How to Service Giant Contact Dropper Seatpost
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- This video will show you how to service a Giant Contact dropper seatpost. This includes changing the air cartridge, or just cleaning and re-greasing the post.
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Some bike company should be paying you to do these instructional videos. You have some of the best bike maintenance vids on UA-cam.
Agreed so helpful
But then he couldn't be able to tutorials on a wide range of products.
Truth
Thank you so much for making this video. People like u allow us to keep our Giants running smooth
I keep coming back to this video every year when I service my dropper, very well done
Great tutorial Clint! I don’t know what I’d do without your knowledge and willingness to share. I’m riding tmrw thanks to you. You’re the man! My trance will live to fight another day.
Just now doing this for my giant trance, we’ll see how this goes! Awesome tutorial!
If only I had this to refer to last week. I made a right mess of removing the seat post and took me ages to get the plastic housing out of the seat tube. You learn from your mistakes or from Clint's awesome tutorials. Thanks Clint.
Just did this - so easy.... Amazed how much dirt gathered inside, on a 1 year old Giant Trance
This video made the service on my Giant Contact dropper post a short and easy job. Thanks Clint! It's very smooth now.
During yesterdays ride the collar somehow got lose and dirt got inside. Thought that servicing would be a hassle, but this video made it extremely easy. Pulled it all apart. Cleaned everything. Added some grease, put it back together and mounted it to the frame again. Dropper motion is back like it used to be. Thanks for the great video. Keep it up!
Killer tutorial! My dropper post feels like it's brand new now. Can't thank you enough for this tutorial. So simple and to the point.
On a side note, I used Teflon grease on mine as I didn't have access to other type of grease and so far it's doing an awesome job.
super well done video, clearly explained. I had to sift thru 3 other poorly explained videos before I found yours. Thanks much.
Very helpful. Im an engineer, you think that would make it easy for me.. but a little knowledge teaches me to be cautious when stripping components, having a video like this gives me the heads up on what's inside and how to approach it. A real schematic if you will. Thanks Clint.
👍
This post Ive found is great. I thought I'd service it but when I stripped it it was as clean as a whistle. I do have a protective cover at the rear to keep the rear wheel dirt off it. Just a piece of Gortex held on with elastic chord
One of the best videos on bike maintenance I have seen. Thank you
Perfect video! The plastic keys on mine seem to have failed after just a few months. Haven't opened it yet, but the saddle can spin the stanchion all the way around.
Same here, mine is doing the same and can move mine a full 360°, I've took it to my local bike shop but they said there is nothing they can do
Has anyone sourced the keys ? My seat is also spinning
Thank you! My post was feeling kind of mushy and slow, now it’s a bit faster and way smoother!
Brilliant video.... gave me the confidence to take a look at whats going wrong with my post. It keeps dropping as if the leaver isn't locking off completely. I will now go take a look! Hopefully I can fix it with a once over.
There is a chance the cartridge may be bad. That's what happened to one of ours. Giant will send you a replacement if it is.
Clint Gibbs turned out it was the tiny activation nipple at the end of the piston that was sticking. Had to unscrew it for the threaded plastic head to find it. Once I freed that up it now works again!!
Got the same bike and it's perfect working now. Thank you. 👍🏻
When wiping off the inner post @ 3:00 be sure you are aware of not only the long slotted insert locators but also the split plastic ring/bush on the end of that post. It is easily dislodged and may go unnoticed.
Grazie.
I love how Giant advertises those plastic slots as "Anti-Twist Technology"
You know Where do i buy them
In only 4 week after buying my stance 2021 my seatpost is rotating better than my office chair so I am not sure if anti twist technology they are claiming is good enough.
@@DenisOliva Same on my Trance. Sold it after 8 months
@@DenisOliva it's easily fixed but definitely a weak design.
Thank you for the detailed explanation!!
Fantastic video, very well explained, like your channel a lot. Keep sharing your great knowledge.
Thanks HEAPS for that video Clint! Really helpful and really clear.
Keep up the great work 👊
It’s basically the same as an TranzX dropper!thnx for video!
Excellent video. What was really weird is that my Fathom 2 dropper failed during a recent ride. After watching this excellent video and disassembling, I found out that the bottom plug to the seat post where the cable connects was not threaded into the seat post tube. How can that happen?...or did the guy who assembled it new at the bike shop I bought it from 6 months ago forget to fully thread it in? I threaded it back in, re-greased, reassembled...better than new!
Top video thanks Clint, clear and ace! Cheers
We need an updated video with 2022 post : )
was just servicing my dropper post for my giant trance 2, which I think is the same as the one in the video, and have found that my cartridge actuator is broken and I am needing a new one. I was wondering what the name of it was so that I could buy a new one that was correct for my model. Thank you!
Not sure the official name but I refer to it as the air spring cartridge
My Giant dropper post had two plastic shims on the base of the inner post. When I took it all apart one fell off of the post. I can't get the post back in the larger tube when I just place it on the tube. Is it needed?
Question: How about doing this service when the Giant seat post is set up for external cable routing ? What are the differences ? ( as on my Trance XO 29-er 2013 model..)
The little "arm" that the cable connect to at the bottom of the post has no tension on mine. You can just flip it up and down. Any fix for that by chance? This video was perfect and explained everyone so well and then I discovered my little issue....
Hi, I’ve had the problem multiple times, it’s as if the actuation pin isn’t reaching the lever pulled by the cable, again yesterday serviced my warranty replacement post. Googled and seems this video is not quite right, the cartridge is unscrewed from reverse thread driver under the saddle. You cannot unscrew it by turning the silver nut on bottom, that just either unscrews off the rod or just turns the rod around. In fact Giant’s instructions are not to unscrew the lower cap off the rod at all, unless replacing the cartridge. So before todays ride I’m now go8g to have to try aga8n
you do have to grease them. I had a muddy race and it seized. Clean them up and they are good as new. there is a shim kit available now to replace that plastic collar. its what seems to wear and cause play.
can you list the part number for that? i've gone through 2 of these droppers and both times it was due to stanchion wear.. the seal isn't great on these posts for bad weather riding
1) The metal nut on the end can also stay stuck inside the black cap you unscrew, giving you nothing to work with. Carefully use pliers to turn the gas canister itself and it will detach.
2) Strangely the video does not mention the shims which stop the saddle rotating. These break very easily and then the saddle will rotate freely, probably to the left about 1/8th of a rotation. There are two TINY SLIM bits of plastic at the top that stop the post rotating, and I just turned one around. I was pretty shocked at the cheapness and fragility of the internals and am looking at an upgraded dropper.
thanks for the video! super helpful, do yo know how to identify the generations of contact dropper and where to buy a new cartridge?
I'm not sure. If you remove the cartridge and bring it to your local Giant dealer, they should be able to send it off pretty quickly to giant to get another one that matches.
So much easier than on the older models.
Hey! Thanks for the instruction. Do you know what to do, when the saddle feels like it’s lose somehow. Can turn it a bit to both sides… Seems the problem comes from inside the dropper post… any idea?
There are plastic pieces called keys that can wear out and cause side to side play. Every dropper post has some side to side play but as these keys were out it can get excessive and you need to change them.
Man I continue to learn more from your videos than any other source of info...
Question though... I need to replace my cartridge but it says it is discontinued what would be my next cartridge option
Hello Great video!
I have just serviced my dropper, it was really easy, but it is still geting stuck on the way up.
What could it be?
not enought grease?
Not having put grease on the cartige?
tank you
Did you install a new air cartridge?
@@ClintGibbs Hello. Tank you for your response. 😁. I didn't install a new one. The one I have it is less than 3 years old.
Do you think I need a need cartige?
Is this a common issue?
@@cesarayala8665 yes, it sounds to me like the air cartridge is going bad.
CONTACT & CONTACT S SWITCH DROPPER SEATPOST REPLACEMENT CARTRIDGE
In which size "mm" is this cartridge for giant mountain 2 2018 model?
is it 340mm, 395mm or 440mm? because i need to change my cartridge its automatic going up everytime and i need to sit for it about 3 seconds to make it stable.
After a fall in the trails my seat post is moving sideways. I don not find a way to keep it tight and dont want to take it to the Giant dealer before giving it another try ... any recommendation?
Try some carbon grip paste like the one made by finishline
www.amazon.com/dp/B0012RIEM6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glc_fabc_AT79BSFPSSNPST5TF5TR?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I'm not seeing the small white plastic tabs. I can't seem to reinstall the outer sleeve while keeping them in place.
I have the same question a lot of other people probably have, does anyone know where you can find replacement slider sets or what other brands would work? Third ride on my TranceX 2 and the seat is rotating over 90 degrees to one side. Haven't talked to my bike shop yet, but I assume they'll tell me they don't have any parts.
Hi Clint. I have the same bike. I was wondering if there is a way to help with the rotational seapost play. Mine has more then it did when I bought it. Maybe servicing it will help? Thanks
Awesome!
Was thinking mine could do with some tlc after 4 yrs! 👍🏻
haha, same...
Is possible to replace the plastic pieces that doesn´t permit the movement (right-left) of the seat post? and what is the name of that?
Thanks!
Same question!
I have an Giant XL Full E Pro with this seat post and I need a shorter seat post. Short legs, what can I say. When I have the post all the way in it pops up too high so I always have to adjust on the fly. Just a riding nuisance. Is it possible to shorten the post by cutting an inch off the tube?
my dropper is stuck...when I attempt to unscrew it from the top, it will not budge. i am unsure what to do...
My eternal, undying gratitude Clint!
Any chance of a "How to service Suntour forks vid" :) ?
Never worked on a Suntour fork before. But if I ever do I'll be sure to make a video!
Pretty easy. I have a 100mm air cartridge on my GF's bike. Any idea if I can swap it for a 125 for longer travel? 100mm is pretty short
You may want to check with a Giant dealer but I don’t think you could increase the travel on these.
Is it possible to just add air to the cartridge? my seat isn't returning fully and saw that it could be due to low air pressure. but this looks like everything has to be taken apart and you just have to replace the cartridge. I couldn't find any other info online for this dropper
You can check with your local Giant dealer, but I don’t think this cartridge allows you to add air
@@ClintGibbs yeah finally found some info deep in some forums lol. It's almost 8 years old now so might as well treat myself with a new one haha
Is there an obvious way to tell if the cartridge needs replacing. My has stopped working I'm going to strip down, clean and regrease. But won't bother to refit if its obvious I need a new cartridge. Great video btw
I think the best way to tell is when it's in the bike it just will not stay up, even with no cable tension.
@@ClintGibbs Thanks I've stripped and rebuilt it but I think the bottom bit where the cable nipple goes in is busted, its loose and doesnt seem to do anything. The post won't go down but is solid at it full extension. I'm away to look if they sell the bottom bit seperate
Found the bottom part its only £4.99 so ordered it. Many thanks I would not of tackled stripping it down without your video
Very informative video, could you sometime measure the dropper seatpost properly to see where are the specific measurement points, for example Giant says 395mm but from which point to which. thanks in advance.
the button of my dropper dont came out that means i need a new cartridge?
Super informative 👌 thank you!!!
5:14 - having an issue where the steel braded cable is not visible like yours is here. Mine is snugged all the way to the collar of the plastic sheathing, and if I pull on the top of the cable (small metal cylinder at the tip) I can't expose any of the steel wire.
help please!
Sounds like you need to release the tension at all lever. To do so you would have to undo the Allen screw in the lever that holds the cable.
@@ClintGibbs i'll give it a go - thanks!
Thanks legend
Saved me from taking it to the shop, one question, how can I check if the air cartridge should be replaced?
Really it's just at the seat post is working properly. If it compresses a little bit without pushing in the letter then the air cartridge may be going bad.
@@ClintGibbs thanks for answering!
I have a problem. My dropper seat post is stuck in the highest position and it will not go down even when I adjust the cable tension.
What do you recommend?
Pull it out of the bike and make sure the lever is moving.
Hola tengo una tija telescópica Giant Contact, la desmonte para engrasarla, al volverla a montar ahora retorna lento, a que se puede deber?
Clint the dropper on my 2017 Anthem is slow to function, I was told my the BS that because the stanchion is faded it has been comprised-only solution is to replace with a new one. They've never replaced the cartridge nor have they even suggested it
To be fair the anthem has a 27.2 dropper, Giant doesn't make one in that size
what to do if this thin wire at the end does not reflect back. So the switch doesn't work. I can pull it out. It's loose
My 2 year old Giant seat post retracts well, but when I want to extend it, it jerks and hardly comes up. If I put a little pressure on the back of the saddle it suddenly extends fine. The tension on the cable doesn't seem to be the problem. Does anyone have an explanation for this, is my seat tube crooked or what could be the cause? Didn't have any significant falls with it.
There was no end cap on my cable housing :/ I've bought a new bike and the seatpost has never been opened before! :/
Great vid. My dropper post is seized. Cable is free so assume it is the cartridge? Is it simply a replace cartridge job?
If the cable is working properly then yes, it's probably the cartridge.
Very helpful, thank you!!
How to open the tranzx 150mm dropper cartridge????
At 1:07 you loosen the collar. What if the collar seems to lock the seat post when it is screwed on?
I'm not sure I understand the question. If you can explain a bit further I'll try to answer.
@@ClintGibbs I have a silver metal ring under the collar. It seemed to be causing a problem but now it went back together and is working. Sorry for confusion.
I couldn’t tell; did you make an effort to thread the cartridge back into the bottom cap as you threaded it into the main tube? Or does it self locate fairly easily?
Not sure if fully understand your question but you thread the cartridge up into the top, then thread the bottom cap on. That's it.
@@ClintGibbs Thanks, I actually disassembled, cleaned and lubricated mine yesterday. Nice and smooth again. Your video gave me the confidence.
To answer my question, the bottom cap appears to thread into both the main tube and the bottom of the cartridge at the same time, without any special effort needed to align the two. As long as the cartridge is already threaded into the top of the dropper, it seems to self-locate as you thread on the bottom cap. It looked like it had a bit of a taper for this purpose.
As soon as i put back my dropper post and reassembled it the dropper post is going down even if I’m not clocking the dropper post lever and I try to adjust the cables but it didn’t do anything...can you possible help me on what to do to solve this problem of mine
Sounds like there is tension on the cable. If so, either the barrel adjuster needs to be turned, or something is pulling on the cable housing.
1:37 I can‘t pull it out.It keeps been stuck at the top
my dropper post keep on sliding down when I sit? what is the solution? great video @clint gibbs
That's what was happening to this one I believe. Sounds like you need to change the cartridge.
Hello, great video, could you please write what kind of cartridge did you use and where did you order it? I have a Giant Contact Switch w/ Remote, 30.9 seatpost (year 2013). Is it still possible to get a compatible cartridge? Thanks, Gregor
You have to have a Giant dealer order the replacement cartridge from Giant. There may be third-party manufacturers that make these but I am not aware of them.
Is it normal to have a little play in giant dropper post?
Yes. But if it gets excessive then you need to change out the plastic keys inside.
I dont have suspension grease can i use normal bike grease
How did you just pull the post out like that? I have a 2018 trance 2 as well and my post is completely seized. Any tips to break it loose, thx?
A rubber mallet got it out, lol.
Thanks for this!
can you replace the plastic keys ? my seat rotates 360 degrees.
Yes. You can get a rebuild kit for this past from a Giant dealer.
Curious to the overall length (not drop length) of that post (assuming it came from a medium frame you usually ride). Reason being; even with the post recessed fully into the frame on my medium giant, I have to ride with the dropper down 2-3in for the saddle to be at the proper height (using the 1.09 method you showed in another video!). Thanks for any thoughts
To me it sounds like you’re on a bike that is too big. You should not have to push the post down that far.
I had a similar problem when I ordered the medium size (150mm?). Mostly because the seat tube on the diamondback release 2017 won't allow the whole dropper post to fit in. Long story short, I went with the shorter one (125mm?). It's about 85% perfect, so I can't complain.
Great video
Is there a part number for the cartridge, mine will return but will not hold position, it sinks a few inches. I have to repeat the "press and sit" routine a few times until it finally holds.
I don't have the part number. If you go to a Giant dealer they should be able to order the correct one.
@@ClintGibbs Thanks, I followed the video and discovered a slight kink in the cable near the seat post end, after re-greasing the dropper as per the instructions and straightening the kink it all works like new.
@@Artwongoz good!
I have bought a brand new giant dropper post. It will not drop. I’ve tried everything..... any suggestions. It is brand new and have never been able to get it to drop. It’s driving me insane
It sounds like the cable is just not tight enough. I'm sure you've tried that but just wanted to mention it. Did you get it at a local bike shop? If so I would just take it back.
Clint, how to add air on the air cartridge for the Giant Contact dropper post?
You can't, you have to replace it with new one.
Quick question. I have this post on a 2019 Fathom and it doesnt go all the way down in the frame which makes it a inch or two too tall when the seat it let out all the way. Is there a way to make it shorter ( the portion going into the frame)? thanks
Not really. You would have to get a standard non-dropper seat post and cut it or just see if you could find a shorter dropper post to replace it
Have you tried adjusting the seat clamp to lower the dropper post into the frame, same process as any normal seatpost. You may however wish to pull on the dropper lever outer cable at the front of the frame to ensure it doesn't get pinched.
My giant dropper is annoying , it make me have to put a little pressure on the seat while hitting the switch for it to come up.. if I don't keep my butt in contact it will stop... It's been cleaned and serviced but still won't work right. Any ideas?
You may need to replace the cartridge at this point.
Why do you use grease on the threads?
To keep them from seizing. Good practice to do on all threads.
I think i have this exact dropper post but what worries me is that it moves left and right.
How can i fix that?
Keep in mind that I’ll dropper posts will move very slightly. But if it’s moving excessively you’ll need to replace the little plastic keys inside
Hi
Is it possible to "lock" this seat post to prevent it from twisting/rotating while you ride?
Not that I know of. All dropper seat posts rotate very slightly, some more than others.
@@ClintGibbs mine rotates about 30 degrees..
😭
@@johnnybravo1912 That’s a lot. It sounds like the keys are worn out and need to be replaced.
My post is leaking oil from the bottom of the cartridge. Do I just need a new cartridge???
Most likely
Clint, do you have any experience with attempting to install internal cable housing? Whatever i try seems to get stuck around the downtube/seatpost joint. Man this is frustrating not being able to see what is going on...
You have to remove the cranks and bottom bracket.
@@ClintGibbs Hi i eventually did it after about 4 hours - vacuum on seat post, string into the cable hole thank god it got sucked out of the seatpost...attach cable to string pull back through frame, finally feed the housing over cable and it was done...but man, that was the trickiest thing i ever done! Whatever guides/channels they have inside the frame do not work very well at all ... lesson learned, never EVER leave neither cable nor housing in frame you will regret it!!
@@neilus Nice! That's actually the first time I've heard of using a string and a vacuum. Nice work.
@@ClintGibbs Thanks, i actually got the idea from another YT video so i cant take the credit, i honestly didnt think it would work! I really thought feeding the cable in would be the easy bit and getting cable tension right would be the problem but its the other way round. Cheers :)
I have found the older model seat post problematic, the new ones work great. Like the way the new one comes apart inside so you can reset and clean it better.
Need help. I got a giant reign 2 2019 and my dropper freely rotates 360 degrees. Tried to open it and It seems that the upper post doesn’t fit with the lower post? (whatever you call it).
Ps. I also alligned those two plastic strips to the grooves of the dropper but it still rotates 360 degrees.
Those plastic strips are called keys and they do wear out. I would see if you can get a replacement set.
Very helpful thanks
Mine keeps falling when I sit on it ?
How often should I service my dropper?
I only service if they have issues.
Does anyone know where I can buy the plastic keys on the inside of the post???
Where can you get the plastic keys? Mine rounded off.
Pretty sure you have to go through a local giant dealer or maybe try to find them on eBay.
Спасибо. Наглядно понял, что стоит необслуживаемый картридж. Ставлю лайк за внятную речь. Жаль нет ссылки где купить такой картридж.
What pressure should the air cartridge be at?
I honestly don't remember. It's been awhile since I have owned this seat post.
How often do you replace your air cartridge?
Only when it breaks
@@ClintGibbs ok cool thanks, I just serviced mine. Your video helped me so much, thank you