Seatposts vs. Bad Roads: Does the Post Matter?
 

I just rediscovered a VeloNews article about seatpost vibration damping tests from 2012. They did a nice little study, with the following results:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=501888
As good as their study design was, I have a hard time translating their results to how much pain my ass will feel on a long ride on ill-maintained road, washboards, etc.

On my old bike, I was able to run 25 or 28mm tires; and, especially with the Clement Strada 28mm, the ride was very cush. My new bike, a Tri/TT frame, will not fit more than a 24mm; so I'm trying to determine whether a "softer" post would help. A complicating factor for me, too, is that I use a 0mm setback post, so there is no damping from the "elbow" of the setback.

Anyone experience any truly noticeable benefits from changing posts?

Or...

Anyone find a suspension post to be worth the weight and flex on a road bike?

I like small diameter carbon fiber seatposts because they have more goodly flex.

I suspect it matters very little. You will get more comfort by dropping your tire pressure by 5-10PSI.

On a brutal frame, seatpost changes are noticeable. On a plush frame, they are not. At least in my experience.

How much it matters is going to depend partly on how much post you have showing.

Our try one of the saddles with some elastomers used where the rails join the shell. Sella Italia makes one.

Are you trying to make the Fuji Aloha a bit more comfortable? If so, wide tires and lower pressure is your best bet.

I think it makes a noticeable difference,

but only w/ a setback post.

0 setback= insignificant difference, but a few grams saved w/ carbon.

This is such an obvious factor, yet it's virtually absent from the conversation about seatpost vibration damping.

Surely so; but presuming that one has the best rim width, tire width and pressure for their frame, I'm trying to work out what difference posts make.

I'm sure that the larger online stores have over 50 different options just for 350mmx27.2mm posts ranging from <20 USD to >250 USD. I find it hard to believe that even the most status conscious weight weenie around would spend that much on a post if there were no functional reasons. May have given some more credit for rationality than I should, though.

For me, probably 175mm.

Well aware of that, as I stated in the 2nd paragraph of the OP. Asking because of the limited clearance of the short stays.

Doesn't that frame use an aero profile post(not round)? If so, a saddle with elastomer inserts would be your next best choice.

A "Thudbuster" seatpost would work well if you're Aloha uses a round post, but they are ugly.

Agreed!

BTW, all my bikes see a lot of exposed seatpost.

Not only are you assuming a difference in functionality (comfort) among posts, but you are also assuming the comfort difference is positively correlated to price. Wow! That is a huge stretch. If you search for an economical post on the basis of design characteristics that should deliver comfort, you will likely achieve your goal. Look for carbon, setback, and 25.4 diameter to be used with a cylindrical shim up to 27.2 or whatever you have. Also lighter should be more comfortable since it suggests thinner tube wall = more flexibility. The result of such a search will be very close to as good as you can do. Personally I don't worry about it.

Specialized CG-R seatpost... You may need to slam your saddle forward if you're using zero setback now though.

http://brimages.bikeboardmedia.netdn...seatpost01.jpg

Wow! I thought Thudbuster seatposts were the ugliest seatposts ever made until see that monstrosity.

You don't spend much time around roadies, do you

I have fluted alum, plain alum, fancy Thomson alum, ti, and carbon posts...some of them interchanged on same bikes.

Don't make a **** in terms of ride.


The fancy mid 80s vintage aero campag ones are the best. Cuz hey look the coolest

We run a CG-R for Stoker on our tandem. The rear triangle on a steel tandem makes the stiffest carbon racing frame seem flimsy. Stoker says it makes a huge difference, though mostly on the small stuff: chip seal, road cracks, small holes, that sort of thing. She loves it.

I use a Thudbuster on my mountain tandem, and she loves it(but damn it's ugly).

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...1933449E33.jpg

I switched from a basic alloy seat post to a Ritchey carbon seat post recently, and it made a noticeable difference in smoothing out the ride. The majority of the roads I ride on are very rough chip seal so to me a little smoother ride is worth the $200.

Also running 25c tires at around 90 PSI helps smoothen things out too.

My aluminum cx bike with the stock aluminum seatpost was really beating me up. I replaced the post with a relatively inexpensive (Tifosi) post and the ride is noticeably more comfortable (about 12cm showing, 31.7 post w/25mm setback).

Yes.
I remember how surprised I was when I replaced stock alu post on my CAAD5 with titanium one (significantly better than expected).
Also, recently I moved from carbon road handlebar to alu, and difference is quite noticeable.
Decent carbon post will certainly be better than auminium one.

You should try a smaller diameter post with a shim. The precision shims are easy to find. That should be even better.