SDG Tellis dropper post £219

Coming in 100mm to 170mm-drop options, there should be a Tellis post to suit most bikes. It uses a sealed cartridge, which is replaceable should it go wrong. While the return speed is fixed, careful use of the under-bar remote gives some control of it. The lever has a long throw and light feel. It’s non-adjustable (beyond shifting its position/rotation on the bar), but its well-shaped paddle makes that less of an issue. Our post remained smooth throughout testing, with no twist or play developing. There’s plenty of saddle-angle adjustment available courtesy of the twin-bolt head, although the bolts’ proximity to the shaft can make it tricky to access them with a multi-tool. The head design leaves just enough room to jam a finger under the saddle to keep the nuts in place when fitting/removing it. Because the Tellis has a low stack height (it measures 60mm from the base of the collar to the saddle rails when dropped), you may be able to fit a longer-drop version than with other posts. The cable nipple is anchored at the post end, making initial set-up far easier. We had some initial issue with cable tension though, and the 1.2Nm torque recommendation for the cable pinch-bolt is too low. At 662g, including lever and cable, the 150mmdrop version is a competitive weight. Tom www.silverfish-uk.com

If you want a low-stack post that’s easy to set up, the Tellis is well worth a look