9point8's Lightweight Dropper Post and New Stem - Sea Otter 2019
These days, a lot of dropper posts employ very similar internals, namely the same sealed cartridge from the same supplier. That's not a bad thing, of course, just so long as it's reliable, but there's a small Canadian outfit that's been quietly doing it their own for years now. 9point8's Fall Line dropper post impressed me when I reviewed it back in 2015, and they showed up at Sea Otter with a new "weight optimized" version, called the Fall Line R, that's one of the lightest party posts out there.
How light? The 75mm short-travel post (275mm overall length) weighs 322-grams.
To save weight, 9point8 has gone to a one-piece stanchion and head (right). Inside, you'll find the same 'Mechanical DropLoc' expanding brake system.
The weight loss comes from 9point8 going to a one-piece stanchion tube and head instead of the normal Fall Line's two-piece design, and by simply using less material. Much like how high-end short-travel forks get shorter stanchion tubes to save weight, the new post sees that treatment applied to both inner and outer tubes. Travel can still be adjusted via shims, but the range is smaller so you're best off figuring out the exact travel and overall length that'll work for you and your bike.
The Fall Line R sells for $399 USD before you choose the style of remote you want, with prices for those ranging from $25 to $50 USD.
The lightest Stout stem weighs just 99-grams.
9point8 is expanding to the front of your bike in 2019, with the Stout being their first stem. As you probably guessed from the photos, it's a burly looking thing made for enduro and all-mountain riding, hence the short lengths to pick from. If you have a 31.8mm handlebar, there's a 30, 40, and 50mm option for you, while 35mm handlebar users start at 32mm instead.
The lightest version weighs just 99-grams with the optional anti-corrosion, PVD-coated titanium hardware that you'll get for an extra $20 USD on top of the Stout's $99 USD price tag.
Want one? It'll cost you $99 USD, and an extra $20 for the titanium hardware.
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
[UPDATED] Final Elite XC Results & Overall Standings from the Mairiporã XC World Cup 2024
42227 views
42227 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
Oh how about the upper post being worn to shreds in months because of your inadequate sealing?
Not to mention when you want some spares the tiniest part costs $40 to post.
9.8, high on promise, shit house on delivery. Can't believe I espoused the benefits of these to people and the put down their hard earned money
The droplock mechanism works great... Until the temp changes or you use it a few times and you're constantly equalising it after it shoots you in the arse on a steep decent.
What this needs is a recall or a lawsuit.
If you silicon it every day and ride only in dry conditions they're fine...
The tolerance opens up with the plastic bushings, but they ultimately last longer than the metal coated ones used in reverbs etc.
What the YouTube video for revive strip down, super quick and easy.
So I pulled out the droploc which was ridiculously difficult (yes I had the brake release tool on and I removed the schrader valve to prevent vaccum). When I Got the droploc assembly pulled out I found out that I had a completely dry droploc assembly. Not pictured above is the fact the the droploc brake assembly uses O-rings, said o-rings were dry and streaking up and down the inside of my stanchion tube causing friction and o-ring residue build up. Yes my post was properly setup so that the brake fully dissengaged when it was actuating, again even with the brake release tool it was extremely difficult to remove the brake because it was so dry Inside. Not sure if it’s suppose to be dry so that the brake holds firmly in place inside the stanchion but seems like a poor idea in my opinion.