Mountain Biking - lay back seat post

i am thinking about getting a thomson post and was wondering , before i spend the money, is a layback post just for taller people for the most part? i did a search on here and seeley said there is no more offset...this poster seemed pretty adamant about that.

so than what is the purpose? i will mainly be doing XC, maybe some aggressive XC, and just putzin' around too.

i am short...about 5'4".

also, do you guys think it is a waste to buy the masterpiece thomson that is quite a bit more??

thanks for advice
brian

It's all about finding the perfect fit and balance, and the best sizing of the "magic triangle". The magic triangle as I call it, is the 3 contact points on your bike - the saddle, the handlebars, and the pedals. Once you get the dimmensions of that triangle dialed in, you will own the most efficient and comfortable bike in the world.

I'm 6' 2", and I needed to put a setback post on one of my 'Hoppers. I could have put a longer stem on, but that had me too far over the front wheel, and too much weight on my hands. I also could not move my saddle back far enough with a straight post. So my option was to go with a setback post, which did the trick nicely.

Here's a pic of my 21" frame that I use for aggressive XC. The setback post gives me a bit more cockpit room as well. I also ride 23" frames for XC racing, and do not require a setback post on that frame, as the larger frame allows just that much more cockpit space.

Oh, and it's never a waste to buy Thomson.

http://www.myimageshost.net/images/shane45/1282884.jpg

To sum up what shane45 said, the answer to your question is yes and no :p It's about the fit, not necessarily how tall you are. Your second question, yeha a Thompson is worth it.


...Here's a pic of my 21" frame that I use for aggressive XC...


Aggressive XC? I do not think so. Where is all the scratches and dirt on that rig. You pu***footin' around on that thing? It is way to clean :p ;)

DBD:beer:

Aggressive XC? I do not think so. Where is all the scratches and dirt on that rig. You pu***footin' around on that thing? It is way to clean :p ;)



:D
That pic is when I just completed the frame-up build. It doesn't look quite so pretty now!!!! :p

thanks guys, but i eant the expensive thomson vs the cheap thompson. elite vs masterpiece....big price difference.

i guess your paying for weight savings but i am thinking that the elite version is just fine

I hope you all realize the Thompson setback is the EXACT same setback as the stock post on 99% of bikes, because the stock posts all have offset clamps and the Thompson has a zero offset clamp. All you can do at best is maintain stock geometry with a Thompson.

All you can do at best is maintain stock geometry with a Thompson.


Uhhhhhhh...........no.

You don't think I measured some geometries before I went ahead and spent money on a Thomson setback? :rolleyes:

I have a ton of spare straight posts and none of them gave me the seating postion I desired on the specific frame pictured above. Of course, if "close enough" is acceptable to you, then I agree - don't spend your money on a setback stick because 1/2" one way or the other won't bother guys like you. I however, like my bike to be as perfectly comfortable and efficient as I can make it.

I hope you all realize the Thompson setback is the EXACT same setback as the stock post on 99% of bikes, because the stock posts all have offset clamps and the Thompson has a zero offset clamp. All you can do at best is maintain stock geometry with a Thompson.

The only difference is the Thomson layback doesn't allow you to lower your seat as far as the aforementioned 99%.

The only difference is the Thomson layback doesn't allow you to lower your seat as far as the aforementioned 99%.
okay...so now i am more confused. i mean i get it, but are you guys saying that if i like the stock feel that i basically need a thomson layback model??

if this is the case, then why the heck does thomson make so many strait model sizes? anyone who buys a strait seatpost is going to be shifted forward? that doesn't make sense to me.

sorry to harp on a dead issue, but before i buy one in the future i'd like to know some of these details.

also, no one addressed the expensive vs cheap thomson.

thanks
brian

It is a waste of money getting the Thomson Masterpiece (lighter), unless the other components on your bike are super light, and you are over-cautious about total bike-weight. A Thomson Elite is as strong, if not stronger.

It is a waste of money getting the Thomson Masterpiece (lighter), unless the other components on your bike are super light, and you are over-cautious about total bike-weight. A Thomson Elite is as strong, if not stronger.
i'm a ******, i should've been able to come to that conclusion myself. i kind of figured that. thanks for the confirmation. probably why no one was answering my post :D

okay...so now i am more confused. i mean i get it, but are you guys saying that if i like the stock feel that i basically need a thomson layback model??

if this is the case, then why the heck does thomson make so many strait model sizes? anyone who buys a strait seatpost is going to be shifted forward? that doesn't make sense to me.

brian

Its all on the Thompson website, including the info I passed along to you about the setback being the same as a stock post w/ an offset clamp.

Its all on the Thompson website, including the info I passed along to you about the setback being the same as a stock post w/ an offset clamp.
okay...thanks!