Schwingding
new member
Reged: 06/09/04
Posts: 22
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I've put about 300 miles on the new seatpost, after FINALLY ditching that nasty ass (but superlight) U.S.E. Alien Carbon post. (look for it on eBay soon).
I had ridden exclusively on that Alien for 3 seasons and for many 100 mile bike rides training for Ironmans. Saddle replacement dictated adjustments of the seatpost mechanism and that Alien was, well, you guys know the story.
I was concerned about the ride characteristics of a metal seatpost after riding on carbon for years (I have a Tetra Custom frame as well), but I can report to you that I can't tell a damned bit of difference.
The Masterpiece is supposedly about 15 grams heaver than the alien but you're hard pressed to hold them in your hands with your eyes closed and tell which is which, they're that close. The seat clamp mechanism works flawlessly, allowing the smallest seat adjustments easily and repeatedly.
It fit fine in the seat tube, it clamped tight with no slippage at all (the alien did slip at first), and I finally have that sweet spot in my SLR saddle again. My balls are grateful.
But most importantly, I can't tell which seatpost is underneath me, no difference at all as far as I can tell.
HOWEVER, its still not as cool as the carbon weave seatpost.
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bfd
journeyman
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 77
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Were you really surprised that you couldn't notice a differeence in seatpost? Although alot of people *claim* they can feel a difference. You really can't.
Really, the only thing that will make a difference in "feel", e.g., "comfort", is tires. Try a wider tire like a 700x25 pumped up to 100-110psi. Now that's comfort. Things like frame material and seatpost really don't make as much of a difference as tires.
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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Come on out and do a century on my old 3.0 fat tube with no butting C-Dale and tell me that frame material does not effect ride. Before you do it however make a day long appointment with your dentist. My Black Lightning will shake all your fillings out and they will have to be replaced. 
As far as seat posts I can tell a difference. Whether another person can or not is the differences between individuals. I also can tell when my rear hub bearings become loose. I guess I just have a sensitive butt.
Some people feel most tires ride the same. I do not. Who is right? Nobody. What we can and cannot perceive on a bike is very individual. Just look at all the variety of set-ups of the bikes in the gallery and you can see how differently people ride.
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bfd
journeyman
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 77
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Lon replies:
<Come on out and do a century on my old 3.0 fat tube with no butting C-Dale and tell me that frame material does not effect ride. Before you do it however make a day long appointment with your dentist. My Black Lightning will shake all your fillings out and they will have to be replaced>
What size tires where you using? I would argue that a *wider* tire, 700x25-28 at 100 psi, would make the ride on your C'dale more comfortable.
<As far as seat posts I can tell a difference. Whether another person can or not is the differences between individuals. I also can tell when my rear hub bearings become loose. I guess I just have a sensitive butt>
Sounds like you do. I would say *most* people couldn't tell the difference. Further,tires would make a bigger difference than what little they could feel in their seatpost (note - suspension post excluded).
<Some people feel most tires ride the same. I do not. Who is right? Nobody. What we can and cannot perceive on a bike is very individual. Just look at all the variety of set-ups of the bikes in the gallery and you can see how differently people ride.>
Agree. Hey, some people actually believe tubulars are more comfortable than clinchers....
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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I can tell you never rode an original vintage C-Dale or ridden one. These were in large part responsible for aluminum getting the reputation of a harsh ride. (It can be but it is highly dependent on the frame, my friend's Colnago Dream rides like its name and he came from steel and carbon.)
Now maybe 4 inch tires...
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vaxn8r
contributor
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 222
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I'm more from school of thought that wheels, seat and mostly tires make 95% of the "comfort" difference you can feel. If you can tell what post is on your bike (true blindfold test) I bet it accounts for <1% of the overall feel. Different frame material (and build of course) probably another 4% of feel. Now try changing tire pressure, wider tires, different wheels. All these would cause easily detectable changes any old butt would recognize.
I rode an original C-Dale but you have to also remember that tires have improved a ton since the 80's. We used to ride 23c tires which were way skinnier than todays 23c tires. Also, those tires had stiff casings. I bet most of our bikes would ride crappier if we put 80's clincher rubber on them. Still, they were uncomfortable frames to ride, I'll give you that.
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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They also are very efficient frames. It jumps and always has. It just rattles the teeth after too many miles.
I do disagree about frames. I had a Saeco Cad 4 and I tired much more easily on that than my Kestrel. Since the build was essentially the same there was only the one other factor. I did not keep it but a few rides. My next bike was the Calfee. Until that experience I would not have disagreed with you.
I still own and occasionally ride my 3.0 so I have had more recent rubber on it. The best has been Axial Pros. I know a cotton casing tire would help as would a wider tire and playing with the inflation. It still beats the crap out of you however while all the time taking off down the road.
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smartyjones
new member
Reged: 07/08/04
Posts: 20
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I agree, I can definitely feel the difference between seatposts, ROTFLMAO!! Sorry folks, but the delusions in here are so funny at times you have to get a good laugh from it. :-)
Next we'll hear about feeling the difference because a bolt was changed on a derailleur. LOL
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Schwingding
new member
Reged: 06/09/04
Posts: 22
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Quote:
smartyjones wrote:
I agree, I can definitely feel the difference between seatposts, ROTFLMAO!! Sorry folks, but the delusions in here are so funny at times you have to get a good laugh from it. :-)
Next we'll hear about feeling the difference because a bolt was changed on a derailleur. LOL
Well, Mr. Smartypants, I'm glad we could entertain you. I didn't _expect_ to notice a change, I was curious if I would. As were others curious. The original thread from a few weeks ago when I asked around for opinions on a new post included responses from others wondering if I'd notice any difference. I wondered, too.
In a way, I'm sorry I didn't notice any difference, because I just lost a big reason in my head to have everything made out of carbon. My only reasons left are weight and cool factor when it comes to small parts. Frames, forks, no doubt I can tell the difference in materials.
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superunleaded
captain
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 223
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Can you try a full carbon post with a different design?
Say, a BCD or a Selcof. These two carbon post have a hollow head design compared to other carbon post I've tried like the LOOK, Corima's, Thompson and a bunch of generic ones.I haven't tried the aero Giant post though.
If you can, please give us some feedback.
thanks in advance....
-gas
--------------------
***Regular Unleaded - 4.99
***Special Unleaded - 7.99
***Superunleaded - Arm & a Leg
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smartyjones
new member
Reged: 07/08/04
Posts: 20
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If you put any person in here on a bike 20 times , 10 times at random each with a taped over disguised different seatpost, no better statistically than pure guessing could they tell you which seatpost is which without cheating to see which one they are riding. Placebo affect seems to be rampant in here.
Too, too funny.
Frame and fork changes, yeah I can buy that because those changes make sense from a ride quality standpoint. A short seatpoost pipe making a noticeable ride quality difference assuming setback is the same, ROTFLMAO. 
Edited by smartyjones (07/08/04 11:18 PM)
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 717
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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Quote:
smartyjones wrote:
If you put any person in here on a bike 20 times , 10 times at random each with a taped over disguised different seatpost, no better statistically than pure guessing could they tell you which seatpost is which without cheating to see which one they are riding. Placebo affect seems to be rampant in here.
Too, too funny.
Frame and fork changes, yeah I can buy that because those changes make sense from a ride quality standpoint. A short seatpoost pipe making a noticeable ride quality difference assuming setback is the same, ROTFLMAO.
Y'know, just because you can't feel differences in equipment used doesn't mean it's not true for others. And your way of stating this demeans you in the eyes of these people whose judgment you question, and others who read this forum.
Your comments are much more appropriate to MtbReview.com. This forum is called BikeFanClub, which means fans of bicycles and related matters. It's not a pool for little boys to pee in.
--------------------
Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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Great reply! Now I know why you are a Captain!!! I'm in awe. I love the close.
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3.0 C-Dale
Hey Dave