Any problems with a Clydesdale using carbon seat post and saddle?
 

Any have experience using these carbon components? I don't want to waste my money if they're going to break in a week.

Trying to shave weight off my commuter roads bike.

Why bother? The 2-4 ounce difference in weight isn't large enough to be noticeable. If you're going to buy anything, buy a Thomson seatpost. If you have to be a weight weenie, opt for the expensive Thomson Masterpiece and rest secure in the knowledge that it's lighter than many cheap carbon fiber seat posts. Having used both carbon and aluminum posts, I really can't tell any difference between the two. I now buy Thomson posts because their infinitely adjustable clamps work much better than the clamps on any of the cheap carbon or aluminum posts I've used.

In general, carbon posts are quite fine for heavier riders, although extension length, rider weight, riding style, road conditions, and seat post construction will all be factors.

For example, a 250lb mountain biker would be wise to avoid an MCFK carbon post at full extension (it's rated to a rider max of about 187lb anyway), but a 200lb rider on a Ritchey WCS carbon post at half-extension would be extremely secure for road riding.

I myself prefer titanium posts and lots of extension, but I do ride an FSA SL-K 350mm post at about 90% extension under my 215 pound (okay, okay, 219lbs last time I checked) mass for the road.

Which kind of brings up the subject of feel that sstorkel mentioned. I can tell; if you run really short extension you may not. If your roads are super smooth, you may not. If you're just not in tune with your bike and body, you may not. There are certainly performances differences, however, measurable ones, such as Velonews reported on back in '12: From the pages of Velo: Getting the most from your post - VeloNews.com

Not all carbon seat posts are made equally, meaning, I have had big problems with some of the older Easton post and also with the Ritchey one bolt clamp design. If you go with carbon, look for one that isn't super light! I was under 200 lbs. when I had the seat post failures. The FSA SL-K is bullet proof, but is quite a bit heavier than the Easton and Ritchey post. The only thing I look for in a carbon post is some added flex to smooth out a ride, not the weight savings (anymore). Perhaps stick with a light weight aluminum post?


Good luck, Mike

Nothing wrong with good carbon, but there's also a lot of cheaply-made crap. Personally, I'd trust metal more, and pay less...there's a lot of perfectly decent and reliable aluminum posts out there that don't weigh all that much more.

Good seats don't weigh that much, either...get whatever fits your butt, and don't sweat a few grams.

I've used a FSA carbon post and now a specialized carbon post... I can think of a lot of places to shave weight off a bike before the post, that's for sure.

I have a Specialized Sectuer that came with a carbon post. Haven't had any issues with it at 300+ lbs.

:thumb:

Thanks everyone

I have agonized over weight just with steel - It would seem that 220# is about the max number for bike weight unless your going ChroMo - But I have seen many over 250# guys on Carbon and yes the frames did sound funny but maybe that's normal - If you get down to about 220# a whole nuther world opens up for bike frame options - Till then its best to stay with steel or high quality aluminium...

I have got an SLX PX-10 that I am afraid to ride at 240# cause I am one of those guys who doesn't like to break his toys... Or anything else...

I'm 240, I was 220 but the holidays kicked my but and I've been off the wagon ever since. I can easily get back down there, I used to weight 300, so losing twenty pounds is easy Lmfao.

I'm on a Giant Rapid frame with chromo fork. The fork is going to go, along with the chromo stem. My seatpost is a Forte aluminum from performance cycling. I love the frame, it's basically the same geometry as the Defy, especially since is swapped out the original flat bar for a drop bar and brifters.

I have a Nashbar carbon seat post. If it breaks you send it back....no questions asked (I have not had any issues and usually start the season at 240 and get down about 225 by August) .

If your doing it for weight skip it. If you just want a subtle improvement in comfort...I would recommend it.

Seatpost broke on me once. Next thing I knew, there was a crowd standing around me with EMTs putting me into the ambulance. 30 years later, I still deal with the pain.

Buyer beware.

I have a campy chorus carbon seatpost on my carbon frame. It works fine. only thing is I can't put a seat post mounted rear rack for my trunk bag. So I use a handlebar bag.

FYI, the Thomson Masterpiece Post has a rider weight limit of 200lbs. Go to their website and click on "FAQ" and they list it there. They do say that a 200lb rider could ride cross country mtb with it so I'd say it can handle a bit more? It's that one bump or pot hole that you forgot to raise your butt off the seat and you got that jarring hit that sticks with you for a few miles that will probably do the damage.

I'm right on 200#... I just put on a Zipp setback carbon post because the vibration dampening of that particular model scored quite highly in a few online reviews versus others... That in combination with my Selle Italia Superflow SLR is a pretty good combo for distance riding... I do miss my Fizik Kurve though; fantastic perch but it had cracked...

This. I've had more issues getting the seat angle just-so, and really really want to upgrade to the Thompsons.