Cyclocross - Tricross carbon seatpost maintenance?

Hi and welcome everybody (as this is my first time here)

Still lots of snow in Chicagoland, but I've recently became the owner of a new Tricross Comp '06. The bike is more than I needed but I've found it hard to find another 58cm CX bike on special, one that wouldn't come from the '07 stock (these days they charge their '07 stuff by MRSP...).

When I read the instructions for the carbon seatpost, I started to have some concerns:

-- the seatpost seems to be relatively high-maintenance item. I've never used anything but a simple wrench to quickly adjust an alu seatpost when needed. Do I have to start carrying a torque wrench or do you think that I can pretty much learn to use a simple allen without doing a harm to the seatpost+myself? (on an MTB I'd find it necessary to adjust the seatpost quickly for different kind of ride). Specialized strongly discourage this on their website, but on the other hand the manual almost discourages you to try to do anything with the bike but a neighborhood ride ;)

-- if I'd like to get the wrench anyway, please help me out -- as a European I'm totally confused with the torque units given by the manufacturers (in-lbf, ft-lbs and so forth, the problem is that they often don't offer metric values. Found this: http://www.convert-me.com/en/bb/viewtopic.php?p=6402) Could anybody advise me on what kind of inexpensive torque wrench I should/shouldn't buy?

-- I was also considering getting a replacement alu seatpost and getting rid of this one... I'm not sure if my bottom is sophisticated enough to appreciate the Zertz :)

Thanks a lot, I'd appreciate the suggestions of other Specialized seatpost users.

Matt

-- I was also considering getting a replacement alu seatpost and getting rid of this one

Matt - do just that, and get a Thomson. Carbon seatposts are not worth the hastle.

thanks Bac --

how about a bontrager big earl for about $50, weight of 280mm almost the same as the carbon on the Tricross (?)... a good alternative or an expensive bottle opener? I'm not sure about the zero offset, but the Thomsons I've found (not available locally) were zero offset, too.

FWIW, Ritchey sells a compact torque wrench that is set up to the recommended torque for their carbon components. It should work with most anything. Personally, I have never had a problem just "winging it". with carbon components.


Hi and welcome everybody (as this is my first time here)

Still lots of snow in Chicagoland, but I've recently became the owner of a new Tricross Comp '06. The bike is more than I needed but I've found it hard to find another 58cm CX bike on special, one that wouldn't come from the '07 stock (these days they charge their '07 stuff by MRSP...).

When I read the instructions for the carbon seatpost, I started to have some concerns:

-- the seatpost seems to be relatively high-maintenance item. I've never used anything but a simple wrench to quickly adjust an alu seatpost when needed. Do I have to start carrying a torque wrench or do you think that I can pretty much learn to use a simple allen without doing a harm to the seatpost+myself? (on an MTB I'd find it necessary to adjust the seatpost quickly for different kind of ride). Specialized strongly discourage this on their website, but on the other hand the manual almost discourages you to try to do anything with the bike but a neighborhood ride ;)

-- if I'd like to get the wrench anyway, please help me out -- as a European I'm totally confused with the torque units given by the manufacturers (in-lbf, ft-lbs and so forth, the problem is that they often don't offer metric values. Found this: http://www.convert-me.com/en/bb/viewtopic.php?p=6402) Could anybody advise me on what kind of inexpensive torque wrench I should/shouldn't buy?

-- I was also considering getting a replacement alu seatpost and getting rid of this one... I'm not sure if my bottom is sophisticated enough to appreciate the Zertz :)

Thanks a lot, I'd appreciate the suggestions of other Specialized seatpost users.

Matt

If Thomsons are too fancy, consider a Salsa. http://www.salsacycles.com/seatposts.html Typical retail in the States is less than 40 bucks, and it's a kickass seatpost.

If you don't want as much setback, maybe consider an IRD.

The Salsa Shaft is awesome. I really like the adjustment features, it's quality made, it's half the price of the Thompson and it weights, what, 20 grams more?

At one of the races this past season a guy broke the carbon seatpost on his Tricross clean off. Good thing for him it snapped at the frame. He wasn't a big guy either, 170lbs maybe. The next week he had an aluminum one!

never mind, got a very nice Thomson off eBay for half the price... now the only thing to worry about is the sexy zertz fork (hope not, but I have no idea how it's really built inside). Thanks for your suggestions.

I say just wing it for now and fork out the money for an alu seatpost later when you inevitably ruin the carbon one.