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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Travel	Diameter	Length	Claimed weight
60mm	30.9mm	419mm	425g
60mm	31.6mm	419mm	445g
100mm	30.9mm	367/rn	398g
100mm	31.6mm	367mm	418g
125mm	30.9mm	417mm	429g
125mm	31.6mm	417mm	449g
150mm	30.9mm	467mm	465g
150mm	31.6mm	467mm	486g
170mm	30.9mm	507mm	488g
170mm	31.6mm	507mm	509g

Full Crankbrothers Highline range