Seatpost diameter - 27.2mm or 31.6mm - ride quality?

jrab
jrab Posts: 99
edited September 2009 in Road buying advice
How much difference is there in ride quality / shock absorption, for a full carbon post? Need new post, bike is shimmed to 27.2 so will take either size but 31.6 quite a bit cheaper. Wondering if 31.6 will make ride too harsh though?

Rich.

Comments

  • Mister W
    Mister W Posts: 791
    I seriously doubt you'll even notice the difference.
  • galatzo
    galatzo Posts: 1,295
    Spooky
    I did the same post a few weeks ago (andmy names Rich!)
    I swapped alu 31.6 for carbon 27.2 and have approx 6" showing.
    Hardly rode on the alu but 27.2 made sense as I had one already.
    Comfort wise I certainly perceive carb27.2 better than carb 31.6 but lose a tad in tyre pressure would do more.
    If the 31.6 is much cheaper I'd go for it cus you wont notce 31.6 compared to 27.2 unless you have loads of post showing.
    25th August 2013 12hrs 37mins 52.3 seconds 238km 5500mtrs FYRM Never again.
  • gpsBRM
    gpsBRM Posts: 123
    The 27.2 post will be alot more comfortable as it'll flex alot more. I run a 27.2mm Kore Carbon post on my Maxlight and the seat post flexes loads, you can easily see it bending. I've got a 30.9mm Specialized Carbon post on my Epic and that is solid as a rock. OK I know they are different makes, so different constuctions etc.
  • jrab
    jrab Posts: 99
    Galazto, even more spooky, my bike came with an alu 31.6 which I didn't fit it as I had a carbon 27.2 already.......

    I have 8" post showing (oo-er missus!).

    31.6 is £40, 27.2 is £65 - want a 2-bolt head as I've had issues with 1-bolt head.

    Rich.
  • ex-pat scot
    ex-pat scot Posts: 939
    Tyre pressure has a lot more effect on comfort, as does saddle.
    Commute: Langster -Singlecross - Brompton S2-LX

    Road: 95 Trek 5500 -Look 695 Aerolight eTap - Boardman TTe eTap

    Offroad: Pace RC200 - Dawes Kickback 2 tandem - Tricross - Boardman CXR9.8 - Ridley x-fire
  • galatzo
    galatzo Posts: 1,295
    JRAB

    Do you, like me, also look just like George Clooney and ride like Lance , and have a Focus Cayo Campag ?

    What bike did you get ?
    25th August 2013 12hrs 37mins 52.3 seconds 238km 5500mtrs FYRM Never again.
  • jrab
    jrab Posts: 99
    Thanks for the replies guys. I think on reflection I'll stump up for the 27.2 - my engineering brain says that it has to be more compliant, and if I get the 31.6 I'll always wonder whether I'd have felt that last pothole so much......

    Galatzo, actually I'm the spitting image of Brad Pitt, sprint like Cav, climb like the Schlecks and TT like Big Fab (oh, ok - I made that last bit up....!)

    Got a BH L50, pretty basic full carbon frame (not as swanky as the Global Concepts or the latest rash of sculpted frames) with full 105, added Planet-X wheels. Wanted a triple for hilly sportives as I prefer to keep the cadence up and don't like the big holes in compact gearing - carbon-framed triples are rare under a grand (Madone Ultegra triple would have been nice but can't justify the cost). Nice bike, fast & comfy and climbs well, and a bit different to the crowd.

    Rich

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