Rampage line, ridgeline, flow line – every line counts on the trail! But how does the Crankbrothers Highline 11 dropper post perform? With its carbon stanchion and titanium saddle clamp bolts, it definitely stands out from the rest of the test field. But is it worth the premium price, and can it hold its own against its aluminium rivals?

Crankbrothers Highline 11 | Price: € 400 | Weight (incl. cable and remote): 626 g (170 mm, Ø 31.6 mm) | Travel: 60–170 mm | Manufacturer’s Website

American brand Crankbrothers is best known for its innovative pedals and was one of the first manufacturers to introduce a dropper post to the market. About 15 years ago, Crankbrothers launched the Joplin, which marked a small milestone in the dropper post market. Today, the Highline series represents Crankbrothers’ flagship line in this segment, featuring models like the Highline 3, 7, and 11.

In our dropper post comparison test, we took a closer look at the flagship model, the Crankbrothers Highline 11. To save weight, the American engineering team relies on a carbon stanchion and titanium saddle clamp bolts, which set it apart from the Highline 7. For comparison’s sake, the OneUp V3 with 240 mm of travel and a 31.6 mm diameter weighs 700 g, while the 170 mm variant of the Highline 11 tips the scales at 626 g – including the cable, housing, and remote. However, it’s also € 100 more expensive than the OneUp V3. The 170 mm RockShox Reverb AXS weighs in at 755 g, but is wireless and twice the price.

For those who like the idea of a Crankbrothers dropper post but aren’t too fussed about weight, the Highline 7 is a great option too. This variant forgoes the carbon stanchion and titanium bolts, and, according to the manufacturer, weighs just 72 g more than the flagship model. It’s available in a 200 mm travel version and costs € 100 less.

You can find an overview of this comparison test here: The best dropper post.

The Crankbrothers Highline 11 is available in two diameters, 30.9 mm and 31.6 mm. If you have a chunkier 34.9 mm seat tube, you can get an adapter to use the 30.9 mm and 31.6 mm variants on your frame. The Highline 11 comes in five travel options: 60 mm, 100 mm, 125 mm, 150 mm, and 170 mm, which is the one we tested. The price remains the same across all sizes and diameters. However, riders with long legs looking for a dropper with 200 mm or more travel walk away empty handed. On the other hand, the wide range of shorter travel options and the lighter design cater well to the cross-country market. This is also the domain of the FOX Transfer SL, which we have already tested. The Transfer SL weighs just 507 g but only offers 100 mm of travel.

Our Crankbrothers Highline 11 test model has a shallow insertion depth of 286 mm – only the wireless RockShox Reverb AXS does better in this regard at 265 mm. These two are the only droppers in the test field with 170 mm of travel. Insertion depth refers to how far the dropper can be inserted into the frame, a parameter that is determined by the geometry and length of the seat tube. Stack height is 46 mm, which is slightly higher than the Turnon Bunker dropper post (35 mm) but still bang in the midrange. A lower stack height provides more adjustability in less space, allowing the saddle to sit closer to the frame when the post is fully dropped.

For the internals, Crankbrothers use a closed cartridge, which can be easily replaced using the guide on Crankbrothers’ website if issues arise. Minor servicing, like removing, cleaning, and greasing the wiper seal, is also straightforward and requires no special tools.

The Crankbrothers Highline 11 dropper post is cable-operated and paired with the second-generation Highline Premium Remote, which costs an additional € 70. The remote features a rubberised thumb pad and comes with a standard handlebar clamp. Unfortunately, there’s no option for Matchmaker or I-SPEC integration to achieve a tidier cockpit. However, the remote does include a ball joint, allowing for precise adjustment of the tilt angle.

A system unique to the Highline 11– simple, yet reliably effective :)
Two Igus bushings ensure play-free operation.

Install and go! The installation process is quick and straightforward. The saddle clamp, however, takes a bit of getting used to – but in a good way. The titanium bolts don’t need to be fully removed to mount the saddle. A slot in the rear mount allows you to simply loosen the bolt and unhook or re-hook it. As with most classic two-bolt clamps, care should be taken not to damage the stanchion – especially when tightening with a multitool. After all, it’s beautifully crafted carbon!

Installing the remote, on the other hand, requires a bit of patience. First, you’ll have to thread the cable through a small hole and then secure it with a set screw. However, the cable can fray during this process, which renders it useless. Re-threading it can turn into a nerve-wracking task – quite the tightrope act, pun intended.

In terms of performance, the Crankbrothers Highline 11 dropper post delivers solid results. The post moves smoothly up and down, as you’d expect it to. While the extension speed isn’t as snappy as that of the FOX Transfer and BikeYoke REVIVE 3.0, it’s perfectly adequate – unless you’re chasing every second during an enduro race. The remote offers excellent modulation and works seamlessly with the cartridge, allowing you to stop the dropper precisely at any point in its travel. The rubberised thumb pad feels comfortable and provides great grip – even in pouring rain, slipping isn’t an issue.

The carbon stanchion and the dropper itself have proven reliable throughout the entire testing season, showing no weaknesses.

Conclusions about the Crankbrother Highline 11 dropper post

The Crankbrothers Highline 11 impresses with its lightweight design, easy maintenance, and premium carbon stanchion. However, the maximum travel is limited to 170 mm, which can be a drawback for tall, long-legged riders. While the extension speed isn’t the fastest, it’s more than sufficient for everyday use. If you prioritise weight and have a sweet spot for carbon, the Highline 11 is a reliable companion. If weight is less of a concern, the Highline 7 is worth considering – it’s more affordable and also comes in a 200 mm variant.

Tops

  • Reliable performance
  • Lightweight
  • Easy cartridge replacement

Flops

  • No long-travel options available
  • Remote lacks I-SPEC or Matchmaker compatibility
  • Slow extension speed

For more information, visit crankbrothers.com


The test field

You can find an overview of this comparison test here: The best dropper post.

All dropper posts in test: BikeYoke REVIVE 3.0 | Crankbrothers Highline 11 | FOX Transfer Factory | FOX Transfer Neo Factory | FOX Transfer SL Factory | FSA Flowtron Dropper Post | Kind Shock LEV Circuit | LIMOTEC H1 | OneUp V3 | PNW Loam Dropper | RockShox Reverb AXS | SDG TELLIS V2 | TranzX EDP01 | Turnon Bunker | Wolf Tooth Resolve rev2


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Words: Robin Ulbrich Photos: Peter Walker