Cyclocross - Best zero-setback aluminum seatpost?

I would like to shorten the cockpit of my 'cross bike. Best way? I'm thinking a seatpost with zero setback.

Recommendations for an aluminum zero-setback seatpost? (27.2mm) Also, although my stock seatpost is 350mm long, that seems like a waste of at least 100mm of material. With a properly-fitting frame, couldn't I go with a 250mm post?

I recently bought a cheap zero-setback seatpost from FSA. The clamp is more fiddly than I'd like, but it basically works. Can't remember the model... maybe the FR-270? I lopped about 100mm off of it with a hack saw, chamfered the ends with a file, and then sanded it smooth. No problems so far.

Thomson. End of thread.

Thomson. End of thread.

I'm a little shocked it took TWO, countem' TWO, responders before I got this answer!

Thomson: Official seatpost of the Bike Forums system.

Because I read so much about Thomson here, I'm actually a little tempted to try one out.

I'm a little shocked it took TWO, countem' TWO, responders before I got this answer!

Thomson: Official seatpost of the Bike Forums system.

Because I read so much about Thomson here, I'm actually a little tempted to try one out.

It's not the official seatpost, but they are made very well and perform flawlessly. There really is no reason to use anything else in a non setback post. Elite or masterpiece, I have both, both work.

thomsons are great, but i wouldn't go messing with saddle fore-aft as a means of shortening your reach.

having the saddle too far forward can cause bigger problems, i'd go with a shorter stem.

What's the setback on the Thomson?

I'll 2nd the thomson seatpost advice (I have two also in 0 setback). One caveat is their clamp can be somewhat a PIA. As you tighten down each allen fore/aft it also adjusts the seat andle so it takes some familiarity. also on the 0 setback, the allens end up very close to the seatpost and it gets pretty jammed up to make adjustments. It works but lets just say its not fast compared to a single bolt allen adjustment.
As a long armed, long torso guy I found the zero sb post to be a good fix

I recently bought an inexpensive truvativ micro-adjust seatpost from jenson and it's really nice, really light, got good reviews, and cost half as much as a thompson.

I'm a little shocked it took TWO, countem' TWO, responders before I got this answer!

Thomson: Official seatpost of the Bike Forums system. If you are asking for the best zero-setback aluminum seatpost, don't get all snarky when someone gives you the correct answer.

Snarky = "irritability"

There was no snarky there. Just an observation. Any Bike Forum regular (including Thomson fans) could have made the same observation.

I'll 2nd the thomson seatpost advice (I have two also in 0 setback). One caveat is their clamp can be somewhat a PIA. As you tighten down each allen fore/aft it also adjusts the seat andle so it takes some familiarity. also on the 0 setback, the allens end up very close to the seatpost and it gets pretty jammed up to make adjustments. It works but lets just say its not fast compared to a single bolt allen adjustment.

Sounds just like my FSA, albeit for twice the price...

Thomson. End of thread.Yea what he said . . . and that goes for a stem too

Sounds just like my FSA, albeit for twice the price...

Except the thomson isn't just a tube - The cross section of the extrusion for the post makes it stronger in the fore/aft axis, while still keeping it light.

Thomson for the the win.

Except the thomson isn't just a tube - The cross section of the extrusion for the post makes it stronger in the fore/aft axis, while still keeping it light.

Doubt that it actually matters. But if you believe it, then by all means spend 2X for the Thomson...

Let's talk about what's important . . .

1. Stability. A broken or flexy seatpost is among the worst situations a cyclist can experience. I admire the technology that Thomson puts into their tubing but I wonder if it is necessary.
2. Adjustability. If it won't adjust to where you need it, it's worthless.
3. It stays where it's put. On another bike, I've got an all-carbon seatpost with an all-carbon seat clamp that likes to migrate. Not good. You should be able to forget about your seatpost once it's set.
4. Light weight. Because we're cyclists.

I'll repeat it, but it's the bottom line: A great seatpost is one that you completely forget about. It never draws attention to itself for any reason.

Let's talk about what's important . . .

1. Stability. A broken or flexy seatpost is among the worst situations a cyclist can experience. I admire the technology that Thomson puts into their tubing but I wonder if it is necessary.
2. Adjustability. If it won't adjust to where you need it, it's worthless.
3. It stays where it's put. On another bike, I've got an all-carbon seatpost with an all-carbon seat clamp that likes to migrate. Not good. You should be able to forget about your seatpost once it's set.
4. Light weight. Because we're cyclists.

I'll repeat it, but it's the bottom line: A great seatpost is one that you completely forget about. It never draws attention to itself for any reason.

+1... And yes, I have a Thomsen - and several others.

I'm sure you can buy a similar seatpost for less (and go ahead and feel smug if you do), but why take chances when an excellent result is guaranteed?

+1... And yes, I have a Thomsen - and several others.

I'm sure you can buy a similar seatpost for less (and go ahead and feel smug if you do), but why take chances when an excellent result is guaranteed?

I agree. With a seatpost, more than just about any other part of a bicycle, "overbuilt" is good.

I'm sure you can buy a similar seatpost for less (and go ahead and feel smug if you do), but why take chances when an excellent result is guaranteed?

What makes you think you won't get excellent results with any seatpost you buy? It's not like there's much to them...

What makes you think you won't get excellent results with any seatpost you buy? It's not like there's much to them...

All seatposts are definitely NOT created equal. I have had a couple of bad ones. (1) The aforementioned carbon post (expensive), and (2) an aluminum post that buckled at the top of the tube and separated from the clamp (mid-priced).

What makes you think you won't get excellent results with any seatpost you buy? It's not like there's much to them...

You know, it seems like that oughta be the case... But...

When they fail it's either real exciting OR real inconvenient. Plus, seatposts can also do other annoying things like generate weird noises, be difficult to adjust, lack sufficient adjustment - or simply refuse to stay in adjustment. And of course, some are built to become paperweights in their next life.

I agree, a good seatpost SHOULD cost about twenty bucks. Many of us have spent about that much with widely varying results. Nobody salivates over dropping the kind of money that Thomsen charges. We do it because sometimes certainty is a very good thing.

Final decision: I'm keeping my stock FSA carbon-wrapped aluminum seatpost. I hate carbon-wrapped aluminum. It makes no sense to me. But this seatpost and clamp work.

I switched saddles and the new saddle, at its farthest back position, sits forward of where the old saddle sat. Hence, no need for zero-setback.

i have a thomson on my track bike and am buying one for my cross bike, so def thomson.

I have a Thomson Masterpiece on my cx bike. It's aesthetically pleasing...appears well made...seems sturdy...and is very light. It works. Good seatpost.

If you're racing cross, you'll want your butt further over the rear wheel than on the road. You'll need that traction.

If you're racing cross, you'll want your butt further over the rear wheel than on the road. You'll need that traction.Good thing Thompson makes a Setback seatpost:thumb:

For the record, I'm keeping the FSA for my 'cross bike. But I've ordered a Thomson for my road bike. (It's in a hard-to-find 31.6mm size where the 287mm Elite is actually a gram lighter than the shortest Masterpiece in that size.) I've got to see what the fuss is about. Plus, there's the annoying and unpredictable saddle creep with the Easton post I've got on that bike.

I'll give up about 40g going to the Thomson but, if it eliminates the saddle creep, it will be worth it.

What makes you think you won't get excellent results with any seatpost you buy? It's not like there's much to them...

I used to think that, but the Thomson really is worth the money.
- Three other posts I had would creep down over time. Thomson has some very fine milled-in horizontal texture that provides the grip to prevent that.
- Two of those other posts would creak and make noise that I couldn't get rid of no matter how I tried. Thomson is silent on all three of my bikes.

It's not the only post that's good, to be sure, and there are cheaper ones that will do exactly what you want just fine. It's just been incredibly annoying to spend the time (and money) to diagnose the other problems I had with seatposts, and now that I've found a brand that's reliable, I stick with them. Sure, it's more expensive than many, but so is going through three different posts to get rid of a squeak... not to mention my time.