Set back seatpost???

jam7952

Hi again guys,

so....now i know what diameter seatpost the new bike takes, i'm stuck with another baffling problem?

whats the purpose of a set back seatpost?

I have my credit card in hand ready to buy a pimped up FSA carbon seatpost from chain reaction cycles, and i'm presented with loads of different measurements of setback?

whats the purpose of this? is there any point to me buying one with setback?

will it make me faster?

cheers

maddog 2

it allows you to position your saddle further back, which I suspect is fairly obvious.

whether you need it depends on your leg dimensions and frame angles, and what position you prefer.

Anonymous

Is it the one like mine?

dennisn

Bikes(racing frames usually) that have steeper geometry(seat tubes at, say,73, 74, or 75 degrees) may not allow you enough adjustment in getting your seat moved back to the "proper" position IF you use a post with NO setback. Touring(for lack of a better word) bikes are usually a bit more stretched out(longer distance between the wheel axles - for comfort) and probably have "shallower" seat tube angles(70, 71, or 72) than racing frames, which are built "tighter" to save weight, be stiffer, and allow quicker handling. Posts setback can come in as much as 45mm(or more) and as little as 0mm. Not knowing your bikes geometry, I wouldn't hazard a guess about setback. However, usually(key word usually) most frames will be able to get you properly positioned with seat posts in the 10-15 mm setback range - USUALLY. The seat rails do have a good amount of adjustment in them.
Can anyone lead "jam7952" to, maybe, a Sheldon Brown article ??? I'm not sure I've done a very good job on this subject.

jam7952

exactly like that