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Carbon Seatpost - advice required

by Grahamd
Thu, Jul 28, 2016 12:42
13

Hi all, am looking to improve comfort levels on my bike which has an aluminium frame. Have changed the wheels and tyres, bike fit and new saddle. Has been suggested that a carbon seat post will reduce road buzz and therefore comfort. The choice looks somewhat bewildering and prices vary significantly so would appreciate any advice that than can be provided.

 

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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13 comments

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P3t3 | 8 years ago
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Tyres: pitch them between forefinger and thumb, you will find they have some give.
Seat post of any material: hard and unyielding.

Let some air out the tyres, then keep progressively letting more out until you go too far, it'll be a lot further than you think! A process of iteration will get you to a happy compromise (which is probably softer than you believe possible) without shelling out for a seat post.

28mm tyres would also help.

Bike manufacturers insist on selling everyone bikes that make a compromise too far towards discomfort, if you aren't racing then something like supple 32 mm tyres will always be better. But they don't fit on most road bikes so everyone has to rattle their teeth out, madness.

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StraelGuy | 8 years ago
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My Giant Defy has a composite seat post. The front end can be quite jarring but the rear end is very smooth indeed.

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fenix | 8 years ago
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Before you splash out...

What tyres, size and pressures are you running?

25mm and lower pressure would probably sort it for you.

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Grahamd replied to fenix | 8 years ago
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fenix wrote:

Before you splash out... What tyres, size and pressures are you running? 25mm and lower pressure would probably sort it for you.

Upgraded to 25s already, as a 90 kg rider cautious about going too low on pressures though.

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JohnnyRemo | 8 years ago
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Would love to see Road.CC conducting some "blind testing" of carbon v alu v steel components/bikes...

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JohnnyRemo | 8 years ago
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Are there any "blind" tests of carbon v alu seatposts? Find it really hard to believe most would notice any difference re "comfort"

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Vejnemojnen replied to JohnnyRemo | 8 years ago
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JohnnyRemo wrote:

Are there any "blind" tests of carbon v alu seatposts? Find it really hard to believe most would notice any difference re "comfort"

 

you will notice it. I do not know any blind tests, but germans used to measure the deflection-flex of the seatposts in their tests.

 

please refer to this:

http://www.tour-magazin.de/komponenten/sattelstuetzen/sattelstuetzen/a14...

https://www.tour-magazin.de/mein_dk/tour_download/action/Purchase/downlo...

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700c replied to JohnnyRemo | 8 years ago
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JohnnyRemo wrote:

Are there any "blind" tests of carbon v alu seatposts? Find it really hard to believe most would notice any difference re "comfort"

you absolutely do notice a difference - try it. Probably more so with handlebars than seatposts though. The OP mentions road 'buzz' which is usually something felt through the handlebars so it's probably worth looking at carbon bars.

Wider tyres and lower pressures would also help.

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Grahamd replied to 700c | 8 years ago
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700c wrote:

JohnnyRemo wrote:

Are there any "blind" tests of carbon v alu seatposts? Find it really hard to believe most would notice any difference re "comfort"

you absolutely do notice a difference - try it. Probably more so with handlebars than seatposts though. The OP mentions road 'buzz' which is usually something felt through the handlebars so it's probably worth looking at carbon bars.

Wider tyres and lower pressures would also help.

Now you're tempting me to spend even more enlightened This could get expensive, I feel another delivery to the office coming so the missus doesn't know!

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HowardR | 8 years ago
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I don't know if this covers the diameter/set back that your after but for £35 the Condor Strada is (I think) rather good value: https://www.condorcycles.com/products/condor-strada-carbon-seatpost 

 

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Grahamd | 8 years ago
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Thanks all, gives me a good starting point.

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Vejnemojnen | 8 years ago
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http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Full-Carbon-Fiber-Mountain-Bicycle-Seatpo...

 

me and some of my mates have been using these for a few years, without problem. I'm not saying, it is perfect, but, I think they are reasonable. Flexible, dampens vibrations significantly and also allows you to fine adjust your saddle tilt to your likings.

 

I would even recommend them. 1

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tritecommentbot | 8 years ago
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Got rid of the missus' alu seatpost and switched it in for a Deda Superzero last month. Seems to have helped. She's much happier now any way. I had a go on her bike when it had the alu post and thought it felt harsh. 

 

I went from a 3T Ionic 25 post and switched it to a Deda Superleggero to save a few grams and think that the ride quality is a touch harsher. So more lighter/expensive doesn't mean more comfortable I guess. New post looks better though so keeping it smiley

 

Rough prices

Deda Superzero - £65

3T Ionic 25 - £80

Deda Superleggero - £90

 

 

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