I’m assembling parts for a bike - I have an old American Classic seatpost that’s functional, but a bit chewed up. If I replace it, any suggestons? Carbon, aluminum, titanium, aero? Any thoughts/experiences? thanks
I have a giant aero carbon seat post that I love. It does a great job of dampening road vibration. You can find some great deals on them if you look around.
----->Trent
The type of seatpost is a lot of times overlooked. As whether you need an inline or a layed back post. This will be important in getting proper knee over spindle. I would say get fit by a qualified fitter and then make your decision.
I appreciate the advice, but I was wondering how much difference the material makes and whether or not the bladed post matters.
Little and little. I trade off between a Thomson and a bladed carbon seatpost and can tell no difference in ride quality or speed. As another person mentioned, the most important thing is clamp location (offset or no offset). The Thomson is available in a zero offset clamp while most every bladed carbon post on the market has a rear offset clamp.
Just yesterday, I decided to upgrade my American Classic seatpost - after doing some research, I decided on the Thomson Elite road post (Al) - seems like a great compromise between weight and cost, and I like the zero offset clamp as well. I recently put a new saddle on, and decided that I didn’t really like the upper clamp on the AC post - too narrow, and it seemed to put way too much stress in a small area of the saddle rails when riding the nose. If you happen to live near a Performance shop, stop in…I found it on sale, and bought the last one in the store.
I used to think the AC posts were the best, most basic thing running out there. These days I am going with Thomson. That’s what’s on my bike now. Although I do have a collection of AC posts in my basement if you interested. chrome, black, ti, whatever you want.
The carbon posts just give me one more thing to worry about cracking everytime to ship my bike to a race and have to put it back together.
Ok, I will piggyback on my new hero, Mr. Tibbs. Can I talk you aout of one of your old AC seatposts? Ti, then chrome, in order of preference. 27.2. I’m not proud, if Tibbs can beg, so can I.
Just curious, as an owner of a 9 year old AC aluminum seatpost that has never failed nor slipped nor caused damage to a saddle: how is the Thomson Elite post an “upgrade”? Is it lighter, cheaper, stronger, or what?
Ken Lehner
I haven’t had any issues with the AC post, however I my main concern with it is the design of the clamp - the upper part that sits on top of the saddle rails is pretty narrow (about 3/4" wide). I’ve got the saddle pretty far forward for aero riding, and when I’m on the nose, that puts an awful lot of pressure on that 3/4" of seat rail under the upper clamp portion. With hollow Ti rails on the saddle, I wasn’t all that comfortable with that set-up. The Thomson clamp is about 2" wide and therefore spreads that pressure over a larger area. In addition, I like the zero-offset of the Thomson post vs. the ~1" setback of the AC post. I’m not knocking the AC post, but the Thomson has a couple of features that I prefer over the AC design.
I am actually going the opposite way. I have the Thomson post on my TCR Zero and am changing it out for a carbon post so I can have the offset. I loved the Thomson post when I had the TCR set up for Triathlon but now that I have a Cervelo Dual, I am putting the TCR back to road configuration. I do need to sit back a bit more that I am right now while riding on the TCR.
Glad to hear good things about the Thomson - I’m planning to install mine today and take it for a spin (sadly, in the basement…it’s raining here). If you’re interested in a used AC post, let me know…
“I trade off between a Thomson and a bladed carbon seatpost and can tell no difference in ride quality”
Very true. Did this over the weekend - couldn’t perceive a difference between the two - though the Thomson is lighter…
You know I would easily ditch the bladed carbon seat post that is installed on my TCR Team for a Thompson Elite made out of carbon fiber! Would be nice to cut another 200 grams off the weight!
Michael
Where are you saving 200 grams? The 250mm Thomson setback I have weighs 189 grams, the 250mm Carbon Aero post I have weighs 230 grams.
If you are referring to the bladed seat psts made by U.S.E. (or similar) then you are right? I am using an older bladed, carbon seat post that was marketed by Giant Bicycles from 2000-2002. The newer seat posts that Giant offers has a more ‘refined’ clamping mechanism which I think helped shed about 125 grams!
Michael
The titanium post is in very good shape, 235mm, 27.2 diameter - $65 shipping included - it’s a pretty sweet loockin post.
Chrome post is a bit more used but in good shape 235, 27.2 - $20 shipping included
email “khandley AT tds DOT net” if interested.
I will consider it, however, you are not considering the Mr. Tibbs theme here!
Dude, I have no idea what you are talking about. All I know is that Mr. Tibbs posts on this forum.
Mr. Tibbs begs for fun, parts, and profit - check out “Gerard, you win” thread. Mr. Tibbs is a god! Or at least has large ones.