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Help choosing a long setback seatpost?
Help choosing a long setback seat post?
Hello everyone, I've recently purchased a retro road bike and have made a few upgrades, including a Brooks B17 S saddle. I've noticed while riding that the saddle position is a bit off and should be setback 1-2cm. Trouble is, my current seatpost already has a decent setback. I've measured it at roughly 26mm. It's an old Shimano ultegra that looks very close to this : VeloBase.com - Component: Shimano SP-6400-A 600 Ultegra I have an opportunity to acquire a VO grand cru long setback seatpost for a good price. It seems the difference in setback is only 5mm though, compared with my current Shimano. Is this enough to warrant a purchase? Does anyone have experience switching between the two? I'm also curious to know if the part that attaches to the rails can make a difference in position, specifically with a Brooks. Thanks! |
Probably the best quality one that has more setback than that is the Nitto S-84, but it's pricey.
If you can tell me how you are measuring, I can measure my S-84 and post the number. In my experience, 5 mm can make a difference, but maybe you really need more. The B17S is an extra-wide and short-nosed saddle, right? |
Originally Posted by Road Fan
(Post 18177467)
Probably the best quality one that has more setback than that is the Nitto S-84, but it's pricey.
If you can tell me how you are measuring, I can measure my S-84 and post the number. In my experience, 5 mm can make a difference, but maybe you really need more. The B17S is an extra-wide and short-nosed saddle, right? The Nitto would indeed be a safer bet, but it's totally out of my price range. I was measuring from the center of the post to the center of the clamp. As for the saddle, the B17S is a women-specific version of the classic B17. It's a few inches shorter in the nose and roughly the same width. |
the Selle Anatomica is a leather saddle with long adjustment range rails. Brooks much less so..
There is a Nitto made Nickel plated steel 27.2 seatpost Made . with lots of setback http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/sp3.htm |
I have been riding a VO Grand Cru for five years now. Never any issues, it just does what it is supposed to do at a very affordable price.
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I'm not sure I understand. Is your saddle all the way back on the current seat post and you still need more. Or are you trying to avoid clamping your saddle more forward of the middle of the rails. If the former, you need more setback. If the latter, just push the saddle back. Contrary to popular belief there is no reason the clamp needs to be centered of the saddle rails...or even close to that. If you need more setback, there are seat posts with 135 mm. Here you go for a suggestion: Specialized Alias seat post with 35 mm setback. Without getting some monstrosity, that is about as long as you can get.
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Originally Posted by rpenmanparker
(Post 18177894)
I'm not sure I understand. Is your saddle all the way back on the current seat post and you still need more. Or are you trying to avoid clamping your saddle more forward of the middle of the rails. If the former, you need more setback. If the latter, just push the saddle back. Contrary to popular belief there is no reason the clamp needs to be centered of the saddle rails...or even close to that. If you need more setback, there are seat posts with 135 mm. Here you go for a suggestion: Specialized Alias seat post with 35 mm setback. Without getting some monstrosity, that is about as long as you can get.
The Specialized is a bit longer and would work, but I have someone ready to sell me the VO at a good price. |
Originally Posted by cocoarmadillo
(Post 18177549)
The Nitto would indeed be a safer bet, but it's totally out of my price range. I was measuring from the center of the post to the center of the clamp. As for the saddle, the B17S is a women-specific version of the classic B17. It's a few inches shorter in the nose and roughly the same width.
Ok. Are you measuring perpendicular to the axis of the seat post, or horizontal (parallel with the ground)? It will make a difference. If you don't need the short nose of the B17s, I agree with Fiets, that the Selle Anatomica would help you get adequate setback without a change of seatpost, or dinking around with getting the measurement techniques synced up. If I measure perpendicular to the seat tube on the S-84 I get 37 mm. Same measurement on a Thomson with setback (they do it with a bent main tube) gets about 18 mm. |
Originally Posted by Road Fan
(Post 18179957)
Ok. Are you measuring perpendicular to the axis of the seat post, or horizontal (parallel with the ground)? It will make a difference.
If you don't need the short nose of the B17s, I agree with Fiets, that the Selle Anatomica would help you get adequate setback without a change of seatpost, or dinking around with getting the measurement techniques synced up. If I measure perpendicular to the seat tube on the S-84 I get 37 mm. Same measurement on a Thomson with setback (they do it with a bent main tube) gets about 18 mm. |
Originally Posted by rpenmanparker
(Post 18177894)
I'm not sure I understand. Is your saddle all the way back on the current seat post and you still need more. Or are you trying to avoid clamping your saddle more forward of the middle of the rails. If the former, you need more setback. If the latter, just push the saddle back. Contrary to popular belief there is no reason the clamp needs to be centered of the saddle rails...or even close to that. If you need more setback, there are seat posts with 135 mm. Here you go for a suggestion: Specialized Alias seat post with 35 mm setback. Without getting some monstrosity, that is about as long as you can get.
I haven't seen a Specialized Alias seatpost. But a Specialized Alias saddle shares with its siblings (Toupe, et cetera) a very long adjustment zone. But its a little less than the Selle Anatomica. Now I don't know how much the adjustment zones overlap. I could imagine a Spec providing a better rider fit with some seat posts than a Sella A. What does he need? Well yes, that is the question, for each of us. |
Originally Posted by rpenmanparker
(Post 18179966)
Setback means perfectly horizontal distance. That's all the rider cares about.
There's a reason for talking about measurement. |
2 Attachment(s)
Originally Posted by cocoarmadillo
(Post 18177460)
Help choosing a long setback seat post?
I have an opportunity to acquire a VO grand cru long setback seatpost for a good price. http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=478367 and you don't want to finish your ride like this http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=478368 I broke the first bolt shrinking from 185 to 154 pounds over 3415 miles. I replaced the bolts with new ones having 20% higher yield strength, and broke the second front bolt in 1690 miles when I was down to 140. Having the saddle farther forward would put less stress on the front bolt, although moving the saddle back is the whole point to a long setback seatpost. |
Woah! That's scary... Your post has me convinced. After all, my main concern was whether a setback of 30mm would make a difference from my current 25-26mm setback. I don't think it will. My position on the bike feels wrong, but I'm not even sure the seat position is to blame anymore.
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I have 5700 mi on mine, weigh 210-220 and always have about another13lb of Camelbak
Also have a penchant for fire roads and the occasional wrong turn down a single track. Haven't broken any bolts yet. You sure you didn't have them over-torqued? |
Originally Posted by cocoarmadillo
(Post 18177460)
Help choosing a long setback seat post?
Hello everyone, I've recently purchased a retro road bike and have made a few upgrades, including a Brooks B17 S saddle. I've noticed while riding that the saddle position is a bit off and should be setback 1-2cm. Trouble is, my current seatpost already has a decent setback. I've measured it at roughly 26mm. It's an old Shimano ultegra that looks very close to this : VeloBase.com - Component: Shimano SP-6400-A 600 Ultegra I have an opportunity to acquire a VO grand cru long setback seatpost for a good price. It seems the difference in setback is only 5mm though, compared with my current Shimano. Is this enough to warrant a purchase? Does anyone have experience switching between the two? I'm also curious to know if the part that attaches to the rails can make a difference in position, specifically with a Brooks. Thanks! |
Not sure if enough setback, but saw that FSA has a 32mm SB offering in their K-Force seatpost. Anyone familiar with their clamp quality on this full carbon construction (clamp is alloy)? I'd be interested in the 25mm myself. Either this post Fizik Cyrano R1
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How much more of a setback do you need?
You could try a new seatpost and a slightly longer stem. BTW, I, too, have the Gran Cru seatpost and have had zero problems with it. If you think the bolts may snap on you, start out with stronger bolts. [MENTION=192132]Drew Eckhardt[/MENTION]'s experience was certainly horrific and is not to be discounted, but I think sturdier bolts would resolve any issues. |
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