Which seatpost to replace a Thomson?
 

Okay, here's my situation: I need a setback seatpost to replace my Thomson Elite setback post. The issue is that, at my saddle height, the collar is pretty much right at the bend. This has already damaged the seatpost, and has the potential to damage the frame as well. So I need to replace it with a seatpost that has the setback up much closer to the saddle clamp. I figured BF might have some suggestions.

What I'm aiming for is something with similar virtues to the Thomson: pretty light at a reasonable price, with a well-designed clamp that is easy to adjust, probably a 2-bolt design, though I'm open to others. The Ritchey posts look pretty good, but I'm interested in any thoughts or alternatives anyone has to offer.

FSA K-Force SB post. The clamp isn't as nice as the Thomson's (nothing is IMO), but it provides good rail support.

Bob

Good to know. I'll check that one out as well.

Thomson's clamp design is ridiculously awesome. I wish I could use it on my Madone, but with the whole seat mast design and whatnot...

i had a richy wcs and a thomson. thomson is da best!

I went from the Elite to an Enve post. Zero offset, but they make one with setback. It's stiff, light, nice to look at, and has a cool crazy effective one bolt design. But it's unnecessarily expensive.

If you have a 27.2, I would recommend the velo orange seatpost. I have one on my touring bike and bought it for the same reason that you are looking for a new seatpost.
I have been riding it for three years and I think something like 8000 miles and have had no issues.

i dont often ogle other mens components, but when i do, its velo orange......yeah, thats the prettiest seat post ive ever seen. i have a thomson setback also but that v.o. is t!ts. for just a cheapie replacement post, i like the FSA sl-280. its even more low tech the thomson with one big bolt but the cradle has a nice finish and the graphics are laser etched. its way classy for 30 bucks.

http://www.jensonusa.com/!QXe22lTh9c...L-280-Seatpost

Another alternative is a Fizik Cyrano. Long underside rails for plenty of setback. Accommodates oversized rails. Aluminum and carbon choices.

The Zipp service course SL is nice.

White lettering
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zipp-Service...ht_5359wt_1153

beyond black
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zipp-Service...#ht_367wt_1153

I've had great luck with all of the Zipp Service Course gear (seatposts, stems, and bars). Light, strong, and well thought out. Highly recommended!!!!

The seatpost distributes the rail contact points over a large area which I like a lot.

I'd get this and a matching stem. It's heavy, but it's hard to beat $72 shipped.

This doesn't really count as "light" (and I will try my best to avoid the thread deraillment that questioning the need for a "light" seatpost would entail...oops, did I do just that?) but I've been very impressed with the Salsa Shaft when it comes to an easy-to-adjust, versatile, well-made seatpost. My wife has them on two of her bikes; if I wasn't lucky enough to be a set&forget kinda guy I'd have them on all of mine too.


[edit: Hmm, looks like it's no longer listed on the Salsa website... disco'd perhaps? That would suck.]

3T is another good option.

I had the same problem with the FSA K-Force SB post. Switched to a cut down Velo Orange and love it. Having seaposts from the original Campy on up, the VO is on of the best I have used for micro adjustments. One thing to note is the VO clamp is narrower in the for/aft dimension. If you are fortunate to have your saddle mount near the middle of the rails the narrow clamp will let the rails spring a bit. Great for comfort but not quite as rigid.

buttt......you're Mr. Thompson........

That's with a p. ;)