Flowing down trails – ideally with the FSA Flowtron dropper post? With 175 mm of travel, it enters the ring against some tough competition. But does it deliver where it counts? We put it through its paces on the trails to find out if it can truly hold its ground.

FSA stands for Full Speed Ahead. The component manufacturer offers a wide range of bike parts, covering all segments from road to mountain bikes, gravel to e-bikes. Needless to say, they also have a dropper post.
First introduced in 2017, the FSA Flowtron has become a staple in the brand’s compact dropper post portfolio, which also includes two slightly modified XC versions. The FSA Flowtron – named after a trail east of Seattle – retails at € 335, which makes it one of the more affordable options in this test field. But can the 175 mm, cable-operated dropper hold its own against the competition?
You can find an overview of this comparison test here: The best dropper post.
FSA offer the Flowtron in two diameters, 30.9 mm and 31.6 mm. If you have a frame with a 34.9 mm seat tube, you’ll have to buy an adapter separately. Travel options include 125 mm, 150 mm, and 175 mm, with the price remaining the same across the range. However, FSA don’t offer a long-travel option, which might be a deal breaker for tall riders with long legs.
Mullet-style! With an insertion depth of 322 mm, the 175 mm FSA Flowtron is short on top and long at the bottom. For comparison’s sake, the slightly shorter, 170 mm Crankbrothers Highline 11 boasts a significantly shallower insertion depth of 286 mm. With a stack height of 50 mm, the FSA Flowtron is on par with the PNW Loam Dropper (47 mm) and the LIMOTEC H1 (51 mm). However, it falls behind the low stack heights of the BikeYoke REVIVE 3.0 at 39 mm or the OneUp V3 at 28 mm.
Of course, inner qualities matter too. FSA use a closed cartridge system, which can be replaced at home with a few simple steps and no need for special tools in case of a defect. This also makes routine maintenance, such as cleaning the wiper seal or replacing bushings, straightforward and hassle-free.


A standout feature of the Flowtron is the adjustable actuator, which uses a spring to influence the force required to operate the remote. Adjusting the actuator, however, is a bit finicky, as the spring needs to be removed. This involves loosening a screw and inserting the spring into one of three holes, depending on the desired force level. Needless to say, we tested all the actuator spring positions but found that the difference was marginal.
The saddle clamp relies on a traditional two-bolt system with tapered nuts, making saddle installation significantly easier – nice! That said, you should be careful not to scratch the stanchion when using a multitool.
The FSA Flowtron remote is included in the price and is secured to the handlebars with a standard clamp. Since the remote and clamp are fixed together, ergonomic integration is limited, and the use of Matchmaker or I-SPEC is not an option.
On the trail, the remote can be operated with moderate finger strength. Regardless of the actuator setting, there’s a relatively wide dead-band transition before the dropper engages. While precise stopping at any point along the travel is possible, it doesn’t feel particularly smooth. One positive is the big, textured thumb pad on the remote, which provides excellent grip even in wet conditions – top marks here! However, the dropper’s extension speed is underwhelming. It’s pretty slow, which can be frustrating on trails with quick transitions, which is the case on our home trails. So, despite its name, the Flowtron didn’t quite flow for us! That said, the dropper post is consistently reliable, showing no signs of play, creaking, or other issues throughout the testing period.
Conclusions about the FSA Flowtron dropper post
The FSA Flowtron is a solid dropper post, but it’s starting to show its age and has been surpassed in several areas by more modern options – particularly regarding insertion depth and available travel lengths. In terms of performance, the dropper’s reliability is unquestionable. However, the slow extension speed and the remote’s dead-band take some getting used to. While these quirks don’t impact the dropper’s functionality, there are now more advanced alternatives available.

Tops
- Reliable

Flops
- Slow return speed
- Remote takes getting used to
For more information, visit fullspeedahead.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
Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more.
Words: Robin Ulbrich Photos: peter Walker