Classic & Vintage - Seatposts- how much to spend?

So, the bike I'm building is almost done, having gone way over budget. It's a nice bike, columbus SLX, with dura ace, so I feel I should do it right and buy a nice seatpost to match, but my wallet is really starting to feel the strain.

How important is a seatpost really? It needs a 27.0, so my options are somewhat limited, from ebay searches I generally turn up either $60+ ones that sure look nice, or $10-15 and lower ones, that also look fine. What is the downside to buying a cheap seatpost?

I'm assuming it'll weight a bit more, and the mechanical bits might not be as smooth or nicely designed.

If you buy the more expensive, you will have a lighter wallet, but the money would be better spent elsewhere like some good tires and brake pads.

www.universalcycles.com (http://www.universalcycles.com) Kalloy makes a good post. The store sells others too.

Few places have 27. No seat post is bad other than the old fashioned bar w/clamp types.

e-bay's a waste of time at 30+ prices. The down-side is ending-up with the wrong post. I ended-up with 3 wrong ones and a correct scratched-up one.

Which posts, that don't cost an arm and a leg, have good micro-adjust seat clamps on them? I too need to pick up one in up, but in a 27.2 size.

Which posts, that don't cost an arm and a leg, have good micro-adjust seat clamps on them? I too need to pick up one in up, but in a 27.2 size.

Your size is the easiest going. More selections than socks afford. what's your pleasure?
Light, modest price, set-back, best clamp, smoothest glide/adj., black, silver, x-long....

27's a tough size, the man's already bleedin' from the build. Kalloy's OE on some bikes.

Buy a cheap one now and wait for a deal on a Dura Ace post to match. You will be surprise some of the low end posts are very light.

Your size is the easiest going. More selections than socks afford. what's your pleasure?
Light, modest price, set-back, best clamp, smoothest glide/adj., black, silver, x-long....

27's a tough size, the man's already bleedin' from the build. Kalloy's OE on some bikes.

+1 (for the 27.2)

as far as the OP goes, the saddle is more important than the seat post. Try to get the cheapest one you can find (and I hope that you didn't get a saddle that requires an impaling seat post) and call it a day...

On second thought: if you have a sander available, grab a 27.2 seat post and sand the hey out of the extra .2 mm for the part of the post that needs to go into the seat tube (it will take about 10 minutes)

I just did a search on "27.0 seatpost" on eBay and got 23 hits on auctions plus 26 more on eBay stores, so I think you've got a lot of choices. I recently bought a very nice 27.4 Kalloy 2-bolt like a Thompson for less than $30 including shipping and a 25.4 Diamondback 4-bolt BMX for less than $17. They were both totally new, totally nice and fit perfectly. So you should be able to find something, like for example this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Bike-Alloy-2014-Seat-Post-27-0-x-350mm-Silver_W0QQitemZ320291747761QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item4a92e037b1

Kevin, I'd just get the fluted Kalloy for the lower dollar amount. It will be fine. I ran into the same problem with a 25.0, they're either $80 or $25, and krems81 sent me a new Kalloy that is a really nice post. I sure don't see $55 difference.

Then, don't let your friend ride it, or let him adjust the seat post, for that matter.. You know who I'm talking about..ha ha... The 200 SCi is fine, by the way... now sportin' 9-sp Ultegra.

This for a more classic look. Plus its really cheap (http://cgi.ebay.com/Avenir-27-0-x-350mm-Classic-Pro-Chrome-Seatpost_W0QQitemZ370271268901QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item5635e33025)

This if you need a zero set back post. (http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Bike-Alloy-2014-Seat-Post-27-0-x-350mm-Silver_W0QQitemZ320291747761QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item4a92e037b1) I am actually thinking about this one because I like the Thompson style clamp.

If you just want a good post for not alot of money.
(http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Kalloy-Bike-Seat-Post-27-0-x-400mm-Silver_W0QQitemZ360144959100QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item53da4ff67c) Chop it down to a manageable length becasue 400 and even 350 is pretty long. Maybe even polish it.

Cruise around in the clearance section of some of the better sites-jenson usa,price point,nashbar,cambria;you know,performance.you wo'nt get one right away,but there are bargains out there for sure.If you have to get it today it will cost more.It would also take time on E-bay.

Finding a 27.0 is going to be tough. I did get my 31.6 easton on Jenson for seven bucks but that is a more common size.

Wow,I guess the thing to do is go to the yellowjeeps links.I'm going to have to as well.

My LBS has a Thompson in their jewelry case and a lot cheaper than I would have thought-yeah, 31.6 is a nice post size to have

AGAIN www.universalcycles.com (http://www.universalcycles.com) $19.99 more than one choice
Can ya handle it ?

The only overpriced seatposts on eBay are the ones I want. :(

Wow, thanks for the abundance of info guys. I think I'm going to go with this one:

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=16493&category=167

And polish it up to a really nice shine.

I have a silver thompson elite on another bike (a friend had it laying around her garage for a long time and sold it for really cheap) and boy, that thing sure is pretty, not sure if I'd ever pay retail for one though.

Then, don't let your friend ride it, or let him adjust the seat post, for that matter.. You know who I'm talking about..ha ha... The 200 SCi is fine, by the way... now sportin' 9-sp Ultegra.

Haha, yeah I think we had an unspoken agreement that he isn't going to be borrowing any more of my bikes, :rolleyes:

Awesome, its returned to it's shimano roots.

Wow, thanks for the abundance of info guys. I think I'm going to go with this one:

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=16493&category=167

And polish it up to a really nice shine.

I have a silver thompson elite on another bike (a friend had it laying around her garage for a long time and sold it for really cheap) and boy, that thing sure is pretty, not sure if I'd ever pay retail for one though.

I like these a little bit better: http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/SE407A01-Kalloy+Laprade+Seatpost.aspx?sc=FRGL. Nice shine. Select 27.2 in silver and you'll see a photo. I recommend cutting it down a bit, as they're very long.

We all keep posting the same posts. (thats kind of confusing no?)

Can't go wrong with the one you are posted and polishing stuff is always a good excuse to have a beer or four to help pass the time.

Yellowjeep: I love the music that accompanies your (excellent) little movie. what is it? Oliver Nelson?

Its all relative to your goal of the build. A few of my bikes have consistent componentry throughout including BB's and headsets. Builds like that can expensive quickly because its the seatposts, headsets, BB's and pedals that are pricey.

That being said, micro adjust seatposts are over rated......very over rated.

Good economical posts are the high end Kalloy's like their 'Uno' post and you'll also find alot of high end Japanese posts from SR, Suntour etc that are economical.

Which posts, that don't cost an arm and a leg, have good micro-adjust seat clamps on them? I too need to pick up one in up, but in a 27.2 size.

Assuming we're talking about a fairly conventional road bike properly sized, with either a level top tube or jsut a few degrees tilt, I like the American Classic design. Very light, aluminum, has micro-adjust, and has moderate setback. Typically on Ebay they'll go for $15 to $25. Nearly as light as a Thomson. Some carbon posts are actually heavier!

Assuming we're talking about a fairly conventional road bike properly sized, with either a level top tube or jsut a few degrees tilt, I like the American Classic design. Very light, aluminum, has micro-adjust, and has moderate setback. Typically on Ebay they'll go for $15 to $25. Nearly as light as a Thomson. Some carbon posts are actually heavier!

+1 I like the American Classic post. I just got one off of ebay for $17.50ish shipped. They weigh a little over 200 grams, have a nice look, and are easy to adjust.

You know you want it: http://cgi.ebay.com/American-Classic-seatpost-27-0-350-mm_W0QQitemZ300360881446QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item45eee75526

American Classic seatpost 27.0, 350 mm
Used American Classic road seatpost. 350 mm long, 27.0 diameter. It's in great condition EXCEPT for the classic zig-zag gouge from some boob who didn't pay attention when he was removing it from a steel frame, no doubt.

Starting bid: US $999.00

:lol:

I suspect a decimal point got left off and the seller really meant $9.99. For that price it would be a great post.

The Ascent carbon fiber post, if you're interested, is often under $30