Posted by: trumpstinyhands
I have 180mm drop on my hardtail but could go with 200. I've thought about it, but one of the main reasons I can see for going with a longer drop is to be able to get on the bike easily if you have to start riding in the middle of a tech / exposed section. The BB height on hardtails is lower on hardtails (or should be....) and mine is practically dragging on the ground so the above isn't an issue for me.
Once I'm on the bike, again I think the BB height helps with keeping the center of gravity low and giving the bike inherent stability so I've never felt the need for more drop.
I had a second-thoughts moment getting on my Rifty yesterday where swinging the leg over would have been easier with more drop… but when I surveyed the situation more thoughtfully I decided it was a series of rider errors that had me arrive at my precarious situation and even then there were better ways to remount. But the point is well taken re. restarts.
I’m excited for the wet and greasy season to start so I can see how my thoughts stack you against more frightening conditions. Particularly cornering as Niels noted. I’m railing with a 170mm post right now, but a bit of green-means-go on the roots and rocks and I’ll certainly be happy to admit if I’m scrambling to pull spacers out.