Crankbrothers’ Highline 11 is the brand’s lightest dropper post yet

By Oscar Huckle

Published: Thursday, 07 April 2022 at 12:00 am

Crankbrothers has announced the release of its new Highline 11 dropper post, which uses a carbon quill (the sliding portion of a dropper seatpost) and head to reduce weight.

Combined with titanium fasteners, the seatpost weighs anywhere between 389g and 509g, depending on the option chosen, with travel ranging from 60mm to 170mm.

The Highline 11 will retail for £374.99 / €399 / $399 / AU$619.95 without a dropper remote lever.

The new Highline 11 sits at the top of the brand’s dropper-post range, above the previously top-flight Highline 7, which will remain in the range. The Highline 3 and Highline XC/Gravel models round out the family.

A familiar construction

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A look at the internals of the Highline 11.
Crankbrothers

The new Crankbrothers Highline 11 dropper post uses the brand’s proprietary self-contained IFP hydraulic cartridge. The same design is also found on Crankbrothers’ Highland 7 and XC/Gravel models.

The cartridge uses proprietary Igus LL-glide bearings and keys to minimise play. You can buy a ‘refresh kit’ (part no. 99151) when the cartridge needs servicing.

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A two-bolt design is a reliable method of fixing the saddle to the post.
Crankbrothers

The seatpost uses a tried-and-tested two-bolt quick-release head. A two-bolt design allows for independent adjustment of fore/aft and tilt, unlike a single bolt, which controls both with greater room for error and reduced mechanical reliability.

The Highline 11 uses a quick-connect linear pull mechanism, which Crankbrothers claims offers ease of cable installation and routing, as well as a lighter action at the lever and quicker return speed.

Jagwire’s Sport Slick stainless cables and LEX housing connect the dropper post to the remote. The cable is inserted from the base of the post and cut at the lever end.

The brand says you are free to use cables and housing of your preference, but points to Jagwire’s reliability.

For an even smoother feel, you could upgrade to Jagwire’s Pro Slick Polished cable and LEX-SL housing.

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The Highline Flat Bar remote isn’t I-Spec or MatchMaker compatible.
Andy Lloyd / Immediate Media

Crankbrothers says the Highline 11 is compatible with either its existing Flat Bar or Drop Bar levers.

The Flat Bar remote cannot currently be integrated with shifter / brake systems such as Shimano I-Spec or SRAM MatchMaker.

From gravel to enduro

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Carbon and titanium always prove a winning formula to shave weight.
Crankbrothers

Crankbrothers rates the Highline 11 for gravel, cross-country, trail riding and, interestingly, also enduro riding.

Although enduro bikes experience a tougher life given the challenging terrain they are ridden on, Crankbrothers says that all products in development are “tested in [the] lab and also out on bikes by test riders across the world”.

The brand adds that weight reduction on this post has not come “at the expense of durability and strength”.

Seatpost diameters and travel options

The dropper post has a 47mm minimum stack height and is available in 30.9mm and 31.6mm diameters.

With that in mind, while Crank Brothers’ rates the Highline 11 for gravel riding, the 30.9mm and 31.6mm diameters will rule out many gravel bikes, which are commonly specced with 27.2mm seatposts.

Crankbrothers has hinted a 27.2mm option may also be in the works, but full details are yet to be confirmed.

The post is available in 60, 100, 125, 150 and 170mm-travel options.

TravelDiameterLengthClaimed weight
60mm30.9mm419mm425g
60mm31.6mm419mm445g
100mm30.9mm367/rn398g
100mm31.6mm367mm418g
125mm30.9mm417mm429g
125mm31.6mm417mm449g
150mm30.9mm467mm465g
150mm31.6mm467mm486g
170mm30.9mm507mm488g
170mm31.6mm507mm509g

Full Crankbrothers Highline range

Crankbrothers Highline 11

  • 30.9mm, 31.6mm diameter options
  • 60mm, 100mm, 125mm, 150mm 170mm travel options
  • Hydraulic IFP cartridge
  • Two-bolt (titanium) quick-connect carbon head
  • Carbon quill