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

[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.