Crankbrothers’ Highline dropper post range has become a real favourite among the off.road.cc team for its already impressive range of sizes and its silky smooth performance. But today, the brand has announced a new and refined version of its dropper post, introducing handy features like travel adjustment, more travel options and improved measurements.
The latest Highline model is designed to simplify Crankbrothers’ dropper post, and that’s done through one main feature. That is its sealed emulsification cartidge. It’s been chosen for its simplicity but also its known reliability. The brand also reckons that it provides a smoother return speed than other options. The male riding population may well rejoice here.
Crankbrothers has also tuned the cartridge to require less force to compress.
However, the biggest and most important update, I’d say, is that the Highline now offers travel adjustment. This is something we’re seeing become almost standard, as it’s available on a reasonably wide range of modern dropper posts. The Highline uses a key system that allows the dropper post’s travel to be reduced by a maximum of 20mm in 5mm increments. That’s while requiring minimal tools, Crankbrothers promises, and without the need to remove the post from the bike.
But take note, the 60mm, 60mm L and 80mm L options do not get this feature.
As before, the Highline benefits from the very handy quick-release head, so the monumental faff of installing a saddle is made that bit simpler. The post’s stack height as been whittled down a bit, too. Now, from the bottom of the collar to the saddle rail (when dropped), the stack measures in at 45mm. This means that riders with shorter legs can make use of longer travel droppers, as the saddle will sit lower when the post is compressed.
The overall insertion depth has been shortened, too. That’s thanks to a new low-profile actuator.
The new Crankbrothers Highline is available in all current diameters, so that’s 27.2, 30.9, 31.6 and 34.9mm and the drop options range from 60mm up to 230mm. There is another caveat here, though: the 27.2mm option doesn’t get the travel adjustment.
If you’re up for a dropper post refresh, the Crankbrothers Highline will set you back £239.99, and remotes are sold separately. We should be getting one of these in for review, so keep an eye out for our impressions coming soon.
