Seatpost - carbon/alloy/titanium?

Ian.B
Ian.B Posts: 732
edited December 2008 in Workshop
If comfort is the first priority, what's to choose between carbon, alloy or titanium? Is there any real discernible difference?

Any recommendations? (I need a 31.6mm)

Comments

  • Carbon. What's your budget?
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    just gone from a spesh pave to a Thomson on my roadie and the Thomson isn't as plush. Not really an issue of comfort though, just the feel of the ride. If you're concerned about comfort then I'd look at shorts and saddles first, as these'll provide the biggest impact. Then for the final piece in the jigsaw you could get a nice carbon post.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • Ian.B
    Ian.B Posts: 732
    Thanks. Budget is between £50 and £100.

    Just looked at the Pave - does the Zertz insert make a difference or is that just a gimmick?

    I'd need to use a shim with the Pave - I assume that's OK on a carbon frame?

    Ian
  • Slow Downcp
    Slow Downcp Posts: 3,041
    Shim should be okay - and a 27.2mm post will give more comfort than a 31.6mm
    Carlsberg don't make cycle clothing, but if they did it would probably still not be as good as Assos
  • octav
    octav Posts: 50
    Why the 27.2 is more comfortable? :roll:
  • I'm interested to know why people think that carbon is better than titanium for comfort. I've not ridden either yet but, from the little I know about the materials, I would have thought that titanium ought to be the ideal material for a seat post...

    _
  • nielsamd
    nielsamd Posts: 174
    Are the different materials actually better at ameliorating different vibrations? (`buzz' vs. `jarring'?)

    How about a carbon seatpost with a titanium railed saddle?

    As the above poster says tho.. a decently padded nappy, I mean shorts, and saddle. will outdo these in any event.
  • Don't forget tyres and pressure, you can transform a comfy ride into a bone-jarring one by popping the tyres up to even more than normal and vice-versa
  • Slow Downcp
    Slow Downcp Posts: 3,041
    octav wrote:
    Why the 27.2 is more comfortable? :roll:

    It will flex more - I swapped a 31.4mm post on my Bianchi to a 27.2 and there was a difference.
    Carlsberg don't make cycle clothing, but if they did it would probably still not be as good as Assos
  • octav
    octav Posts: 50
    Thanks Slow Downcp

    Has anyone used a RItchey Pro Carbon? Is it good stuff? I can buy one for 25 quid . It has 350 mm so I can also cut a little from it.
  • Ian.B
    Ian.B Posts: 732
    Thanks for your comments everyone.

    Is carbon (or titanium) noticeably better than alloy though?

    Ian