IN BRIEF
Crankbrothers brings the best features of its dropper post range together in a single line, the new Highline. Its main selling point comes down to one adjustment: travel can be cut by up to 20 mm, in 5 mm steps, by repositioning keys on the post, with no extra parts and without fully removing the post from the frame — except on the 27.2 mm version and on the 60 and 80 mm travel options, which do not have this adjustment. The brand also claims a reduced insertion length and a stack height brought down to 45 mm, measured from the base of the collar to the centre of the saddle rails. The Highline comes in 27.2, 30.9, 31.6 and 34.9 mm diameters, with travel from 60 to 230 mm depending on the diameter, for internally routed frames only. The price is the same whatever the size: 249.99 euros on the brand’s European store, 249.99 dollars on its North American store.
| Diameters | 27.2 / 30.9 / 31.6 / 34.9 mm |
| Travel | 60 to 230 mm depending on the diameter |
| Travel options in 31.6 mm | 60, 80, 100, 125, 150, 170, 200 and 230 mm |
| Travel adjustment | up to 20 mm, in 5 mm steps; not on 27.2 mm, nor on the 60 and 80 mm travel options |
| Stack height | 45 mm (base of the collar to the centre of the rails) |
| Weight in 31.6 mm | 451 g in 100 mm, 571 g in 170 mm, 666 g in 230 mm |
| Cartridge | emulsion type (gas and oil); hydraulic IFP in 27.2 mm |
| Cable routing | internal only |
| Price | 249.99 euros (Crankbrothers European store); 249.99 dollars (North American store); remote sold separately, 69.99 euros |
Choosing a dropper post is first and foremost a question of clearance. Frame size, seat tube length, leg length — three constraints which, taken together, narrow the choice fast. Crankbrothers tackles the problem from that end with the new Highline.
The Crankbrothers Highline dropper post adjusts its travel by 20 mm
The real novelty is an internal travel adjustment system. It allows the drop to be reduced by up to 20 mm, in 5 mm steps, simply by repositioning keys on the post. The brand states that no extra parts are needed and that there is no need to remove the post completely from the frame.
The example given by Crankbrothers speaks for itself: you start with a 230 mm post and bring it down to 210 mm, in 5 mm increments. The idea is to buy generous travel, then adjust it to your frame. Bikerumor states that this adjustment applies to the 30.9, 31.6 and 34.9 mm diameters; the 27.2 mm posts use a hydraulic floating-piston cartridge and do not have it. The 60 and 80 mm travel options are also excluded, whatever the diameter.
Four diameters, travel from 60 to 230 mm
The Highline comes in 27.2, 30.9, 31.6 and 34.9 mm diameters, with travel ranging from 60 to 230 mm depending on the diameter chosen. Bikerumor counts 33 combinations in total, and quotes the brand’s line: “whatever the bike, there is a Highline that will fit”. In 31.6 mm, the official page lists eight travel options — 60, 80, 100, 125, 150, 170, 200 and 230 mm. That line does have one limit, however, which the brand spells out in its FAQ: the Highline is designed for internally routed frames only.
On the scales, the figures have to be faced: 451 g in 100 mm of travel, 571 g in 170 mm, 666 g in 230 mm, for the 31.6 mm diameter. The 30.9 mm comes in the same sizes while weighing, according to Bikerumor, 15 to 20 g less depending on the travel. On its product page, the brand makes its case on compatibility, not on weight.
Two millimetres saved where they count
Crankbrothers claims a reduced insertion length and a lower stack height, “which improves frame compatibility and fit across a wider range of bikes”. Stack height drops to 45 mm, measured from the base of the collar to the centre of the saddle rails with the post fully dropped — that is 2 mm less than the previous generation, according to Bikerumor.
Two millimetres, on paper, is negligible. On a frame where the saddle already sits flush with the tube, it is exactly what separates a post that fits from one that cannot be used. The seat clamp keeps its two bolts, including a pivoting rear bolt with a quick-release that speeds up fitting and adjustment.
That leaves the question of price. It is the same whatever the size: 249.99 euros on the Crankbrothers European store, 249.99 dollars on its North American store — Bikerumor gives both figures. The remote is not included: the post ships with its Jagwire cable and housing, but the Highline Premium Remote Gen 2 lever is bought separately, for 69.99 euros.
