It wasn’t all that long ago that we were reporting on the sale of Raceface and Easton to Fox Factory Holdings. The sale happened not long after Race Face owner Chris Tutton purchased Easton Cycling from BRG and lead to some speculation as far as the future of their products.
Well, it looks like the first product to benefit from the new business structure comes in the form of a dropper post. Actually, two dropper posts. Though, from the looks of things Fox’s ownership of the two brands had little to do with the final product. Technically, they are the same other than differences in finish and small changes in the lever but the two posts will each be sold separately under the Easton and Race Face brands. Regardless of which post you choose, both claim to solve some issues with dropper reliability…
If you look at the press release from Easton and Race Face you’ll find that the posts use “patented hydraulic locking technology that is inspired by disc brakes.” Looking at the posts themselves, you’ll notice the DropLoc Technology by 9Point8 laser etched onto the bottom of the post. We’re told that the post uses 9Point8’s hydraulic/mechanical locking technology but it isn’t manufactured by the company.
Essentially, the system acts as a hydraulic brake which is released when you push the lever. You can move the post anywhere in the the travel and releasing the lever locks it back in place. One of the benefits of the system is the ability to use lower air pressures and static seals for what they claim will be improved durability. Using a mechanical cable to actuate the hydraulic system, the posts offer infinite positioning within the stroke. Another advantage to the system is that it supposedly functions as normal in below freezing temperatures which could be good news for fat bikes or anyone who rides all year. We’ve heard nothing but good things about 9Point8’s posts, so we hope the Easton and Race Face posts offer similar performance.
Borrowing technology from both companies, the post is constructed from Easton EA90 aluminum and uses the two bolt Hunter Head from Race Face. To facilitate traveling or even sharing the post between two bikes the design features a quick connector for the internal routing that won’t need to be readjusted on re-installation.
Both posts will come standard with similarly shaped vertical remotes, though the Race Face option receives some extra texturing on the lever. Utilizing standard shifter cables and housing, maintnance should be trouble free with replacements easy to find.
However, if you happen to run a 1x drivetrain you may want to opt for the additional shifter style remote. Available for both Race Face and Easton, the Race Face model will be available in black, blue, red, and green. The Easton 1x remote is still in the prototype phase but should be available by the time the posts hit the market. Each aftermarket remote will sell for $60.
Sold in all black for the post itself at $469, the subtle branding on each should make them excellent additions to nearly any bike. Available in 30.9 and 31.6mm diameters, lengths will be offered in 350, 375, 415, and 440mm. Combined with 100, 125, or 150mm travel, there should be a post to fit most bikes. Claimed weight is listed at 495g for a 30.9 x 440 x 150mm post without the lever.
