If you’re anything like the BikePerfect crew, we’ve almost forgotten how to ride a mountain bike that doesn’t have a dropper post. The trouble is, some XC bikes and pretty much every gravel bike use a 27.2mm seatpost diameter, leaving you with very few choices — even among the best short travel dropper posts. Crankbrothers is aiming to solve this problem with its expanded range of Highline posts.
With droppers ranging from a gravel bike-friendly 60mm travel, the skinny Highline posts go right up to 125mm of the travel, meaning you should be able to find a dropper that works with your bike. Better still, if your frame has a funny shaped seat tube that limits seatpost insertion, the 60mm drop post comes in a short 297mm, total length and has a minim insertion of 174mm and long posts see a 387mm total length and minimum insertion of 264mm.
- Best dropper posts (opens in new tab)
- Best short-travel dropper posts (opens in new tab)
- Best full-suspension XC mountain bikes (opens in new tab)
- Best gravel bikes (opens in new tab)
Crankbrothers says the short post 60mm posts weights 396g, while the 125mm travel dropper is claimed to tip the scales at 467g.
Inside, you'll find a self-contained hydraulic IFP cartridge to actuate the post, like the Highline 7, and a standard two-bolt clamp that will accept round or ovalized rails to secure the saddle. The bottom of the post features a quick connect linear-pull mechanism complete with a cutout to house the cable head to eliminate installation headaches.
In the box, Crankbrothers includes a Jagwire cable and housing, though you’ll have to supply your own lever. These new skinny Highline 27.2mm gravel/XC droppers fall alongside the longer travel options offered by Brankbrothers, the Highline 3 which is available in 30.9mm, 31.6mm and 34.9mm and five lengths and Highline 7 that comes in 30.9 and 31.6mm diameters and four drops.
The new Highline XC and gravel posts are backed by a four-year warranty and are priced at $249.99; international pricing is TBC.
That brings us to the new Highline Drop-bar remote. To be frank, beyond jerry-rigging a left-hand shifter to actuate your seatpost, drop-bar dropper remotes are relatively poor, which makes the new Highline remote particularly interesting.
Designed to be mounted on the lefthand drops, the new Highline Drop-bar remote uses a single mounting bolt that allows for two-way actuation, so it can be reached from multiple hand positions without having to alter your grip drastically. Sold separately the Highline Drop-Bar remote is set to retail for $49.99; international pricing is TBC.
