X-Fusion’s Manic dropper post provides good actuation and a quick return speed, but small amounts of rotational play and a tricky installation put it behind other budget dropper posts.
The post drops with great consistency and returns with a weighty thud, though it’s not quite as fast as others.
The Manic dropper is positioned as an entry-level dropper post at £220 including the dropper remote, and is designed to work with internally cable-routed frames.
X-Fusion Manic specifications
Available with 100mm, 125mm, 150mm or 170mm of travel, the post will suit a wide range of heights and frame size combinations and comes in 30.9mm, 31.6mm and 34.9mm diameter options.
I tested the 170mm, 31.6mm version, which tipped the scales at 610g including the underbar remote lever, which weighs 46g.
Unlike other dropper posts, the Manic clamps the cable at the base of the post instead of at the lever, making it compatible with fewer aftermarket remotes.
The underbar remote features plenty of adjustability and can be angled further out than most dropper levers, which may help those with smaller hands.
Inside, the Manic uses a sealed cartridge, which it says is easy to remove for servicing. A keyway design between the upper and lower post is used to prevent rotational twisting.
The head of the post features a two-bolt clamp for attaching your saddle and adjusting its pitch.
X-Fusion Manic performance
Installation and setup
I found the Manic more difficult to set up than other dropper posts I tested. The locking cable end was quite fiddly to tighten with the post dangling out of the seat tube.
It’s not the hardest task, but compared to posts that use the opposite system of clamping the wire at the lever, it is noticeably more difficult and makes it harder to get a crisp actuation.
There is a barrel adjuster on the remote to add cable tension, although this has limitations if you haven’t already set the cable clamp up correctly.
Saddle pitch is simple to adjust using the two-bolt head, making it easy to find a good climbing position.
The remote attaches to the bar using a C-clamp, which sits thin and incognito on the bars and didn’t interfere with my brake.
I found it strange that a 10mm spanner is needed to adjust the angle of the lever and this is something I don’t normally carry on my rides.
On the trail
The X-Fusion performs well, with the lever actuating the post quickly, dropping the saddle out of the way for descents exactly where I wanted in relation to the trail.
The return speed isn’t as sharp as others, but it remained consistent through my testing, meaning I could anticipate how much time was required to stand on the pedals before sitting down on the saddle.
It’s not as effortless as other droppers I’ve tested, with the lever not giving the same feedback as some more premium posts.
From the initial ride, the post had a small amount of rotational movement, but this didn’t worsen over time and wasn’t noticeable when in the saddle.
While it’s not the prettiest of things, the remote works nicely on the bar and the rounded design felt comfortable even when my thumb brushed against it on hard impacts.
The dreaded dropper squish didn’t develop during testing, with the Manic remaining as rigid as its first ride.
How we tested | Dropper posts
For this test, Nick took to his local forest to use the posts on undulating terrain trails where droppers prove most useful and are actuated more often.
Weather ranged from dry and sunny to cold and frankly miserable days, where dropper post imperfections can quickly frustrate weary heads and remotes prove difficult to use in the cold.
The droppers were all used in a medium-sized enduro bike, with inner and outer cables replaced for each post to ensure accuracy and repeatability.
Each post was set to a saddle height with full leg extension, and the bars were cleaned before installing the remote to avoid slippage.
Droppers on test
- Magura Vyron MDS-V3
- X-Fusion Manic
- OneUp V3 Dropper Post
- Tranz-X EDP01
- PNW Loam Dropper Post
- Crankbrothers Highline 11 Dropper
- RockShox Reverb AXS
- KS Vantage
- KS Lev Circuit
X-Fusion Manic bottom line
The Manic represents good value for money, with quick actuation and fast return making it a strong choice for those looking to upgrade to a dropper post without breaking the bank.
It’s hard to fault the post's performance, apart from it feeling a little less polished than more expensive posts and being more difficult to install.
The remote for the Manic is not as refined as some, and with the cable being clamped at the post it's harder to find quality upgrades.
Product
| Brand | xfusion |
| Price | 240.00 GBP |
| Weight | 610.0000, GRAM (170mm drop / 31.6mm) - plus 46g for remote |
Features
| br_seatpostDiameter | 31_6mm |
| br_remote | Included |
| br_travel | 170.0000 |
| br_travel | MILLIMETER |
