Folding Bikes - Which Seatpost for a Ritchey Breakaway?

Anybody running a carbon seatpost on a Ritchey Breakaway or know if its ok to do so? I just ordered a Breakaway frameset and have both an LP Composites carbon and Thomson Elite seatpost I can spec it with. I'm a bit concerned that the Breakaway design may put unintended pressures on the carbon post and lead to a catastrophic failure, but maybe I'm overthinking things


Thanks

Mike

I wouldn't as the seat post is what keeps the frame in the locked open position. Roger

Anybody running a carbon seatpost on a Ritchey Breakaway or know if its ok to do so? I just ordered a Breakaway frameset and have both an LP Composites carbon and Thomson Elite seatpost I can spec it with. I'm a bit concerned that the Breakaway design may put unintended pressures on the carbon post and lead to a catastrophic failure, but maybe I'm overthinking things


Thanks

Mike

Why not ask Ritchey and/or the retailer?

I've posted a similar question on the Dahon forum regarding the Hammerhead 8.0 (which uses "P.A.Q" technology ~ I believe is based on the Ritchey BAB design). If I get a response there, I'll be sure to post here too.

There's an owner over here who doesn't think a carbon seatpost would be a good idea: http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-73221.html

There are however some pics on Ritchey's site that show a carbon seatpost in use. Also if you look at the specs of some of their bikes, they include for example:

Ti/Carbon Break-Away Bike Specs
(...)
Seatpost
Ritchey WCS Carbon 27.2

i ran a carbon seatpost with mine and it was fine. i emailed ritchey and they said no problem.
good luck with your breakaway! make sure you follow the instructions about the downtube clamp (don't tighten it too much)

Thanks for the thoughts all. I asked Ritchey and they said a carbon post would be fine, but I'm still a bit skeptical. I'll probably start off with a Thomson and give the LP Composite a try if I get too much road feedback.

I wonder if you might be as well to use a torque wrench on that
(to keep from over-tightening)

e.g. Ritchey's Torqkey seems ideal so long as it produces torque in the right range
http://ritcheylogic.com/web/Ritchey~Logic/Ritchey~Site/Templates/eproducts_single.aspx?id=23850&live=true

i.e. relatively small and relatively cheap

I've posted a similar question on the Dahon forum regarding the Hammerhead 8.0 (which uses "P.A.Q" technology ~ I believe is based on the Ritchey BAB design). If I get a response there, I'll be sure to post here too.

There's an owner over here who doesn't think a carbon seatpost would be a good idea: http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-73221.html

There are however some pics on Ritchey's site that show a carbon seatpost in use. Also if you look at the specs of some of their bikes, they include for example:

Ti/Carbon Break-Away Bike Specs
(...)
Seatpost
Ritchey WCS Carbon 27.2

I'm not familiar with the Hammerhead, but the Allegro was a BreakAway clone that was outfitted with different parts (American Classic hubs, 9sp triple, Brooks saddle, etc.). This bike is now called the Tournado. It works out to a bit cheaper and a bit heavier than the Ritchey-built BreakAway. It is interesting to note that it has a different color scheme from any of the Ritchey bikes and attachment points for a rack and fenders.