Experiences with Ti seatposts 4 a roadbike

tonepad said:

After not liking the Easton carbon seatpost (205g) I had on the K2 mod 5.0 bike I built up...I felt the post was too springy what with the post setback and full carb triangle on the K2, I swapped it out for a Ritchey pro alu post (253g). The Ritchey post helps stiffen up the bike when in the saddle. That and the new American Classic Sprint 350 wheels, really brought this bike around. I'm curious about whether a Ti post, say an American Classic or? has the springy effect as well as the Easton. I'm always looking to shed weight...bike is currently @ 16.5 lbs. (w/ DA SPDR pedals and bottle cage). BTW the mod 5.0 frame is a med compact frame so it takes a 330-350mm post. My weight is 175-180.

Well, I don't know if we're coming from the same place, because I can't imagine a seatpost adding too much in terms of springy-ness or stiffness to a ride; you're only talking about 6" of tube, after all (ok, a bit more for your compact frame). But where softening or stiffening effects are concerned, I'd wager most people look for the opposite of what you're describing -- a super-stiff frame, and if anything, a seatpost with (albeit subtle) dampening properties.

I've got a Giant TCR which I kept the stock seatpost for, Giant's house aero carbon unit. It's generally agreed that those aero carbon babies (USE and Bp make similar units) are stiff as hell due to their bulky, heavily shaped construction. Never felt the least bit spongy or flexy, but the weight is reasonable for a bladed piece. You might look into that category of post.

I'm also using a titanium straight (no lay-back) USE Alien on my Klein Q-Pro, which uses standard geometry. I don't have much of it showing, and it takes a fatty diameter (those Klein tubes are like drainpipes), but it's a nice, no-flex seatpost.

Good luck with your search.

Hmmm, it seems that the effect I'm refering to, has to do especially with the Easton EC 70 and it's setback, which creates a sort of diving board effect. It's also a very thin walled tube, compared for instance to the Alpha Q carb post which is on my old Bottecchia (standard geometry and seatpost length). I should also point out that I like the Easton just fine on the bike I swapped the Ritchey Pro post with...a Schwinn Fastback, which is a super rigid but incredibly responsive frame, so the Easton post sort of mellows that ride a bit. My question about Ti seatposts and "springiness" probably comes from what people say in general about Ti frames possessing that "springy" quality. I am also considering a lighter ALU post, such as the American Classic, but I can't seem to verify the weight of the 350mm post they have. The Ritchey is pretty light for it's length, so I might just be robbing Peter to pay Paul.

tonepad said:

My question about Ti seatposts and "springiness" probably comes from what people say in general about Ti frames possessing that "springy" quality.

Most of that is BS,and only applies to underbuilt frames.A seatpost would be the same: superlight and springy perhaps or thick walled and like a bridge girder. It comes back to not being about the material,but how it's built.

boudreaux said:

... It comes back to not being about the material,but how it's built.

That is simply not true. Any frame or component is obviously influenced by both materials and design.

We could argue the materials versus design debate until sunrise (we have, before).

In any case, I think there's probably nothing about a sturdy Ti seatpost that should give you much grief, tonepad. If your K2 frame is compact enough that seatpost length becomes an issue (which I don't deny -- some riders do seem perched miles above their top tubes), you probably should avoid setback, and avoid ultra-lightweight posts while you're at it.

I sure like the look of my Ti post, and the fact that it says "Ti" on it; there's a cool exclusivity to the stuff.

Good luck, tonepad.

Yeah on the setback issue...the Ritchey Pro is fairly mild in that regard compared to the Easton, so that has been helping the "springboard" effect go away. The Ritchey design is super rigid and one piece as opposed to the two peiece design of the Easton. As far as post length goes I have about 200mm of 350 mm showing above the collar to the saddle rails. But I understand what your getting at...in a compact frame that exposed seatpost length IS a factor on rigidity. Since you refer to "ultra-ligtweight" does that include Ti posts, and if so, which one are you using, and is it in a standard or compact frame? I'm of the school that thinks if you want strength AND liteweight, then Ti is the way to go. I guess I'm asking for impressions now, did you ever use AL or Carb posts? And if so how do you compare them to your Ti post?

I've used a Syncros Ti post.

Awesome.....cannot recommend highly enough. Super light and super strong.

(Plus as posted above.....looks waaaaay cool.🙂)

I've riden a campy ti seatpost for several years. its been a great piece of gear. haven't adjusted my seat since I first got it dialed in years ago.