The new Crankbrothers Highline: This Vario seatpost makes extremely effective use of its travel

Conclusion by Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor

A Vario seatpost must be able to do one thing above all else: create as much legroom as possible when riding downhill. This is precisely where Crankbrothers comes in with the new Highline. Rather than simply building a longer seatpost with more travel, the travel on the new Highline can be reduced in stages. On top of that, Crankbrothers has improved the insertion depth and overall height to make the most effective use of the adjustment range, particularly when the frame and rider’s height do not perfectly match the available seatpost length. After all, even the longest adjustment range is of no use if the seatpost cannot be lowered far enough into the seat tube. The Highline therefore does not represent a radical departure from the norm, but rather refines the details that truly define a successful telescopic seatpost.

Crankbrothers Highline – Key facts

• Price: €249.99 RRP
• Diameter: 27.2 / 30.9 / 31.6 / 34.9 mm
• Stroke: 60 to 230 mm, depending on the variant
• Stroke adjustment: up to 20 mm in 5-mm increments
• Adjustment: directly on the extended strut, without having to remove it completely
• Insertion depth: reduced compared with previous models
• Stack height: 45 mm from the seatpost clamp to the centre of the seat stays
• Cartridge: sealed emulsion cartridge
• Saddle clamping: Two-screw clamping mechanism with a quick-release function on the rear screw
• Operation: compact, redesigned actuator
• Special feature: The 60-, 60-L-, 80- and 80-L-mm versions cannot be adjusted in terms of stroke

It’s not just the length that counts

With the new Highline, Crankbrothers has focused primarily on the fit, rather than simply maximising the adjustment range. With the 30.9, 31.6 and 34.9-millimetre diameter versions, the stroke can be adjusted in increments to allow the seatpost to be inserted as far as possible into the seat tube and to make the most of the benefits of a long adjustment range.

To achieve this, Crankbrothers has incorporated a tool-free flip-chip system into the seat post to adjust the original travel to in 5-millimetre increments to reduce by up to 20 millimetres. The key point is that the strut does not need to be pulled completely out of the frame to do this.

At first glance, this may sound like a minor detail, but it solves a common problem. After all, a long dropper post only offers significant freedom of movement if it can be lowered deep into the seat tube. With the new Highline, the maximum travel can be adjusted to suit the actual installation situation, so that, in the best-case scenario, the seatpost can be lowered right down to the top edge of the seat tube. Crankbrothers has therefore reduced the insertion depth across the entire Highline range. Depending on the diameter, the adjustment range is between 60 and 230 millimetres.

Compact head, less force required on the lever

Crankbrothers has also fine-tuned the operation. The new actuator – the component at the bottom of the seatpost to which the cable from the remote is attached – is significantly smaller than on the Highline 3 and Highline 7 models. According to the manufacturer, the form factor has been reduced by almost half. This creates more space between the frame and the mechanism.

Crankbrothers have also made some changes to the cartridge. It requires less force to lower and, thanks to lower pressure, is designed to allow the seatpost to retract quickly and, above all, more smoothly.

Simplified cartridge for greater reliability

For the new Highline, Crankbrothers has opted for a sealed emulsion cartridge. The manufacturer has thus simplified the design to make the system as straightforward as possible and promises reliable performance over many seasons.

For a Vario seatpost, this sounds like a sensible approach: less complexity, simple operation and performance that remains as consistent as possible. Whether the design lives up to this promise even after many months in the mud and under intensive use remains to be seen in practical testing.

Saddle fitting with quick-release mechanism

Crankbrothers has also incorporated practical details into the Sattelkopf. The clamp features a quick-release mechanism on the rear screw. This is designed to make the saddle easier to fit and quicker to adjust.

The height of the saddle head is 45 millimetres, measured from the base of the seatpost clamp to the centre of the saddle strut.

Editorial commentary

With the new Highline, Crankbrothers isn’t reinventing the Vario seatpost. Thank goodness! Instead, the manufacturer is focusing on three key factors that really do make all the difference when choosing a dropper post: maximum stroke, insertion depth and ease of use.

Above all, the combination of a compact installation size and an internally adjustable stroke appears well thought-out and promises a wide, effective adjustment range.

Whether the new cartridge actually performs more reliably in the long term and how smoothly the suspension operates under real-world conditions, however, can only be assessed through testing. On paper, though, the new Highline looks promising, and the price point also seems attractive.

Advantages and disadvantages

Plus

• Stroke can be reduced by up to 20 mm
• Adjustment in fine 5-mm increments
• It is not necessary to dismantle the entire support
• Reduced insertion depth
• Low profile for greater freedom of movement
• New, more compact actuator
• Less operating force, according to the manufacturer
• Wide range of diameters and stroke lengths

Minus

• Practical testing must demonstrate actual long-term reliability
• No weight information provided yet (an important factor in assessing value for money)