More than 50 per cent of participants in our online survey voted dropper seatposts as the biggest innovation of the last ten years. And rightly so! Fox and Rock Shox recently presented new models. Three new seatposts put to the test.
Crank Brothers Highline (top left in the photo)
Info / Price www.crankbrothers.com / 350 Euro
Weight / stroke 633 g / 125 mm
Diameter / length 31.6 mm / 400 mm
System / Adjustment hydraulic / stepless
Weight limit no
We have been eagerly awaiting the first test specimen of the Highline since Eurobike 2015. Now it has finally arrived in the shops. The highlight of the hydraulic 125 mm dropper post is the universal remote control. Thanks to a ball joint, the easy-to-grip lever can be integrated into the fittings at the top and bottom. Fine tuning can be carried out via the angle of attack. The lever travel is long, but requires little manual force. The internally routed cable is easy to install, the cable is clamped at the front of the lever. After several weeks of testing and muddy use, the Highline had almost no lateral play. It should only extend a little faster. We also miss acoustic feedback as to whether the saddle has already reached the top or not.
Ease of use* 5 out of 6 points
Function* 4 out of 6 points
Rock Shox Reverb Stealth (top centre of photo)
Info / Price www.sram.com / 514 Euro
Weight / stroke 626 g / 170 mm (100, 125, 150 mm)
Diameter / length 30.9 mm / 480 mm
System / Adjustment hydraulic / stepless
Weight limit no
Also with hydraulic X-Loc lever, up to 170 millimetre adjustment range, faster extension and a completely new inner workings with more overlap and improved seals: These are the key features of the new Reverb generation. Whether you want to lower your saddle by 17 centimetres is up to you. Tall bikers in particular will shout "Finally!", as the installation length in XL frames is generally not a problem. Everything remains the same in terms of assembly and operation. The extension speed can still be adjusted on the remote control, but you have to press firmly to release it. More exciting is the durability, which according to Rock Shox should be significantly improved. We haven't had any negative issues with our test specimen or the test bikes so far.
Ease of use* 4 out of 6 points
Function* 5 out of 6 points
Fox Transfer (top right in the photo) - BIKE TIP
Info / Price www.foxracingshox.de / 448 Euro
Weight / stroke 598 g / 125 mm (150 mm)
Diameter / length 31.6 mm / 456 mm
System / Adjustment hydraulic / stepless
Weight limit no
With the Transfer, the Americans have eliminated all the weaknesses that we criticised in the previous DOSS model in our last test (BIKE 2/16). As with all modern seatposts, the linkage now comes from the bottom of the seat tube, the protruding lever has been replaced and the Transfer is infinitely variable. As not all frames allow internal cable routing, there is also a version with an external linkage on the fixed lower section. When extending and retracting, a loud click gives the driver acoustic feedback. The lever is ergonomic, requires medium hand force and has a short lever travel. Fox also offers a lever for single shifting, which costs 79 euros. There is also a 50 euro cheaper performance version of the Transfer.
Ease of use* 5 out of 6 points
Function* 6 out of 6 points
*The assessment is made up of the riding impressions in practice and the measurements in the laboratory. Lever ergonomics and positioning, operating force and compatibility of the lever fall under the heading of ease of use. In terms of function, extension speed, saddle play, reliability, locking and cable routing are assessed.
Stefan Frey
Editor
