cyclebee

I have been eyeing a Fsa sb25 which gets excellent reviews when it comes to vibration dampening. I currently have the aluminum seat post that came stock with my defy, anyone have any experience with these types of seat posts? If so what kind of ride quality difference do they make? Thanks

Drakonchik

Currently owning and rocking one of these Ergon carbon suspension posts:

ERGON BIKE ERGONOMICS

cyclebee

Nice how much have a difference have you noticed in ride quality than with stock seat posts

Dudelsack 

If you get one, don't leave it out in the sun or it will asplode.

cyclebee

I hope that is not true lol

GhostSS

Don't overtighten and use some carbon paste. You'll be fine. I bought one purely for bling factor though.

fietsbob

buy a really expensive 1/4" drive torque wrench too..

It will help you follow the Torque Specs , so as to not overtighten or under tighten things.

Solid_Spoke

^^ Good advice. You don't want to crack a $150 seatpost like I did once...

cyclebee

I definitely do not want to break the post so that is a good idea I thought they tightened with an Allan wrench tho

achoo

Yeah, they do tighten with an allen wrench. Which is why your torque wrench needs allen keys.

And no, it won't make any noticeable difference in vibration damping unless you're riding an iron gas pipe for a seat post.

Think of the how vibration to get through your tires, wheels, fork, and frame before it even gets to your seatpost. Then take into account the vibration damping of a seat post is a function of both its design and composition.

The upshot is a good AL seatpost will dampen as well as a good CF one, but you won't really be able to tell much difference unless you're going to/from an extremely good/bad one.

Elvo

Get the Cobl Goblr

Specialized COBL GOBL-R Carbon Seatpost - Mike's Bikes - Road and Mountain Bike Shop, components, parts, accessories, service and repair

Garfield Cat

Thomson seat posts are still excellent. Even when connected to a carbon frame.

cyclebee

I thought about that one but the sb25 has better review and dampened more vibration in tests

Drew Eckhardt 

Yup.

I bought one (K-Force SB32), measured with my dial calipers, and found the maximum insertion depth required an extra inch of seatpost showing versus a Campagnolo C-Record aero post.

IOW, they don't work with classic fits on flat top-tube frames leaving a fistful of seatpost showing.

I didn't get that far.

cyclebee

I certainly did not know that is this issue brand specific or is it a carbon fiber issue

Phil_gretz

It's unlikely to do anything for you except to make you $125 lighter. Why not take 5 psi out of your tires? What tires are you running and at what PSI?

BikeBetty

Gearmarket.com is giving away a Kind Shock Lev-Ti seatpost in an Instagram competition. Check it out here Get Down and Dirty with #dropmyseat by GearMarket.

wphamilton

I don't have one but I asked the question here a year or two ago. The consensus among cyclists who've used a carbon fiber seat post was that what little vibration damping there was (if any at all) wasn't enough to feel let alone improve the ride quality.

They are lighter, and they look awesome. Other than that, a seat post is a seat post.

Drew Eckhardt 

Classic sized frame compatibility is an FSA issue.

cyclist2000

I don't know if it makes any difference, I have one on my carbon bike and haven't noticed any difference from the other bikes. I have a campy chorus seat post.

chaadster

I currently have aluminum, carbon, and titanium seatposts in bikes, and have used a few over the years. My riding experience is that Carbon and Ti posts DO make a difference provided you give them enough extension. Like Drew said, a fistful of exposed post is not enough to let the material work. I doubt I'll ever ride aluminum again in a high mileage/long hour application because carbon and Ti have been very good to me.

34505838

what tests were you referring to or were you talking about the velo news test?

cyclebee

Yes the velo news one

Jiggle

Looks to me that the K force was the clear winner. They're cheap so why not.

rydabent

Does a carbon seat post pass the bang for the buck test? Or is it the-------------just look at the bling my bike has.