Fox Transfer Dropper Seatpost review

The Kasima coating on the Fox Transfer Factory models makes the line of dropper seatposts stand out against other posts. Fox claims the Transfer is the industry standard and, although the gold plating may stand out, it has a high price that is hard to justify among other options in the best dropper posts category.

• Race Face Turbine R Dropper Seatpost review
• Wolf Tooth Resolve dropper post review
• Best dropper posts – tried and tested​

First seen on Fox suspension forks in 2011, Kashima coating is an anodised, lubricated surface treatment created by the Miyaki company from Japan. The gold colouring is not only a functional element but it makes Fox suspension products stand out from its rivals.

Kashima was first seen on Fox suspension forks, then rear shocks and then made its way onto dropper seatposts. The main benefit is a reduction in friction but it can also reduce wear by keeping dirt and grit out of the small, natural surface imperfections compared to other aluminium anodised coatings.

Fox Transfer Dropper Seatpost – Technical details

The Fox Transfer is available at two price points: Performance Elite level, featuring a black anodised shaft and the Factory with gold Kashima coating. Both versions of the post are available in a wide range of stroke lengths, including 100mm, 125mm, 150mm, 175mm, and 200mm. All drop lengths are available in 30.9mm and 31.6mm diameters.

Although Fox doesn’t provide a 27.2mm option, the SL model (designed for XC racers) is offered in an XL size to suit taller riders or those with more exposed seatposts.

Fox makes either a 1x thumb shifter style lever or the 2x lever that we have on our test post, which is useful for riders using a remote lockout, but a lever is not included as standard.

Fox_Transfer_Dropper_Lever.JPG, by Matthew Page

The 31.6mm, 125mm stroke length (pictured here) has a starting weight of 534g. The total weight, including the cable (66g) and lever (28g) is 628g, meaning it’s by no stretch the lightest post on the market. Fox also produces the Transfer SL, which weighs about 100g less depending on the size.

Fox Transfer Dropper Seatpost – Installation & performance

While the ease of cable routing will depend on the frame, the anchor point for the gear cable locks into the seatpost making installation easier on most frame designs. The tiny grub screw that secures the cable at the lever end proved to be the only difficulty. Make sure you get it right the first time because the cable exits the lever at a point where you need to cut it very short to stop it from rubbing your hand.

Fox_Transfer_Dropper_Cable.JPG, by Matthew Page

The 44mm stack height of the saddle is low, and it has the same clamp as the Race Face Turbine R seatpost. However, it can’t match the 32m stack height of the Wolf Tooth Resolve, which is claimed as having the shortest stack height at present for a dropper post.

Once installed there was only a little side-to-side movement, within what I would consider acceptable when compared to other dropper options – and far less than the Turbine R (which is surprising given the near-identical internals).

Fox_Transfer_Dropper_Clamp.JPG, by Matthew Page

Cable tension is important to get right. Too little tension can make it slow to move or need a longer throw, and both lever options have a cable barrel to adjust the tension easily. Once dialed correctly there is enough movement to make it easy to stop at any point in the travel, unlike the Transfer SL seatpost.

The return to full extension is quick but not as rapid as the Turbine R, which is lightning-fast and perhaps too fast for some – me included. Without a true back-to-back test, it is hard to tell if the Kashima coating makes a real difference but I did not notice the Transfer SL being any smoother than the Turbine R used previously.

Fox suggests a full service every 125 hours, or annually, and given the specialist tools and steps required, most riders will need to send the post to a service centre. The current service cost is £109, adding to the long-term costs. Despite claims of greater durability, the Kashima coating doesn’t extend service intervals beyond those of the Performance Elite version.

Fox_Transfer_Dropper_Back.JPG, by Matthew Page

Fox Transfer Dropper Seatpost – Verdict

All sizes of the Fox Transfer are £399 for the seatpost alone and both levers are an extra £80, so unless you go with another brand lever the total price is £479, a premium price and one of the most expensive mechanical-style posts you can buy. The Race Face Turbine R is £20 less but lacks the gold looks and the price is the same as the Fox Transfer Performance Elite version.

The ultra-low stack height Wolf Tooth Resolve post that Liam loved is £380 including a thumb lever, and it also features other benefits, making it a solid premium price option.

The PRO Tharsis 3Five (30.9mm, 100mm travel), tested at 543g including lever and cables, is under £300 if you want a post that is lighter.

The Fox Transfer may perform well, but at this price point, that is exactly what you would expect. Although some riders will be drawn to the glitzy gold Kashima coating, the difference in pure performance improvement is probably negligible.

• www.ridefox.com/
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