Seatpost - carbon make a big diff?
 

Will be swapping out my seatpost at the LBS soon and in researching seatposts I came across Thomson - which have a good rep, though I notice it's aluminum. Will a carbon post offer much more comfort over a good aluminum post? I want a post that holds the saddle securely in place. Thanks.

I've always heard Thomson's are the best Al seatposts 'n stems.

Maybe if you have 3 feet of exposed seatpost, you may notice a difference between aluminum and carbon.

This may not answer your question, but if you're swapping out the seatpost on a brand new bike, make sure the frameset warranty does not require you to keep that original seatpost in case of warranty issues, like a crash.

No. Use the Thomson.

Is there a frame company that requires you to use only their seatpost?

Pretty much anything with a seatmast. ;)

You answered your own question. Thomsons are install and forget about it. 6k+ miles on mine and not a single problem.

what ever you do, don't get carbon wrapped. either get Al, or carbon. the wrapped, which I admit I have cuz it was OEM equpiment on my bike, makes no difference than regular Al, weighs more than regular Al, and costs more.

If you like carbon, fine, get carbon. I think the thompson Al post has only a very slight weight difference than carbon posts anyway. For me, a still overweight rider, I would hate to think what the result would be if a carbon post broke off while I was riding............

Yeah, that's the clincher for me right there.

Exactly.

Although Thomson posts are fine products, they are lacking in setback. Even the ugly bent model only has 16mm of setback. Traditional post are usually in the 20-25mm range. I can't even begin to get most saddles back far enough with a 16mm setback let alone zero.

I've been using the FSA K-force in the 25 or 32mm setback models. They also have a nice 2-bolt rocker style clamp.

http://www.lhthomson.com/carbon_seatpost.htm

Thomson's take on carbon posts.

My take on Thomson posts:
http://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.co...eat-posts.html

I like Thomson.

cdr

I understand that they break off kind of sharpish looking! Has anyone actually ever seen this happen?

No, it won't. The only post I have noticed a comfort difference with was the first version of the Specialized Pave post and even then it was a subtle difference. Ordinary carbon posts are no different from aluminum.

Good information.

I've got Thompson on two bikes (Ti and steel) and CF on a third (also CF). I can't tell one bit of difference in the ride between the seatpost material.

The Thompson is about the same weight and it's easier to make fine adjustments.

There's a reason why certain brands have a much better reputation - Thompson for seatpost and Chris King for headsets, and that is your hear nothing but happy users with little, if any complaints.

What do people think about a carbon seatpost on an aluminum bike? Does it make a difference at all?

I'm planning on getting a 2010 CAAD9 1. I need zero setback so i'm going to have to swap out the stock seatpost anyhow. I'm either going to go with the Thompson or 3T Team. I can get both at wholesale, so the price difference is only going to be like 40 bucks or something.

Worth it?

i moved to a carbon (alpha q prolite) on my aluminum bike... not a huge difference, maybe after very long rides, but that might just be my mind playing tricks on me. Either way, the seatpost was awful and it broke after 3 adjustments. I'd go for thomson based on their reputation.

I know 3T makes some good stuff, but I doubt very much you'll notice a difference. If you're getting a wholesale price on the Thomson (which I did as well), you're getting a great deal. I'd save the $40 for something else you can buy wholesale.

Only difference is a small amount in weight and possibly some geometry differences. :thumb:

I think there is the placebo effect of just having spend a wad on a new post, that you "think" it rides better.

I think that if you have a zero setback post it doesn't matter what the material is. It's just like a pile driver into your ass. EDIT: Did I type that?!

However, if you have a setback post I think CF provides a bit of road buzz reduction because because of the slight lever arm of the setback the post will flex the shaft of the post a little. Same with Al I guess...just not as much.

When I switched from the crappy carbon-wrapped Al Cannondale stock post my CAAD9 came with to the Controltech Wepost I use now I know there was an increase in comfort...no placebo effect.

Don't do it. There can be corrosion problems.

My aluminum bike came with a carbon post. The LBS showed me how they wiped a bit of grease around the seatpost after tightening the clamp, to help keep water out of the frame. So I was careful to redo that when I moved the seatpost. Still, after a year, there was white corrosion dust in the frame, and a rough looking surface on the seatpost. If it gets worse, the post can be frozen into the frame.

Any seatpost can get frozen if you don't grease it. All you experienced is some Al oxidation.

If you want stuck, put an Al seatpost in a steel frame without grease and leave it tightened for a few years.

If you're a weight weenie, carbon will lighten your wallet more.

+ 1 Million

Hands Down, best seat post out there.

Saving a few grams on the component that carries your arse around is not wise. Can't tell you how many broken carbon seat posts I've seen.... never ever have I seen a broken Thomson post.

http://www.lhthomson.com/bikes.htm