Un "bent" Setback Seatposts as Good as Thomson?
 

My Caad9 stock seatpost has a small setback. The Thomson seatpost that I'm leaning towards only come zero or a setback with a bent post. Not sure I like the way that looks. I'd just get the zero, but I'm afraid I won't get the saddle position right. Who makes something "unbent" but similar quality? I checked 3T but they seem to only have carbon and not feeling the Easton posts. The Fizik Cyrano maybe.

Thanks.

I have a setback Thompson and it doesnt look too bad. I am concerned that the clamp doesnt completely cover my carbon rails though.

Could you share a pic? I've seen other pics but so far not really in favor of the look. Maybe it's not that important.

Re your carbon rails, Thomson makes some claims about how their clamp is better than the rest. Not that that's a guarantee.

http://bikethomson.com/seatposts/elite/

I'm actually looking for a new aluminum seat post myself (also for a caad9), but don't want to go Thomson either because I've seen way too many part failure posts online lately. They seem like a boutique machine shop that happens to make a few specialty cycling products. I know the seat posts have a good reputation overall and a huge fan base, but I'm really not in a hurry to join the club. I recently picked up a Deda zero100 SC stem and Newton shallow-drop handlebar in their DMP (Dark Metal Polish) color. I'm trying to find a matching zero100 seat post, but they are discontinued in that color and I can't find one anywhere. I wish there were more non-carbon options out there.

FWIW, my 3T Palladio seat post is the best post I've ever owned. It's genius. I wish 3T would make this in a silver aluminum color.

One big advantage of Thomson is ease of adjustments, which can be very, very small.

I have Ritchey WCS seatposts on both roadies. (Matching bars and stems on both as well.) Pretty reasonable on ebay.

I took it off until I figure out the clamping issue. Ill post one probably this weekend when I get a chance to rule out user error and try and re mount it. Ive googled a million searches about the rails and the clamp and cant find any similar problems. In fact everything I find is the opposite about how great they are on carbon. The top lip is just short of a snug fit, resting on the rail. As for the look, with my "blinkey" collar only about 5cm of the straight part is visable. The one on my aluminum bike shows much more and kinda looks funky but not bad. I love the ride and the adjust ability. As for the Ritchey as somebody posted, I have the carbon pro back on and it fits snuggly. The WCS is the next step up and is tempting. If you check out some "CAAD+Thompson" photo's many CAAD owners have thompsons.

I have never had any problems with my Thomson stem or seatpost.

I have the Thomson Elite Setback on two bikes. They are kinda pretty in their own peculiar aesthetic. Not bad-looking at all.

http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/s.../DSC_0984a.jpg

hideous

I think it looks pretty good on the right bike...

http://www.pedalroom.com/p/2012-caad10-5542_2.jpg

You guys and your hideous bent posts!

http://metal-matrix.com/madone/madone-ws50.jpg

The micro-adjust head on the Thomson is really nice. When you're trying to find that magical saddle angle, something that can do precise and repeatable adjustments is great.

I have also used a 3T Palladio post and like it a lot, too. It's carbon and adjusts in .5 deg increments.

Bob

You could spend a bit more money and get a Moots set back post that achieves the position with a gradual curve if you don't like the aesthetics of the Thompson. I have a Thompson post and stem on my Mt. bike, Syncros stem and post on one road bike, Thompson post and 3T on the other road bike. You have not mentioned budget. And if I may be so bold as to ask, WHY did you buy a saddle with carbon rails? Please don't say to save weight. This is an area where you want tight clamping with no thought towards failure.

Carbon rails on saddles are extremely strong. The only problem is if you overtighten them. There's no reason to tighten any saddle too much - most manufacturers have a max torque spec

Birthday present :) Wifey digs me. Those bikes all look pretty nice too.

Nitto makes some sweetheart set-back posts. Light, strong, and classic. The silver color is flawless anodization, and they run about $100. The most common diameter is 27.2-

I also don't like the "bent offset" of the Thompson (I own a straight one) and prefer the classic setback style on my roadbikes.

Ritchey WCS is a pretty easy to use, easy on the eyes seatpost. Alloy model weighs 225 grams and can be had for $50ish, carbon weighs 185 grams and can be had for $150.

Theres also models from Zipp, 3T Dorico and Palladio, Deda, etc.

But in the end you can pay a lot for not much improvement over a WCS alloy post.

Deda makes a nice aluminum seatpost (RS01) with some setback. I've got it on my bike and it looks and works great. Believe it comes in both standard post widths as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Deda-RS01-Seat...5560594&sr=8-4

Syntace P6. The Cyrano is very nice too.

I've been looking at the various Deda and I'm confused. The Zero100 look to be a good option but there are apparently Zero100 and then Zero100 Elementi. Is this just a higher end version or something different altogether?

http://www.dedaelementi.com/index.ph...mid=91&lang=en

Is it? I've heard kind of both ends.

+1 on the Ritchey posts, but only the one-bolt design. It's much easier to install a saddle and adjust the angle on the one-bolt.

http://www.ritcheylogic.com/dyn_prodfamily.php?k=135221

The 2-bolt design is a pain.

i think the 3t clamp system on the team and up models blows. i find it difficult to adjust due to its proximity to the post. ymmv. later.