Fox Racing Shox Transfer Factory Dropper Post 2018
Reviews / Seat Posts
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At A Glance
FOX had a slightly bumpy start to the world of droppers with their DOSS post, which wasn't badly received by the mountain bike world but lacked the finesse and style of modern FOX components. Enter the Transfer, with a better name, looks to kill and ready to compete with the best.
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The Transfer here is their Factory version, but unlike in their suspension, there is very little difference between this and the Performance model. The Factory version has Kashima coating, whereas the Performance does not. Available in 30.9 and 31.6 diameters, there are three drops of 100mm, 125mm or 150mm to choose from. For levers you have a choice, a large under-bar thumb paddle to suit a 1-by system, or a space saving lever to sit alongside a front shifter. The post is sold without the lever, so you can choose which one you prefer, but with an extra price tag for the pleasure it makes for an expensive post.
The cable-actuated post has infinite adjustability between top and bottom and has two bolts to secure the saddle. The rear of the post features some neat graphics to adjust seat height and the whole package screams high-end quality. The Kashima coating is always going to impress shoppers and will match your forks if you are lucky enough to be running Factory spec suspension.
External routing is also available if required and uses the same system and lever, but the cable attaches to the collar to remove the need to thread anything through the frame.
Installation
Installation was a breeze, with the cable end hooking easily into the underside of the post it was merely a case of cutting cable outer to the desired length and threading through. The cable clamps and is cut at the lever end which is far, far easier than the other way round as found on some posts. The lever features an easy to thread clamp with a little hide-away groove to keep the cable out of the way and tidy, it's fiddly, but not as much as cutting cables at the base of the post.
There is a barrel adjuster on the lever for tension if needed then you're nearly good to go. Fitting a saddle is typically awkward, as the clamp needs to be nearly dismantled to get the rails on and the bolts are awkward to access, right next to expensive Kashima, yet this is an infrequent job, so the pain is short-lived.
On The Trail
The initial action was reassuringly precise, with minimal force required to drop the seat even with full weight on the saddle. The lever gives a progressive feel so that speed can be easily controlled and a sweet spot can be found if needed. I tend to just be fully up, or fully slammed, but finding a medium height is easy.
The lever shape is short and stubby, compared to some of the big paddles out there, but is easy to get into the right spot and matches up nicely with other clamps on the bars and doesn't take up much space.
Saddle play is virtually non-existent and, like all good droppers, it's forgotten about instantly and the riding becomes the focus. With 150mm drop, it's big enough to please most, but a longer drop would be great especially due to the very shallow depth to the collar. This shallow collar means you can squeeze more drop between your frame and the saddle, which is great if you're struggling to get your seat height correct.
Reliability is excellent, and I've had no issues with this dropper or the many others I have used over the last year on test bikes. I did manage to bend the lever a little somehow (probably a crash) which caused the post to not lock out properly, but this was easily solved with a gentle bend back in line.
Overall
FOX quality comes through with the Transfer to produce a beautiful dropper post that delivers in function and reliability. A long drop option would be welcome, but 150mm will be plenty for most. The price will be restrictive and the additional cost of the remote is a bit jarring, but it sits comfortably up there with the other premium posts.
Buy Seat Posts onThis review was in Issue 54 of IMB.
For more information visit Fox Racing ShoxRelated
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.
