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X-Fusion’s Hilo SL Dropper Post Dropping Into Production UPDATED

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2013 X-Fusion Hilo adjustable height dropper seatpost

Last year, right around Sea Otter, Tyler got a chance to stop by and see the boys at X-Fusion and got to catch a glimpse of the all new Hilo SL dropper post. It was slated to be 2013 product, and true to their word X-Fusion is now weeks away from having product in hands. The weight of the new post drops about 100g from the standard Hilo, and comes in at 450g without a remote or cable.

More after the break. Updated

As mentioned in the earlier post, not only is the new post lighter, but it gets a new more adjustable, and more durable clamp head. Seatpost travel will be set to 125mm with a total length of 422mm and insertion depth of 217mm. Because of the new clamp head, a lever to operate the post at the head is no longer available so dropper actuation is only via their BAT remote.

The Hilo SL will be offered in the two most popular MTB sizes, 30.9 and 31.6 with a retail of $319.99 available in March 2013. We should have a post in for review shortly, so stay tuned for first impressions.

Update: We reached out to X-Fusion to find out a little more about the SL and what has changed since we saw it last, and this is what we’ve learned:

  • March 2013 was not the original delivery date. X-Fusion had hoped it would be available by the end of 2012 (Nov/Dec)
  • The slight setback was caused from Issues getting parts from their Vendors, primarily the Gold Slick Ano vendor. They were not able to provide the consistency of finishes they had originally agreed to. This means X-Fusion will be producing the posts with standard hard ano finishes – no Gold Slick Ano. To accomplish what they had originally solved with GSA they added custom seals and a higher quality oil with better lubricating properties. In the end, this resulted in less friction than the GSA did in the first place. 
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Le Piou
Le Piou
11 years ago

The problem with all these seatposts tests/reports is that they’re worthless until based on a 1-yr use review… At least.
So novelties…

Justin
11 years ago

Aside from the aforementioned common reliability issues, NO new dropper post should be made with a cable running to a moving part (i.e., the seat clamp area) of these damn dropper posts. Why do so many companies not get this basic design rule?

Surly Shawn
Surly Shawn
11 years ago

I hope they come down a little in price. I have been looking for a dropper seatpost for a long time, but I can never find one in the size I need or at a price I can afford.

I am hopeful though, because I just picked up a full suspension bike with an X-Fusion rear shock on it and I love it! So far…

Vassilis K.
Vassilis K.
11 years ago

I agree with Le Piou. And by the way, still very expensive !!

ds
ds
11 years ago

Ditto Justin.

I’m for an oval carbon hydraulic dropper, option with internal cable frame routing.
It would not move side to side, strength on back/forth, be lightweight and crash free for the cable.

Oh I almost forgot : not be a Crank Brothers product.

It seems so hard, but it’s just a kind of piston. Anyone wants to have a go ?

vhom
vhom
11 years ago

Just get a KS Lev…….It’s been out for for quite some time and most of their owners are happy with it. I have that next on my list once I get my returns back.

BubbRubb
BubbRubb
11 years ago

Hard to tell to much about the post mecahnically speaking from these photos, but that remote lever looks like the old Joplin one… is this just a Joplin retooled and rebadged? If so, welcome to 4 years ago (more if you want to trace the lineage to Maverick), its nothing new and isn’t up to snuff against to todays newer offerings.

Seraph
Seraph
11 years ago

Huh, that’s too bad about the Gold Slick Ano. That was basically the only reason I was thinking about replacing my Reverb with one, so I could have a full GSA-equipped bike. Shallow, I know.

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