Wireless bike components are a hot topic right now; they’re either the next best thing, or the next worst thing, depending who you ask. With more companies bringing out wireless components this past year, and some doing away with mechanical counterparts entirely, it would seem they’re not going away, like it or not.
One of the first wireless bike components was the dropper post, but until fairly recently very few companies had jumped on that bandwagon. The TranzX EDP01 is the brand’s first shot at the digital dropper post. TranzX specializes in producing affordable, functional components so their components are often specced on low to mid-level bikes. While the price tag on the EDP01 isn’t cheap at $499, it’s a good deal less than the $861 Rockshox Reverb AXS.
The EDP01 is available in two diameters (30.9mm and 31.6mm) and three travel lengths (150mm, 170mm and 200mm). On test here is the 200mm, 30.9mm dropper. The stack on this thing is relatively low considering the bulk up top, with the 200mm dropper coming in at around 250mm, and an overall length of 545mm, which is 15mm longer than a OneUp V2 dropper with the same amount of travel. Quoted weight is 648g for the 30.9mm, and 748g for the 31.6mm diameter post.
The TranzX wireless dropper isn’t bad looking. It’s decently finished, though it’s not exactly blingy, and has a somewhat angular design. The post itself uses a proprietary lithium battery that drops into a cradle with a cover that slides and clicks over it This means the battery is completely enclosed and protected. Inside the post is a pretty standard cartridge that looks like a Wintec, the same as many other brands use. They’re cheap, reliable enough and easily replaceable.
The head has a single-bolt clamp that attaches the seat rails and tilts fore and aft, where a small bolt on the front locks the angle and a larger bolt on the side pulls everything together, similar to a Reverb AXS. There’s a single button and LED at the head that allow for pairing with the remote.
The remote has a similarly angular design and is somewhat chunky, but decent looking. The button has a really light action and is very nice to use, and while there isn’t much in the way of adjustment, I didn’t find it hard to get it placed where I wanted it. Powering the remote is a single CR2032 coin cell battery. Again there’s a small button and LED for pairing.
Installation
Installing the EDP01 is a breeze, and probably the best thing about it is that it takes all of about two minutes since there are no internally routed cables to fuss with. The post goes in, the seat goes on, and the remote attaches to bars. Done. The remote comes with a handlebar band clamp, but mounts to a standard MMX matchmaker mount too, so it will bolt up to most people’s cockpits easily. The remote and dropper came already paired, and attaching the seat was super easy. What more can I say? It was almost like the good old pre-dropper days.
Unlike some other posts, the battery is fully covered inside the head of the dropper so it’s protected against water and dirt ingress and safe from rocks, rear tires etc. Secured properly, the battery shouldn’t fall out. This means that even the closest bottom out should leave your battery where it is. The supplied charging dock is a similar capsule that swallows the whole battery and plugs in with a USB-C. The battery charges up in about 90 minutes (often quicker) and is easy to use.
On the trail with the TranzX wireless dropper post
The TranzX EDP01 has good trail manners; it goes up and down when the button is pushed, and does so reliably. It’s not quite as fast as a mechanically actuated post though, or even other wireless posts. There’s a slight delay between hitting the button and hearing the actuator, and the return speed itself is pretty slow. The air pressure in the cartridge can be adjusted to speed to it, but even at its fastest, fast it ain’t.
For the most part, using the EDP01 is painless and hassle free. For straight up and straight down trails, it works great. It’s the trails where you need to get the saddle out of the way or back up again quickly that the sluggish response becomes noticeable. Compare this to an AXS Reverb for example, where the best thing about that post is how lightning fast it is.
The remote is probably the nicest part of the package. The action is so light and easy to use and particularly nice for those with small hands. I do occasionally find myself brushing it with my knuckle and accidentally dropping the post while climbing, but otherwise it’s been trouble-free, set-and-forget riding.
Reliability
As I mentioned, the EDP01 hasn’t presented any real issues while on test, though it does have some quirks that are frustrating. To be clear, this post has never failed me while on the trail – not once. The things that concern me instead just smack of a product that’s not quite up to scratch.
First off, the pairing process is not particularly straightforward. It takes some guesswork to troubleshoot if the remote becomes unpaired, which can happen after charging the battery. The process is noted in the user manual, however there is no manual to be found online. At the time of writing the EDP01 and associated user manual are strangely absent from the TranzX website taking me to a 404 page.
The manual states that the post should show a green light when actuated, which turns to a red light when the battery is low and has 500 actuations remaining. I never got such a courtesy warning and found the battery dropped from green to dead after one fateful drop in my garage. Fortunately it was good timing, but I would not have been impressed if I was out on the trail. The seatpost frequently flashes red and green at me even when the units are paired, the battery is good and the post remains functional. What all of this means is a mystery.
As for apps, you’re out of luck there too. There’s no TranzX app that I know of, so connecting to the post to diagnose issues or update firmware is a no go. This is a shame, because I like to be able to fix and tinker with things.
One point in favor of the EDP01 is the Wintec cartridge. These things are pretty well proven, reliable and widely available. While they’re not always the same, I’m not worried about sourcing a replacement. The post is also pretty damn easy to tear down and service. Similar to a OneUp dropper, the upper and lower post come apart in minutes and the keys/bushings are easy to clean or replace. Check out our rebuild tutorial for a OneUp dropper here; the process is virtually identical.
Pros and cons of the TranzX wireless dropper post
Pros
- Easy to install
- Offers up to 200mm drop
- Extremely light remote actuation
Cons
- Slow to actuate
- Slow return speed
- Inconsistent LED indicators
Bottom line
The TranzX EDP01 wireless dropper post is not a bad start. The overall quality is good, and it works well. The remote is great, particularly for those with smaller hands, or somebody looking for a dropper remote with a super-light actuation. It’s been reliable overall and for those looking for a Reverb AXS alternative with more drop will also be pleased, since the EDP01 tops out at a lofty 200mm.
