The Black Dragon is our revolutionary dropper-specific seat bag design. The bikepacking world's first dropper seat bag not reliant on a fragile rack-style stabilizer, the Black Dragon holds up to aggressive trail riding on modern trail bikes. Drops, jumps, and high-speed technical chunder – whatever you throw at it, the Black Dragon rides absolutely solid. No movement, sway, or bounce.
The Black Dragon utilizes our original, proven RailWing technology, and the Wolf Tooth Components post clamp (included). The RailWing is a lightweight aluminum stabilizer that mounts to your saddle rails; it prevents bag movement on even the roughest trails, and allows for very quick removal or installation of the bag at camp. The WTC clamp is a Delrin piece that mounts to your dropper post, providing a dedicated strap rest for the Black Dragon and protecting your post's stanchion and wiper seal.
We designed the Black Dragon to maintain dropper function, easily survive crashes, and handle real MTB riding with aplomb. Customers around the globe have used the Black Dragon on some of the planet's burliest terrain!
The Black Dragon can also be used on rigid (non-dropper) posts as a minimalist option.
For dropper-post use: Requires a minimum of 5.25" (without Wolf Tooth Components clamp installed) from the saddle rails to the nearest point on the rear tire. Check clearances with the dropper post AND rear suspension fully compressed! If you are close and need more room, you can install a second WTC clamp (available directly from Wolf Tooth Components) further down your post to limit travel as needed. Each clamp utilizes 1" (25mm) of your dropper post's stanchion.
The WTC clamp works with most dropper posts using internal cable/hose routing ("Stealth"-style). The RockShox AXS-version Reverb is NOT compatible. When checking out, you will be required to select a clamp size, 25mm or 26mm. Measure the diameter of your post's stanchion (the part that slides up and down) with a pair of calipers.
- WTC Clamp 25mm: RockShox Reverb, other ~25mm-stanchion posts.
- WTC Clamp 26mm: Fox Transfer, other ~26mm-stanchion posts.
- Posts that measure 28mm:Beginning in 2019, some bikes are being spec'ed with a dropper post that has a 28mm stanchion diameter. Wolf Tooth Components does not make a 28mm clamp. We have several customers who have made their own functional strap rest/travel limiter with a bit of hard rubber shim and electrical tape. If you want to pursue this option, choose "No WTC Clamp" at checkout, and we will refund your order $20.
For rigid post use (or use on a dropper you're going to leave fully extended): Requires a minimum of 6.25" from the saddle rails to the nearest point on the rear tire. Check clearances with rear suspension fully compressed! If you are using the Black Dragon on a rigid post, choose "No WTC Clamp" at checkout, and we will refund your order $20.
The RailWing is compatible with any saddle that has "standard"-shaped rails. It does not fit: Brooks and Selle Anatomica leather saddles, Fizik Kurve, SQLabs, or certain Ergon saddles (ones with abnormally narrow rails). It is compatible with the Brooks Cambium and the Selle Anatomica X2. Carbon rails are NOT a good idea (this is true with any seat bag design).
For installation instructions, watch the video above.
Step-by-step instructions:
To install the Black Dragon on a dropper post:
1) Install the Wolf Tooth Components clamp on your post, as high as possible.
2) Mount the RailWing on the rear (slanted) portion of your saddle rails. Make sure bolts are snug, but don't go nuts.
3) Pack your Black Dragon and roll the closure down tightly. Clip the roll into the compression straps near the nose of the bag and cinch down.
4) Push the loaded and closed Black Dragon into the RailWing, engaging the Cinch Strap loops over the RailWing hooks, keeping the bag centered, and keeping the nose cone and seatpost strap aligned with the WTC clamp. Clip the RailWing straps into the female buckles on the main bag; secure the seatpost strap tightly around the WTC clamp. Tighten the cinch strap and RailWing straps firmly, and go ride. When freshly packed, you may need to retighten all straps after a bit, as the contents compress.
Like most bikepacking bags, the Black Dragon depends somewhat upon its contents for shape and stability. Stuffable items work best - clothing, sleeping gear, etc. You can wrap other items in soft goods to mute edges and increase packability. Load heaviest items into the nose, near the seatpost; make sure to fill out the nose cone and top of the bag with gear. Stuff items tightly and don't be afraid to use those compression straps - they are there for cinching things down!
To install the Black Dragon on a rigid post: Follow all directions above except for Step 1.
Custom Colors: Beyond our stock color options, we offer several custom colors to reflect our Custom Frame Bag options - see swatches in the product photos. This option costs $40 more and takes 2-4 weeks longer. If you choose the Custom Color option, email us after placing your order with your color choice from the swatch list.
