First Look: Race Face Turbine / Easton Haven Dropper Post

Aug 14, 2015 at 0:44
by Mike Kazimer  
Race Face dropper

The popularity of dropper posts has skyrocketed over the last few seasons, fueled by riders who have discovered the benefits of being able to raise and lower their seats on the fly. What was once a small segment of the market continues to blossom, and now Race Face and Easton have decided to toss their hats into the ring, with each company announcing a dropper post scheduled to arrive later this year. Both posts house the same internals, but are branded differently – Race Face's is called the Turbine, and Easton's the Haven, a move that will allow bike manufacturers to spec a complete line from either company, rather than mixing and matching.

The post is a cable actuated affair, and uses internals that are based on technology licensed from 9point8, the small Canadian company who debuted their Fall Line dropper post last spring. Versions with 100, 125, or 150 millimeters of drop will be available, all of which are infinitely adjustable, meaning the seat can be stopped at any point in its travel. There's zero offset at the seat clamp, which uses a simple two bolt design for easy angle adjustment.
Details
• SIze: 30.9, 31.6mm
• Length: 350, 375, 415, 440mm
• Travel: 100, 125, 150mm
• Lever actuation: mechanical
• Weight (claimed): 495 grams w/o lever
• Available: November 2015
• Price: $469.99 USD

Initially, the posts will ship with a paddle-shaped thumb lever, but there will also be an aftermarket option available that mimics the shape of a shift lever. Race Face will even be offering different lever colors for riders who want to take their matching game to the next level. MSRP is expected to be $469.99 USD when the post becomes available in November 2015.

Race Face dropper
Race Face dropper
The post can easily be detached from the cable mechanism by unscrewing the outer cap and then unthreading the longer rectangular portion of the activator.

How it Works

Inside the post's 7050 aluminum body is a mechanical brake that's used to hold the inner post in place at the desired height. The brake works via a spring loaded plunger that enters a small, fluid filled chamber, causing it to expand and lock in place against the inside of the post. Depressing the remote lever reduces the pressure, allowing the post to move freely. Race Face and Easton claim that the post will still work even in below-freezing temperatures for those hearty souls that aren't afraid to venture out in the ice and snow. Removing the post from the bike is as simple as disconnecting the cable from the base of the post, a process that requires minimal tools and only takes a few minutes.



Race Face dropper
The post will ship with a paddle-shaped lever, but a trigger shifter style lever will be available separately.


Ride Impressions:

bigquotesRace Face provided me with a pre-production version of the post to try out in Whistler, BC, in order to get a feel for how the post functioned. I headed away from the Crankworx crowds and onto a section of Comfortably Numb, a trail that was either built by a genius or a sadist, a twisting and turning roller coaster of rocks and roots that can't decide if it wants to go uphill or downhill. Basically, the ideal terrain for a dropper post.

The post was very easy to activate, and even in panic mode I didn't have any trouble quickly reaching it to get the seat out of my way. The lever's width makes a nice thumb perch, but I wouldn't mind seeing the shape become even more rounded to make it less likely to poke a knee or snag on clothing. At about the halfway point of my ride, I did run into a snafu - the post started refusing to stop at any position other than fully extended or fully compressed. The mechanical brake wasn't engaging at any of the middle positions, causing it to move freely up and down rather than supporting my weight.

According to Race Face, they're working on a fix for this issue, and it should be sorted out for the full production run. We've been testing 9point8's Fall Line post, which uses the same design concept, for the last three months and haven't had any trouble, so it's likely that making the switch to a different facility has brought on some unforeseen difficulties for Race Face and Easton. As soon as a production version is on hand we'll be putting it to the test, at which time we'll be able to truly see how much of a contender this new dropper post will be. - Mike Kazimer

Visit the high-res gallery for more images.


www.raceface.com, www.eastoncycling.com

Author Info:
mikekazimer avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2009
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220 Comments
  • 289 9
 469 Bucks??? WTF is wrong with MTB Industry?? They should work on Parts costing way less!! Damn in every other industry they tend to lower the price and making innovation more affordable by the time it is released, but in MTB, it's the opposite... The more the years pass, the more the parts are expensive!!! Come on, get your shit together...
  • 391 6
 every f*cking desk chair from ikea for like 50$ got that mechanism and it works for decades without any problems
  • 46 6
 I just use boxxer spring in seat tube and qr lever. dropper post = bike industry conspiracy
  • 44 5
 @shr3d, i really like the comparison haha! But you're right, what's so different? Smaller mechanism? it's not like it's nanotechnology... The Industry really disgust me the last couple years.
  • 6 2
 @MmmBones Man, that looks ingenious but i have quite few issues on how it works actually ^^
  • 7 2
 i miss my my amp dropper post. 1" preset cruise drop, fully mechanical and it worked for 6 years without servicing.
no tap needed like on gravity droppers. preset positions are so much more comfortable than infinity travel, because you can drop to the exact same position every time. its gold!
fsa owns the rights on the patents for several years now but havent released a post yet. a sahme.
  • 135 0
 @Aksel31 I think a dropper post has to be lighter and a smaller tube diameter. But sure IKEA could do that. They would produce the IKEA SETTPÖST and it would be like $25
  • 22 41
flag jonas-2f4u (Aug 14, 2015 at 2:30) (Below Threshold)
 And how many office chairs get manufactured every year vs dropper posts? You try make one cheaper
  • 3 6
 how much is that in gbp?
  • 14 1
 @Christillot, it's almost exactly £300, so expect it to be on sale for £469 in this country. In the mean time anyone that wants one of these should go buy a 9.8 Fall Line. Available now, reliable, $379 plus shipping and made in Canada
  • 14 6
 @shr3d hahahaha i would buy it for sure!

@jmm337 That's what the industry want you to think... It's a fact yes, but how many dropper posts have been sold nowadays vs at the beginning of the technology?? Did you see any price modification due to the increasing of the sells?? I did not notice any change. No, i'm wrong, there was a change... They became more expensive, without any significant enhancing of the technology. That's what is wrong with the industry. I am a future engineer so i really appreciate new technology and innovation, which ,i know, cost a lot. But i can't understand why they don't want (or need, cause we are all responsible) to make affordable things, simple and reliable...
  • 24 16
 haha, Yea Öhlins guys should make one in cooperation with IKEA. One thing though... Aren't desk chairs rotating?
  • 43 1
 That's a selling point Waki, helps you lean into the turns.
  • 10 0
 @shr3d can't we find a way that we can just buy a office chair and then modify it so it becomes a dropper post? and Ikeas dropper would be called Sadelstolpe Wink
  • 9 6
 Neg propped? Must be Easton and Race Face boys lol Smile
  • 12 1
 Forget all those expensive droppers there for suckers. My TMARS Remote Adjustable Seat Post for US $68.50 Approximately £43.96 has lasted 2 1/2 years already and been to morzine / Les gets and British Winters, all i have done is re grease simple and cheap.
  • 2 1
 @WAKIdesigns thats the new think now haven't heard?
  • 9 29
flag notthatfast (Aug 14, 2015 at 5:19) (Below Threshold)
 Lots of armchair engineers here... Try and make one cheaper, I dare you.
  • 23 0
 I'm still waiting for the droopper post with ejector seat and parachute for those gnarly crashes
  • 4 0
 Easton and RaceFace cooperation should bring the cost down like for example in the car industry, where several models share the same chassis. Yet they came up with a ridiculous price - F... off!
I'd rather ride without saddle Wink than spend that amount of money on something so simple.
IKEA chair FTW! Big Grin
  • 7 2
 @shr3d Yeah, but how many people take their office chairs for multi-hour rides through muddy, rainy, gnarly conditions? Not many I bet.
I sort of agree with you in principle, as the uppy-downy bit is pretty much the same. It's all the other things going on which make it a bit trickier, such as strength, durability and sealing. All of which has to crammed into a tube around 30mm wide, and hold up to some fat-ass MTBer slamming it up and down all day long.
  • 4 18
flag notthatfast (Aug 14, 2015 at 5:34) (Below Threshold)
 Not to mention craftsmanship and aesthetics. How many of you would be happy to bolt a gas strut out of an ikea chair to your bike? I'm guessing not many, because they're not pretty.
  • 7 0
 @papapopeye ditto. Tmars dropper is cheap as hell, and has worked pretty much flawlessly for me and my gf. I've had good results with my KS Dropzone so far too, and that's only $200. Eten is even cheaper.

I just don't see the advantage of these more expensive posts aside from maybe weight. But even then this thing is only like 15g lighter than the Dropzone, and 45g heavier than the similarly priced Thomson post so.... where's the value? Maybe RF will make it available in all the pretty colors they offer for their chainrings?
  • 1 5
flag hllclmbr (Aug 14, 2015 at 5:48) (Below Threshold)
 @kovaldesign Easton owns Raceface, so the cost savings comes from where?
  • 11 3
 @speedfreek Sincerely, how many of us make ride of 3/4 hours long with downhill and climbs?? Let's be honest, not many... i didn't mean that the system was that easy to design, but a half kilo mechanical seatpost is clearly welll overpriced when it comes at 469$... The problem is here nowadays... We don't have as open minds as we should've. Do you realise what represent 400/500 $ in the daily life?? That's the same problem as bikes as expensive as a car... Sorry but a bike 4000$ worth is already a high high end bike in my standards, and nowadays it's only a mid range bike. This is completely f*cked up imo but for many it's hard to figure out.
  • 19 15
 Well then it's clearly not for you. All you guys are complaining about a premium price dropper, when there are plenty of cheaper alternatives on the market. Raceface is a premium brand. If you can't afford it, don't buy it, simples.
It's the same as thompson seatposts, they cost a fortune, because they're seen as premium, yet people complain about the price. You have a choice here - nobody is forcing you to buy anything.
You want a cheap dropper? Buy a KS, they work. You want a REALLY cheap dropper? Buy a shitty one from china, but don't be surprised when the finish sucks, it doesn't work that well and you have to modify it so that it actually works.

Coinicidentally, it's about the same price as the Fox DOSS, and not a lot more expensive than the Reverb, so quit your whining. Nobody buys parts at RRP anyway.
  • 4 1
 all hail the GIant!
  • 4 0
 OOh but clearly i will not buy it even if i have the money for it... And sure KS is really good option for this range of product. My worries is that they spent more more time (and money) developping high end and abusively overpriced product instead of thinking about a good alternative, cheaper, more simple but reliable... There is a frontier between what you really buy (technology, innovation, design) and the part that you spend only for the brand... Sorry but as premium as Raceface might be, you pay for the brand.. They produce reliable products, very effective but hey, i know plenty of brands that do nearly the exact same parts costing 20/30% less...But that's the game. Why do they keep making such marketing?? Cause plenty of us (and don't misjudge me, i'm part of this thing) are ready to spend a fortune cause it's a fancy part made by a fancy brand...
  • 3 4
 So... we're in agreement then, yes?
  • 12 1
 Funny how you can buy a dropper from the company they are licensing their internal technology from for $90 less
  • 1 0
 ...I have nothing against the EXISTENCE of boutique parts, but on the other hand, I just can't help wondering how much the Kashima model will cost. I have an eTen that cost me $130 and it's been running completely trouble-free since I bought it a year ago; friends with Reverbs can't say the same. eTens come in stealth now, too.
  • 5 0
 And they would throw in some meatballs to boot.
  • 5 0
 I just bought the new 2016 Giant 150mm dropper post. $300 MSRP (Canadian $) It works great, better than the previous Giant 100mm.
  • 6 0
 9point8 posts are made in canada though so thats partly the costs I'm sure these ones will be made over seas
  • 14 1
 But, as @djbuilder pointed out, the 9point8 posts are cheeper despite the lower production numbers, boutique branding/equipment, and locally made. I would love to see an explanation of how they added $100 of consumer cost to the product despite likely lowering production costs through mass production, bigger branding and better distribution (I'm sure we will now see this post on bikes spec'd with RF). Do they still make the 9point8? if so, why not just buy that at a lower price if the internals are the same? I just hope the proliferation of this technology will refine it and lower the cost over time for all posts (sad this one missed that boat).
  • 4 0
 Why would you pay more to get less and buy this post over a Fall Line?
  • 15 0
 Everyone's forgetting that the ikea post will come unassembled and in 3674578 pieces.
  • 8 0
 who cares. all you need is a 5mm allen key! Wink
  • 5 0
 I'm just going to drop this here....never mind me: www.pinkbike.com/news/Tested-KS-ETen-Seatpost-2013.html [MSRP $150]
  • 2 0
 @shr3d serious contender for the comment of the month
  • 1 1
 BAHAHAHA...Who pays full price for anything?
  • 1 1
 at least they wanna make a haven with just a turbine under your saddle.
  • 3 0
 www.decathlon.co.uk/100mm-dropper-seatpost-316mm-id_8323994.html

£30 decathlon dropper
  • 1 0
 what about something like that for your for post ride beer?

www.facebook.com/109973359039558/photos/a.128162230554004.9403.109973359039558/915239275179625/?type=1
  • 1 0
 @ThomDawson wow really thats cheep I would like to try that when they have it in stock again thanks
  • 1 0
 Considering they pay people a couple bucks a day to make them, they are really gouging the people for money here. A quality post made here would be worth that coin not a foriegn piece of s*it
  • 2 1
 hahaha, we have a nationalist here Big Grin
  • 1 0
 @AMGoran a mate of mine got what was apparently one of the last in the UK but I think there are some out there being reviewed too. Unfortunately my mate hasn't been able to test it yet but at £30 it's rude not to! I've had a look and it could be made to work with a crank bros style remote I think...only downside I can see up front is its 100mm drop but like I say - £30!?
  • 1 0
 @ThomDawson check out the Tmars ones on ebay too. Should be around £45 with remote included. Some have KS style levers, some have the old crank bros joystick style. They have a 110mm version, maybe more.
  • 1 0
 @bkm303 nice one dude, will do!
  • 1 0
 For that much i can afford to break one every three months so i dont really care if it isn't reliable haha and yeah only 100 mm but i dont think i need more honestly thats about how much i drop my seat manually now
  • 2 0
 They’ll only make stuff they can sell. If people pay 469 in enough numbers, they’ll sell it for that much.
  • 2 1
 Again, people don't seem to understand the notion of voting with their feet.
  • 1 0
 Your friends, even if they bleed brakes, did not bleed their reverb right. It is the most reliable seatpost, but 2% of technicians actually bleed it properly.
  • 1 1
 @takeiteasyridehard - which bleeding process do you mean? Bleeding the hose or the oil chamber?
  • 1 0
 The lever/hose is where I usually find people screw up their bleed.
  • 1 0
 it costs twice as much as the average salary in Russia.
  • 1 1
 if you go to Norway and sell 400 bottles of Vodka you will afford a Carbon Nomad with it.
  • 96 3
 Companies should really stop sending Pinkbike "pre-production" parts to review
  • 13 1
 Your right. It puts you off the product straight away. It's like shooting themselves in the foot. At the end of the day there are loads of alternatives out there now to choose from.
  • 20 2
 Or they just release a product as "pre-production" and suddenly their response to any criticism/ issues can be "we're working on it".
  • 42 4
 I bet they tested it on a pre-production Yeti.
  • 5 6
 Why? It's good marketing as it creates awareness, and realistically it sounds like they will fix it for production, if you were to experience issues then I'm sure it would be covered under warranty. Practically every company out there in all industries releases prototypes for BETA testing by third parties, it's the best and only way to find some issues.
  • 6 1
 They don't need to publicise it though. These things can be done behind the scenes and then the final product gets properly tested. Seeing spy shots of new products is more than enough to raise people's awareness not pre production reviews .
  • 10 2
 It's the oldest BS in mountain biking,I've been reading this "it broke,but it was pre-prodution" sh!t since early 90's in MBA and other magazines.
  • 10 1
 All those reverbs that shat the bed for the first year or so... those were all preproduction.
  • 3 2
 Non Stealth Reverbs are still sh1tting the bed. One has to wonder when will they actually enter production.
  • 2 1
 "Pre-production" is the best CYA move. If it doesn't work, it's they just say that it's pre-production and they've come up with a way to fix it. In reality there are many levels of "pre-production" and it could very well be production intent and basically identical to what ends up getting to the consumer.
  • 2 1
 Sounds like none of you have ever tried prototyping anything before. I've designed things from adapters to mate automotive parts together (Hydraulic clutch system in a previously cable actuated clutch car) to structural OSB panel houses, you gotta start somewhere, and someone has to try it.
  • 6 0
 If you worked in that,you must know the difference between "prototype" and "pre-prodution". Not the same thing.
  • 1 0
 better had a sponsord rider test it properly....this is bad marketing
  • 1 0
 Totally agree, this make the brand loose its category!
  • 38 4
 Looks like a.........reverb
  • 45 8
 Weird, looks like a session to me.
  • 19 5
 Stop Dropping silly comments.
  • 17 2
 We have to lower our expectations.
  • 11 3
 Not really raising the bar with these puns today
  • 16 1
 Yeah they seem to have their ups and downs.
  • 17 2
 looks like the pun level is infinitely adjustable
  • 16 10
 This isn't remotely punny
  • 37 2
 Waki that attempt was terrible - hoping it was pre-production.
  • 15 1
 I can't understand this post - too much reverb.
  • 7 5
 Haha, I love puns... Good post!
  • 7 2
 Damnit. I was hoping this post would be Haven from these puns.
  • 1 3
 Come on, at least they wanna make a Haven with just an adjustable Turbine and a Love Handle beside their remote on our bar.
  • 23 3
 This is unf******believable. Costs nearly 500. And it doesn't even WORK. IF we pay that price, it should have unquestionable performance and reliability!
As said before : wtf is wrong with mtb industry?
  • 7 0
 It'll match your shorts!!!!!
  • 24 3
 Journalists being used as Beta testers for expensive products once again..... Think they would have learned from the SB6C!
  • 19 2
 469 $ for a mechanical dropper post? No, thank you
  • 7 2
 You could have much better Thomson dropper post for that money, maybe even a bit less.
  • 4 0
 I'm happy with the Reverb Stealth, I can get one for 290€ in Europe.
  • 6 1
 Fall lines version is $200 less !
  • 1 0
 I still have my Gravity Dropper post that I bought in 2005. Had it serviced this year, cost = $25.00.
  • 17 1
 Wouldn't want that "pre-production" issue to happen when I'm descending. Especially for $469.99.
  • 1 0
 Not so big a deal - it still held at the bottom position, so just a matter of single sitdown.
  • 8 0
 At the price stated, it's a big deal. Nothing worse than purchasing something for nearly half a grand, only to find you have to send it back to the shop. You want to be riding your bike, not driving back to the LBS.
  • 9 1
 why the hell are droppers still over-priced, these should definitely be dropping reducing now as they are becoming more of an essential than a luxury option for trail riding

The RRP for this is just a joke, whats likely to be the real price when it hits the shops?
  • 1 0
 RRP is £349.99, so inline with pretty much everything else out there, I'd imagine it'll be available for less than that before long too. Looks like a decent product on paper, be interested to get a ride on one and find out how it performs
  • 3 3
 When you take into account the manufacturing processes, materials, time, design costs, and the fact that they only sell a relatively small number of products (compared to say, the automotive industry), then its often not that possible for these companies to sell these products any cheaper!
  • 1 0
 but surly that relative to the particular industry and droppers, for the bike industry are very popular - its a massive market they have, I think we sometimes underestimate how big things have gotten over the last few years, you only have to look at the amount of international and home grown races and events, plus all those that don't race - don't do us down, there is a massive market, HUGE and its only getting bigger
  • 2 0
 just wait until CRC gets hold of it, they'll have it for sale around the £200-250 mark, as they never sell anything at RRP.
  • 2 0
 My dropper (Giant) is cable actuated, works a treat (apart from loads of play in the seat - which you actually don't notice) - but was a warranty job from my LBS that my friend works at, thus was going in the bin, it cost me one beer... otherwise I wouldn't own one!

This things looks the same and is NEVER worth that money!

I agree with the office chair argument, or a gas strut from a car bonnet / boot lid, all it needs is an actuator & cable and it'd cost £50.00 quid! when my actual one breaks, I'll make my own!
  • 2 1
 The fact that you consider a dropper post 'essential' says it all. If you've got the money for a dropper post and a similarly specced bike, don't complain about the price. This is a premium product - if you want to pay less, look elsewhere. Since when have Raceface made anything cheap? That would dilute their brand. Just buy a KS if you want something cheap (though I'm guessing you probably already have one)
  • 2 0
 He's right, expect some cheaper droppers, probably don't expect it from race face or easton.
  • 10 0
 Gravity Dropper 150mm can be had for $200-$250 when they are on sale. I have never even needed to service any of the 3 I have.
  • 4 0
 Yup, mine has been flawless. I took it apart one time just to see how it worked. Simple and effective, and I actually prefer the 3 position over infinite.
  • 17 7
 Moving parts from Easton, hell no, that stuff hits way too close to Crank Bros head quarters
  • 10 0
 Usd469????? HAHAHAHAHAHA
  • 5 0
 Just wait for the new seat tube dia standard! Haha
Existing standards were based off of what stock al/steel tubing was available.
Game has changed w/ Al hydroformed and carbon, we may see a bigger dia standard soon.
This will make 150+ droppers and all sized carbon dp more stable. Just a rumor from industry talk
  • 2 0
 Fak, I hope this is a joke. Sad part is, it's believable.
  • 2 1
 This should have happened 2-3 years ago. Liteville has been using 35 mm ID tubing for years, right? And RS wouldn't do a 150 post in the still stupidly common 30.9 despite the appropriateness of 150 drop for taller riders. Dropper posts across the industry could have been lighter and more reliable.
  • 2 2
 Yup, if there's one change I want to see sooner rather than later, it's bigger seat tubes. think about it, would you ride a fork with 125mm of travel & sub 30mm stanchions? cause that's essentially what your dropper is, but with more complicated internals than a fork.
  • 4 1
 No, that's not at all what your dropper is.
  • 2 0
 Stop!!
  • 5 0
 (High fives in the 9point8 office). Take their technology, poorly execute it, and charge 9point8's asking price....in USD as opposed to CAD. Don't worry though, with the buying power of MEC it will only be $599 CAD, instead of $625 ;-)
  • 6 0
 Dont worry, at least they weighed it without a lever. Because it works without a lever? Nope, no it doesnt, heck it only works sometimes WITH a lever. Why would you give a weight without the lever???
  • 4 0
 So easton licences a currently available dropper post design, takes the manufacturing to asia using cheaper material to build them, which in turn the post now doesnt function for more then a few hours, and the price suddenly rises $90?
  • 6 0
 I wish someone made lighter dropper post - then such a price would be understandable.
  • 5 2
 PLEASE THE FECKIN CURRENCY! 469 USD is 300 GBP so if you are in the UK bitchin about the price it's costing less than a Thomson Covert which is 350 GBP (RRP) in CRC and only £20 more than what the Thomson costs after CRC's discount. The price is in line with the current cost of the majority of high droppers (RaceFace is defo considered quality these days) and no doubt will cost least 10-20% less after a few months...MTB is a feckin expensive game but the price of this dropper is not worth bitch hatin and cryin over!

Sheeesh!
  • 3 4
 Makes me wonder how people get to that state about the price, do they see it and fall in love only to be denied by the price? I just don't get it. I will literally always think either 'I can't afford that' or 'how can I afford that?'. I thought that was normal. And if something is ludicrously expensive do you know what I do? Laugh. To me it's a dead heat in comedy terms.. The price... And the people protesting about it... are equally amusing.
  • 2 4
 To the two people who obviously do complain about prices, I'm sorry I upset you. Not. One of three things is true 1) you know I'm right and don't like it because I described you, 2) you struggle with typing out a reasonable rebuttal, or 3) you need to get off daddies computer now, okay sweetheart? I just wish one of you two had the bottle, intelligence, motor skills or all of the above, to explain your disgruntlement. It's a forum, not a multiple-choice! Go on, neg that.

You can't win, Hater. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.
  • 5 1
 So 30% more expensive than the actual 9point8 post, without an interchangeable head design or the other options they offer... but it says easton or raceface so it must be better.
  • 3 0
 if you test and show to the public pre-production version of anything you deserve fierce criticism if it is not working. additionally you already discouraged me from buying this s**t.
  • 5 0
 a price drop would be nice. For this price I would rather go for the Thomson.
  • 5 1
 Why the hell can they not put the cable routing under the brake lever is beyond me. Having the v brake noodle on the top of my brake looks like SHI!
  • 3 0
 $469 for a product in a segment that is already crowded. Has many far less expensive options that work fine and have been around for years...and then this thing can't even work properly? What a joke.
  • 1 0
 I honestly don't give two craps about the price as long as the thing is bombproof; oh wait...

I'm currently waiting to get a Thomson because they're the only ones I've seen that don't immediately develop play and they seem to hold up pretty well. I know they're fiddly but I'm okay with that.
  • 1 0
 My Thomson has play...
  • 4 0
 With Raceface involved does that mean SDG might finally have an Ibeam dropper post?
  • 5 0
 Gravity dropper cones in ibeam flavour
  • 3 0
 Kindshocks has had a ibeam dropper for years.. just saying.
  • 1 0
 Wait are you guys saying there are other posts than rock shox?
  • 3 0
 I wish there were more droppers in the $100-200 range. I don't care if it's cable actuated or pre positioned. We don't need pricier parts.
  • 4 3
 The mountain biking industry is getting a bit over the top lately with all the pricings they are coming up with like you can basically get a new 450cc motocross bike for the price of some top mountain bikes these days and I'm sure there's a lot more gone into motocross bikes than mountain bikes
  • 1 0
 Economies of scale
  • 3 1
 They likely marked up the price because they are targeting OE. When consumers see this post spec'd on a bike, they will have the perception that the bike has a high end post.
  • 1 0
 No one can be that surprised by the cost...

We essentially get Fox's attempt at the dropper post with help from Race Face and this what we get. Their suspension products are already a "few" dollars more than other companies.... So why would their dropper be any different...

We knew collaboration was something to inevitably come from the buy out and so we got it.
  • 3 0
 So basically its a 9point8 dropper but labeled easton and race face...makes sense! Super innovative by all involved, including the inflated price point. Well done!
  • 4 0
 At least they went cable-actuated. Hydraulic actuation is such a crock! Leaks,bubbles... issues with elevation changes....
  • 1 0
 The fact that the stealth seatpost has a quick release and it is less susceptible to low temperatures is really cool. However, I do agree that the price is outrageous. I guess I'll just go bleed my Reverb to make myself feel better.
  • 2 0
 It has the same internals as the Fall Line dropper, which sounds like it doesn't have any issues, and is almost $100 cheaper at retail price....
  • 2 1
 Maybe this is a stupid question, but with the proliferation of dropper posts, why hasn't a frame been designed that would just incorporate the dropper into the frame's seat tube? Seems like it would save weight and cost?
  • 5 2
 Would much rather have the tried and true Thomson Elite dropper for that kind of cash.
  • 3 1
 If Fox race face and Easton are owned by the same company, why would RF and Easton go to 9.8 for a 3rd party design and not use the Fox dropper?
  • 1 0
 Because the Easton / RF post was in development BEFORE Fox bought them out.
  • 3 3
 Dropper posts are expensive because A) they don't make very many and B) they have lots of precision parts that are not allowed to fail.

If you got a machine shop to make you just the clamp/stanchion piece, it would probably cost you $450 once you had it anodized. Quit your bitching, if you cant afford it, use a regular seat post. They're still cheap.
  • 1 0
 I imagine you've try the 5sec. reset brake thing?! My 9point8 Fall Line was doing the same thing and I just had to press my remote and keep it fully open for 5 sec than it was holding fine!!!
  • 3 0
 470.00. ..........holy crap!!!
  • 1 0
 You can buy a decent bike - hardtails work fine, honestly - for that money, and you know what? It'll work, no snafus. The mtb industry, you gotta hand it to them, eh?
  • 1 0
 This is essentially a brand name 9point8 dropper, but the 9point8 is cheaper and actually works w/o issue and has a much better seat clamp.
  • 4 1
 "Haven Face" "Face Haven" Easton Race ?
  • 1 0
 Something to be said when they are developing something, that's pre-production but already have an established msrp on the item.... Not sure if that really makes sense...
  • 1 0
 Lmao.. $469 for a seat post and then you have to pay extra for a decent lever to work with it...!

The MTB industry is now dead to me...
  • 1 0
 It seems that company must have secret knowledge about amount of dumb people who would pay $469.99 USD otherwise they wouldn't start mass production.
  • 1 0
 I have the 9point8 post and no issues with it at all and it sure as hell wasn't $470 either.
  • 7 7
 I Knew it! I knew it! All this week pinkbike was advertising Race Face at the top of the page saying ''something new is DROPPING on Friday!!!
  • 10 3
 is now the time to make a "Captain Obvious" remark? It doesn't take rocket appliances to figure it out!
  • 3 0
 lol rocket appliances. I'm stealing that!
  • 1 0
 Also you could literally see that it was a dropper post on their website...
  • 3 2
 I'm the fan of Race face but the price is too much, for the maid in Taiwan.. better to have Thomson..
  • 1 0
 9point8 Fall Line is Ontario, Canada made! Wink
  • 2 0
 Yes, 9point8 is made in Canada but RaceFace used only the technology of the 9point8 and all of the RaFace products are made in Taiwan but still great stuff than to made in China
  • 1 0
 Yeah but I just meant that you could basically have the same reliable post but made in canada and for less $! Wink
  • 1 0
 But I'll need to buy another new frame now with stealth cable routing just so I can fit it to my bike.
  • 2 1
 If you don't have a carbon bike (and frame's warranty) you can just drill a hole in your frame like I did for my 9point8 Fall Line! Wink
  • 2 4
 I can see the appeal of a dropper but why no under saddle lever option? As a, shock horror, owner of a 26inch zesty from 2009 what is the obsession with levers on handlebars, I don't want any additional cables zip tied to my frame making it look like a bodge. Before anyone asks yes I know of QR seatposts :-)
  • 12 0
 Because who wants to take their hands off of the bars if they don't need to? Especially if it's just looks you're worried about.

I'd rather have a ziptied cable then a new dental plan after I took my hands off the bar right before the rock garden and ate shit.
  • 4 1
 ep4.pinkbike.org/p2pb12563194/p2pb12563194.jpg
  • 1 0
 OMG, Yep components makes better posts in much smaller series in Switzerland for 380 EUR ...
  • 2 0
 Costs more. Works less. Figures.
  • 2 0
 KS Eten.... Works great... $130 bucks.... Who the hell would pay 469?
  • 1 0
 That price is ridiculous and the comparison with the Ikea chair is funny! ahaha.
  • 1 0
 The mtb industry is crap. You can buy 2 used dirt bikes for cost of one DH bike
  • 1 0
 Offensively expensive. What a joke! Stealth routing posts are going for $300 in the used section.
  • 1 0
 Stupid price, and with the exchange rate that's close to $670 in Australia!!! Haha
  • 1 0
 Sooo... Race Face, Easton and 8point9 are all basi
  • 1 0
 ... Cally the same droppers? So why should i... You know... Pay more?
  • 1 0
 wish i could get a 26.8 dropper post for my dmr exalt
  • 1 0
 Rockshox badly need to make the Reverb Stealth 150mm in 30.9 and save us
  • 2 1
 Specialized command post: $300, works just fine.
  • 2 0
 My specialized shop will install a command post IR for $270 out the door. I've owned KS and Thompson and can tell you that the others aren't worth the extra coin.
  • 3 3
 My seat QR cost about five bucks. Weighs about 25 grams. And it never fails me.
  • 2 0
 If you have not ridden with a dropper post you have no idea...totally worth it! I put it right up there with disk brakes for the best things to ever happen to mountain bikes. For the people that think a dropper post is the same as a gas spring in an office chair...you really need to think more about what each device does and why dropper posts are way harder to make reliable. I will agree that I think they are far too expensive, but I have had a few now and would not go back to a standard post. For my riding and riding area it just makes sense...some rides I move my post more than I shift.
  • 2 0
 Yes i have read many forums on broken dropper post of every make. Fact is i dont sit when i ride unless its an easy climb. Even teck climbs you have far more control using your arms and legs for weight distribution. i have two seat post settings .up and down.
  • 1 0
 Hey Race Face, I've got your $469.00 right here.
  • 1 0
 i wanted to get a better look on that bc edition instinct
  • 1 0
 Test rode one a while back, great bike...but not better than my Prime. Wink
  • 2 1
 $469 .... and at that price Raceface promise to throw in a decent bike !
  • 1 2
 Do you even know what $469 is in pounds sterling? Are you going to buy this in the US?
  • 1 1
 kennyken1015 - when I hear the USA complaining about the price then I think I get the idea !
  • 1 1
 I was speaking UK prices...I'm not going to buy it in america or pay usd for it...I just don't see the point in UK buyers complaining about something that's actually not that expensive in the UK in the grand scheme of things. MTB is expensive yes...but all too often now there is knee jerk reaction to the price of some products. Oh it's expensive in the US so it must me expensive in the UK too?!
If the post cost $400 gpb then yes I would shout foul...but it doesn't eh?
  • 1 0
 Just BUY the ORIGINAL and get the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE...9point8 BABY!
  • 1 0
 Think I'll stick with my Reverb...
  • 1 0
 They are having tons of issues with holding air and out of spec seals.
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer any update on this?
  • 1 0
 Ha, $469. No thanks.
  • 1 1
 HAHAHAHA $450 FOR A SEATPOST HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
  • 1 1
 Remember Hite-Rite? $75?
Time for a resurection
  • 1 0
 These nuts.
  • 2 2
 easton = headaches
  • 1 1
 To be continued........
  • 1 1
 $500? LOLLLLLL
  • 1 2
 Flat out rip off from a brand (Easton) no one should trust by now.
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