Why is it that so many gravel bikes are dropper-post compatible, but few actually ship with one? Worse, if you want a proper remote lever, you’re usually faced with buying a whole new brake set. Fortunately, the Ratio Drop Dropper is an option for bikes running SRAM 11-speed or Apex 12-speed levers, and adding one to my gravel bike made it feel like new-bike-day all over again.

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Ratio Drop Dropper Lever key specs

• Kits designed to fit SRAM 11-speed or SRAM Apex 12-speed shifters
• Weight: 28g for the main lever unit
• Price: About $80-85 USD plus shipping
• Buy from Ratio

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Assembly line tech

Many years ago, I visited the Light & Motion bike light assembly line in California and had the chance to assemble my own light. An experienced technician demonstrated the process that I was supposed to follow. She made it look so easy! When it was my turn, I failed miserably, fumbling with tiny parts and forgetting where they went.

Attaching the Ratio Drop Dropper lever to the SRAM Apex 12-speed left brake lever on my Specialized Diverge immediately brought that experience to mind. Clearly there are parts of a SRAM brake lever that were never meant to be touched by consumers, and in fact, Ratio notes “modifying these components may void the original SRAM warranty” on their website.

Not that a little legalese has ever dissuaded anyone. Looking at the Drop Dropper parts kit, it’s clear that Ratio has done their homework. Each part is custom-made to fit, and all the supplies you need to get up and running are there — even a tiny tube of superglue. Most buyers should have all the tools they need to get the job except for one — a teeny-tiny Torx T6 bit — which Ratio helpfully includes in the kit.

I highly recommend watching Ratio’s installation video for your kit. The videos are pretty easy to follow, though that’s not to say the assembly is easy. The trickiest part for me was lining up the axle that holds the lever in place without all the pieces falling out. In the end, I got everything put together and was impressed by how smoothly the Drop Dropper integrates into the SRAM brake lever. On a difficulty scale of 1-5, with 5 being the most difficult, I’d rate the installation a 3.5.

On the trail with the Ratio Drop Dropper

The way I ride gravel, a dropper post isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have. But not just any setup will do. Last year I tested a dropper post on another gravel bike that came with a thumb-activated drop-bar remote, and I never really got the hang of it. As a result, I didn’t use the dropper much, which limited where I wanted to ride the bike.

With the Ratio Drop Dropper lever, activating the post is as natural as shifting gears. On the trail, it’s easy to quickly drop the post for a short drop, then raise it up again to climb up the other side. And I keep finding more opportunities to use my dropper on all kinds of rides: at stop lights, tucking in to bomb down hills, and stretching out in the middle of a long pedal.

On my mountain bike, I’m used to braking with my left hand and dropping my post simultaneously, usually when I’m coming in hot on a steep section. However, I haven’t found a way to do this comfortably with the Drop Dropper. Technically speaking, it should be possible to brake and drop at the same time, but the mechanics are awkward.

The Ratio bumper, left. SRAM right lever bumper, right.

One modification buyers need to make to the SRAM brake lever is to add a plastic bumper underneath to prevent the Ratio lever from snagging. (You use the included superglue to attach it.) It’s yet another smart detail that shows Ratio has thought of everything.

Initially, I found that the Ratio lever clattered against the bumper on rough descents. Fortunately, it’s an easy fix: a reach screw located beneath the lever adjusts the distance between the Ratio Drop Dropper lever and the brake lever. Problem solved!

On their website, Ratio says they’ve tested the Drop Dropper with OneUp V2/V3, YT Postman, SDG Tellis V1, and Giant OEM posts. After my own test, I can add another post that works flawlessly with the Drop Dropper — the PNW Rainier 27.2 — and I’ll share my review of that post in the coming weeks.

Pros and cons of Ratio Drop Dropper Lever

Pros

• Sleek integration looks pro
• Natural operation for drop bar cockpit
• Quality hardware and smart design

Cons

• A lot of small pieces required for assembly, but I blame SRAM, not Ratio

Bottom line

If you have a dropper post on your mountain bike, you will absolutely love having one on your gravel bike, and you’ll get a ton of use out of it with the right remote setup. For SRAM 11-speed and Apex 12-speed cockpits, the Ratio Drop Dropper is the key, and it’s worth every penny.

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