Seat post question
#1
Thread Starter
Drumming Bicyclist
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 222
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From: Boston, MA
Bikes: Redline 925
Seat post question
I've got my seat as far back as possible on the stock post (redline 925).
I thought I saw a bike that had a seat post with curve/bend to it (effectively placing the saddle further back.)
Anybody know of these types of posts... comments.... reviews.... suggestions.... ?
I thought I saw a bike that had a seat post with curve/bend to it (effectively placing the saddle further back.)
Anybody know of these types of posts... comments.... reviews.... suggestions.... ?
#2
meep!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 616
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From: Milwaukee, WI
Bikes: 2006 Kona Jake, 2005 Giant Lite Xtracycle, 2004 Trek L200, 1997 Specialized RockHopper FS, 1989 Trek 950
I know they're out there, I was considering using one on a mountain bike to change the fit. The one consideration on a road type frame is that it will change your riding position by effectively moving the bottom bracket further forward, changing the muscles you use (i.e. more hamstring, less glute/quad). Changing riding positions like this is referred to as "getting your legs", and takes some adjustment getting used to using new muscles. I'd consider changing the fit with a longer stem, instead, providing the same increased reach up top, but keeping your hips over the bottom bracket like they are now.
#3
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17
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From: New Zealand
A couple I've come across are the Thomson Elite setback seatposts and the Titec El Norte. I was investigating them to adjust my fit as well (got the seat right back), but decided to go with a longer straight seatpost, as legot73 says, with maybe a bit of layback.
#4
I have a Thompson Elite setback post on my road bike. Very nice, but a little pricey at $86.00 list. I found mine on sale at www.blueskycycling.com for $59.00 last winter.
#5
or tarckeemoon, depending
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: the pesto of cities
Bikes: Davidson Impulse, Merckx Titanium AX, Bruce Gordon Rock & Road, Cross Check custom build, On-One Il Pomino, Shawver Cycles cross, Zion 737, Mercian Vincitore, Brompton S1L, Charge Juicer
I'm running setback posts on all of my bikes. 3 have Thomsons. I bought one new and the other two used for much less. They are great posts.
strong
great range of adjustment
solid clamp
reasonably light
attractive
made in USA
On bike #4 I'm using a Salsa Shaft, which I got a good deal on used. It has slightly more setback which is nice for my Brooks Swift which has shorter rails. The cam tilt adjustment feature is kind of cool and allows for quick and very minute adjustments, but it's also ugly and heavier.
strong
great range of adjustment
solid clamp
reasonably light
attractive
made in USA
On bike #4 I'm using a Salsa Shaft, which I got a good deal on used. It has slightly more setback which is nice for my Brooks Swift which has shorter rails. The cam tilt adjustment feature is kind of cool and allows for quick and very minute adjustments, but it's also ugly and heavier.
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: state college, PA
Bikes: xo-1, riv atlantis, witcomb fixie, on-one inbred, bridgestone mb-1 w/ drops, bianchi reparto corse mtn bike, trek 650b'd touring bike
if you need a seat post with serious set back, chances are your frame is too small and/or the seat tube angle too steep. is it a sub 54 cm road frame or a 15 inch or smaller hybrid? anyway, that being said, if it is either of those, ie a small frame, you'll probably never get enough set back even with a set back post. frames like those have super steep angles resulting in too forward a riding position. then only solution is a smaller wheeled bike. 700c wheels are overrated by those who use them.
#7
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,840
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From: south Puget Sound
Originally Posted by ridelugs
if you need a seat post with serious set back, chances are your frame is too small and/or the seat tube angle too steep. is it a sub 54 cm road frame or a 15 inch or smaller hybrid? anyway, that being said, if it is either of those, ie a small frame, you'll probably never get enough set back even with a set back post. frames like those have super steep angles resulting in too forward a riding position. then only solution is a smaller wheeled bike. 700c wheels are overrated by those who use them.
#8
Mad bike riding scientist




Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Denver, CO
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Originally Posted by arbscht
A couple I've come across are the Thomson Elite setback seatposts and the Titec El Norte. I was investigating them to adjust my fit as well (got the seat right back), but decided to go with a longer straight seatpost, as legot73 says, with maybe a bit of layback.
Probably not a good idea unless you have a stout frame.
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Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#9
Thread Starter
Drumming Bicyclist
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Boston, MA
Bikes: Redline 925
Originally Posted by ridelugs
if you need a seat post with serious set back, chances are your frame is too small and/or the seat tube angle too steep. is it a sub 54 cm road frame or a 15 inch or smaller hybrid? anyway, that being said, if it is either of those, ie a small frame, you'll probably never get enough set back even with a set back post. frames like those have super steep angles resulting in too forward a riding position. then only solution is a smaller wheeled bike. 700c wheels are overrated by those who use them.
58cm. i was just curious about the seatposts i saw that seemed to give more variety of back adjustment.
#10
FG 48x17
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: El 'Burque, NM
Bikes: Lemond Road, IRO Rob Roy, Rush Hour Fixie
Originally Posted by ridelugs
if you need a seat post with serious set back, chances are your frame is too small and/or the seat tube angle too steep. is it a sub 54 cm road frame or a 15 inch or smaller hybrid? anyway, that being said, if it is either of those, ie a small frame, you'll probably never get enough set back even with a set back post. frames like those have super steep angles resulting in too forward a riding position. then only solution is a smaller wheeled bike. 700c wheels are overrated by those who use them.
#11
FG 48x17
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: El 'Burque, NM
Bikes: Lemond Road, IRO Rob Roy, Rush Hour Fixie
Originally Posted by igloomaster
58cm. i was just curious about the seatposts i saw that seemed to give more variety of back adjustment.
#12
Thread Starter
Drumming Bicyclist
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 222
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From: Boston, MA
Bikes: Redline 925
Originally Posted by eaglevii
Is there a particular fit problem you are trying to address? Or you were just curious what they were and how they worked?
#13
59'er
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Alexandria, IN
Bikes: LeMond Maillot Jaune, Vintage Trek 520 (1985), 1976 Schwinn Voyageur 2, Miyata 1000 (1985)
I have an Easton set back post on my road bike and the saddle is pushed as far back as I can get it (same situation with my commuter bike). The bike isn't too small for me. I just happen to have long legs especially the femurs. If you can afford a Thomson setback post then get it; they are the gold standard. The Easton is a very good post for the money.
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#14
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From: Wilmington, DE
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I have a 54cm Specialized Sequoia (my all weather road bike, and sometimes commuter) which due to it's "comfort" nature, uses a steep seat tube to bring the rider closer to the handlebars and consequently towards the bottom bracket. For long rides, my knees don't like that position so i used a set back seatpost to bring the geometry more in line with a typical road bike geometry. On a larger frame, I would have issues with standover clearance. I got my Easton post new along with a Fizik Pave seat ($70 on it's own) for $30 shipped off Ebay. I also picked up another FSA seatpost online for $15 during a closeout sale just in case I run into the same problem on another bike.
#15
Neat - w/ ice on the side
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From: Big Ring. Little Cog.
Bikes: 2005 Dahon Speed TR, 2006 Dahon Mu SL, 2000 GT XiZang, 1999ish Rock Lobster, 2007 Dean Animas CTI
Another option to get the seat further back without a setback seat post is one of the SDG I-Beam seat and seat post combos. Probably will cost you more and it will limit your choice in saddles but the i-beams do allow more fore aft adjustment than normal rails ... I also happen to like the fit and feel of the sdg i-beams.
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#16
LF for the accentdeprived
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,549
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From: Budapest, Hungary
Everyone and their mother is suggesting the Thomson Elite setback when people need a setback seatpost... It is not a friggin' setback seatpost, for God's sake. Forget it now. It's "setback" as compared to other, straight Thomsons, which makes it normal for all intents and purposes. It gets the saddle as far back as most of the normal, clamp-behind-the-tube posts. Just look at a damned picture of the stock 925 post and the Thomson.
This is a setback post:

This isn't:

[/RANT]
This is a setback post:

This isn't:

[/RANT]
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: state college, PA
Bikes: xo-1, riv atlantis, witcomb fixie, on-one inbred, bridgestone mb-1 w/ drops, bianchi reparto corse mtn bike, trek 650b'd touring bike
sorry my post was confusing. a logical road bike seat post angle: between 72 and 74. yes steeper, unless timetrialing/triathaloning is stupid. you dont use enough glutes... whats your pubic bone height?
do your knees hurt? how tall are you? do you find your legs getting prematurely fatigued?
do your knees hurt? how tall are you? do you find your legs getting prematurely fatigued?





