Carbon Seatposts Question

[Bandit]

I have very recently purchased a Boardman comp i am very pleased with the bike, i was thinking about upgrading the seatpost apart from being lighter in weight does it makes a difference to the ride?

 

[boris&co]

Congratulations on your new purchase, I'm sure it's a fine bike, and I hope you enjoy many miles on it.

However I feel I should caution you on the carbon seatpost business, for the following reasons.

1. Aluminium frames have issues of galvanic corrosion with carbon seatposts (allegedly). Grease takes the flow coat off the post and makes it all gunky (allegedly) - my mate's Soloist has a brass sleeve in the seat tube, presumably for this reason?

2. Carbon stuff slips like a demon with aluminium. No allegedly about this, I speak from experience. And you can't crank it up hard for fear of cracking the carbon. I bought a torque wrench in the end, so I could apply a repeatable torque.

3. The weight difference is meaningless. The energy requirement to carry 0.5lb up a 3000m climb is equivalent to a quarter of a Jaffa Cake at 20% efficiency. Small weight differences mean nothing on the flat, unless maybe you are a sprinter and every bit off acceleration is important.

I would spend the money on good comfortable cycling clothes. It will improve your riding experience much more than a carbon seatpost. Besides, you can never have enough pairs of shorts.

boris

ps I have a carbon framed bike, an aluminium framed bike, and a steel framed bike. I can't tell any real difference in ride quality between them, and frankly I don't believe it exists. I used to believe in this sort of thing, but then I stopped reading cycling magazines and started riding my bikes more.

 

[LugHugger]

Wise words, Boris. Bandit, your seatpost probably weighs 230-250g. If you really feel that 70-90g will bring you a performance improvement (debatable) and reduce weight, a Thomson Masterpiece 27.2 x 240mm weighs 158g. no issues with corrosion and they are way strong. I have one on my cross bike. With regard to affect on the 'ride', I doubt that you could differentiate - no offence. I know I can't. If you feel the ride of your bike is 'harsh', try swapping to 25c tyres - you'll be more comfortable but you'll lose any weight gained from swapping out the post. Them's the breaks

 

[forty four]

Congratulations on your new purchase, I'm sure it's a fine bike, and I hope you enjoy many miles on it.

However I feel I should caution you on the carbon seatpost business, for the following reasons.

1. Aluminium frames have issues of galvanic corrosion with carbon seatposts (allegedly). Grease takes the flow coat off the post and makes it all gunky (allegedly) - my mate's Soloist has a brass sleeve in the seat tube, presumably for this reason?

2. Carbon stuff slips like a demon with aluminium. No allegedly about this, I speak from experience. And you can't crank it up hard for fear of cracking the carbon. I bought a torque wrench in the end, so I could apply a repeatable torque.

3. The weight difference is meaningless. The energy requirement to carry 0.5lb up a 3000m climb is equivalent to a quarter of a Jaffa Cake at 20% efficiency. Small weight differences mean nothing on the flat, unless maybe you are a sprinter and every bit off acceleration is important.

I would spend the money on good comfortable cycling clothes. It will improve your riding experience much more than a carbon seatpost. Besides, you can never have enough pairs of shorts.

boris

ps I have a carbon framed bike, an aluminium framed bike, and a steel framed bike. I can't tell any real difference in ride quality between them, and frankly I don't believe it exists. I used to believe in this sort of thing, but then I stopped reading cycling magazines and started riding my bikes more.

he speaks the truth but they do have carbon specific greases which eliminate this issue at least carbon to carbon as i had big problems. not sure on carbon to alloy.

 

[NashbarShorts]

I have very recently purchased a Boardman comp i am very pleased with the bike, i was thinking about upgrading the seatpost apart from being lighter in weight does it makes a difference to the ride?

Remember, even the lightest carbon post will not function correctly w/o a seat attached.

Thanks --
Your prostate

 

[Bandit]

Thanks guys, no i am more than happy with the bike, but like most would like to upgrade a little. I will take your advice and avoid the carbon seatpost.
Maybe go for a change of saddle.

 

[personal]

I replaced aluminium post on my alu Cannondale (CAAD 5) with titanium seatpost and difference in comfort was quite noticable.
I was actually quite surprised how much even though I expected to feel it somewhat.
Difference in weight is significant (for a seatpost) but I didn't realy feel it.

 

[luckyboy]

If an aluminium frame with carbon seatpost corrodes, then will a carbon frame with aluminium seatpost?

Just realised about the corrosion thing today (haven't built the bike yet though).

 

[chasbo]

Any ungreased post and frame will corrode.

Carbon specific grease will prevent slippage.

Always use a torque wrench with seatpost and stem/handlebar bolts.

Grease will not harm most carbon seatposts. Check your posts manufacturer to make sure.

 

[kuoirad]

2. Carbon stuff slips like a demon with aluminium. No allegedly about this, I speak from experience. And you can't crank it up hard for fear of cracking the carbon. I bought a torque wrench in the end, so I could apply a repeatable torque.

Oh, this. Very true. Things got a lot better on my old Allez Elite frame (before I ditched it) when I replaced the stock carbon seatpost with a basic Ritchey aluminum one.

 

[BroDeal]

I have very recently purchased a Boardman comp i am very pleased with the bike, i was thinking about upgrading the seatpost apart from being lighter in weight does it makes a difference to the ride?

No ride difference. It can be a good place to save weight if you are currently using a heavy post, but I would not touch any of the super weight weenie posts. A more reasonable carbon post is not a whole lot lighter than aluminum. As noted above, the Thomson is close to bullet proof.

 

[chasbo]

Wise words, Boris. Bandit, your seatpost probably weighs 230-250g. If you really feel that 70-90g will bring you a performance improvement (debatable) and reduce weight, a Thomson Masterpiece 27.2 x 240mm weighs 158g. no issues with corrosion and they are way strong. I have one on my cross bike. With regard to affect on the 'ride', I doubt that you could differentiate - no offence. I know I can't. If you feel the ride of your bike is 'harsh', try swapping to 25c tyres - you'll be more comfortable but you'll lose any weight gained from swapping out the post. Them's the breaks

Wise choice. I have never seen a Thomson break and very few bend. I have a standard on my Waterford 2200 and use them exclusively off road.

 

[Fiemme]

I was lucky enough to be given a Campag Titanium Seatpost. I used it to replace an aluminium seatpost in a steel bike. (Saddle Clamp Bolt Broke on the Alu seatpost) I will not be looking back. I am trying to source another Campag Titanium seatpost for my Carbon frame. They seem to be a sought after item and very expensive.

I have seen to many broken/cracked carbon seatposts. Would not consider using one as when they break it is often catastrophic and damage to this region of my body I consider unwarranted just to save at best 100grams.

 

[biker77]

I have a team C. Very happy with the bike aswell except the carbon seatpost mine came with had too much setback for me. I switched to a Thompson masterpiece and am very happy.

 

[FignonLeGrand]

a good carbon specific grease/ paste will stop any worries about corrosion and should lessen slippage, if any. I dont think its always a problem by any means. No way carbon/ ali will corrode as bad as steel/ ali or ali/ titanium.

Also depending on road conditions and the type of seat post you go for (some have more comfort built in) a carbon post might be a good way to take some of the road 'buzz' off an ali frame.

But its not going to make you go any faster, lighter wheels or even tyres would.