Schwingding
new member
Reged: 06/09/04
Posts: 22
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Hi guys. I've had it with this damned seatpost! Help me select, and find a place to buy another seatpost for my sub 16 pound Tetra. I bought that Alien because it was nice and light but it simply is the most user unfriendly thing I've ever encountered. It was fine after initial set up, but ever since replacing a worn out SLR saddle I haven't been able to find the right position because I can't manage the adjustment without catastrophic movement of the seat, instead of tiny little changes.
AAAAGGGHHHHEEEE!!!!!
I haven't been a user of the forum since it moved over to this site, but I knew to come here first for this. Thanks in advance.
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 721
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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The Moots Ti post is an excellent sample of lightness (144gr on my electronic scale) and simplicty. My Bold Ti post which is also easy to use also weighs 144gr.
The best post I have is the Salsa. The fore-aft adjustments are independent from the tilt adjustments. It weighs 225gr.
--------------------
Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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1centaur
journeyman
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 126
Loc: Massachusetts
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This type of experience is exactly why I will/would swap out the USE Alien that's stock on the Six13 with a Thomson Elite, just like on all my other bikes (lickbike.com is often the best price, or eBay). If I was a gram counter, the Thomson Masterpiece has the same acclaimed microadjustment for more money but 30ish? fewer grams.
There is no bike part I know of (including Campy Record) so universally admired as Thomson seatposts.
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"You never make a gift of Ventoux"
Eddie Merckx to Lance Armstrong
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Kevan
journeyman
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 70
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check out:
http://www.repartocorse.com/catalog/selcof--92x-carbon-seatpost.htm
I still am using the Alien, love the looks and design, but have to agree this time form and function missed each other.
I have no experience with Selcof, but the stuff looks good, for what that's worth.
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Schwingding
new member
Reged: 06/09/04
Posts: 22
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Thanks! Good enough for me. I just ordered a Masterpiece, setback version, 27.2 x 240. It comes in just 17 grams over the alien, and gives me good reason to finally shed that heavyweight profile stem!
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dhoward
new member
Reged: 01/31/04
Posts: 22
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If you are interesteed I have a Thomson Masterpiece 27.2 X 240mm, it's brand new with bag and instructions I cannot use because I need setback.
I originally purchased it and when I had my d-fly built and when I was fitted, it did not work (it's always something).
David
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Schwingding
new member
Reged: 06/09/04
Posts: 22
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Thanks David. I also believe I need the setback version, and thats what I ordered.
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OnYerLeft
new member
Reged: 06/07/04
Posts: 35
Loc: CA, USA
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oh noooo! i just ordered a use alien seatpost. then i found out that i needed an additional clamp for the oversized rails of my aliante. i knew i should have ordered something else. ain't this the worst...waiting for a shipment that you know you'll return anyway.
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vaxn8r
contributor
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 222
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I just put a Thomson Masterpiece on my Tetra. 157g and easily adjusted in any direction. Best of all...no slippage!
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Schwingding
new member
Reged: 06/09/04
Posts: 22
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Oh bummer dude! You're gonna love how light it is but HATE trying to adjust it after the first time you tighten the thing.
If you want, return that one and I'll sell you the one I'm ditching cheap when I get the new seatpost. If not, its going on ebay.
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OnYerLeft
new member
Reged: 06/07/04
Posts: 35
Loc: CA, USA
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thx schwingding, but if i'm gonna return the alien i'm going for the thompson. just don't know whether i need a setback or not. my fitter said i need a 90mm stem. so i'm thinking that i may need a regular post without setback. however, i'm just torn on whether i should give the alien a try.
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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On the old forum the Alien came up on more than one occassion. Nobody was very happy with it due to how hard it is to adjust and also that all seats don't fit. I'd look around if I were you.
Alpha Q makes too posts. One is super light and a more normal one. I have the later and I'm very happy with it.
I don't feel like being flamed again or getting into a discussion again (been there done that on the old board) but I'm one of those who feel you can tell a difference in a carbon post. It dampens the ride. I like that. My Kestrel's ride improved when I went from the Thomson to a carbon post. The Thomson is a great post but I do distance riding and I prefer compliance in my post. That sucker is stiff and great for that reason. It does have the been adjustment of any I've used. However once your seat is set up how often do you move it? I don't very often.
Good luck.
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OnYerLeft
new member
Reged: 06/07/04
Posts: 35
Loc: CA, USA
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initially i thought that an aluminum seatpost would be fine since i'll be having a carbon frame and my aliante has carbon rails. but my fitter said that there's still a discernable difference in the ride between aluminum and carbon posts. that's why i ordered the alien instead of the masterpiece. but after reading the reviews on this forum and others i came to the conclusion that i don't want to deal with a fiddly clamp/cradle, slippage or over torqueing. it sounds like your alpha q is a good buy. no issues concerning the above? might be a good alternative if i'm sticking with a carbon post.
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1centaur
journeyman
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 126
Loc: Massachusetts
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I keep hoping Thomson will make a carbon post, as I think the technology is to the point that horror stories of snapping posts are in the past (disclaimer inserted here)and Thomson seems to have an exclusive on their clamping design. From time to time I ask if there are any carbon posts out there that are as easily adjustable as Thomsons, and so far the answer has always been no.
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"You never make a gift of Ventoux"
Eddie Merckx to Lance Armstrong
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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No problems with the Alpha Q. The set-up is like a Titec. It is not as easy as the Thomson but not that hard. If you get one holler and I'll tell you a nice trick when doing it.
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homsie
new member
Reged: 12/31/03
Posts: 23
Loc: San Ramon, CA
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I'm using an Easton Carbon seatpost with my Tetra and I really like it. The only problem that I initially had was that it slipped a bit, but that is easily solved by using a little linseed oil on the post.
James
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MSO
new member
Reged: 01/29/04
Posts: 18
Loc: Calif
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I'm using the Deda Black Stick. Easy to work with and light.
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vaxn8r
contributor
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 222
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Other than the fact that I tried two different Deda Blacksticks and they both slipped despite every "trick" I learned from the bike shop and the internet...it was a cool looking post. One other negative, it is a small one but maybe significant: the Deda has "detents" for angle adjustments which are fairly large. If you want exact control on seat angle, you may luck out on the Deda but you may not be able to get it just how you want it.
Why would Thomson ever add a CF seat post? Their new Masterpiece is lighter than most other's CF posts at 157g. It's infinitely adjustable, never slips and will likely never fail.
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1centaur
journeyman
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 126
Loc: Massachusetts
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As a business, Thomson would add a CF post because it is clear that's the direction the market is moving and they have the best clamping design - they would make a profit.
Beyond that, some believe, and don't care what the naysayers say, that CF posts are slightly more comfortable - particularly so on compact frames with longer posts, another current trend.
I'm interested in judging for myself whether a carbon post is more comfortable, as I have read WAY too many claims on bicycling chat boards that no one can tell the difference between this, that or the other that I know to be absolute balderdash. I'm willing to be convinced (by my own buttometer) either way, but am not willing to live with a lousy clamp since I think even if CF is better the difference will be very slight.
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"You never make a gift of Ventoux"
Eddie Merckx to Lance Armstrong
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skagwayroadie
contributor
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 141
Loc: Alaska
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FSA makes an interesting CF post I am thinking on trying out. The expensive CF Campy model is nice looking too, but not very light. I too am interested in comparing posts first hand...too bad Thomson doesn't have a CF offering:(
As far as the debate over CF vs AL posts goes, I think the compact frames will showcase a CF advantage over AL post. Why, as mentioned above, the longer post provides more flexing and shock absorption. On non-compact frames, the CF post MAY not provide much difference...this is just my .02, nothing more. Other posters on this forum, Lon comes to mind, say otherwise. Either way, I would rather have an AL post with a superior clamp design, than the possible weight reduction and ride improvement the current CF posts offer.
It sucks having a super cool and light CF post that is a pain in the bum - literally - to setup or adjust. My ol' Thomson has me a believer every time I read or hear of a negative comment over lighter competitors with sour clamps!
...Mark
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Mike
contributor
Reged: 12/25/03
Posts: 101
Loc: Oregon
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For all those Thomson fans who want a carbon post......
ITM and Selcof make lightweight CF posts that are micro-adjustable, and offer some setback. The selcof posts are a bit spendy and hard to find, although they have them at La Bicicletta They make a number of posts, and are OEM'ed with other names on a number of Italian frames.
The ITM post is actually an older selcof design as well. It is only slightly heavier, but has a stronger clamp. You can get it at Texas CycleSport Check this place frequently, they often put the post on special for $84
I have both the Selcof monocoque and the ITM, and have had no issues with either. They are only slightly harder to adjust than a thomson since you have to use an 8mm open end wrench on the front bolt, but just as adjustable.
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vaxn8r
contributor
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 222
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I agree that subjectively my Deda did seem a little bit more road buzz "deadening". But then it was in the process of slipping ever so slightly probably on every impact....so who knows? I think the comfort issue is so slight as to be unimportant, especially on a Calfee. Get what you like, not one you think will noticeably make your bike feel better...because if anything, it's going to be very, very subtle. At least accoding to my butt-meter.
The main reason I purchased the Deda was for a new bike so I had to buy a post anyway and frankly it was for looks not for function. Functionally you can't beat the Thomson. Actually any post that's easy to adjust, doesn't have a history of cracking (Campy Record), is relatively light and looks OK is OK by me. There are others besides Thomson I liked. I actually considered the DA post. It's beautifully simple and one of the rare polished posts. I wanted black so there you go.
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Schwingding
new member
Reged: 06/09/04
Posts: 22
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Well, I have three years of riding on nothing other than this Alien carbon seatpost. At the end of this week I'll receive the new Thomson Masterpiece. I would think I'd be perfectly situated to tell you if there's a noticeable difference in the feel of the two materials. Nothing on my Tetra has changed since I first put it together other than maintenance items. Will report back.
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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I think everybody's buttmeter will react differently. Some people notice a great deal of road buzz up through the handlebar and others do not. Some folks notice frame differences more than others. We hear on the forum and I've never seen dispute that a Fly with the boron/carbon tubing has a "plusher" ride than the Tetra or Luna. And the beat goes on...
I noticed the difference between the carbon and Thomson post on my Kestrel. I did not set out to notice it. I liked the Thomson for all the reasons stated. I just switched posts on my bike and felt the difference immediately. BUT that is my buttmeter. I also notice the ride of tires very much. I guess I'm just a sensitive guy. 
Actually I was surprised when I noticed a ride improvement in the Kestrel. I had thought it just did not ride as nicely as my Calfee. The improvement I felt was discernable.
That said I would not doubt if Mike doesn't tell a difference. We are all unique in how we interact with a bike. That is why I always gather as much first hand information as I can, information passed on from first hand sources, reviews and such then I make my own judgment. Sometimes I agree and other times I do not.
My buttmeter can tell loose bearings in a rear hub. It is hard to believe that a butt the size of mine could be sensitive but it must be. 
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Schwingding
new member
Reged: 06/09/04
Posts: 22
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Lon enough about your butt already! HAHAHA!
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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My son calls similar comments of mine TMI...too much information. 
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