9point8 Fall Line Dropper Post 2018
Reviews / Seat Posts
3,192
At A Glance
If it's big drop you are after then the Fall Line is here for you. Available in up to 200mm drop it is one of the longest dropper posts on the market. That said, it also has options down to 75mm for those who need only a frugal amount of travel.
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This version is the 175mm drop Fall Line with a Digit remote for 1 by drivetrains, but there is also the ThumB lever for use with a front shifter and even a Trigger lever that is shaped like a brake lever.
The internals use 9point8’s Droploc technology which allows for infinite variability in height between top and bottom. 31.6 and 30.9 options are available and plenty of drop options are available with shims.
Installation
Installation was pretty straightforward with the cable end hooking into the bottom of the post then tensioned and clamped at the lever. Previous versions of the lever clamped at the post, but the Digit remote removes the need for this faff. The cable attachment at the base of the post is removable and simply screws off leaving the cable attached. This allows for the seat to be easily removed if needed.
The seat clamp has to be one of the finest available with exceptionally easy installation by simply backing off the clamp bolts, rotating the side clamps then retightening. Furthermore, the fine-tuning adjustment of fore-aft and the angle is brilliantly executed and allows perfect positioning. No awkward bolts that force you to endanger the stanchion of the dropper here.
Being 175mm tall, it does take up a fair amount of space in the frame, and you'll need a long, uninterrupted seat tube to get it slammed all the way in. It is also possible to insert shims and reduce the travel down to the desired level to get the perfect fit. This is especially useful if you can't fit the whole post in the frame.
Performance
The lever feel is great, with a sturdy thumb paddle to push and plenty of grip. The lever clamp is narrow so takes up little bar space, or can even be combined with an optional matchmaker attachment for SRAM brakes. It shares its DNA with the Wolf Tooth remote but is specifically designed for the 9.8 post, apparently. The lever does, however, lack a definitive clunk at the end of travel so can feel a little vague, yet does allow for easy fine-tuning of the height.
There is little to no discernible play in the saddle, which is always a win for a dropper post, and it has performed perfectly throughout the test with no issues. The post return is rapid but not dangerously so, and achieving the perfect mid height is easily possible. When a dropper just works it should be entirely forgotten about, and this is the case here. Reliable and effective at getting your saddle exactly where you want it, the Fall Line just gets the job done with minimal fuss.
Overall
Excellent lever and ease of installation make for a truly great dropper post. The seat clamp is one of the best, and the whole package is one of solidity and quality. With shim adjustments, it's easy to get the perfect drop and with the competitive weight, it completes an awesome package. The only niggle will be the price which may put it out of reach for some.
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This review was in Issue 54 of IMB.
For more information visit 9point8Related
By Ewen Turner
Ewen Turner is a self-confessed bike geek from Kendal in the Lake District of England. He runs a coaching and guiding business up there and has a plethora of knowledge about bikes with an analytical approach to testing. His passion for bicycles is infectious, and he’s a ripper on the trails who prefers to fit his working life around his time on the bike.
