From what I've seen, the last couple of years saw a new product type come into light, and since its inception it has started to appear on bikes (such as this one, this one, or this one) as a stock item.
I'm talking about the "drop seatpost".
For the un-initiated, these are seatposts that are adjustable "on-the-fly", either by remote or a lever under the sadle. The idea is to allow the rider to find an optimal seat height to suit the conditions. This seems like a great idea, but what suffers as a result? I believe there is an inevitable weight penalty that would burden the gram-conscious amongst us, but what else might sway a decision for or against the purchase of one of these items?
I assume the potential problems will include weight, mechanical failure and cost, but what else might there be to the equation?
From what I have gathered these nifty looking contraptions come in a plethora of variations, and notable brands have created their own versions. I've seen them made by Fox, Rockshox, Crank Brothers, Specialized, KS and Gravity Dropper. Perhaps there are others as well.
So in addition, what differentiates each of these models and brands? What are the pros and cons of each? Is there one that stands out as a clear winner in the field?
Any help or insight is warmly welcomed, so thank you in advance!