aluminum post ride quality & carbon frames

[Miranda]

Maybe you already know this but you should also consider what the setback is for your seat post when considering buying another seat post. I have a Thompson masterpiece and like it a lot. But they only have two options and one is a zero setback and the other is 16mm. So whatever you buy you should make sure you have sufficient setback. I use the Thomson masterpiece with the 16mm setback. It doesn't look as nice as the zero setback version. But its good enough for this guy:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/20...addle_and_post

Thx for that link! That is a great pic of a Thomson for sure. As far as I know, I should be ok with a zero set back post. But, I appreciate you pointing that out about the one lay back option length. The STA on the bike I'm considering has me going back a wee bit on the saddle rails... but I think that is all I need to get a good KOP. I went to the lbs that did the spec sheet for a fitting first. Then geeked out bike brands as close as possible to what was ideal. I let the shop pick the post. So... if the sucker doesn't work out they 'got some splain'in to do Lucy!' lol. Appreciate the input.

[VeloVT]

What Parity posted makes me remember that I actually had wanted to put a Thomson on my (newish) road bike when I got it around this time last year, and the reason I didn't was that I needed more than 16mm of setback. I remember trying to justify it anyway . Thomsons are great.

FWIW -- other than weight, the Elite and the Masterpiece are identical. I think maybe the Masterpiece is more elaborately butted? I have both -- an Elite that's on my CX and a Masterpiece I had on my old road bike (I sold the bike but kept the post) that I can't bring myself to get rid of even though it doesn't fit any of the other bikes we have right now. Anyway, side-to-side, if you took off the decals, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference by looking at them. So if you are not in super weight-weenie mode, you will not lose anything by going with the less expensive Elite.

Also -- Campy and Deda both have gorgeous two bolt carbon posts, but both were just too spendy for me.

And the one-bolt design on Bontrager carbon posts is extremely easy to use -- maybe even easier than two-bolt posts. But be forewarned that the cheaper carbon post is carbon-wrapped aluminum . And if I remember correctly the diameter/setback options are limited.

[Miranda]

What Parity posted makes me remember that I actually had wanted to put a Thomson on my (newish) road bike when I got it around this time last year, and the reason I didn't was that I needed more than 16mm of setback. I remember trying to justify it anyway . Thomsons are great.

FWIW -- other than weight, the Elite and the Masterpiece are identical. I think maybe the Masterpiece is more elaborately butted? I have both -- an Elite that's on my CX and a Masterpiece I had on my old road bike (I sold the bike but kept the post) that I can't bring myself to get rid of even though it doesn't fit any of the other bikes we have right now. Anyway, side-to-side, if you took off the decals, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference by looking at them. So if you are not in super weight-weenie mode, you will not lose anything by going with the less expensive Elite.

Also -- Campy and Deda both have gorgeous two bolt carbon posts, but both were just too spendy for me.

And the one-bolt design on Bontrager carbon posts is extremely easy to use -- maybe even easier than two-bolt posts. But be forewarned that the cheaper carbon post is carbon-wrapped aluminum . And if I remember correctly the diameter/setback options are limited.

Thx, that's good to know of a couple other options for carbon. I think the Bontrager post is one that someone I know has. But I didn't know that about the wrap, hmm.