PNW Components Loam Dropper Gen 2 Seatpost

We’ve been big fans of the original PNW Components Loam dropper ever since it was first introduced in 2020. Adjustable, affordable, and reliable, it has always had a lot going for it. Five years down the line, and PNW figured they could do even better – meet the Loam Gen 2. We've had a test sample out on the trails for a couple of months now, here's what we think of it.

PNW Components Loam Gen 2 Dropper Highlights

• PNW Dual-Chamber Sealed Cartridge
• Internal cable routing
• DIAMETERS: 30.9mm, 31.6mm. 34.9mm
• TRAVEL: 125mm, 150mm, 175mm, 200mm, 225mm
• STANCHION DIAMETER: 30.9mm & 31.6mm: 26mm, 34.9: 29mm
• LEVER COMPATIBILITY: Compatible with all PNW levers and most cable-actuated levers from other brands
• TRAVEL ADJUST: 25mm of tool-less travel adjust in 5mm increments allows riders to hit every 5mm increment between 100mm and 225mm
• MSRP: $229 USD (black) // $234 USD (silver) - without lever
• MSRP Loam Gen 2 Lever: $69 USD

Initial Impressions

Before we get into the tech and the specs, let’s start with the most obvious novelty: the Loam Gen 2 is available in classic black, or the all-new silver finish we received to test. It took PNW a while to figure out how to deliver a silver-colored stanchion that would meet their durability requirements, but in the end they were able to do so thanks to a special hard anodization process. It’s always nice to have color options, and with silver components gaining in popularity again recently, this one arrives at the right time for those looking to add a touch of bling to this area of the bike. The Loam Gen 2 also still features the colored band around the collar, another way to make your dropper stand out from the crowd.

In terms of dimensions, the Loam was already quite competitive, but PNW went back to the drawing board and managed to make the Gen 2 even more compact up top. Thanks to a lower head profile, the stack height has been reduced by a few millimeters, while the overall length has grown a tad compared to the outgoing model. The Loam Gen 2 is available in travel lengths from 125mm to 225mm, with a tool-free travel adjust system that allows you to reduce the travel by up to 25mm in 5mm increments. The Loam Gen 2 also covers the three most common seat tube diameters, 30.9mm, 31.6mm, and 34.9mm. You can see how the Loam Gen 2 stacks up against some of the competition below (note that we are not comparing apples to apples as not all of these droppers offer the same amount of travel):

Things have changed on the inside too. The Loam Gen 2 now features a fully sealed and easily replaceable cartridge, and the number of anti-rotation keys has increased to 6 (there were 3 on the Gen 1 Loam). 4 of the keys are brass while the remaining 2 are made of Teflon. The design goal here was to keep the post slop-free for longer without adding system friction. 

The Loam Gen 2 is compatible with the vast majority of dropper levers on the market. We’ve previously used PNW’s own Loam Gen 2 lever with excellent results, so that was a no-brainer for this review as well - especially since it now also comes in silver to match the post if you want to. We like the overall ergonomics and function of this lever, and it's easy to adjust to find a good set-up. If you want to use MatchMaker or I-SPEC to clean up your SRAM or Shimano cockpit, you'll need an extra adapter ($15 USD), as the lever body itself is not directly compatible with those mounting standards.

On The Trail

The Loam Gen 2 dropper is as easy to install as its predecessor, just set the cable tension correctly and you’re good to go. Everybody has their own color preferences, but we think the silver version looks good and it was fun to see something other than black or Kashima for this component. The surface of the lower tube is very shiny, but we were still able to get it to sit tight in the seat tube without fuss.

The Loam lever sits nicely under the thumb, and it is quite easy to activate. It’s not as light or as smooth as a BikeYoke set-up, but it’s not far off. We like the ability to adjust the angle of the thumb paddle, together with the 3 available mounting holes on the lever body itself it all but guarantees that every rider should be able to find a position that works well for them.

The action of the post itself is smooth, if a little “muted”. It feels like there is some amount of friction as the post slides, but not of the bad kind, if that makes any sense. Just a very solid movement, without any extra play or sloppiness in any direction. It’s easy to manipulate the post and modulate the speed with the lever to find a middle position. The internal air pressure is no longer adjustable, but we think the post returns fast enough to satisfy even the most impatient riders. The post tops out with an audible "thunk", now a little bit louder than the previous generation – that’s a good thing in our books, as it provides a reassuring indication that your post has indeed made it all the way to the top and is ready to be sat on again. In the other direction, the bottom-out is similar in both sound and feel – a bit muted, and totally solid.

PNW droppers are known for their durability and ease of service, and the Loam Gen 2 looks set to continue that proud tradition. As mentioned in the overview section, the post now has 6 anti-rotation keys which should keep it free of lateral play for a long time. The cartridge is easy to replace if need be, and the whole post is covered by PNW’s lifetime warranty. We’ve only had our test sample running for a couple of months at this point, but all signs point to many trouble-free miles ahead.

What’s The Bottom Line?

The Loam dropper has built up an excellent reputation over the past 5 years, and the new Gen 2 version brings several improvements to the table: a slightly lower stack height means more people may be able to fit a longer-travel post, and the addition of more anti-rotation keys should further improve longevity. The post is still very easy to service, covered by a lifetime warranty, and very competitively priced – there’s nothing much for us to complain about even if we wanted to. It still offers a fresh and easy way to color-coordinate your build thanks to the replaceable, colored band around the collar, and you can now also get the whole post itself in either silver or black. Fun stuff from PNW!

More information at: www.pnwcomponents.com.

About The Reviewer

Johan Hjord - Age: 52 // Years Riding MTB: 20 // Weight: 190-pounds (87 kg) // Height: 6'0" (1.84m)

Johan loves bikes, which strangely doesn’t make him any better at riding them. After many years spent practicing falling off cliffs with his snowboard, he took up mountain biking in 2005. Ever since, he’s mostly been riding bikes with too much suspension travel to cover up his many flaws as a rider. His 200-pound body weight coupled with unique skill for poor line choice and clumsy landings make him an expert on durability - if parts survive Johan, they’re pretty much okay for anybody. Johan rides flat pedals with a riding style that he describes as "none" (when in actuality he rips!). Having found most trail features to be not to his liking, Johan uses much of his spare time building his own. Johan’s other accomplishments include surviving this far and helping keep the Vital Media Machine’s stoke dial firmly on 11.

Photos by Johan Hjord