Carbon seatpost suggestion
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Carbon seatpost suggestion
I wanted to upgrade my alloy seatpost with a carbon one. Do you think is worth buying something like this Decathlon one, which weights 240g but is only 40€ or is it better to spend more to get something lighter?

#2
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Do you trust the Decathalon seat post? I live in Canada and Decathalon is new to me, but it looks like the cheapest of the cheap.
If you're ok with used you could likely find a much better/lighter used carbon seat post for a similar price.
If you're ok with used you could likely find a much better/lighter used carbon seat post for a similar price.
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Decathlon are a trustworthy budget brand. It will not be the lightest or prettiest seatpost, but it will be reasonably safe.
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When it comes to carbon bike bits, I am not trusting my body some no-name knock-off part on my bike.
It's a safe bet that Decathlon post is made in an unknown factory in China.
Stay. Away.
It's a safe bet that Decathlon post is made in an unknown factory in China.
Stay. Away.
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#5
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I don't know about the Decathlon seat post. I bought a Hylix seatpost on eBay from a seller based in China, and it developed a crack. The clamp didn't stay tight either -- it allowed the seat to tip forward or back on bumps.
Maybe the Decathlon will work great. It's a different design from the one that failed me. Based on my experience, though, I'd either not bother upgrading your alloy post, or spend the money to get one from a major brand.
A nice carbon seatpost will not only shave a bit a weight, but will give you a bit of comfort and compliance, especially for a frame with compact geometry.
Maybe the Decathlon will work great. It's a different design from the one that failed me. Based on my experience, though, I'd either not bother upgrading your alloy post, or spend the money to get one from a major brand.
A nice carbon seatpost will not only shave a bit a weight, but will give you a bit of comfort and compliance, especially for a frame with compact geometry.
#6
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Decathlon is a reputable brand, especially for the budget-constrained rider:
Both of the bikes used in these videos remained equipped with the stock seatposts, and did not explode. While not a long-term review by any means, it's at least some evidence that this is not a super mysterious brand with unknown characteristics or build qualities.
(p.s.: to those who think Decathlon comes from an unknown factory in China as a rationale to buy only big name brand stuff: most of the big brand name stuff also comes from factories in Asia. Did you know that an S-Works Tarmac SL8 could very well have been made in those unknown factories?)
Both of the bikes used in these videos remained equipped with the stock seatposts, and did not explode. While not a long-term review by any means, it's at least some evidence that this is not a super mysterious brand with unknown characteristics or build qualities.
(p.s.: to those who think Decathlon comes from an unknown factory in China as a rationale to buy only big name brand stuff: most of the big brand name stuff also comes from factories in Asia. Did you know that an S-Works Tarmac SL8 could very well have been made in those unknown factories?)
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240 g ?
a standard Thomson 27.2 Elite post will possibly weigh less than that - and the Masterpiece will weigh an ounce or two less than the Elite
and Thomson posts are durable
a standard Thomson 27.2 Elite post will possibly weigh less than that - and the Masterpiece will weigh an ounce or two less than the Elite
and Thomson posts are durable
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#11
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#14
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Debatable whether Merida factories in Taiwan make everything (or just assemble it), sure. But the point of this is to point out the shortcomings in simply assuming Asian made = Junk without doing further research. Not all China made stuff is junk. Not all American/Euro made stuff is gold. Research into Decathlon would reveal that this stuff is not junk.
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Debatable whether Merida factories in Taiwan make everything (or just assemble it), sure. But the point of this is to point out the shortcomings in simply assuming Asian made = Junk without doing further research. Not all China made stuff is junk. Not all American/Euro made stuff is gold. Research into Decathlon would reveal that this stuff is not junk.
Last edited by tomato coupe; 09-15-23 at 08:41 AM.
#16
Noob Bee
Fair enough if that's how you choose to interpret that line of reasoning, I'm not here to question your logic. Proceed as you were, and I'll be on my way.
#17
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I would make sure whatever post you get has a good clamp. I’ve had a single bolt post, which was no good at angle adjustment (I wanted a seat angle between the preset ‘teeth’, and it eventually snapped the bolt on an mtb. Replaced it with a Thomson Elite that’s never given me issue in over 20 years. Got a Thomson Masterpiece for the newer bike back in 2019. Got a carbon USE Ultimate Evo for my pandemic build, mainly because I wanted something as light as my Masterpiece, but needed a bit more extension (300mm vs 250mm). It was one of the few ‘budget’ carbon posts (about $100) that weighed less than the Masterpiece. It also works fine, but doesn’t have the same amount of wear as the 20yr old Thomson Elite.
I would focus on getting a good two bolt clamp, in the setback that works for you. Then find one that fits your budget and weight criteria, rather than going the other way around.
I would focus on getting a good two bolt clamp, in the setback that works for you. Then find one that fits your budget and weight criteria, rather than going the other way around.