9point8 Fall Line dropper post review

9Point8’s Fall Line dropper post was one of the first long-travel 200mm posts, and it has withstood the test of time.

It’s one of the most adaptable models around too, with travel options starting as low as 75mm, three different aftermarket remotes and an interchangeable saddle head design for 0 and 25mm offsets, plus compatibility with regular or oversized saddle rails.

9point8 Fall Line details

Internally, the Fall Line post is slightly different to the norm, with an air spring coupled to a mechanical brake. 9Point8 claims this is lighter, more reliable and makes for a faster return speed.

Cable fitting is something that’s unique to the Fall Line too, with 9Point8’s proprietary Quick-Connector threading into the base of the post and allowing for tool-free removal.

It’s useful if you have multiple bikes and want to use the same dropper on all of them, but, if not, it adds an unnecessary layer of setup.

Cable tension needs to be adjusted just so, and I found that the only finger tightened connector had a habit of working slightly loose.

With older versions of the bar remote, setup was a pain too, because any cable adjustment required the Quick-Connector to be unscrewed, adjusted and reinstalled.

However, the new shifter-style Digit 2.0 remote has made things much easier, clamping the cable at the bar end and allowing any fine-tuning to be done with the post installed in the bike.

Wolf Tooth Components manufactures the Digit remote for 9Point8 and it’s a neat piece of machining, with a knurled pattern on the paddle for grip and a 21mm sealed cartridge bearing in the pivot for friction-free movement.

The Fall Line has a modular head design with interchangeable saddle clamps. This makes it versatile but the four-bolt design is bulky and raises the stack height (the measurement from the bottom of the post collar to the centre of the saddle rails) up to a fairly tall 60mm when the post is dropped.

Even so, the Fall Line is one of the lightest droppers available and comes in at a price that’s fairly middle of the road. The price does go up with travel though, with my 175mm travel test sample costing £309.

9point8 Fall Line product performance

In general, I’d agree with 9Point8’s claims that the Fall Line has fast controlled action, throughout testing I found its operation to be both slick and swift.

There was one instance when the post sagged and popped up unwantedly though. Although 9point8 notes that this will happen occasionally and is due to climatic changes.

It’s an indicator that the internal brake needs to be reset, for which a number of simple trailside solutions are listed, accompanied by a handy walkthrough YouTube video. The easiest and most effective solution I found was to simply depress the bar lever for 10 seconds.

Other than the occasional need to do this, and once you’ve spent the time getting it installed correctly, I can’t see any downsides to the Fall Line.

I can foresee issues with cable tension and inadvertently loosening the Quick-Connector if you’re someone who likes to raise and lower their post in the frame for extra climbing height, but besides this, if your post gives you enough drop and you leave it clamped in the frame, it should work reliably without issue.

9point8 Fall Line bottom line

9Point8’s Fall Line isn’t without its quirks and setup isn’t the most straightforward, but it does offer several features that some of the best dropper posts don’t and regardless of these it works well with a smooth, fast and precise feel.

• Remote: £50 / $65 (sold separately)