I received a TranxZ dropper post (with internal routing) for Christmas and have it almost installed on the Chisel. HOWEVER, the instructions don't exactly match my setup. Online videos on this exact seatpost are few. So… I'm reaching out to you guys. I have threaded the cable from the post to the lever, and I have installed the post, per the directions. The instructions have several lever diagrams, but none of them exactly match this design. The cable with the ferule end was installed at the dropper post end, just as directed. The cable is then to be pulled through the bike and exit through the lever mechanism, ending with a cable nut and set screw on the other end. I followed the instructions to this point, and this is where it becomes confusing. The cable nut does not fit the lever (see pic). I tightened the cable nut down, but the cable pulls out of the lever under tension. So, what is going on here? Is a different shape needed for the cable nut?
FWIW, in my (inexperienced) mind I think it would work if the cable is routed the other way. The ferrule end of the cable fits the lever end perfectly, and the cable nut would fit inside the dropper bracket, too. BUT… I don't know how to get the cable trimmed to the right length with that method.
I really don't want to take it to the local shop (nothing against those guys. They are great!), because this should be an easy installation.
Any help is appreciated.
-Brad
by These_Return3862
6 Comments
The barrel nut pictured usually goes at the bottom of the dropper. There should have been a little barrel shaped hook down there. I’d be curious to see what your install looks like on that end. The end you pictured should have the ferrule. The cable goes through the ferrule into the lever, where there should be a pinch-bolt to clamp down on it.
Seems like cable is routed the wrong way, to get cable length right I’ll normally set it up, make sure theres no slack, then set that nut thing with about 5mm of cable between that and the end of the housing
You’ll need to replace you dropper lever. The industry has mostly agreed that the cable head should reside at the dropper instead the lever. It seems your bike came stock with the less desirable design, not a big deal.
It has been a while since I installed a tranz x post but if I remember correctly they have a slotted ring at the post that the cable nut will fit into. If that is the case you have the cable routed backwards. If that is not the case then you can place that cable nut at the lever end. It will be a bodge and it will not fit into that cable head slot but it will still work.
If you post a picture of the bottom of the post we can certainly help more.
Thanks, guys! I thought it went the other way… but had to try the instructions first. I’ll give it a shot.
the remote lever is the kind that will have the cable head cradled in the 4mm (ish) diameter recess. currently, you have the knarp (the shiny silver barrel) on the wrong end.
You are to first insert the cable through the lever. It is not dissimilar to routing a shift cable thru a friction shifter.
the cable end will exit out the housing from the seat tube, where you then insert the knarp into the actuator (the hinged part at the bottom of your post). use a 3mm allen key to help guide it into the actuator. you will need the 3mm for the next step as well
while holding the knarp in place with a 3mm allen wrench , carefully insert the cable tip thru the middle hole. you will only be able to get about 5mm of cable theu before it it blocked by the seatpost base.
take a needle nose pliers and grab that little bit of cable and pull it. as you pull, the seatpost will draw near to the end of the cable housing. gude the ferrule into the housing stop and while still firmly pulling on the cable, tighten the knarp with a 2mm allen key.
this job is MUCH easier if you have a second person holding the post while you install the knarp and cable.
once the cable is secured at the knap, and you are 100% positive that the cable head did not slip out of the remote lever and that you have NO SLACK in the cable, you can the trim the tail of the cable 2-3mm from the backside of the knarp.
Installing a dropper cable is a pain on the ass, but not impossible.
Whatever you do, don’t misplace/drop the knarp. they roll away like a scared mouse.
if your cable gets too kinked/damaged or is cut too short, or slips out of the knarp after its been cut, then just get a new cable. They are cheap and trying to reinstall a damaged cable will result in unbridled violence.