable limits post insertion

Price: £249.99
More information: Crankbrothers Kronolog Seatpost

What Crank Brothers says:

All new adjustable seatpost from Crank Brothers – 125mm of infinite adjustment. Mechanical design – hydraulic feel.

Crank Brothers Kronolog Seatpost Specifications:

1. Material: aluminum.
2. Post length: 405mm.
3. Weight: 465g 28g (30.9mm remote*) / 477g 28g (31.6mm remote*).
4. Adjustment range: 125mm / 5in.
5. Adjustment type: standard shift cable.
6. Diameters: 30.9mm and 31.6mm.
7. Colour kits: clamp & lever color kits available in gold, blue, orange (sold separately).
8. Warranty: 2 years with proper maintenance.

Relevant links

RockShox Reverb first ride here.

Dropper post article on BM here.