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What to look for in a seatpost?



 
 
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  #1  
Old September 16th 09, 05:46 AM posted to rec.bicycles.misc,rec.bicycles.tech,alt.mountain-bike
DaveC
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Posts: 88
Default What to look for in a seatpost?

For a plain aluminum post, what to look for? I mean, there don't seem to be
many features (elastomer types aside): tilt, height, fore/aft...?

Are posts similar to stems in that I'll have to go through several until I
find a riding position that requires a particular seat position? Or will any
post give me enough adjustment to achieve my correct riding position?

To be used on a light-use mtb (absolutely no jumping or such) supporting a
Specialized Sonoma Sport saddle.

I'm looking at a 27.0 mm Kalloy Laprade, for no particular reason:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/SE407A01-
Kalloy+Laprade+Seatpost.aspx

mtbr.com's list of reviewed posts seems to show that the more people that
review it the lower the score (with the exception of a few higher-priced
models):

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/controls/Seatpost/PLS_141_911crx.aspx

Suggestions, recommendations, opinions, experiences, or pointers to reviews
are welcome.

(Are seatposts the unsung heros of the bike? Offering support, rain & shine?
Always the butt of jokes?)

Thanks.

Ads
  #2  
Old September 16th 09, 07:26 AM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
Gregory Sutter
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Posts: 166
Default What to look for in a seatpost?

On 2009-09-16, DaveC wrote:
For a plain aluminum post, what to look for? I mean, there don't seem to be
many features (elastomer types aside): tilt, height, fore/aft...?


- setback or none;
- length of post;
- diameter of post;
- one-bolt or two;
- tilt, but nearly all modern posts have microadjustable tilt;
- normal rails or kore i-beam (haha).

The seatpost widely considered the best made is the Thomson Elite.

http://www.qbike.com/cgi-bin/find.cg...elite+seatpost

....But you may not feel that it's necessary to pay six times the cost
of the Kalloy post.

Are posts similar to stems in that I'll have to go through several until I
find a riding position that requires a particular seat position? Or will any
post give me enough adjustment to achieve my correct riding position?


Well, the setback of a given post is fixed. But there's inherent
adjustability in the saddle rails; just position the saddle further
forward or back. Unless you change from a rearward-mounted saddle
on a setback post to a post without setback, or vice versa for a
forward-mounted saddle, you should be fine.

And no, I'm not talking about reversing the direction of the
saddle nose!

--
Gregory S. Sutter "How do I read this file?"
"You uudecode it."
http://zer0.org/~gsutter/ "I I I decode it?"
  #3  
Old September 16th 09, 09:01 AM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
DaveC
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Posts: 88
Default What to look for in a seatpost?

Thanks for your comments.

Well, the setback of a given post is fixed. But there's inherent
adjustability in the saddle rails; just position the saddle further
forward or back. Unless you change from a rearward-mounted saddle
on a setback post to a post without setback, or vice versa for a
forward-mounted saddle, you should be fine.


This is a new (to me) bike I'm building up so there is no "before"; I pitched
the saddle & post (it was too short anyway).

So I think finding a position with a new (or used) post will be the
challenge.

(And I found a used Elite for 3x the price of a Kalloy... :-) )

  #4  
Old September 16th 09, 09:31 AM posted to rec.bicycles.tech,alt.mountain-bike
[email protected]
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Posts: 3,092
Default What to look for in a seatpost?

On Sep 15, 9:46*pm, DaveC wrote:
For a plain aluminum post, what to look for? I mean, there don't seem to be
many features (elastomer types aside): tilt, height, fore/aft...?

Are posts similar to stems in that I'll have to go through several until I
find a riding position that requires a particular seat position? Or will any
post give me enough adjustment to achieve my correct riding position?

To be used on a light-use mtb (absolutely no jumping or such) supporting a
Specialized Sonoma Sport saddle.

I'm looking at a 27.0 mm Kalloy Laprade, for no particular reason:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/SE407A01-
Kalloy+Laprade+Seatpost.aspx

mtbr.com's list of reviewed posts seems to show that the more people that
review it the lower the score (with the exception of a few higher-priced
models):

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/controls/Seatpost/PLS_141_911crx.aspx

Suggestions, recommendations, opinions, experiences, or pointers to reviews
are welcome.

(Are seatposts the unsung heros of the bike? Offering support, rain & shine?
Always the butt of jokes?)

Thanks.


mtbr.com is near useless. Sometimes it lets you know
if something is a lemon; although sometimes poor reviews
just mean that the product was attractive to inarticulate
kids who break lightweight parts while casing jumps.

For light duty riding, most seatposts will work unless
you are significantly heavier than average, or you have
unusual setback requirements. Some posts are easier
to adjust saddle tilt independent of setback or clamp
tightness.

Stems have to fit the rider for both height and reach
(torso and arm length), which is why you can go through
so many while fitting. Seatposts mostly adjust for
leg length, have two degrees of freedom (height, setback)
vs the one degree for a given stem, and for whatever
reason, the range of setback accomodates many people,
while fit is more demanding of just the right stem.

As for what to look for in a seatpost, you have to take
it out and turn it over: the most likely thing to find is
the rider's stash, but occasionally proof of ownership
or an emergency dollar or two (but the handlebars are
a better place for that).

Ben
  #5  
Old September 16th 09, 01:21 PM posted to rec.bicycles.misc,rec.bicycles.tech,alt.mountain-bike
BCDrums
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Posts: 196
Default What to look for in a seatpost?

DaveC wrote:
For a plain aluminum post, what to look for? I mean, there don't seem to be
many features (elastomer types aside): tilt, height, fore/aft...?

Are posts similar to stems in that I'll have to go through several until I
find a riding position that requires a particular seat position? Or will any
post give me enough adjustment to achieve my correct riding position?

To be used on a light-use mtb (absolutely no jumping or such) supporting a
Specialized Sonoma Sport saddle.

I'm looking at a 27.0 mm Kalloy Laprade, for no particular reason:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/SE407A01-
Kalloy+Laprade+Seatpost.aspx

mtbr.com's list of reviewed posts seems to show that the more people that
review it the lower the score (with the exception of a few higher-priced
models):

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/controls/Seatpost/PLS_141_911crx.aspx

Suggestions, recommendations, opinions, experiences, or pointers to reviews
are welcome.

(Are seatposts the unsung heros of the bike? Offering support, rain & shine?
Always the butt of jokes?)

Thanks.


My favorite is the Salsa Shaft. It has tilt adjustment that is
completely separate from the seat clamp, and it has a better name than
other seat posts .

http://harriscyclery.net/product/sal...black-2535.htm
  #6  
Old September 16th 09, 01:39 PM posted to rec.bicycles.misc,rec.bicycles.tech,alt.mountain-bike
[email protected][_2_]
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Posts: 1,594
Default What to look for in a seatpost?

On Sep 15, 10:46*pm, DaveC wrote:
For a plain aluminum post, what to look for? I mean, there don't seem to be
many features (elastomer types aside): tilt, height, fore/aft...?

Are posts similar to stems in that I'll have to go through several until I
find a riding position that requires a particular seat position? Or will any
post give me enough adjustment to achieve my correct riding position?

To be used on a light-use mtb (absolutely no jumping or such) supporting a
Specialized Sonoma Sport saddle.

I'm looking at a 27.0 mm Kalloy Laprade, for no particular reason:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/SE407A01-
Kalloy+Laprade+Seatpost.aspx

mtbr.com's list of reviewed posts seems to show that the more people that
review it the lower the score (with the exception of a few higher-priced
models):

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/controls/Seatpost/PLS_141_911crx.aspx

Suggestions, recommendations, opinions, experiences, or pointers to reviews
are welcome.

(Are seatposts the unsung heros of the bike? Offering support, rain & shine?
Always the butt of jokes?)

Thanks.


You need to make sure that it fits your frame. The kalloy Laprade is a
great seatpost. It is inexpensive, it looks good, it is sturdy and it
has been out in the market for ages. If it fits your bike, get it.

Seaposts have a lot of marketing for weight, adjustability, how far
forward or back you can put the saddle, vibration absorption, looks,
etc. Most of it is nonesense, unless you have some special issue and
you need extra adjustability. The Kalloy will do just fine.



  #7  
Old September 16th 09, 03:26 PM posted to rec.bicycles.misc,rec.bicycles.tech,alt.mountain-bike
landotter
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Posts: 6,336
Default What to look for in a seatpost?

On Sep 15, 11:46*pm, DaveC wrote:
For a plain aluminum post, what to look for? I mean, there don't seem to be
many features (elastomer types aside): tilt, height, fore/aft...?

Are posts similar to stems in that I'll have to go through several until I
find a riding position that requires a particular seat position? Or will any
post give me enough adjustment to achieve my correct riding position?

To be used on a light-use mtb (absolutely no jumping or such) supporting a
Specialized Sonoma Sport saddle.

I'm looking at a 27.0 mm Kalloy Laprade, for no particular reason:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/SE407A01-
Kalloy+Laprade+Seatpost.aspx

mtbr.com's list of reviewed posts seems to show that the more people that
review it the lower the score (with the exception of a few higher-priced
models):

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/controls/Seatpost/PLS_141_911crx.aspx

Suggestions, recommendations, opinions, experiences, or pointers to reviews
are welcome.

(Are seatposts the unsung heros of the bike? Offering support, rain & shine?
Always the butt of jokes?)



If you're of average stature, doing average things, with an average
post extension--then you don't require anything more of your seatpost
than average. Kalloy posts are pretty dang perfect for your needs.
Thompson posts are for people who do ridiculous things, ride too-small
frames, are chubby,and/or need bike jewelry.

  #8  
Old September 16th 09, 04:44 PM posted to rec.bicycles.misc,rec.bicycles.tech,alt.mountain-bike
Andre Jute[_2_]
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Posts: 10,422
Default What to look for in a seatpost?

On Sep 16, 5:46*am, DaveC wrote:
For a plain aluminum post, what to look for? I mean, there don't seem to be
many features (elastomer types aside): tilt, height, fore/aft...?

Are posts similar to stems in that I'll have to go through several until I
find a riding position that requires a particular seat position? Or will any
post give me enough adjustment to achieve my correct riding position?

To be used on a light-use mtb (absolutely no jumping or such) supporting a
Specialized Sonoma Sport saddle.

I'm looking at a 27.0 mm Kalloy Laprade, for no particular reason:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/SE407A01-
Kalloy+Laprade+Seatpost.aspx

mtbr.com's list of reviewed posts seems to show that the more people that
review it the lower the score (with the exception of a few higher-priced
models):

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/controls/Seatpost/PLS_141_911crx.aspx

Suggestions, recommendations, opinions, experiences, or pointers to reviews
are welcome.

(Are seatposts the unsung heros of the bike? Offering support, rain & shine?
Always the butt of jokes?)

Thanks.


I've had some Kalloy seatposts and other critical components from them
too. Nothing to report. They work as advertised, intended and wanted.
Good quality at a fair price.

No experience with the Thomson Elite, which is sure to be recommended,
but a poster here (Jay Bollyn) who uses his bike only for commuting
wasn't impressed when his Thomson seatpost had to be replaced.

Andre Jute
Charisma is the art of infuriating the undeserving by merely
existing elegantly
  #9  
Old September 16th 09, 05:04 PM posted to rec.bicycles.misc,rec.bicycles.tech,alt.mountain-bike
(PeteCresswell)
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Posts: 2,790
Default What to look for in a seatpost?

Per DaveC:
For a plain aluminum post, what to look for?


Micro-adjustability of tilt is a big deal to me.

i.e. Tilt adjusts be rotating one or two screws instead of by
notches.

I find a quarter or half turn of tilt adjustment (much less than
a notch...) makes a significant diff.
--
PeteCresswell
  #10  
Old September 16th 09, 05:17 PM posted to rec.bicycles.misc,rec.bicycles.tech,alt.mountain-bike
(PeteCresswell)
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Posts: 2,790
Default What to look for in a seatpost?

Per (PeteCresswell):
i.e. Tilt adjusts be rotating one or two screws instead of by
notches.


In terms of the Kalloy page, avoid "incremental adjusting clamp".
--
PeteCresswell
 




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