Road Cycling - Carbon or Ti Seatpost...

I'm looking to swap out the stock aluminum post that came on my aluminum (CAAD7) frame. I'm going for a softer, more comfortable ride here. Any opinions on which material will better provide these charictaristics? Also, if you could recommend a particular brand or model, that would help.

I'm looking to swap out the stock aluminum post that came on my aluminum (CAAD7) frame. I'm going for a softer, more comfortable ride here. Any opinions on which material will better provide these charictaristics? Also, if you could recommend a particular brand or model, that would help.Save your dinero for a better riding frame. A few less psi in the tires cost nothing and will do more.

Hi,
1)larger tires (I like the Vredstein Fortezza 25c)
2)smoother wheels
3)better saddle (I like Brooks and my Selle Italia Trans Am FLX has a built in shock absorber that actually works. DO NOT get the gel Trans AM)
4) Shock absorbing tape, Spezialised has a nice set with a pad. Wall bike sells a nice pad designed to go under the tape.

http://www.wallbike.com/oddsnends/marsas.html

There's nothing wrong with a CAAD7 frame. If it were me, I'd go for carbon fiber. It has better damping properties. Just be carful when tightening the binder bolt. It needs to be just tight enough. Overdo it, and you will damage the post.

The absorbing characteristics of a CF or Ti Seatpost, will depend some on how much post you have exposed. If you only have a small amount exposed it can not absorb very much. I own both Ti and CF, I think most will agree that a Ti post will most likely have a longer lifespan.. which is better I really can not say both work well. A saddle with Ti rails can also help absorb some of the road buzz...

There's nothing wrong with a CAAD7 frame. If it were me, I'd go for carbon fiber. It has better damping propertiesYeah, but it offers nothing in a seatpost.

Tommy-

Huh???

geist, both materials are pretty good for dealing with road buzz though getting a smoother ride out of aluminum is gonna be tough. If you have a lot of seat post exposed it may make a bit of a difference though on a standard frame I doubt you'll notice it (though you just may convince yourself otherwise). Ti probably has a durabitily edge though carbon (especially good carbon) probably has better dampening qualities.
If you are really looking to try to smooth your ride out (and have cash to toss about) a magnesium or carbon stem and carbon bars might make a slight difference too.

I agree that if you don't have a compact frame with sloping top tube which lengthens the seatpost, I'd say you'll notice very little difference. The affect is minimal anyway and you'd just be giving that up. Think about a different seat (don't be afraid to look at non-hard core racing seats, especially since when your ass is on top you can't see it anyway) and think about Specialized bar phat to go under your tape. It's amazing the vibrations your entire body feels from your hands.

I agree that if you don't have a compact frame with sloping top tube which lengthens the seatpost, I'd say you'll notice very little difference. The affect is minimal anyway and you'd just be giving that up. Think about a different seat (don't be afraid to look at non-hard core racing seats, especially since when your ass is on top you can't see it anyway) and think about Specialized bar phat to go under your tape. It's amazing the vibrations your entire body feels from your hands.


I 100% agree.

The Phat Bar Tape is great! It is even better if you have larger hands, the larger diameter of the bars, pads, and tape are very comfy.

I agree that if you don't have a compact frame with sloping top tube which lengthens the seatpost, I'd say you'll notice very little difference. The affect is minimal anyway and you'd just be giving that up. Think about a different seat (don't be afraid to look at non-hard core racing seats, especially since when your ass is on top you can't see it anyway) and think about Specialized bar phat to go under your tape. It's amazing the vibrations your entire body feels from your hands.
Maybe but not from your hands to your but.I switched posts and saw no difference but carbon looks good.You most likly have 23's,put a 25 on the rear and i bet that will help.You should have got steel and not worry about this. Had to throw that in.

I also have a CAAD7 (2003 R2000) frame and I could not stand the factory seatpost as well. I put an Eason CF 70 seatpost on and it made a huge difference. After that I switch the seat to a Selle Flite SLR and that made a little difference as well. Very nice bike once you get a few things taken care of, rides much better than my 2003 Specialized Allez I had.

Save your dinero for a better riding frame. A few less psi in the tires cost nothing and will do more.

Won't a few less psi in your tires slow you down too!!!
Later,
Robin

depends, but its been found the tires at about 90-95 psi actually roll better than 110-120psi (RBR). I somehow doubt a CAAD 7 is a poor riding frame. Get a carbon post (I think supergo has the cheapest though ebay is there), add some heavy duty bartape and ride so hard your legs hurt enough that the bumps and jolts feel mild in comparison ;)

... its been found the tires at about 90-95 psi actually roll better than 110-120psi (RBR).


Wow! I would love to know the basis for this observation.

-mark

Wow! I would love to know the basis for this observation.

-mark


Lower pressure means the tyre wall is more supple, which allows it to "flex" over the bumps. You actually get lower rolling resistance at the right pressure. Go too high and a rock-hard tyre "hits" the bumps, instead of "flexing" over them, a bit like imagining a small wheel hitting a 1cm step and comparing that to the way a much larger wheel hitting the same step gets over it more easily because it meets with less resistance. Transfer this thought to all the tiny little bumps your tyre meets on the road through every revolution it makes on a ride! Very high pressure tyres are not really a benefit on road because of this phenomenon, although the benefits are appreciable more on a varnished wood track.