question about carbon seatposts.... I think I want one :)

[OakLeaf]

I would like to hear about this, too. I did read something on another thread where someone cracked their carbon post by over tightening it? I am thinking of getting one, too, but want to learn about how to keep it happy!

Well, DH bought me a beautiful Snap-On torque wrench for Christmas. But I'll be able to use it when I get inside my m/c engine for a valve adjustment. I don't know if I'd spend that kind of money just for seatpost and stem adjustments (considering the number of seatposts you could buy for the price of the wrench)

Really, I would just trust that the shop got it right (probably too much to ask with some shops, but generally OK) - count the turns of the Allen wrench when you loosen it, then re-tighten by the same amount.

[Trekhawk]

I have carbon seatposts on both of my road bikes and I have not had any problems with them so far. My oldest would be coming up to 3 years of age.

Just remember that if you decide to buy anything that clips onto the seatpost read carefully if it can be mounted to carbon. I got myself a lovely hightail bag from Terry Bicycles for overnight trips on the bike but it can not be used with carbon. So I have an aluminium seatpost that I use for those rides.

[aicabsolut]

You probably have a standard setback seatpost already, so just stick with that. Use a torque wrench. Be sure the collar for the seatpost is the right size and that the post you buy is the right size for the frame (go with standard, standard, standard---no aero seatposts).

Don't attach anything heavy to the seatpost (like racks).

Otherwise, the only thing to worry about with carbon is that very heavy riders probably shouldn't use carbon.

[ehirsch83]

I just want to add a little thought here. I have had carbon and aluminum seat posts(I am one of the odd people who went from aluminum seat posts and bars to carbon, and now back to aluminum b/c I haven't upgraded those parts on the new bike yet).

Anyways, I don't notice the difference between the aluminum and the carbon seat post, where I do notice the difference is with the bars and vibration.
So before looking into a seatpost, I would weigh your options on handlebars(which I know can be more expensive) and a front fork if yours isn't carbon(definitaly way more expensive but makes all the difference).
A comfortable seat makes a 10x more noticable difference then a carbon seat post.

[VeloVT]

Also, before you invest $$$ in a carbon post, make sure you've done a good job researching both weight and adjustment mech on your chosen post. Some of the carbon posts are not all that light (over 200g) but are still $$$$ because they are CARBON. IMO don't spend the $$$ unless it's lighter. Regarding adjustment mechanisms -- it seems like the majority of carbon posts use one-bolt systems. There are well-designed and easy to adjust one-bolt systems out there, but the majority of them leave something to be desired as far as tilt-adjustment is concerned (and sometimes other things -- I once had a one-bolt seatpost for which you could ONLY adjust tilt by simultaneously adjusting fore-aft. BAD!). Make sure you either see the post before you buy it, or at least order something from LBS that they have seen & used. If you can find a two-bolt, light carbon seatpost that's in the budget, go for it (a lot of these are $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ -- I think the Campy Record post meets all of these criteria, for instance).

Personally I'm a big fan of Thomson (aluminum) posts. Super easy to adjust and in the weight range of a lot of carbon posts. And no worries about over-tightening. But bf has a Bontrager carbon post (not sure what grade, race x-lite maybe?) that came stock on his 2007 Madone 5.2, and the one-bolt mechanism is very elegant and easy to use... No idea what it weighs or how much it costs though, and this would affect my decision if I were buying it after market.

[Mr. SR500]

I think they can make a slight difference, but not night and day. Torque wrench is highly recommended. Park makes a couple nice ones, also check Sears Craftsman.

Watch out for cheaper post, as they area carbon wrapped aluminum - so no benefit. The Bontrager (Trek) post are very nice, I run a Race XXX Lite on my Madone, and I've been very pleased. I also use a Campy Chorus on my Bianchi and it's an excellent post as well. I'm pushing 200 lbs, but don't have any problems.