Mountain Biking - Seat Posts

Hey im going to buy a new seatpost, any good brands that sell lightweight and well priced seat post? Im thinking of aluminium seat post only so no carbon and I wont do a lot of big jumps or anything all I want is a XC seatpost

thomson

Like alcahueteria said, get a Thomson. The Thomson elite is the perfect seatpost, if you want a little lighter go with the masterpiece. Be prepared to pay for it though, the weight savings comes at a price.

Same goes for the stem by the way. Thomson products are the only components I know of that you can truely buy and not have to worry about replacing.

Yet another vote for Thomson

I like SDG seat/post, they are insanely light/tough

+1 for a masterpeice, if you have the coin.

I like SDG seat/post, they are insanely light/tough

The SDG is actually a little on the heavy side. The 31.6x 350 mm weighs 253 grams (10% more than the advertised weight). The same size Thomson elite weighs 214 grams.

The SDG is actually a little on the heavy side. The 31.6x 350 mm weighs 253 grams (10% more than the advertised weight). The same size Thomson elite weighs 214 grams.

its the lightest seat and post I have ever fondled... plus I cut the seat post down a couple of inches

its the lightest seat and post I have ever fondled... plus I cut the seat post down a couple of inches

Don't know what to tell ya. The scales don't lie. If you cut down a lighter seatpost it would probably still be lighter.

Just so you know when you cut the SDG down it takes it down 4 grams per centimeter. So if you cut it down two inches (5 centimeters) that will take it down 20 grams leaving you a total weight of 233 grams.

Here is a picture of my Thomson. This is uncut.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b148/LowCel/80d2bbe3.jpg

dam thats pretty light... cool cool. i'll still go with SDG. i dont have a digi so i cant weigh mine :(

Wow, ok so i dont really get all you weight weenies, but come on just cut the rest of the seat tube that u dont use. Its not rocket science here!

Well, i am fond of the SDG "i-beam" system.

Wow, ok so i dont really get all you weight weenies, but come on just cut the rest of the seat tube that u dont use. Its not rocket science here!

Isn't it easier to just buy the correct size seatpost in the first place?

the post was too long when it showed up... nothing I could do about it. cutting the seat post is easy as pie anyway.

Wheelhot: One good seat post that comes too mind for price/performance balance is a Kalloy seat post.

the post was too long when it showed up... nothing I could do about it. cutting the seat post is easy as pie anyway.

I agree, I have cut many of them. Just make sure you leave enough extra to avoid breaking the frame. I was responding to FreeRidin's smart arse remark though.

if you want reliability that you dont need to worry about. and top notch quality the way to go is thomson. bottom line. if you dont want to dish out alot for the masterpeice get the elite. or even try ebay.

if you want reliability that you dont need to worry about. and top notch quality the way to go is thomson. bottom line. if you dont want to dish out alot for the masterpeice get the elite. or even try ebay.

I agree completely. There really is no reason for anyone to "need" the masterpiece. The elite is the perfect seatpost.

The elite is the perfect seatpost.

I used to think so, until I got a Maverick Speedball. I know some purists will laugh, but I think it's a work of genius.

I used to think so, until I got a Maverick Speedball. I know some purists will laugh, but I think it's a work of genius.

Hmmm, don't know anything about that one. I'll definately check it out though. What is it that you like about it better than a Thomson?

Hmmm, don't know anything about that one. I'll definately check it out though. What is it that you like about it better than a Thomson?

Probably that it allows him to lower and raise the post on the fly, although he needs to take a hand of the handlebars to do it.

He obviously hasn't ridden with a Gravity Dropper with a handlebar mounted switch or he really would understand what "work of genius" means...

Ahhh, gotcha. I can definately see the advantage of those posts for a lot of people. I just don't really have a need for one. The gravity dropper is a great idea though.

do you know how long that gravity dropper seat post is? is it longer or shorter than 10"?

Mmm... how about the new Race Face Deus XC seatposts? Their claimed weight is decently light and it's cheaper than the thomson.

Thomson.

Indeed the thompsons are nice...
And machined out of a single piece, right?

But you might also want to look at the Ritchey stuff. Ritchey makes some great products, and their prices are excellent.

Thomson Elite!

I've use American Classic posts on my bikes. Very light , and cost about $32 .

American Classic ANYTHING IS JUNK WHY DID YOU POST THAT!?

Everything Thomson makes is a work of machinist art ;). After having used single bolt seat posts in the past, a two bolt clamp is essential. Thomson seat posts have a textured exterior and won't slip, a strong and weld-free clamp with an angle guide (very handy, trust me), are strong enough for almost any kind of riding, and are US made. What more could you want? :)

Thomson seat posts have a textured exterior and won't slip,

They can still slip if a frame is ostensibly 27.2 but in reality is larger than spec (cough **ellsworth** cough).

testosterone?
Didn't OP mention "well priced"
not every one can use the great almighty Thomson anyways.

yeah, i checked easton, ritchey and raceface and it seems raceface is ligthest among those three and its cheaper then thomson

Thomson Elite.

Look at the price this way - pay $60-$70 for the best post made that will LAST or $30 every so often to replace a bent or broken one.

The thomson is the finest piece of metallic love I have ever held...

Look at the price this way - pay $60-$70 for the best post made that will LAST

Just because it's a Thompson doesn't mean it will last...


http://www.paradigmhosting.net/images/thompson.jpg

I told you guys, im not planning to make jumps so I dont need a very strong seatpost

Just because it's a Thompson doesn't mean it will last...

While nothing is indestructible (including body joints) the odds of it lasting for a while are a bit higher with a Thomson. Breaking a post is not a fun experience.

I've got to ask - how'd that happen?

lol, anyway im not planning to pay that much money on a single seatpost, so which one is better for a XC racer? Ritchey, RaceFace or Easton??

While nothing is indestructible (including body joints) the odds of it lasting for a while are a bit higher with a Thomson. Breaking a post is not a fun experience.

I've got to ask - how'd that happen?
Well umm, they usually bend.

Well umm, they usually bend.

Brilliant. The circumstances behind the bend...that enough clarification?

Carbon cannot bent, if its bent then its broken

Probably that it allows him to lower and raise the post on the fly, although he needs to take a hand of the handlebars to do it.

He obviously hasn't ridden with a Gravity Dropper with a handlebar mounted switch or he really would understand what "work of genius" means...

I'm sure the Gravity Dropper is great too, I thought the genius bit was applying the principle of the office chair to a seatpost. I did look at the GD, it got near-flawless reviews, but the Speedball looks cleaner and you can adjust it to any height you like. Nobody needs one, but I get a lot of use out of it, especially on downhills which are too short to have bothered lowering my saddle before.

Carbon cannot bent, if its bent then its broken
Thanks Wheelhot. :)

swt, no one answered my question yet. Ritchey, RaceFace or Easton? hehe

American Classic ANYTHING IS JUNK WHY DID YOU POST THAT!?

Hmmm, yet I run American Classic hubs on my roadie and mountain bike, american classic bottom brackets on my mountain bike and road bike, American Classic bottle cages on all of my bikes and have never had a problem. However, when and if I have a problem it is great to know that they have some of the best customer service in the industry.

American Classic ANYTHING IS JUNK WHY DID YOU POST THAT!? this just shows how little you know. American Classic hubs rival Chris King hubs for smoothness and are quite durable . The post is light ,cheap , and good looking. I've never had a problem with the 3 that I have owned(on 3 different bikes) over the last 15 years . They may not be good for a dirt jumping or BMX bike, but he is looking for a post for XC use.

this just shows how little you know. American Classic hubs rival Chris King hubs for smoothness and are quite durable . The post is light ,cheap , and good looking. I've never had a problem with the 3 that I have owned(on 3 different bikes) over the last 15 years . They may not be good for a dirt jumping or BMX bike, but he is looking for a post for XC use.

I am thinking about getting an American Classic titanium seatpost for my road bike. I want something that will offer a little flex and I have been having problems with my Easton carbon post slipping. The easton post has two flat spots (front and rear) that allow it to slip. I don't want a post as stiff as a Thomson for it though, it isn't necessary since it doesn't take nearly as much abuse as a mountain bike post. I will probably end up with either the American Classic or a Campy carbon post.

Just because it's a Thompson doesn't mean it will last...


http://www.paradigmhosting.net/images/thompson.jpg

How did you pull that one off?

well I'd go with race face, but easton a close second. I am prejudice against ritchey from working on their God-forsaken stem's that come on Jamis' coda sports and comps...stupidest **** ever.

My Thompson dented during an odd fall where the first point of contact was between a ridge of rock and the seatpost, while I still had a bit of my weight on the bike.