MEATengines

Resolve, a Love Story

(Updated 20/02/24)

About four months ago it occurred to me that I hadn’t opened this Wolf Tooth Components (WTC) Resolve dropper post since October ’22. Between my Waltworks V2 and the Banshee Enigma, that’s a lot of telescoping. It was still cycling smoothly, returning nicely – with the air pressure having been topped up a couple times, and feeling nearly as tight as new in terms of play in the keyways. It did maybe seem to be getting spongey more often after sitting, but a quick bottom out or two would reset the post so it was as firm as new. 

With a lot of things going on and my home shop in more disarray than usual, we resolved (I know, I know, drop the cow) that at the first sign of any performance issues I would open it up. And then on we went butt-in-seat blissfully #1FG’ing about our local trails. Until we didn’t. 

WTC Remote Pro, Wheels MFG machined aluminum housing ends, Shimano SP41 cable housing, & NOS Weldtite 1.1mm Stainless cable.
WTC Remote Pro, Wheels MFG machined aluminum housing ends, Shimano SP41 cable housing, & NOS Weldtite 1.1mm Stainless cable.
One very tired WTC dropper post with 2-3cm of sag that can
One very tired WTC dropper post with 2-3cm of sag that can’t be ‘resolved.’
Yes, I
Yes, I’m a sucker for Ti bolts. No, I don’t know what inconsequentially small amount weight they save here.
The 16mm Triple Square tool is from WTC. You can also grab one at Canadian Tire and pretty much anywhere else that sells tools in person or on the interweb.
The 16mm Triple Square tool is $5 from WTC. You can also grab one at Canadian Tire and pretty much anywhere else that sells tools in person or on the interweb.

So what went wrong when? Some folks might say that performance just continued to degrade until the point I finally noticed it. But, I have a different explanation for the abrupt change in experience that fits more conveniently with the general personification I apply to any of my bicycles.

You see, a few weeks ago I removed this WTC dropper, which was working great, from my bike and mounted up a new OneUp V3 post. I swear it was just for a handful of rides until they needed it back, but upon reinstalling my Resolve, well, let’s just say it was sad. No amount of cycling the hydraulic reset function was enough to get it to stick up for me. 

So I measured out 40ml* of fresh ‘LikeWater’** suspension fluid, let out all the air, and then, given that it had been a minute, I took a bit of time to RTFM. 

*Nb. even though I run my post spaced down to 170mm travel, it needs the same amount of fluid as it would at the full 200mm travel.

**WTC highly recommends their new V2 fluid, also developed by Red Line, as it functions much better with the Resolve post’s self-bleeding function. 

*Knipex Parallel Pliers have entered the chat*
*Knipex Parallel Pliers have entered the chat*
I wish e13 had used this combination of square-face layout and tight tolerances for the heads on the TRS+ coil dropper posts. It would have resolved my one real issue with that system.
I wish e13 had used this combination of square-face layout and tight tolerances for the heads on the TRS+ coil dropper posts. It would have resolved my one real issue with that system.
The cartridge can be removed to clean and lube the rest of the post without opening the cartridge itself. In this case the oil in my cartridge was the issue, requiring a rebuild.
The cartridge can be removed to clean and lube the rest of the post without opening the cartridge itself. In this case the oil in my cartridge was the issue, requiring a rebuild.
The air filter was gungy as they get. I flushed it but next time I teardown this post I
The air filter was gungy as they get. I flushed it but next time I teardown this post I’ll probably replace it along with all the o-rings.

The WTC Resolve is a lovely piece to work on and inside all the anodizing looks as new. Actually, other than the disgusting state of the oil that came out of it and a couple of telltale minor marks on anodized tool interfaces, caused by me, the post looks brand new inside.

I did take a couple pictures of the putrid sludge streaming out of the post when I opened it. But then promptly, in a moment of embarrassment, I deleted the evidence. Then I decided it was not true contrition if I didn’t admit my fault. After all, Resolve and I are starting fresh here. So I admit I went too long between services, but you’ll just have to use your imagination to picture a lightly frothed-up whole milk latte that smells like old farts. 

If I was concerned about how the outer tube looks below my seat collar I could replace it for . Inside the post is tip-top, but next round I may go up one size of keyways.
If I was concerned about how the outer tube looks below my seat collar I could replace it for $63. Inside the post is tip-top, but next round I may go up one size of keyways.
*Smaller Knipex Parallel Pliers have entered the chat*
*Smaller Knipex Parallel Pliers have entered the chat*
Cartridge cleaned up all nice. Note the 30mm worth of spacers (6x5mm) as this is a 200mm dropper lowered to 170mm. I
Cartridge cleaned up all nice. Note the 30mm worth of spacers (6x5mm) as this is a 200mm dropper lowered to 170mm. I’ll note quickly that I can run a 200mm Resolve post on V2 or the Engima, I just prefer less drop.
40ml of Red Line LikeWater suspension fluid. WTC now highly recommends their V2 fluid, also a Red Line product, as it performs much better with their self bleeding function.
40ml of Red Line LikeWater suspension fluid. WTC now highly recommends their V2 fluid, also a Red Line product, as it performs much better with their self bleeding function.
Would it be a suspension-related teardown piece if I didn
Would it be a suspension-related teardown piece if I didn’t include a photo of Slickoleum?!?

Big surprise, I know, but cleaned up, with Slickoleum on all the sliding surfaces, fresh oil, recommended air pressure, and one cycle of the post to reset everything and it really does feel like it just came out of the box. Fresh. Maybe I should have also considered replacing o-rings and the air filter since they are not expensive? Or WTC makes a full-service kit that includes their V2 dropper post fluid, seals, o-rings, etc. that I may order for next time.

Now the post is nice and tight compared to most droppers, but with a bit more play than a brand new Resolve, so next service I’ll probably go up one size in keyway pins as well – WTC offers four sizes. I love that there are options, including eventually buying a new outer tube, to keep the post running tight. I’ve experienced many posts that still function perfectly except for side-to-side floating and eventually knocking. 

Cleaned up and ready for a saddle. Since I
Cleaned up and ready for a saddle. Since I’m often asked, I’ve run at least a 1/2 dozen different seats and never had any contact with the post mast, even with the dropped position of the lower seat rail ‘wings.’
I
I’m running 200psi for what I’d call the slower-side of perfect return speed. I like the audible top-out and bottom-out, but some folks have noted it doesn’t sound as “refined” as the Revive.

I love the Resolve. Like its true competitor, the BikeYoke Revive, it is amazingly smooth, fully rebuildable, well supported, and sells for a notably higher price than basic but reliable replace-the-cartridge scenarios such as the X-Fusion Manic. How many hundreds of hours it will take to justify the price will depend on the premium a rider puts on owning and using nice things and full serviceability. 

Anyway, I think it’s beautiful and I love the way it audibly tops and bottoms out to know it’s all the way up or down and I’m looking forward to the next full teardown. 

Resolve, a Love Story.

Update: Wolf Tooth reached out to say that their V2 fluid, also developed by Red Line, functions much better with the Resolve post’s self-bleeding function and will deliver better results long-term in terms of ‘resolving’ sag problems. 

My post was well and truly due for a service anyway, but I’ll be pulling it apart again shortly and replacing the fluid with the new V2 version for a long-term comparison. 

-AM