First Impressions Review
If you have wanted to try a BikeYoke post for a more reasonable price, but you either wanted a 34.9 diameter post, or 213mm of drop, you were cornered into buying the more expensive Revive model. BikeYoke had planned to roll out these changes a few years ago but COVID messed with those plans.
The Divine doesn’t have the manual bleed function of the Revive, but it has an auto bleed function that so far seems seamless. Otherwise, it’s not quite as quick to return, it’s a little longer for a given drop, and not as quiet, although I didn’t notice that part. Otherwise, it’s a Bike Yoke post through and through, and it seems quality wasn’t compromised at all. From what I know of earlier Divine posts, they are just as durable as the Revive as well.
A Bike Yoke Sagma 3d mounted. The Divine will handle either round or oval rails up to 7x10mm
It may not seem like a big deal to launch a 34.9 post, but BikeYoke is the only company I know that does it differently. Rather than use the same upper tube diameter to save money, as is the industry standard, BikeYoke uses a larger diameter upper tube for their 34.9 post, pushing it up to 28mm from the 25 mil tubes used for 30.9 and 31.6 posts. Not only does this make for a beefier post, it also lightens things up significantly. Other manufacturers make up for that 3mm by making their lower tubes 3mm thicker. The larger inner diameter also allows for greater tolerances between the tubes.
I’ve spent a lot of time on Bike Yoke posts and they have never let me down.
Riders are less worried about weight these days but if you are going to add weight, the highest point of your bike isn’t the ideal location. Bike Yoke’s smaller posts have a 0.1 mm gap between the upper and lower tubes while the 34.9 has double at 0.2 which means there is less contact between the structures when bending forces are applied, leading to lower wear and longer life. If you have ever wondered about entering the Clydesdale class in a race, this might be the 34.9 post for you.
This image came from Bike Yoke and was used in a 2-Minute Expert article entitled, “Should All Dropper Posts be 34.9mm?” It was used to illustrate the way a larger diameter upper tube allows for double the tolerance between the sliding and supporting members, leading to lower friction and longer wear.
I have used the Revive Max, which is what BikeYoke calls their 34.9 posts, and it’s been great, but in the past few years I’ve learned that, as someone who tests bikes and gear, I’m better off selecting a 30.9 to test and using shims. Bikes come and go and I often need to swap out the stock dropper that comes on a tester for something a little longer. This system has been seamless, saved a little weight and many headaches. Using shims in the days when we manually raised and lowered our posts was dodgy but they are perfect for droppers that never move. At 170 lb, I’m not hard on droppers either.
The foot/cable clamp/actuator at the bottom of the post is offset. Most bike frames with interrupted seat tubes have an angled member Uusually pointed toward the front of the bike) that a deeply inserted post could encounter. The offset comes in handy here because this component can be rotated 360º with any tool that will grip it. Use a cloth to avoid scratching it and then turn it in the desired direction until you get the insertion you need. I rotated this one and found another inch, which is never a bad thing.
Like the pricier Revive, the actuator on the bottom of the Divine post can be rotated 360º, without special tools. I mounted the Divine on the Specialized Levo I’m testing at the moment and it has a kinked seat tube. It bottomed out early when I first inserted it but then, after a 180º rotation with an adjustable wrench, it went down a full inch further and we were in business.
The Divine isn’t the shortest dropper on the market for drop, but it’s competitive. The overall length of a OneUp 210mm post is 545 mm while this 213 mm post measures 577. Some of that will be in the stack (240 for the 210mm OneUp and 250 for the 213mm BikeYoke) and some of it will be in the lower but, because of BikeYoke’s longer foot/actuator is offset and can be rotated, you might actually get more insertion than other posts depending on the design of your bike.
UPDATES DIVINE vs. DIVINE 2.0*
- 213mm travel option
- Dedicated 34.9 diameter option
- Shorter stack height and shorter overall length (-5mm)
- 20% lighter remote feel than the previous DIVINE „1.0“
- Lower price point
FEATURES DIVINE 2.0
- Auto hydraulic bleed (no squish)
- Light remote feel
- 360° toolless rotatable actuator to avoid obstacles in seat tube
- 4 travel options: 125 / 160 / 185 / 213
- Rotatable foot
- Travel can be reduced in 5mm increments via internal spacers
- 3 diameter options: 30.9 / 31.6 / 34.9
- Sub-zero functionality (-10°c)
- Low stack height (37mm)
- Round and oval saddle rail compatible up to 7x10mm
- Fully rebuildable
- Swappable lower tubes 30.9 <-> 31.6
This is the Triggy Alpha remote that comes in five anodized colours and two lengths. This is the longer of the two, mounted inboard. I think I’m going to swap it out for the shorter one mounted outboard for shorter throw because the actuation is nice and light.
There isn’t a dramatic difference in length but it should be noticeable once mounted. There are mounts for virtually every Shimano and SRAM integration option as well as a standalone clamp that you can install without removing your grips.
The excess cable tucks away tidily in a little pocket. I have been using the longer remote on the inboard mount but the action is so smooth and light that I think I’ll prefer the shorter throw mounted outboard.
Remotes
Bike Yoke makes three remotes. There is the 2X, which mounts on the edge of your grip, and the more conventional Triggy and the higher-end Triggy Alpha. The Alpha has a nice smooth feel to match the post, good grip thanks to the cutouts in the paddle, and a tidy pocket where you can tuck away your cable end. It also comes in five anodized colours. I’d say it’s worth the extra cash.
NOTE – The USD prices above are incorrect. The correct prices are 250 and 305 USD. Canadian prices are 369/457 CAD.
On The Trail
The only difference I’ve noticed between the Divine and the Revive is the slightly slower return speed of the former. I have the pressure at about 280 psi and it can go to 350, so I may crank it up so it’s closer to other posts I’ve been riding lately. Speaking of other posts, the Divine thus far feels the most solid in terms of rotation at the top or the bottom. This doesn’t likely impact performance much but I find that a rigid perch inspires confidence. Otherwise, this is all Bike Yoke, with a nice smooth feel at the lever and when it’s coming up or down, particularly with the Triggy Alpha remote.
I’ve been riding several longer posts lately but 213 feels just about right at this point, at least on the Levo. It gets out of the way enough but, at the bottom, it is supportive enough that I can either pedal or coast sitting down comfortably when I’m taking a breather.
The Divine 2.0 isn’t what you’d call an inexpensive post, despite it being on the second tier of BikeYoke’s line. That said, for 369/457 CAD / 260/300 EUR or 250/305 USD,* you get a post you can service yourself without special tools, and one that is built to last. It may not be the lightest post on the market but it has generous bushing overlap for strength and durability and remarkably smooth operation. It also has knurled finish on the lower tube to keep it looking fresh for longer. Attention to detail has always been a Bike Yoke strength.
*The first price in each instance is for 30.9 or 31.6 while the higher price in each currency is for 34.9.