Crankbrothers Highline Dropper Seatpost - First Ride
Crankbrothers recently released what may be the most important product in the history of the iconic brand: the Highline dropper seatpost. I met with the staff at the Laguna Beach headquarters there to go over its functions and learn about its development – which reportedly transpired over a 30-month period. Afterwards, some of us, including Crankbrothers athlete Cedric Gracia, went for a spin on the local hills to get some time on the new dropper. It was impressive. The short version, is that the Highline was exactly what I was hoping to see: a brilliantly simple and well-executed design that feels and performs like it had been thoroughly field tested before it was sent to market. It was.
Inside the Highline Seatpost
Crankbrothers’ global tech manager Tim Young talked me through the Highline dropper while he was installing it on my BMC Trail Fox. The key component is an easily replaceable aluminum cartridge that contains the pre-charged pneumatic spring, and the hydraulic metering systems which control and actuate the post. The cartridge is non serviceable, and carries a three-year warranty. The reason that Crankbrothers went the cartridge route was to make the Highline as user friendly as possible. I learned to disassemble and reassemble the post in about four minutes using one Allen key and one open-end wrench.
Rotary Valve: The Highline’s key innovation may be its rotary valve. Rather than pulling a pop-off or tapered needle, Crankbrothers devised a rotary valve to meter the hydraulic fluid. The cable-actuated remote pulls a spiral plunger which rotates a disc inside the cartridge.
Crankbrothers’ global tech manager Tim Young talked me through the Highline dropper while he was installing it on my BMC Trail Fox. The key component is an easily replaceable aluminum cartridge that contains the pre-charged pneumatic spring, and the hydraulic metering systems which control and actuate the post. The cartridge is non serviceable, and carries a three-year warranty. The reason that Crankbrothers went the cartridge route was to make the Highline as user friendly as possible. I learned to disassemble and reassemble the post in about four minutes using one Allen key and one open-end wrench.
Rotary Valve: The Highline’s key innovation may be its rotary valve. Rather than pulling a pop-off or tapered needle, Crankbrothers devised a rotary valve to meter the hydraulic fluid. The cable-actuated remote pulls a spiral plunger which rotates a disc inside the cartridge.
Details:
• Weight: 580g (includes: remote, cable, and housing)
• Infinite travel adjustment - 5” / 125mm
• Diameter: 30.9, 31.6mm
• Length: 400mm
• 50mm clamp-head height
• Internal routing
• Quick-connect mechanism for ease of cable installation
• Quick-release, two-bolt clamp head.
• Jagwire Elite Ultra-Slick cable and Lex-SL housing
• Self-contained hydraulic cartridge
• Igus LL-glide bearing and keys
• Trelleborg seal
• Three year warranty
• MSRP: $350.00, €350.00
• Contact: Crankbrothers
• Weight: 580g (includes: remote, cable, and housing)
• Infinite travel adjustment - 5” / 125mm
• Diameter: 30.9, 31.6mm
• Length: 400mm
• 50mm clamp-head height
• Internal routing
• Quick-connect mechanism for ease of cable installation
• Quick-release, two-bolt clamp head.
• Jagwire Elite Ultra-Slick cable and Lex-SL housing
• Self-contained hydraulic cartridge
• Igus LL-glide bearing and keys
• Trelleborg seal
• Three year warranty
• MSRP: $350.00, €350.00
• Contact: Crankbrothers
When a hole in the disc lines up with a hole in the valve, fluid can pass, allowing the post to either be extended or retracted. Reportedly, the advantage of the rotary action is that the force required to open and close the valve remains consistent regardless of the pressure in the hydraulic circuit. Jason Schiers, head of US research and development, says that creates a consistent feel at the remote lever and also paves the way for a low-energy electronic remote control, should they decide to go that direction at a later date.
The control cable pulls a spiral plunger (left) to rotate a disc-valve inside the cartridge. The plunger fits into a keyway, visible at the end of the cartridge-shaft (right).
Cable Actuated: The handlebar-mounted remote control lever is cable-actuated, and uses Jagwire’s top-of-the-line Elite coated cable and Lex SL housing. The gear-cable’s fixed barrel slips into the base of the seatpost without tools, and the cable-end is retained by a small Allen grub screw built into the handlebar remote lever. In this way, there is no possibility that pulling on the seatpost will accidentally yank the cable out of the valve body. In addition, using a conventional cable and housing eliminates the need to bleed or fuss with hydraulic hoses, and should ease the task of installing an internally-routed system.
Double Keyway: Both bushings and the keyed bearing elements inside the 7075 T6 alloy post are made from Igus composite material. Two keyways are used to minimize any saddle side play, and a high-quality Trelleborg dust wiper keeps crud and moisture at bay. The seal-head may be unscrewed by hand, and Crankbrothers recommends that the assembly be lubricated once each year.
Minimized Seat Clamp: Crankbrothers used the tried and true two-bolt seat clamp retainer for the Highline, but added a slotted hole in the rear-facing end. The clamp can thus be unhinged from one side to facilitate simple saddle exchanges. The low-profile clamping head is only 50-millimeters tall and it is centered, in keeping with the steeper-is-better seat-tube angle trend.
Multi-Adjustable Remote Lever: Perhaps the most user-friendly aspect of the Highline is its handlebar remote lever. It can be mounted lever-up, or lever down and on either the right or left side of the bar. A spherical swivel clamp enables the lever to be rotated 360-degrees, or angled up to 22-degrees to adapt to any brake lever and suit almost all rider’s ergonomics.
Double Keyway: Both bushings and the keyed bearing elements inside the 7075 T6 alloy post are made from Igus composite material. Two keyways are used to minimize any saddle side play, and a high-quality Trelleborg dust wiper keeps crud and moisture at bay. The seal-head may be unscrewed by hand, and Crankbrothers recommends that the assembly be lubricated once each year.
Minimized Seat Clamp: Crankbrothers used the tried and true two-bolt seat clamp retainer for the Highline, but added a slotted hole in the rear-facing end. The clamp can thus be unhinged from one side to facilitate simple saddle exchanges. The low-profile clamping head is only 50-millimeters tall and it is centered, in keeping with the steeper-is-better seat-tube angle trend.
Multi-Adjustable Remote Lever: Perhaps the most user-friendly aspect of the Highline is its handlebar remote lever. It can be mounted lever-up, or lever down and on either the right or left side of the bar. A spherical swivel clamp enables the lever to be rotated 360-degrees, or angled up to 22-degrees to adapt to any brake lever and suit almost all rider’s ergonomics.
The Highline can be disassembled in a few minutes using minimal tools. (From left). The remote lever, housing and spiral actuator; sealed, non-serviceable cartridge assembly; seat clamp head; stanchion tube with Trelleborg seal-head and Igus keys and bushings installed; and the lower slider assembly.
A ball-and-socket clamp allows the actuation lever to be placed at more convenient angles - my fear that the lever would slip out of position was unfounded.
The rear seat clamp screw swings free to facilitate saddle swaps.
The two-bolt clamp head is only 50mm tall, with no offset.
The Allen screw that retains the cartridge is below the clamps.
Why Crankbrothers Needs the Highline Dropper
Named after the famous slick-rock trail in Sedona, Arizona, the Highline represents an ideological turning point for Crankbrothers – a new period where intense product testing and manufacturing controls are pursued with the same vigor that it once bestowed upon its marketing and packaging efforts. The brand rocketed to prominence with a succession of vanguard high-end components, which included the breakthrough Joplin dropper post. But, Crankbrothers often faltered with quality control and follow-through issues – the worse example of which was the release of its Kronolog dropper post.
Conceptually, the Kronolog was a promising design. Unfortunately, the mechanical post was released with great fanfare and without adequate field testing. It was plagued with failures from day one. The embarrassment of the Kronolog should have spelled the demise of Crankbrothers, and if its Mallet pedals were not the first choice among pro gravity riders, it probably would have. To heal the self-inflicted wounds suffered from the Kronolog debacle, Crankbrothers needed to produce a “redemption dropper:” a bomb-proof-reliable, good looking, competitively priced, remote-adjustable seatpost that could right those wrongs. The Highline's performance and construction is head and shoulders above the Kronolog and if it stands the test of time (as it should), it will assure Crankbrothers fans that the brand is on the path to salvation..
Named after the famous slick-rock trail in Sedona, Arizona, the Highline represents an ideological turning point for Crankbrothers – a new period where intense product testing and manufacturing controls are pursued with the same vigor that it once bestowed upon its marketing and packaging efforts. The brand rocketed to prominence with a succession of vanguard high-end components, which included the breakthrough Joplin dropper post. But, Crankbrothers often faltered with quality control and follow-through issues – the worse example of which was the release of its Kronolog dropper post.
Conceptually, the Kronolog was a promising design. Unfortunately, the mechanical post was released with great fanfare and without adequate field testing. It was plagued with failures from day one. The embarrassment of the Kronolog should have spelled the demise of Crankbrothers, and if its Mallet pedals were not the first choice among pro gravity riders, it probably would have. To heal the self-inflicted wounds suffered from the Kronolog debacle, Crankbrothers needed to produce a “redemption dropper:” a bomb-proof-reliable, good looking, competitively priced, remote-adjustable seatpost that could right those wrongs. The Highline's performance and construction is head and shoulders above the Kronolog and if it stands the test of time (as it should), it will assure Crankbrothers fans that the brand is on the path to salvation..
Cedric Gracia wins again. He was keen about how easily that the Highline dropper could be modulated to stop at a precise mid-stroke position - a stand-out feature for me as well.
Ride Report
Dropper seatposts are not as easy to get excited about, now that there are a half dozen worthy contenders on retailer’s shelves. That said, the Highline has some features that immediately distinguish it as a potential winner, beginning with how easily the post’s action can be modulated with the remote lever.
Crankbrother’s post rises quickly, but not so fast that it cannot be stopped with relative precision at a designated point in its 125-millimeter travel. The comfortable feeling remote lever unlocks the post within a millimeter or two beyond its engagement point and releasing the lever locks the post with equal quickness and sensitivity. I quickly learned that I could choose an intermediate pedaling height with repeatable accuracy, similar to using the indexed stops of the Fox and Specialized mechanical droppers.
Unlike its popular rival from RockShox, positioning the Highline’s remote lever is not an either/or situation. Its slim handlebar clamp can be tucked discreetly on either side of the brake lever perch and the ball-socket feature lets the user choose where and from what angle the lever meets up with the thumb. I found that feature to be much handier than anticipated. Originally, the lever was adjusted with zero free play in the cable, which disengaged the post instantly when depressed. I discovered that I wanted a little free-stroke to signal my brain that I was indeed depressing the lever before unlocking the post. Either way, turning the cable adjustment barrel is all you need to find your sweet spot.
I prefer my dropper post to make an audible clunk to signal that it has reached full height. Posts that do not provide feedback often leave me questioning whether I am truly at pedaling height, or if in that split second after I depressed the button, that the seatpost did not make it all the way to the top. The Highline’s smooth and silent action does in fact make an audible clunk at the end of is stroke. Not loud, but a clunk nonetheless.
Is 125 Millimeters Enough?
Contemporary frame geometry is gravitating towards steeper seat tube angles, which force riders to raise their saddles disproportionately higher to achieve an optimal pedaling position over the crankset. That, combined with the trend for ultra-low stand-over heights in larger frame sizes, has created a need for longer-stroke dropper posts, and for longer seatposts in general. The Highline’s 400-millimeter length has the latter covered, but at present, its 125mm stroke is at the limit for some riders who want their saddles slammed for descending and set at full XC height for pedaling sections. The Highline’s length and stroke worked well for me (at 5' 7", with a 32-inch inseam - 170cm/81cm respectively), but taller riders who own low-clearance frame designs may find themselves wishing for a longer-stroke post. When asked, Jason Schiers said that a 150-millimeter version of the Highline was in the planning stages.
Dropper seatposts are not as easy to get excited about, now that there are a half dozen worthy contenders on retailer’s shelves. That said, the Highline has some features that immediately distinguish it as a potential winner, beginning with how easily the post’s action can be modulated with the remote lever.
Crankbrother’s post rises quickly, but not so fast that it cannot be stopped with relative precision at a designated point in its 125-millimeter travel. The comfortable feeling remote lever unlocks the post within a millimeter or two beyond its engagement point and releasing the lever locks the post with equal quickness and sensitivity. I quickly learned that I could choose an intermediate pedaling height with repeatable accuracy, similar to using the indexed stops of the Fox and Specialized mechanical droppers.
Unlike its popular rival from RockShox, positioning the Highline’s remote lever is not an either/or situation. Its slim handlebar clamp can be tucked discreetly on either side of the brake lever perch and the ball-socket feature lets the user choose where and from what angle the lever meets up with the thumb. I found that feature to be much handier than anticipated. Originally, the lever was adjusted with zero free play in the cable, which disengaged the post instantly when depressed. I discovered that I wanted a little free-stroke to signal my brain that I was indeed depressing the lever before unlocking the post. Either way, turning the cable adjustment barrel is all you need to find your sweet spot.
I prefer my dropper post to make an audible clunk to signal that it has reached full height. Posts that do not provide feedback often leave me questioning whether I am truly at pedaling height, or if in that split second after I depressed the button, that the seatpost did not make it all the way to the top. The Highline’s smooth and silent action does in fact make an audible clunk at the end of is stroke. Not loud, but a clunk nonetheless.
Is 125 Millimeters Enough?
Contemporary frame geometry is gravitating towards steeper seat tube angles, which force riders to raise their saddles disproportionately higher to achieve an optimal pedaling position over the crankset. That, combined with the trend for ultra-low stand-over heights in larger frame sizes, has created a need for longer-stroke dropper posts, and for longer seatposts in general. The Highline’s 400-millimeter length has the latter covered, but at present, its 125mm stroke is at the limit for some riders who want their saddles slammed for descending and set at full XC height for pedaling sections. The Highline’s length and stroke worked well for me (at 5' 7", with a 32-inch inseam - 170cm/81cm respectively), but taller riders who own low-clearance frame designs may find themselves wishing for a longer-stroke post. When asked, Jason Schiers said that a 150-millimeter version of the Highline was in the planning stages.
The Highline's action felt precise and intuitive from the get-go.
I adjusted the cable tension to add a small amount of free stroke at the lever.
In profile, the Highline shares many features with the RockShox Reverb Stealth, but inside, it is entirely different.
First Impressions:
 | Crankbrothers' Highline dropper has the right stuff. It is beautifully made and operates with the smoothness of a precision instrument. Anyone with a couple of Allen wrenches and an open-end spanner can field strip the post. Its working bits are sealed in a lightweight cartridge that carries a three-year guarantee, and its cable-actuation feature ensures that anyone can service or install it without a bleed kit or special parts. I'll be continuing with a long-term review in the future, but so far it appears that the new Highline is indeed the "Redemption Dropper" that Crankbrothers needed to get back into the game. - RC |
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Just as you wouldn't buy a 125, I'm not going to buy a post I can't get low enough at full extension. & even then, I want a little leeway to adjust up or down: not every seat is the same height, & I don't want to only have "thin" seats as an option.
I can see the 150mm being ideal when the seattube is shorter, but mine is just right.
Maybe not a concern for you, just illustrating a point I made earlier: if you buy a post that you have to slam to get to the right height, it can mean you're restricted on saddle choice. No big deal when a smaller size is available, but for someone like me, only selling a 125mm means I likely won't buy your product.
Hold it. Hold it. Hold it. Just hold it. HOOOOOOLLLLLD. Start blinking a lot.
Who still buys their infamous 1-ride pedals? The only way I'd ever consider anything CB again is if they gave me a free replacement of everything I've ever owned by them. Seriously, this is the only company out there that could make a multitool that just falls apart.
Owned Chronolog/5050 XX and one Shhitty Pump that only Chuck Norris can handle .
CB air pump = crap
Seatpost = complete crap
More expensive seatpost = lighter piece of crap
Multi tool = broke
50/50 pedals = Meh
Not likely to convince me to try anything from them anytime soon.
A through and robust design verification and validation process is extremely difficult and expensive to do properly and you have no previous history of doing these things properly. Some would suggest you don't know where to begin to develop those processes.
You are one step to recovery for CB but they have a very long way to go.
I have three KS Lev's, the oldest one is 3+ years old and I serviced it myself last year, works smooth.
I had a fourth one, a KS i950, worked well, but I sold it three years ago.
It was too long, so I cut it a little more until it was the correct length.
For the cable length from handle bars to seatpost, I converted an old X7 front shifter as my dropper post button, and will use the cable tension screw on the shifter to adjust tension.
blog.artscyclery.com/mountain/how-not-to-convert-an-old-sram-front-shifter-into-a-dropper-post-switch
so i have been f*** once, so 100% will not try this one
If they were happy trying to sell the earlier model I am not confident in their latest products. Its as if they didn't even test them first, or try them out in difficult conditions - mud for example. Proper mud, like the mud we get in the UK.
Its like they are all a bunch of nice designers that only ride when its sunny and dry and once a month at most. Whereas their customers ride all year long, which in the UK means wet and muddy half the year.
For me their reputation leaves me seeing them as a joke. They have missed the boat on Droppers, the market is moving towards cable / hose free options now.
Stop! My stomach hurts!
To ride any of their crap. I drank the kool-aid a few times about 10 years ago, and after walking out with one pedal, breaking a multi tool, and endless Joplin services, I'm done for life.
Eh?
Pinkbike. I really hope you don't pay this old arsehole for printing the utter drivel he constantly types.
Now if we're talking about a lower top-tube and lower top-tube/seat-tube junction, then yes, you will need a longer drooper.
Speaking of "old arseholes"...
For a total BB-saddle rail height of 800mm (ie. an 18" frame with 340mm of post showing) steepening the seat angle by one degree will move the saddle forwards by around 14mm and will raise the saddle height vertically by around 0.1mm
Less than the thickness of one sheet of toilet paper
Mindblowing eh?
When I first got mine I had to send it back because it would not hold air. It was a big disappointment but the new one works as advertised and so far it's been good.
Easton and Raceface both make their own dropper post...one called the Haven and the other called the Turbine (yes they are both owned by Fox and yes the dropper posts are completely identical)
I am just curious why there's no reviews on these specific ones.
Race Face owns Easton Cycling.
www.bikemag.com/industry-news/race-face-president-buys-easton-cycling/#OUDC52gCpGP9fbXv.97
And Fox owns both.
velonews.competitor.com/2014/12/news/fox-buy-race-face-easton-30-2-million_355115
Why on earth did you send me these 2 links when in my post I said they were both owned by Fox?
Pinkbike is acting strange this week.
As for my original post about not being able to find any reviews on my dropper....VitalMTB finally has a review.
www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/Seatposts,30/Race-Face/Turbine-dropper,16690#product-reviews/2400
- no setback (only slackens your SA, why would anyone do such thing?)
- the lever looks like a simplified shifter, same ergonomics but perfectly simple, cleaner and lighter. I'm surprised how retardedly most companies design the levers for their droppers, but this one actually is easily reachable with your thumb.
- the adjustment bolt on the lever.
What I dont like:
- it doesn't fit my 27.2mm frame.
As cool a guy as Cedric is, I'm very skeptical.
I did try other brands, but they each had their own issues.
But no denying CB'siffy track record; I guess it's a hidden cost of pimping up your bike.
My favourite CB design disaster is still their delaminating crankset, and the new multi-tools are hit & miss -- B-Series impossible to use in most situations, but the Y series works really nicely for me.
Or the Thomson Elite dropper. That one costs double the price of your bike. Might be worth the extra money on the long term. Pretty much every user review is very good, apparently it lasts for super long and doesn't develop any play like every other post does. It comes in 125mm on 27.2 which is more than any of its competitors, and it is also only around 450g iirc. The couple of bad user reviews I read received a new one after they sent it for warranty and didn't have any problems with their new ones. It's double the price of its competitors, but it seems like it will also last at least twice as long as any other 27.2mm post. I'm actually saving up for one. Way too expensive but if it really lasts for a long time it should be worth it on the long run I hope. Retail price is roughly $450 USD.
I dremmeled a couple more positions on my Plummet since I wasn't using the full dropped one. I like to steer the back of the bike with my inner thigs pushing on the saddle while going downhill.
In their defence, I'd have to admit they treated me right with my Kronolog issues. Problem is, they had lots and lots and lots of practice.
That said, I really like the KS E-Ten on my ML8. It's heavy for sure but it works without faff!
I like the lever design, I'm sure quite a few people will be using them with other posts soon. But for me I'll be sticking with my Reverb for a while to let others give these a long term test.
That's actually very reasonable, it seems like they will make less money on the ones they sell in Europe to keep the price competitive over here.
If you'd import one piece yourself, expect to pay €60 for import taxes and at least the same amount for shipping.
Great lever though.
The same price in Dollars as Euros? Looks like I'm getting one from the states then
I'm not a Cool-Aid drinker but when it came time for a new dropper because of a new frame (Smuggler with a 31.6 tube), I decided to bite. The Cool-Aid is real. It just works - really well and really smoothly. And the quality of construction is second to none.
The updated Reverbs look good but the Fall Line hasn't given me any reason to look elsewhere.