Help choosing a long setback seatpost?
09-19-15 | 11:05 AM
#1
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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!
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!
09-19-15 | 11:10 AM
#2
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
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?
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?
09-19-15 | 11:52 AM
#3
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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?
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.
09-19-15 | 11:58 AM
#4
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
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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 https://www.rivbike.com/product-p/sp3.htm
There is a Nitto made Nickel plated steel 27.2 seatpost Made . with lots of setback https://www.rivbike.com/product-p/sp3.htm
Last edited by fietsbob; 11-27-15 at 11:18 AM.
09-19-15 | 01:34 PM
#5
Who is Austin Dunbar?
Joined: May 2006
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From: SE Iowa
Bikes: Gunnar Sport, Surly Midnight Special, Lynskey Helix Disc
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.
09-19-15 | 03:05 PM
#6
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Bikes: 1990 Romic Reynolds 531 custom build, Merlin Works CR Ti custom build, super light Workswell 066 custom build
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.
09-19-15 | 04:02 PM
#7
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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.
The Specialized is a bit longer and would work, but I have someone ready to sell me the VO at a good price.
09-20-15 | 02:53 PM
#8
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
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.
09-20-15 | 02:58 PM
#9
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From: Houston, TX
Bikes: 1990 Romic Reynolds 531 custom build, Merlin Works CR Ti custom build, super light Workswell 066 custom build
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.
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.
09-20-15 | 03:02 PM
#10
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
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.
09-20-15 | 03:06 PM
#11
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
There's a reason for talking about measurement.
09-20-15 | 03:50 PM
#12
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From: Mountain View, CA USA and Golden, CO USA
Bikes: 97 Litespeed, 50-39-30x13-26 10 cogs, Campagnolo Ultrashift, retroreflective rims on SON28/PowerTap hubs
and you don't want to finish your ride like this
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.
Last edited by Drew Eckhardt; 09-20-15 at 03:55 PM.
09-20-15 | 05:18 PM
#13
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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.
09-20-15 | 05:51 PM
#14
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From: SGV So Cal
Bikes: 80's Schwinn High Plains, Motobecane Ti Cyclocross
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?
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?
09-20-15 | 08:31 PM
#15
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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!
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!
11-27-15 | 09:33 AM
#16
Advocatus Diaboli
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From: Wherever I am
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
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
11-27-15 | 10:04 AM
#17
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Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Southwestern, Ontario
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.
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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