Valentino Rossi’s launch of the VR46 eMTB spilled the beans on this one a few months ago, listing a “new premium telescopic seatpost, made of carbon and titanium” from Crankbrothers. Indeed, the Crankbrothers Highline 11 has arrived; a new lightweight dropper seat post with a carbon shaft and titanium bolts. With a drop range of 60mm to 170mm and post diameters of 30.9mm and 31.6mm, riders of gravel, XC, trail and enduro bikes can have at it, with a 4-year warranty too!
Crankbrothers Highline 11 Dropper Post
Joining Crankbrothers’ 11 series line of premium components is the Highline 11, their lightest and most expensive dropper seatpost to date, retailing at $399 USD (without a remote). The 30.9mm and 31.6mm options are both available in drop lengths of 60mm, 100mm, 125mm, 150mm and 170mm travel.
This one tips the scales at just 509g for the 31.6mm diameter 170mm drop model, thanks to its use of a carbon fibre shaft and head, as well as titanium bolts at the quick-release saddle rail clamp. To put that into context, the Highline 7 170mm dropper weighs considerably more despite its narrower post diameter of 30.6mm, coming in at 583g.
Like the Highline 7 and the Highline XCG model for 27.2mm diameter seat tubes, the new Highline 11 runs a self-contained internal floating piston hydraulic cartridge, actuated mechanically via a cable. The quick-connect linear pull mechanism is said to offer ease of cable installation and routing, delivering a light action at the remote (drop-bar and flat-bar remotes available) and a quick return speed.
The Highline 11 gets a two-bolt quick release head for easy saddle installation, fore/aft, and tilt adjustment. The minimum stack height is short at 47mm.
We met Hannah Wilson from Crankbrothers’ UK Distributor, Extra UK, at CORE Bike where she was able to give us a closer look at the Highline 11.
Pricing & Availability
The Crankbrothers Highline 11 Carbon Dropper Post retails at $399 USD / €39. Remotes are sold separately; the flat-bar option retails at $59.99 USD while the drop-bar remote for the gravel contingent will set you back $49.99 USD.
