Crankbrothers has taken its exceptional Highline 7 dropper post and has thrown heaps of titanium and carbon fibre at it in a bid to drop weight. The result is a premium dropper post that carries the luxuriously smooth motion and maintenance-free build of its cheaper stablemates. But even though it’s a fantastic dropper post in almost all aspects, there are still lighter and cheaper alternatives on the market which makes the Highline 11’s premium price tougher to justify.
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Crankbrothers Highline 11 dropper post - Technical details
In 2021 I tested the Crankbrothers Highline 7, which was the top-of-the-range Crankbrothers dropper post that was excellently smooth in its travel, super reliable and well-proportioned. Fast forward one year and the brand has released the Highline 11, complete with a carbon-fibre stanchion and titanium mounting bolts. The result has a dropped 82g of weight over the Highline 7.
The internals remain the same as the Highline 7 which is by no means a bad thing. There’s Trelleborg sealing, Igus LL-glide bearings and keys as well as a self-contained IPF hydraulic cartridge. There’s a quick connect mechanism to attach the cable and a linear actuator to achieve a quick return speed. Finally, the dropper’s head follows the same design as the posts prior with a cool two-bolt quick-connect layout.
It’s available in drops from 60mm up to 170mm and 30.9- and 31.6mm diameters. The 170mm post pictured here measures 380mm when extended with a 47mm stack and gets a maximum insertion length of 285mm. Jagwire inner and outer cable is included in the box, as well as a small sachet of suspension grease.
Crankbrothers Highline 11 dropper post - Performance
Installation is simple thanks to the quick-connect mechanism, and a well-designed head and saddle clamp. With the Highline 11 (and other Crankbrothers droppers) the user can undo the rearmost bolt just enough to free it from its home, and then swivel it through the gap at the rear. This keeps everything in place well enough to make a saddle change quick and easy.
With everything in place and ready to go, the Highline 11’s smooth action is immediately noticeable. The change in stanchion or quill material poses little to no change in the quality of its drop. Every compression of the seat post is gracious and enjoyable – its silky smoothness is its defining feature.
The drop is consistent through all conditions, whether that’s bone-dry dust or typical British filth. Throughout the test period, which has extended more towards three months, this dropper post hasn’t skipped a beat. It works just as excellently as it did when I first pulled it out of its box. To boost smoothness over longer periods, the collar can be unscrewed by hand and the included grease can be applied underneath. But I must say, I’ve not had to resort to that just yet.
In terms of durability, things seem to be lasting very well. As mentioned before, the post actuates perfectly and should require minimal maintenance if my Highline 7 is anything to go by.
With the release of this dropper, Crankbrothers introduced an updated Highline Premium Remote Gen 2. It gets a lighter actuation, a slightly revised paddle shape and a rubber pad. The new lever is also compatible with SRAM Matchmaker and Shimano I-Spec EV mounting options which is a nice touch.
In use, the revised ergonomics and rubber thumb pad make a clear difference. It’s marginally easier to use but importantly, it’s more comfortable. Crankbrothers has done well to take what was already regarded as a fantastic lever and greatly improved on it.
Where the Highline 11 is a brilliant post, and a serious contender as one of the best dropper posts, some aspects hold it back in what seems to be a rapidly changing and quickly developing space. Even though it’s lighter than before, it’s not the lightest dropper on the market, despite the brand’s best efforts. Its measurements also aren’t as modern with a 47mm stack height and a comparatively long length for its travel. Where these were great figures to see on a dropper a couple of years ago, it’s clear that the Highline is lagging behind and in need of a radical overhaul.
Crankbrothers Highline 11 dropper post - Verdict
Two posts on the market outshine the Crankbrothers Highline 11 for value: weight and size range. Granted, the Wolf Tooth Resolve dropper post is heavier at 555g in its 200mm drop and 30.9mm diameter but it’s built with a range of features that makes it a more modern and desirable post. It’s a bit cheaper, too, at £380.
It comes with a shorter stack and a shorter maximum extended length, even at its full 200mm of travel (which can be shimmed down). This means riders can fit a longer travel Resolve than they can a Highline 11. The Resolve is user-serviceable, too, and it’s beautifully crafted from CNC-machined aluminium, which is expected of Wolf Tooth Components. We can’t ignore the self-bleeding cartridge either, especially as it’s cheaper at £380. Again, it is a bit heavier but I reckon it’s a better value and can easily be changed from bike to bike thanks to the lower tube that can be swapped for different diameters.
But what’s blown the dropper post race wide open is OneUp Components’ latest V3 Dropper Post. It costs £292, comes in a wider range of travel options from 90mm up to 240mm and it weighs a lot less, at a claimed 460g in 180mm travel, 30.9mm diameter guise. While it’s not available in shorter drops, it can be shimmed down to 70mm. It's good for use on gravel bikes, too, as it's also available in a 27.2mm diameter.
If it’s a high-end dropper that you’re looking for the Crankbrothers Highline 11 is a great choice with a beautifully smooth drop, and an easy-to-use and install package. That said, there is room for improvement when it comes to its dimensions.
