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.
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
As for seatposts SDG Tellis and One UP V2. Both great posts. The SDG is very underrated
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.
been hitting up too much braai
Your experiences may be different of course. You just need to make the personal of where your values lie (cost, durability, weight, action, etc).
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.
- 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...
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.
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).
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.
Kashima has no marginal gains other than higher rate of return for Fox, and to show that you can afford it.
You'll fell more of a difference from a a better seal than out of kashima oil snake.
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.
Fox and Rockshox droppers are not user-serviceable and should therefore have service intervals of 5+ years minimum.
While also saving $200 USD, and I can use it at any height??
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?
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.