Carbon road bike se...
 

  You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more

[Closed] Carbon road bike seat post worthwhile?

23 Posts
15 Users
0 Reactions
65 Views
Posts: 3961
Full Member
Topic starter
 

A topic that's been done to death no doubt but it's sort of Christmas so humour me. Looking to get a bit more comfort from my aluminium Cube as I couldn't believe the difference when I rode my brother's carbon rose with carbon post. Current post is a Thomson nicked off a mountain bike. Takes a 31.6 post so thinking of going to a 27.2 with a USE plastic shim (which will also separate the ally from the carbon) and probably layback to allow it to flex more. Waste of time or noticeable benefit? I have about 250mm of post exposed (matron) which should give a bit of leverage.

Also any recommendations of posts available on CRC? Has to be from there as I have some vouchers. Was initially thinking £60 but that seems too low after a look. Deda superleggara job looks alright at £95


 
Posted : 27/12/2015 11:15 pm
Posts: 7076
Full Member
 

Let some air out of your tires?


 
Posted : 27/12/2015 11:26 pm
Posts: 3961
Full Member
Topic starter
 

Already run about 90psi. Also usually run 25s and have just put some Duranos 28s on although yet to try them, hopefully tomorrow


 
Posted : 27/12/2015 11:38 pm
Posts: 1555
Full Member
 

Shimming down and going carbon will both make a slight difference. Bigger tyres, if the frame has space, would be more effective. Don't fit a layback post, it'll knock your positioning right out.


 
Posted : 27/12/2015 11:55 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Those Alloy cubes are pretty harsh regardless of tyre pressure. A decent carbon post will work although I'd be wary using a shim - my (albeit carbon) cube has just suffered a fatal crack from doing such a thing.

If you really want comfort a ti post will make a massive difference. I've got a Salsa one and you can see it flex. However the clamping mechanism is terrible and it recently broke, so don't get a salsa one


 
Posted : 27/12/2015 11:56 pm
Posts: 3961
Full Member
Topic starter
 

I run my saddle a fair way back on an inline post so could change to a layback without changing the reach to bars or position over BB.

What's the issue with a shim? I'm using one currently to go from 31.8 to 30.9. It extends past the top tube - seat tube junction a good 30mm and tolerances are tight so seems OK, so far at least


 
Posted : 28/12/2015 7:47 am
Posts: 0
Full Member
 

There's a specialized post called a cobl-gobl that is designed to flex, but it's pricey. Second vote for reducing tyre pressures - I weigh 72kg and run 70F 75R on 28mm tyres.


 
Posted : 28/12/2015 9:13 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I'd recommend getting a good, full carbon fibre post in your frame's natural size. Don't bother with the carbon shaft/alloy bonded head models, they don't provide any real relief.

bigger the seat tube / seat post diameter, generally more harsh. the skinnier 27.2mm setups definitely flex more.

I ran a Thomson on my first road bike, a spare from my old MTB, and soon changed it when I realized how harsh it actually was.

Easton's EC-70 is available relatively cheaply from usual on-line retailers and is well known for providing a degree of comfort / damping. they also do a EC-90 but is the same idea but with a carbon top clamp, and a big hike in price.

I just bought one off CRC for my new Giant XTC Advanced 29'er hardtail which had a very stout 30.9 Giant aluminium alloy post.

Replaced the Giant stock post with a Easton EC70 in 30.9mm and noticeable difference to comfort.


 
Posted : 28/12/2015 9:16 am
Posts: 4132
Full Member
 

I changed to a full carbon layback 27.2 with a shim in my road bike from a straight eBay carbon post. Made a noticeable improvement to long ride comfort. Got mine from superstar, not sure if they still do them.

Worthwhile upgrade in my mind, also swopped to a ti rail saddle this year, every little helps.


 
Posted : 28/12/2015 9:28 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

A syntace hiflex post made my alu decathalon road bike a bit more comfy, expensive new though.


 
Posted : 28/12/2015 9:40 am
Posts: 13601
Free Member
 

Some good ideas [url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/carbon-seat-posts-that-flex ]here[/url]


 
Posted : 28/12/2015 10:03 am
Posts: 13601
Free Member
 

The Canyon VCLS gets a lot of good reviews

[url= http://road.cc/content/news/79843-just-canyon-vcls-post-20 ]Road.cc[/url]

[url= http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/components/seat-post-seat-pin/product/review-canyon-vcls-post-2-0-13-47384/ ]Bikeradar [/url]


 
Posted : 28/12/2015 10:15 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Pedal harder?


 
Posted : 28/12/2015 10:21 am
Posts: 5382
Free Member
 

I had a canyon vcls 2.0 on my road bike - made a massive difference on 100+ mile rides. It gave around 2mm of 'travel'.
However - they are expensive..... and not on crc.....


 
Posted : 28/12/2015 11:57 am
Posts: 3961
Full Member
Topic starter
 

Ordered a 27.2 deda super zero with 25mm of layback and a USE shim so will see how that works.


 
Posted : 30/12/2015 9:23 am
Posts: 50252
Free Member
 

I have the S-Works version of the post mentioned above. It's as ugly as an ugly thing, but it seems to work.


 
Posted : 30/12/2015 9:28 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I got the deda one. Made very little difference over an old heavy carbon wrapped alu wrapped one in terms of ride, but that wasn't why I got it so that was ok. New wheels with nice rubber and tubes made a huge difference though.


 
Posted : 30/12/2015 9:47 am
Posts: 3961
Full Member
Topic starter
 

What size was that mrblobby? I'm hoping the fact it's much thinner and with the layback will help, will find out soon enough.


 
Posted : 30/12/2015 10:35 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I think it was the layback 27.2. Looks good 😉


 
Posted : 30/12/2015 10:41 am
Posts: 20675
 

I know a couple of guys that use a Cobl-Goblr and they are positively evangelical about them.

As per flashy, they look bloody stupid though...


 
Posted : 30/12/2015 10:52 am
Posts: 3961
Full Member
Topic starter
 

*Puts fingers in ears and ignores mrblobby* lalalalalala!


 
Posted : 30/12/2015 11:06 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Saw [url= http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/best-soft-riding-rigid-seatposts-for-road-dirt-and-gravel-46208/ ]this test[/url] over at bikeradar which reminded me of this thread.


 
Posted : 18/02/2016 2:00 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Yes if you search Google for the new split shift ergon or canyon one you'll find an exact* replica of it on eBay for 50 quid.

*you probably won't die but if you do its not my fault. 😀


 
Posted : 18/02/2016 9:21 pm
Posts: 13601
Free Member
 

Some great info there! Interesting about the Specialized seatpost...


 
Posted : 18/02/2016 9:43 pm

6 DAYS LEFT
We are currently at 95% of our target!