Fox Transfer SL Dropper Post Now Available In 125 & 150mm Lengths

Feb 13, 2023
by Seb Stott  
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Fox says its Transfer SL Seatpost is 25% (128g) lighter than the standard Transfer, with a claimed weight of just 327 g for the lightest (27.2 mm) configuration. Now, the Transfer SL is available in 125 mm and 150 mm travel for the first time - the full travel range is now 50, 70, 75, 100, 125, and 150mm.

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The Transfer SL uses a simple coil spring return mechanism, with a two-position action that locks at the top or bottom of the travel only - there's no in-between. Fox say it's like this to save weight and because XC racers never run their seat posts halfway up. Another feature that differentiates it from the standard Transfer is the pair of windows that allow the cable tension to be adjusted at the post end, thereby making it compatible with more remotes, including GRX-style gravel remotes. The Transfer SL is aimed at gravel, XC and trail disciplines.

One thing to note is that the Transfer SL has a slightly taller stack height than the regular Transfer. This is unlikely to be an issue with the 50-100 mm travel versions, but with the longer travel posts, some riders might need to check if it will fit before buying.

The SL post is available in 27.2, 30.9, and 31.6mm diameters, but Fox is only offering 125 and 150 mm lengths in the 31.6 diameter. There's a Factory and Performance Elite option - the Factory post gets the gold Kashima coating and Ti hardware which saves a claimed 10 g.

MSRP: $399 USD (Factory) / $329 USD (Performance Elite).

For more information, visit ridefox.com

Author Info:
seb-stott avatar

Member since Dec 29, 2014
297 articles

113 Comments
  • 140 27
 Comes with free bottle of Viagra cause there’s no way in hell that thing is getting all the way up on its own.
  • 28 4
 Interesting. I’ve never had an issue with their posts (Kashima or Performance).
  • 22 2
 Zero issues with my '21 Factory and '21 Perf. Elite Transfers. :shrug:
  • 11 1
 I have RaceFace (FOX clone)... that last bit ( like 1 inch) always hesitates. But other then that the post works amazing. If I was to pay out my own pocket I would prob still just get a simple PNW or OneUp
  • 28 2
 My 22 factory lasted a month before it stopped coming all the way up, which is 3 weeks longer then the X2 that came on the bike lasted. Both have been replaced. The 38 is the last thing fox on my bike and if that even has the slightest hiccup it will be gone too
  • 3 0
 @Erku: what did you replace all FOX stuff with? I am genuinely curious... since Marzo I've yet to try anything that comes close to FOX ( except droppers Big Grin )
  • 9 1
 @valrock: did you overnighter the seatpost clamp. That can slow or stop post from being able to function correctly.
  • 1 0
 @fabwizard: nope, it does the same thing at 3nm and at 6 - 7 nm ( which my clamp and bike manufacturer recommends). RaceFace would gladly take a look at it, but I have no interest in shipping it considering that you see these clamp issues posts everywhere
  • 5 1
 @valrock: went ext coil for the shock, and oneup dropper. Will go either ext fork or ohlins 38, if the fox 38 has issues. I had the ohlins ttx air shock a few bikes ago and really liked that also. I had a 2021 X2 on my megatower for a couple of years and never had any issues. Seems like only the newer Fox stuff has problems.
  • 16 0
 @valrock: i always hesitate with the last inch too
  • 9 2
 @valrock: replaced my forks with Manitou Mezzer Pros. 150 27.5 on my Endorphin and 160 29 on the Patrol. can work on without sending it out and travel adjust w/o buying new parts. When the shocks go I am looking into a Mara and a Mara pro.
As for seatposts SDG Tellis and One UP V2. Both great posts. The SDG is very underrated
  • 5 1
 Ive never once had a kashima issue... Even with the moondust we get in the SW. Works super well and looks good. Win win imo.
  • 8 11
 @Erku: I highly recommend DVO forks and shocks as well as MRP ribbon coil fork. Many good options to stay away from the big 2.
  • 4 0
 @valrock: try flipping your clamp around so that the bolt is in the front (or in the rear if that’s how you had it). Did this on my epic and have had no problems since
  • 2 3
 @valrock: once overtightened it may never return properly ever.
  • 5 5
 @valrock: there's loads of great dependable droppers these days. Bikeyoke seems to be one of the best.
With forks, if you have no imagination or want easy parts replacement, get a Rockshox. If you want great performance and tunability, get a Manitou Mezzer. Want the best bang for the buck, get an SR Suntour (no I'm not kidding). DVO also makes great suspension.
  • 3 1
 @Monkeyass: that is what your sister said Big Grin
  • 2 1
 @Mac1987: I know you are trying to be helpful but WTF is your comment about imagination mean?
  • 2 0
 @Monkeyass: you can’t eat a whole one - fair play.
  • 3 1
 @valrock: lube the collar with float fluid
  • 2 1
 @Mac1987: auron served me well, loved that fork
  • 5 1
 @dchill: I swapped my 38 Perf Elite with a Mezzer Pro when I had a crash that dented the stanchion and holy smokes - it is so much better. My wife ended up swapping her 38 for one too because she's a tiny lady and swapping from the 38 Factory on her bike to the Mezzer Pro shaved a full 310 grams from the front end of her bike and she can finally get some end-stroke support for bigger hits while still running crazy low main spring pressure for her 48kg weight. It's crazy that swapping a fork can save that much weight.
  • 5 2
 @cueTIP: why 48kg rider had 38 in a first place? Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Ha ha ha. So true!
  • 1 0
 ...because coil springs are not reliable?? "eyeroll:
  • 2 0
 @valrock: meaning people not able to imagine using any other brands than the ones they see every day in every review and on every bike. Also, don't take it too serious. I run Shimano drivetrains and Schwalbe tires on my bikes myself. I won't judge anyone choosing RS or Fox suspension.
  • 1 0
 @valrock: Why not? You know any 180mm 29er 36s out there? She's tiny but has absolutely no issues rocking a 5:15-5:20 lap on the world cup course at MSA last time she raced there. Not elite for sure, but I'd say a solid 80% of the guys at Whistler would have a hard time keeping up to her and when she enters local races there might be one or two other ladies in the same skill category.
  • 31 0
 Hopefully they have corrected the overly sensitive seat post clamping, binding issue.. I was unable to tighten my seat post clamp over 4 Newton meters or the seat post would bind up and not return to the up position.
  • 10 1
 Srsly. To get a transfer to work you NEED to use friction paste in the seat tube, run the absolute lowest torque possible on the seat post collar (the absolute bare minimum to stop the post from slipping when riding, usually more like 3 Nm), and regularly unthread the collar to relube. Even then every once and a while it won't be able to fully return.
  • 3 0
 I've been running a 75 mm Transfer SL on a gravel bike for awhile now and haven't had this issue. My normal 200 mm Transfer on the other hand has this sticking problem and likely needs a service.
  • 1 0
 @captaintyingknots: I definitely did all of this. I am currently at 3.5 - 3.8nm on a 5mn spec to get it to work most of the time.
  • 1 0
 I had a 150mm transfer for years and never had issues with this...
  • 1 0
 @Tylerjacobsen229: Speaking of the SL here. I believe it is more sensitive than regular transfer.
  • 2 0
 @bknorris: fox refused my warranty request, said it needed a service, charged me a lot for the pleasure... It worked for like one ride
  • 3 0
 @blackpudding: I have a transfer sl and i can't tighten it over 3nm, so then the post slowly sinks down in the frame over time
  • 31 3
 I looked at the OneUp website & their 27.2 x 90mm droppers are ½ the price, infinitely adjustable & only 50g heavier than a 50mm travel Fox.
  • 18 0
 For better or for worse the shaved leg spandex Jonnies who make up the target market for this thing care a lot about that 50g though.
  • 1 9
flag golefty (Feb 13, 2023 at 10:14) (Below Threshold)
 @j-t-g: you must have a bmi of like ..40
  • 4 3
 @golefty: THICC AS HELL

been hitting up too much braai
  • 4 0
 Also Fox doesn't sell a 27.2 longer than 70mm, no matter what this press release says.
  • 3 1
 Sure, but having owned both, I have found that Transfer is a better post. More consistent, smoother, less maintenance.

Your experiences may be different of course. You just need to make the personal of where your values lie (cost, durability, weight, action, etc).
  • 6 0
 @Quinn-39: Interesting. I've put on 5000 miles between 3 different OneUp posts in the last couple years, and all I've had to do is clean and re-grease every so often. With Fox Transfers though, I've had to warranty two of the previous version and one of the new version, all for sticking issues.

I don't really care what a dropper costs as long as it consistently goes up and down - I've owned several OneUps, Transfers, a Bike Yoke Revive, and a Reverb AXS, and somehow the cheapest one (OneUp) is the only one I've had without issues.
  • 4 1
 @MegaMatt5000: Yeah, I kind of figured there would be many different experiences... from my own riding/bikes:

- Transfer (Factory- cause it matched my fork and shock): 0 issues, 0 maintenance over 2500km

- Reverb (stock equipment): one service (to address slowing return) over the course of 5000km on the shore (all seasons). Yes. I have been pleasantly surprised.

- Giant OEM: ran it until I sold the bike, a little rough feeling at the end (1000km- ex demo)

- One Up: Installed new cartridge, new seals several times, binds if run fully slammed in frame (Steel Torrent- so I run it clamped as loosely as possible with travel reduced to give it about 10mm under the collar), needs another service, slow/inconsistent return (1100km so far)

Seems like you never know what you're gonna get...
  • 1 0
 @MegaMatt5000: It's a bummer they've gotten so bad. I have an OG-ish Factory Transfer (from early 2017?) that has given me zero (0) issues. My early 2021 Factory transfer has *never* felt as good or worked as well as the 2017 version.
  • 3 0
 I have a Fox Transfer, but it sorely needs a service. It didn't cost very much more to just buy a new OneUp, so that's what I did.
  • 1 0
 @Quinn-39: V1 or V2 One up post?
the problem with the V1 post is the top bushing. When the post tops out, couple things happen, the brass keyways break off little bits of the upper most bushing, this also drives it into the top cap, which slightly deforms it. Add those issues up, and you get a sticky post pretty quick. Everytime it gets new bushing, ;asts about 3-4 months for my riding
Ive had my V1 apart more times than I care to count. Drove me a bit crazy on mt Sentinel, cause the routing sucked, its easier to service on my Fugitive. Spire has a V2, has not exhibited the same issues.
  • 1 0
 @pmhobson: huh, interesting... I wonder if I'd find the same decline in quality if I tried a newer version as well...
  • 1 0
 @onawalk:

I've got a V2 and upgraded to the 2.1 actuator as well (another issue as the housing actuated system didn't work well AT ALL with the tight routing of my Torrent frame).
  • 1 0
 I got the OneUp 90mm for my Franken-gravel bike. It works awesome for that application. If I had longer legs I might have gone for the 120mm. The extra drop offered and the variability are greatly appreciated. For the price, weight and performance, I can't see anything else in a 27.2 format that compares. Of course gravel bikes need to evolve to a larger diameter seatpost....
  • 1 0
 @Malamute2: What's interesting is that road/gravel bikes *had* larger diameter seat posts. Then as gravel bikes became more robust, the seat tubes shrank to accommodate narrower seats posts that were hyped as "more compliant" (eyeroll).
  • 1 0
 @pmhobson: Did they? The Surly Cross Check has been around forever and is 27.2mm
  • 1 0
 @93EXCivic: good point. I think fancier brands (carbon models) had the larger diameter seat posts before slimming back down.

My 2010 Soma Smoothie ES had a 27.2, but my 2013 Scott had a 31.6.

By the time I was shopping for a curly bar bike with disc brakes, I distinctly recall some copy along the lines of “Updated for 2018 to use a 27.2 for a smoother ride”.

Frankly, wouldn’t be surprised in the least if the wider diameter posts only lasted a model year or two.
  • 1 0
 We appreciate the subtle collar & branding on the ONEUP over the fox. Plus the ONEUP customer service is legendary, and that 240mm...
  • 11 3
 A trusted friend from the moto and mtb industry that sold fox has always told me there is little to no benefit from Kashima on a dropper. Perhaps obvious but good to hear from an engineer. But hey, its gold, right!
  • 11 0
 Interesting. I'd argue the same can be said for fork and shock? Put your time and money into setting them all up properly.
  • 32 0
 Pretty sure you could have left it at “there is little to no benefit from kashima”.
  • 12 0
 The benefit is that you and everyone else knows you paid as much as possible for your fork/shock/dropper
  • 5 4
 combined marginal gains = larger gains
  • 3 0
 I love how kashima looks on forks and shocks... But not at all under our asses...
  • 3 0
 @mjlee2003: adding null infinite times still equals null.
  • 8 0
 @mjlee2003: I’m not even a kashima hater either. I have had multiple kashima shocks. I paid extra just for the aesthetic, not snake oil performance claims.
  • 7 0
 You have to match the fork, shock and dropper. HAVE TO
  • 3 0
 @mjlee2003: I'll give you marginal gains, Im in for it.
Kashima has no marginal gains other than higher rate of return for Fox, and to show that you can afford it.
  • 1 0
 @mjlee2003: a VERY larger gain that requires time and precise tooling is making sure the bushings are the exact nanometer size required by the stanchion while being 100% aligned.

You'll fell more of a difference from a a better seal than out of kashima oil snake.
  • 2 0
 Materials engineer here. I would wager it's just a dyed hard-anodized film, not too different from what you find on many other aluminum parts. You can dye ano lots of colors to make it look distinctive and brand-able, and gold is an easy choice because hard ano is already naturally a pale shade of gold.

They may have some "special sauce" coating that goes on top of the ano, but these are also commercially common - usually a vapor-deposited fluoropolymer that makes the surface a little slipperier and a little more corrosion-resistant. But these films tend to rub off after a little bit of use; especially on a sliding surface.

I'm sure it's a decent material; it's just not particularly novel or special.
  • 1 0
 @solarplex: and your Kuat rack
  • 5 0
 What they don't tell you is that you have to unweight the SL posts to release them. After it releases, you then can apply weight to lower it. I kept thinking that there was something wrong with my post. The Fox service guy didn't even seem to understand that "feature."
  • 1 0
 This has not been my experience ‍♂️
  • 1 0
 Yes, this is the case with the SL version, it didn't take me a long time before this was muscle memory and now i don't think about it
  • 1 0
 "Ass-assisted" Technology...
  • 7 0
 My fox transfer is basically a manual seat post let's be honest I just keep it cuz it looks sick asf.
  • 5 0
 To keep it in warranty you need to service it every year, so if you expect it to last 5 years, you are looking at a 1000£/$/€ dropper.
  • 1 5
flag pioterski (Feb 13, 2023 at 23:23) (Below Threshold)
 Well, this doesn't sound bad. There are multiple components on our bikes that require service once a year or more frequently.
  • 7 0
 @pioterski: The fact that you have to send it in and then you can't ride for 2 weeks, sounds very bad
  • 6 0
 @pioterski: Except, I can service my OneUp dropper myself. I can service my Mezzer myself. I can service my Super Deluxe myself and I can service my Code brakes myself.

Fox and Rockshox droppers are not user-serviceable and should therefore have service intervals of 5+ years minimum.
  • 2 1
 @laupe: Ok, you convinced me. Thit is a perfectly valid reason, I was not aware you are not able to do it in your LBS.
  • 2 1
 @cueTIP: Same here, if this seatpost is indeed not user-serviceable, then I totally agree.
  • 1 0
 Had a few RS droppers that failed also had a few Fox ones that eventually failed but to be fair to all of them I run them too destruction with no servicing at all bar a new cable or fluid in the case of RS. I guess like any component of you look after it and service it when you’re supposed to it will keep going.
  • 1 0
 I have bought both models. I'm sorry to tell you that the weight of the two models is the same, and the total length is 150/125mm=495/470mm. I have used 125 for a month, and I have returned 150. Like to save the essence recommended to buy.
  • 5 2
 Just went to ridefox and the 27.2 is still only available in 50 & 75. Fake news?
  • 1 0
 The website admin haven't had his coffee yet.
  • 1 0
 I installed one on my Pivot LES SL. Disappointed that it only has two settings- up or down. After a week I switched it out for a dropper with infinite adjust. Way better!
  • 2 0
 Is there no 30.9mm option in the longer lengths?
  • 2 0
 No thanks. I need my post halfway down so I can do wheelies!
  • 1 0
 fox give me a 3 position SL mechanical post for my fat bike. I will love you long time!
  • 1 0
 The command post?
  • 1 0
 Will it be available in a length that actually works for a prolonged time intervals?
  • 3 4
 $70 for kashima! seems like a blatant money grab, there's no way that coating costs that much more, its not like you don't have to coat the black one, people will pay for the bling tho!
  • 1 0
 We are still waiting a regular transfer (no SL) in 34,9 size
  • 9 11
 So it's 327g in the lightest configuration, or I could get a 27.2 Oneup post in 120mm for a weight penalty of just over 100g?
While also saving $200 USD, and I can use it at any height??
  • 22 3
 To be fair, for the top-level XC racer, that 100g matters. Probably not for you or I though.
  • 6 8
 @MaplePanda: Good thing only top level XC riders read pb
  • 4 0
 @MaplePanda: Fair enough!
I'd be curious to know if those folks would pick the 90mm Oneup at 377g, vs the 50mm Fox SL at 327g.
Obviously, weight is important to consider, but would almost double the drop for another 50g matter?
  • 3 4
 @graveldaddy: more drop isn’t always better either. Longer drop means more milliseconds wasted getting that seat down and out of the way.
  • 2 0
 @graveldaddy:
TL;DR it depends on how much drop you want. If you want more than Fox offers on the SL, then no, the small weight penalty doesn't matter.
Long version: I have the 70mm version on my XC bike and have seriously considered switching to the 50mm version. I just don't need that much drop for most things. I only use it to pump features and to get lower in some corners. And with the 70mm SL, you can't stop at the 50mm mark. I'm considering some other lightweight posts, but I need it to be 27.2. I also really like the very light springing on the SL.
  • 5 3
 50 grams on 150lb body plus 20lb bike = .003% = will never ever make a bit of difference.
  • 1 2
 @MaplePanda: IF that was the case, 26" wheels would be dominating.
  • 2 1
 I guess you still can´t push it down lower than the Kashima logo is
  • 1 0
 will it support headset routed cabling though?
  • 3 2
 Are these dropper posts for ants?
  • 1 0
 Someone tell fox that these days 125 and 150 are for short people.
  • 1 0
 Lol the standard is over 200mm these days
  • 1 0
 150mm is the minimum a dropper should be.
  • 3 3
 Gravel dropper. Whatever next? Wheels?
  • 2 2
 Adjustable internal cabling dropper stems.
  • 1 0
 Big fan of Vecnum posts. 395g for a 120mm dropper. Mechanical that can you can service. Been thrashing it for 9 months which included a 9 day stage race in Somme like conditions and it hasn’t missed a beat. Got tired of Fox posts sticking and requiring expensive servicing.
  • 1 0
 @Hairyteabags: I have a Fox Transfer dropper post myself. It works great for the first year or so two without any maintenance at all. However, I was riding in freezing cold weather one season and the dropper post started getting stuck on the actuation. It's also an external actuator. So, the mechanism for the cable pull was getting all gunked up. I took apart the actuactor and lubed it with some WPL Fork Boost oil. That worked really well until the actuator gets gunked up again by dirt. So, what I did after cleaning it out and relubing, I put a neoprene sleeve around the whole dropper post. Worked like a charm! No relubing and very low maintenance (literally wash the neoprene and wipe down the dropper stanchion if any dust even exists). The dropper post still works without any overhaul so far. Will likely need servicing to replace the stop pins once the dropper starts to slip a bit. But right now, it's been going great for 4+ years. But by the time I need to get it serviced, I might try another brand that has a better ability to self service without sending it in to a shop.
  • 1 0
 Finally. Hey Foxy
  • 1 0
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