Is a carbon seat post an upgrade?
 

Hello,

I am running an aluminium Oval seat post on my Fuji Roubaix, and thinking about upgrading to a carbon seat post. My question is, would a carbon seat post add comfort during rides?

I don't like the idea of having something that if it breaks, becomes a jaggedy splintery pungee stick pointed at my crotch.

Maybe...

It was for me.

That is true, but at the same time I was thinking it may be worth it in comfort.

Let me know what you decide to do, as I've been thinking about the same thing. :)

i like mine, roads vibrate in atl and a few other places

Be careful about putting a carbon seat post into an aluminum frame. Google galvanic welding. If you do, make sure you use carbon assembly paste and occasionally pull it out to make sure it isn't stuck.

Requires dissimilar metals. Carbon paste reduces the clamping force required to prevent the stem from moving, it certainly does not prevent galvanic corrosion between a non-metal post and the metal frame.

Galvanic corrosion occurs when two different metals have physical or electrical contact with each other and are immersed in a commonelectrolyte, or when the same metal is exposed to electrolyte with different concentrations. In a galvanic couple, the more active metal (the anode) corrodes at an accelerated rate and the more noble metal (the cathode) corrodes at a ******** rate. When immersed separately, each metal corrodes at its own rate. What type of metal(s) to use is readily determined by following the galvanic series. For example, zinc is often used as a sacrificial anode for steel structures. Galvanic corrosion is of major interest to the marine industry and also anywhere water (containing salts) contacts pipes or metal structures.

i haven't noticed any differences as to riding quality with a carbon post. they are lighter though. that's about it...

BTW, they can get stuck pretty good in a carbon frame. i know that.

Honestly?

I kinda wish I had gone with the high end alu post. I mean the S-works is nice and all but tightening the clamp is always a tense moment. And there's the slipping etc.

Especially now that I've realized I like moving the post up and down more than less. If only there was an road specific elevator post.

Like aluminum you mean?

It happens with carbon, too. Paste helps.

So true!
I'd rather have it shatter/explode/assplode too.
;) :lol:

On a serious note:
Would sweat accelerate the galvanic corrosion?

For metal, I believe so. The issue with carbon is that it carries a charge and that is what starts the process. I'm not sure if sweat would be a factor or not. That's something I need to find an answer for.

On my Aluminum bike, I added a carbon seat post and handlebars. I noticed a very slight improvement (I am clyde, so that may have something to do with it). I then went from 23s to 25s. There was a huge increase in the road dampening effects with the 25s, a lot more than a carbon seatpost.

I picked the seat post up on clearance, so I felt it was worth it.

Being a plastic thst makes sense.

Ive dealt with suborn seatpost more than I would like.
OX platinum frame, & a aluminum seatpost. (Yes similar alloys)
It was a nightmare, had to use heat, & penetrating oil to get any movement.
Long story short, seatpost trashed.

Thanks Bob

If you crash your bike to the point that your seatpost turns into a jaggedy splintery pungee stick, you're going to have far more important things to worry about. . . Like a fully functioning brain.

Yes, anything that increases the movement of electrons between the two materials of different electromotive potential (like the electrolytes in sweat) will increase the possibility of galvanic corrosion. Anything which insulates one material from the other (carbon paste perhaps?) will decreases it.

OP, I am riding two carbon and one aluminum posts, just not at the same time. :) I can't tell any difference. I can tell the difference between the diameters of my two carbon posts, however. Larger diameter is much stiffer. In your case, so is oval. You can achieve significant improvement in comfort by using a smaller diameter, round adapter in your oval seat tube and a smaller diameter round, aluminum post. Except for weight savings carbon seat posts are superfluous. And some aluminum posts beat most carbon in weight, such as the Thomson Masterpiece. I say do what is the most convenient to accomplish and meets your spending goals.

I think carbon posts can ride more smoothly than alu, but a lot of the result will depend on amount of post extension. Really short sections of exposed post have less room to absorb/disperse vibrations and to flex, so in those cases I think the differences are much smaller-- if present at all-- than the effects from seatposts with long extensions above the frame.

I also like titanium posts quite a lot, especially on MTBs where the spring from the post flex really takes the edge off big hits. On the road though, I might give the edge to carbon for damping those constant, small, vibrations.

I'm pretty sure the OP is referring to Oval brand, not the shape or size, which is probably 27.2 anyway.

if you want and can afford then go for it. But don't expect any noticeable performance gains or noticeable comfort upgrade (yes some of you will but most won't). Based on the fact that the Op is asking the question to begin then I am guessing that he won't.

With that said I have the Cannondale C2 seat post which is an alloy seat pole covered and in carbon and would like to get an all carbon seat pole from 3T. But I am no illusion that it is going to me faster or that I will notice a comfort upgrade.

I recently changed my handlebars from the Cannondale C2 to the 3T ergosum LTD and honestly I cannot feel the difference other than it having a longer reach to be more aggressive.

I've had carbon 3T seat posts on my CAAD9 for 4 years now without issue. It dampens vibration some and it is lighter, so in those terms, yes, it's an upgrade.

I've got both and can't tell any difference. If I were buying one right now, it would be a Thompson Masterlight. They are light weight and have the best adjustment over anyone else.