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Carbon seat post?

Old 10-17-19, 03:44 PM
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Helderberg
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Carbon seat post?

Has anyone here used a carbon seat post on a aluminum frame bike? My question is, does it have any effect on felt vibration? I realize it would not be the same as a carbon frame but I noticed a real improvement between my bike with a steel fork to carbon fork bike of the same make and model, so is there an improvement with the seatpost? Also, if you would recommend a brand it would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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Old 10-17-19, 05:09 PM
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TiHabanero
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Although I had a steel frame, not aluminum, I was unable to detect any appreciable difference between a carbon post and aluminum post.
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Old 10-17-19, 05:35 PM
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I have a carbon seat post on my Al crossbike. I don't think I could notice an appreciable difference in vibrations. That's mostly about tires in my case.

One thing to keep in mind with CF-Al interfaces is that you need to make sure you pull it out every once in awhile.
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Old 10-17-19, 06:37 PM
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Thank you both for your responses.
Frank.
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Old 10-18-19, 08:25 AM
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I have a carbon seat post on an Al bike with carbon seat and chainstays.

Zero difference with the carbon seat post.
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Old 10-18-19, 11:12 AM
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I find it makes a difference, but only a select few carbon posts have much flex.

My favorite is an older Specialized two-bolt w/ "zert" insert. A bit hard to find now.



The more current Specialized with one bolt is good as well, but the pivot mechanism is a PIA.

Velonews did a test in 2012 that was useful:


The FSA one is also hard to find- many (some at least) broke.
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Old 10-18-19, 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by caloso
One thing to keep in mind with CF-Al interfaces is that you need to make sure you pull it out every once in awhile.
You'd want to grease the interface and periodically remove and clean in any case of dissimilar materials. With a carbon seatpost, you'd use use carbon assembly paste instead of grease.
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Old 10-18-19, 11:23 AM
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CliffordK
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Originally Posted by caloso
One thing to keep in mind with CF-Al interfaces is that you need to make sure you pull it out every once in awhile.
I would try to keep carbon in carbon, and aluminum in aluminum just to minimize reactions.
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Old 10-18-19, 11:30 AM
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I have a carbon seat post in an aluminum frame. I concur with above opinions, I can't feel any difference between the carbon post and an aluminum one.

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Old 10-18-19, 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by BlazingPedals
You'd want to grease the interface and periodically remove and clean in any case of dissimilar materials. With a carbon seatpost, you'd use use carbon assembly paste instead of grease.
Yes, I discovered this with my first CF bike, a Trek 5200 that came stock with an Al seatpost. It had galvanically welded itself in there and the bike shop had to put it in a bench vise to get it out. Replaced it with a Specialized CF post which I've used for many years. Still should use assembly paste and take it out every once in awhile.
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Old 10-18-19, 12:05 PM
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The carbon post seemed to help on my Specialized Secteur.
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Old 10-18-19, 12:09 PM
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I swapped an Al seatpost for carbon on a my Dawes. I felt a very strong dampening of Placebo vibrations, which justified the cost of the post.
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Old 10-18-19, 12:12 PM
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Originally Posted by woodcraft
I find it makes a difference, but only a select few carbon posts have much flex.

My favorite is an older Specialized two-bolt w/ "zert" insert. A bit hard to find now.



The more current Specialized with one bolt is good as well, but the pivot mechanism is a PIA.

Velonews did a test in 2012 that was useful:


The FSA one is also hard to find- many (some at least) broke.
Thank you for this. I have found I really like the two bolt system that is on my Topstone and would like to maintain that and thought a carbon post would be a good addition.
Much appreciated,
Thank you all for the input, Frank.

Last edited by Helderberg; 10-18-19 at 12:16 PM.
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Old 10-18-19, 04:41 PM
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if you get a $$$$ specialized CG-R seat post they make a big difference.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Specialized...IAAOSwxbNdo96P
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Old 10-18-19, 06:59 PM
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For a non-setback post, probably makes no difference

other than a bit of weight.
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Old 10-19-19, 05:39 AM
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I’ve written about my Ritchey Superlogic “Flexlogic” post in another thread where I talked about my tiny (for me) titanium road bike that I made work for me. By having my 330mm post maxed out at the limit line.

I can’t validate the flex with an instrument but I suspect the fact that this setup has some flex is not a placebo.

A guy on our group ride the other night had an Ergon leaf spring type carbon post on it. I actually could see the flex while riding from the rear. He was having slippage issues and we got to rest and watch on the roadside while he slid the post out and played around with the 2 opposing carbon fiber half cylinders which he said adjusted the flex level.

Last edited by masi61; 10-19-19 at 02:21 PM.
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Old 10-19-19, 08:04 AM
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masi61 "I made work for me my having my 330mm post maxed out at the limit line".
This was my next question, is there more of an "effect" of vibration dampening when more of the post is exposed? My logic tells me that would be the case but having no personal experience for me it is just a guess? Thanks again for the feedback.
Frank.
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Old 10-19-19, 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Helderberg
masi61 "I made work for me my having my 330mm post maxed out at the limit line".
This was my next question, is there more of an "effect" of vibration dampening when more of the post is exposed? My logic tells me that would be the case but having no personal experience for me it is just a guess? Thanks again for the feedback.
Frank.
I believe that this particular setup has a nicely damped ride. Not buzzy at all. The fact that the frame is titanium I’m sure helps too. Also my favorite saddle is the Selle Italia Turbomatic team. All the Turbomatic saddles I’ve the past 25 years or so have always had compliance built into them thanks to the use of elastomers under the seat rails.
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Old 10-19-19, 07:28 PM
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After doing some research I put one of the Specialized Zertz carbon posts on my titanium gravel bike when I was building it. I think I got it off eBay. Just make sure you get one long enough to insert far enough into the seat tube if you make a change.
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Old 10-20-19, 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Helderberg
.... is there more of an "effect" of vibration dampening when more of the post is exposed? .
Yes but also more load on the end of the post where it inserts. I eventually went back to Al because I broke two CF posts (very long posts at max exposure.) Depends on your body weight i'd guess.
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Old 10-20-19, 05:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Maelochs
Yes but also more load on the end of the post where it inserts. I eventually went back to Al because I broke two CF posts (very long posts at max exposure.) Depends on your body weight i'd guess.
And I would guess how much of the seat post would be exposed. I am not a svelte guy and my seat post has to be lengthened to attach the clamp on my bike stand. I think I just answered my own question. I will stick with the two bolt alum post that I have.
Thanks all for your input, Frank.
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Old 10-22-19, 09:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Helderberg
masi61 "I made work for me my having my 330mm post maxed out at the limit line".
This was my next question, is there more of an "effect" of vibration dampening when more of the post is exposed? My logic tells me that would be the case but having no personal experience for me it is just a guess? Thanks again for the feedback.
Frank.
I forgot to answer your question in my previous response - “...is there more of an effect of vibration dampening when more post is exposed?’’

Yes! There is. For Sure. Now this is not the straight one, it does have like 25mm of setback.

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Old 10-22-19, 09:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Helderberg
masi61 "I made work for me my having my 330mm post maxed out at the limit line".
This was my next question, is there more of an "effect" of vibration dampening when more of the post is exposed? My logic tells me that would be the case but having no personal experience for me it is just a guess? Thanks again for the feedback.
Frank.
There would be "more" effect from a longer post, but from my research there isn't "any" vibration dampening effect from a straight carbon seatpost. Those which do have dampening effect are due almost entirely to the design at the saddle mount. So whatever additional dampening there might be, will be at best minimal.
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Old 10-22-19, 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by mrt2you
if you get a $$$$ specialized CG-R seat post they make a big difference.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Specialized...IAAOSwxbNdo96P
Yes, I swapped out the stock aluminum seat post in my Diverge for one of those and it makes a big difference. But that's clearly due to the design, I don't know that a 'regular' carbon seat post would make any noticeable difference.
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Old 10-22-19, 01:43 PM
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Originally Posted by woodcraft
I find it makes a difference, but only a select few carbon posts have much flex.

Velonews did a test in 2012 that was useful:


The FSA one is also hard to find- many (some at least) broke.
Whoa ... that is interesting. I prefer zero-offset seatposts, and my CF bike has that Thomson seat post. Ooof.
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