Return speed is slower than some other posts on the market, but the actuation action is smooth and thus far perfectly reliable. Photo by Dave Kozlowksi
Lowdown: Crankbrothers Highline Dropper Post
No matter what is written here about Crankbrothers Highline dropper post, the lingering issue of trust (or lack thereof) will scare some people away. The California-based component maker has an occasionally checkered past in the reliability department, especially when it comes to getting saddles out of the way on descents. Its Kronolog post is arguably one of the bigger failures in recent cycling component history. But our job is to look at the here and now, not the past, so we came into this test with an open mind, and (as mush as possible) without bias. So how well did the Highline work right out of the box? And did it stand up to the test of time? Read on to find out.
Stat Box
Length: 400mm
Housing: Jagwire Lex-SL
Material: 7075-T6 aluminum
Routing: Internal
Travel: 125mm infinite
Clamp head height: 50mm
Size: 30.9mm or 31.6mm
Saddle attachment: Twin-bolt head
Remote adjust: 360-degree rotation, 22-degree tilt
Warranty: 3 years
Weight: 580g (30.9 w/remote, cable, housing)
MSRP: $350
Construction: Igus glide bearings and keys
Rating: 
4 out of 5
Cable: Jagwire Elite Ultra Slick
Pluses
Minuses
Premium bearings
Moderate return speed
Jagwire cable housing
No speed adjustment
Glide keys prevent play
Lack of loud thunk
Ergonomic remote
Only available in 125mm stroke
Best lever we’ve used
Internal routing only
Fully sealed construction
Non-serviceable cartridge
Multiple remote positions
Major reliability trust issues
Spherical remote adjustment
Quick stop position lock
Quick connect cable installation
Adjustable lever free stroke
Comparatively easy install
No bleeding necessary
Replaceable hydraulic cartridge
Very smooth action
Trelleborg dust wiper
Ease of saddle swap
Simple, elegant design
3-year warranty
Reasonable price
Review: Crankbrothers Highline Dropper Post
Let’s be honest, if the Crankbrothers Highline dropper post doesn’t succeed, it could be exceptionally damaging to the company. Over the years, the California-based component maker has garnered a rep for making beautiful looking products that didn’t always stand up to the test of time. The Kronolog dropper post is one of the best examples, but there are others. It’s likely most of you know at least a few riders who’ve sworn off the company’s products completely.
MSRP is $350, but you can find it on the Internet right now for almost $50 less. Photo by Dave Kozlowksi
It’s also important to note that Crankbrothers readily admits these faults. When Mtbr met with their PR team when this post first launched at Sea Otter, much of that initial conversation focused on the admission of past shortcomings and how this time was going to be different.
Check out Mtbr reader reviews of the Highline dropper post.
They claimed the days of taking shortcuts in the name of company growth were over, and that after a change in leadership, they’d plowed significant time and resources into product development. The Highline had been 2.5 years in the making, and even then they’d be offering it with a 3-year manufacturer defect warranty, a virtually unprecedented step in a product category that heretofore has been rife with failure. Who among us doesn’t know someone who’s dropper post has sh*t the bed?
Marks on the post make it easy to correctly set saddle height. Photo by Dave Kozlowksi
This mea culpa is meaningless, though, if the Highline doesn’t live up to (and even exceed) expectations. It can’t just be good, it has to be great. But before we get into performance, let’s talk a little about set-up. In an effort to nail reliability, Crankbrothers opted for a self-contained (and easily replaceable) hydraulic nitrogen cartridge with a pre-charged pneumatic spring and hydraulics that conspire to actuate and control the post.
Check out the full crop of new dropper posts for 2017.
If there is an issue, the thinking goes, you simply pop out the cartridge and drop in a new one. The whole process takes a couple simple tools and about 5 minutes — and requires no bleeding or complex rebuilds. The hitch is that you can’t fix it yourself. It has to be replaced, which means shipping time could become a factor, though Crankbrothers says its dealers and distributors are stocking extra cartridges to ensure speedy replacement time if an issue does arise. Here’s a video that outlines the process.
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNOiFS29JVo
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