Own branded seatpost?

PLuKE
PLuKE Posts: 181
edited August 2014 in Road general
I am looking at replacing components on my Merida 93 carbon as I go along. I have been looking at stems and seatposts.

The bike has a Merida (own brand) carbon seatpost already, but was looking at the FSA SLK carbon post.

Would the FSA be an upgrade in anyway? Or is the Merida carbon seatpost ok?

Is own brand components "looked down on" and "cheap" looking?

Thanks
2013 Merida Ride 93 Carbon

Comments

  • lawrences
    lawrences Posts: 1,011
    What?!
  • danlikesbikes
    danlikesbikes Posts: 3,898
    Unless your moving to something more aero or showing a weight saving then whilst it might be an upgrade you'd be better saving your money and spending it elsewhere on the bike
    Pain hurts much less if its topped off with beating your mates to top of a climb.
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    lawrences wrote:
    What?!

    I was thinking more along the lines of "you're kidding, right?" :roll:
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    I recently picked up a very nice Merida carbon monocoque seatpost for my Scott CR1 SL frame - so that's one seatpost by them I'm happy to put on a frame that retails at 2k!

    Merida make a lot of frames - number two in Taiwan after Giant apparently and they make frames for many other manufacturers such as Specialized. There can't be much they don't know about the material.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • lawrences
    lawrences Posts: 1,011
    dennisn wrote:
    lawrences wrote:
    What?!

    I was thinking more along the lines of "you're kidding, right?" :roll:

    I just didn't understand to be honest,
    Rolf F wrote:
    I recently picked up a very nice Merida carbon monocoque seatpost for my Scott CR1 SL frame - so that's one seatpost by them I'm happy to put on a frame that retails at 2k!

    You're not kidding anyone. :lol:
  • ai_1
    ai_1 Posts: 3,060
    PLuKE wrote:
    I am looking at replacing components on my Merida 93 carbon as I go along. Why? - That's a very general statement so it's unclear why you might want to do this. Is there something wrong with several of the original components? I have been looking at stems and seatposts. (Again, why? Is your stem the wrong length/angle or damaged? Are you looking for a comfort seatpost to reduce road buzz etc? If so I'd go for something like the Canyon VCLS 1.0 or 2.0 posts)

    The bike has a Merida (own brand) carbon seatpost already, but was looking at the FSA SLK carbon post. Why?
    Would the FSA be an upgrade in anyway? Or is the Merida carbon seatpost ok? Well that's a stupid question, no offence! Why do you want to change the original post if you haven't found anything wrong with it? Are you just a compulsive consumer?
    Is own brand components "looked down on" and "cheap" looking? Who cares?
    Thanks
    My observations in red
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    lawrences wrote:
    Rolf F wrote:
    I recently picked up a very nice Merida carbon monocoque seatpost for my Scott CR1 SL frame - so that's one seatpost by them I'm happy to put on a frame that retails at 2k!
    You're not kidding anyone. :lol:

    Now I didn't say I paid that for it! But, you are right - if I had paid 2k for it, I might have budgeted more than £50 for the seatpost but it is a nice monocoque (none of that alloy head in a carbon tube stuff) and I don't think it is an insult to the frame!

    _571_zpsb4c81e2a.jpg
    Faster than a tent.......
  • PLuKE
    PLuKE Posts: 181
    Ai_1 wrote:
    PLuKE wrote:
    I am looking at replacing components on my Merida 93 carbon as I go along. Why? - That's a very general statement so it's unclear why you might want to do this. Is there something wrong with several of the original components? I have been looking at stems and seatposts. (Again, why? Is your stem the wrong length/angle or damaged? Are you looking for a comfort seatpost to reduce road buzz etc? If so I'd go for something like the Canyon VCLS 1.0 or 2.0 posts)

    The bike has a Merida (own brand) carbon seatpost already, but was looking at the FSA SLK carbon post. Why?
    Would the FSA be an upgrade in anyway? Or is the Merida carbon seatpost ok? Well that's a stupid question, no offence! Why do you want to change the original post if you haven't found anything wrong with it? Are you just a compulsive consumer?
    Is own brand components "looked down on" and "cheap" looking? Who cares?
    Thanks
    My observations in red


    There fair points indeed.
    Nothing wrong with the carbon post that's on now, I just wanted to swap it out for a well known brand, call me vein!

    But maybe I shall keep the post.

    Luke
    2013 Merida Ride 93 Carbon
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    PLuKE wrote:
    Nothing wrong with the carbon post that's on now, I just wanted to swap it out for a well known brand, call me vein!

    I won't do that but I will call you a bad speller. - "vain"
    Sorry, couldn't resist. :oops:
  • PLuKE
    PLuKE Posts: 181
    :D iPad predictive/auto correct.

    Innit!
    2013 Merida Ride 93 Carbon
  • navrig2
    navrig2 Posts: 1,851
    PLuKE wrote:
    Ai_1 wrote:
    PLuKE wrote:
    I am looking at replacing components on my Merida 93 carbon as I go along. Why? - That's a very general statement so it's unclear why you might want to do this. Is there something wrong with several of the original components? I have been looking at stems and seatposts. (Again, why? Is your stem the wrong length/angle or damaged? Are you looking for a comfort seatpost to reduce road buzz etc? If so I'd go for something like the Canyon VCLS 1.0 or 2.0 posts)

    The bike has a Merida (own brand) carbon seatpost already, but was looking at the FSA SLK carbon post. Why?
    Would the FSA be an upgrade in anyway? Or is the Merida carbon seatpost ok? Well that's a stupid question, no offence! Why do you want to change the original post if you haven't found anything wrong with it? Are you just a compulsive consumer?
    Is own brand components "looked down on" and "cheap" looking? Who cares?
    Thanks
    My observations in red


    There fair points indeed.
    Nothing wrong with the carbon post that's on now, I just wanted to swap it out for a well known brand, call me vein!

    But maybe I shall keep the post.

    Luke


    How well known do you want? Merida is one of the biggest names in bike manufacturing. They are just not as prevelant in the UK as they are in other markets.
  • ai_1
    ai_1 Posts: 3,060
    Wow, marketing really is remarkably effective on some people!
    It's pretty effective in general but I never understand this worship of branding. It's kinda like teenage girls screaming hysterically around boy bands....but I thankfully quieter
  • Slo Mo Jones
    Slo Mo Jones Posts: 272
    PLuKE wrote:
    I am looking at replacing components on my Merida 93 carbon as I go along. I have been looking at stems and seatposts.

    The bike has a Merida (own brand) carbon seatpost already, but was looking at the FSA SLK carbon post.

    Would the FSA be an upgrade in anyway? Or is the Merida carbon seatpost ok?

    Is own brand components "looked down on" and "cheap" looking?

    Thanks

    I've just looked up the stats and FSA seatposts are 5% faster than Merida seatposts on the flat, but 7% faster on the climbs.
  • PLuKE
    PLuKE Posts: 181
    I guess marketing works, it has to! But I am not stuck on one brand, I just liked having a matching bars, stem and post, and like the look of the FSA.

    I was only asking, yet there's some real sarcastic replys, I thought this is the place to ask questions and learn?

    Thanks all the same to the others.

    Luke
    2013 Merida Ride 93 Carbon
  • term1te
    term1te Posts: 1,462
    Rolf F wrote:
    I recently picked up a very nice Merida carbon monocoque seatpost for my Scott CR1 SL frame - so that's one seatpost by them I'm happy to put on a frame that retails at 2k!

    Merida make a lot of frames - number two in Taiwan after Giant apparently and they make frames for many other manufacturers such as Specialized. There can't be much they don't know about the material.

    They don't only make frames for Specialized, they own most of it.
    The Master
    The Moser
    The VN
  • ai_1
    ai_1 Posts: 3,060
    PLuKE wrote:
    I guess marketing works, it has to! But I am not stuck on one brand, I just liked having a matching bars, stem and post, and like the look of the FSA.

    I was only asking, yet there's some real sarcastic replys, I thought this is the place to ask questions and learn?

    Thanks all the same to the others.

    Luke
    Your original question was about "upgrading" your components but you didn't seem to know why you were doing it except that it might be expected in some way. You asked if the seatpost you were looking at would "be an upgrade in anyway" and whether own branded components were looked down on. Some people may look down on them but if they can't tell you why then their opinion is worthless and should be ignored.
    I abhore a world where people do what they are told without asking why. Therefore your approach, as I interpret it, is harmful and you too will become one of those who looks down on others without any sound reason. A fashion victim.

    In my opinion If you want to improve your bike you need to know what you intend to improve. For me, aesthetics matter somewhat while comfort and performance are by far the most important factors. Aesthetics is about shape, colour, etc, not about having the most prestigeous names on the components.
    If the ride feels harsh, I'd look at tyres, seatpost, saddle and bartape. If the bike felt sluggish on climbs I might consider lighter wheels and tyres. These are upgrades. Changing components to more expensive ones for no other reason than to make your bike look more expensive is folly in my book.

    I suppose it depends how you define an upgrade. Is it a change that provides an improvement of function, appearance, prestige or any combination of these?
  • PLuKE
    PLuKE Posts: 181
    Ai_1 wrote:
    PLuKE wrote:
    I guess marketing works, it has to! But I am not stuck on one brand, I just liked having a matching bars, stem and post, and like the look of the FSA.

    I was only asking, yet there's some real sarcastic replys, I thought this is the place to ask questions and learn?

    Thanks all the same to the others.

    Luke
    Your original question was about "upgrading" your components but you didn't seem to know why you were doing it except that it might be expected in some way. You asked if the seatpost you were looking at would "be an upgrade in anyway" and whether own branded components were looked down on. Some people may look down on them but if they can't tell you why then their opinion is worthless and should be ignored.
    I abhore a world where people do what they are told without asking why. Therefore your approach, as I interpret it, is harmful and you too will become one of those who looks down on others without any sound reason. A fashion victim.

    In my opinion If you want to improve your bike you need to know what you intend to improve. For me, aesthetics matter somewhat while comfort and performance are by far the most important factors. Aesthetics is about shape, colour, etc, not about having the most prestigeous names on the components.
    If the ride feels harsh, I'd look at tyres, seatpost, saddle and bartape. If the bike felt sluggish on climbs I might consider lighter wheels and tyres. These are upgrades. Changing components to more expensive ones for no other reason than to make your bike look more expensive is folly in my book.

    I suppose it depends how you define an upgrade. Is it a change that provides an improvement of function, appearance, prestige or any combination of these?

    My question was as you have quoted.

    I wanted to know if own brand components are good in terms of performance, I guess to some extent a seatpost can't really be bad, as long as it locks the seat into position, strength and weight.

    I admit I am a fashion victim, I want the bike to look nice, and feel nice with performance to boot. I suppose I look at own brand components are cheap, they might be very well made etc, but I feel I should upgrade them to a named brand, again I admit brand snobbery/victim.

    The seatpost is fine, it's carbin, has the Merida Pro logo on,locks down well, some level of comfort, what more could one ask for?

    I find the ride is harsh, running Campag wheels, Ultremo ZX tyres, and order Vredestein latex innertubes.

    Like I said, I am learning the cycling game at present.

    Luke
    2013 Merida Ride 93 Carbon
  • ai_1
    ai_1 Posts: 3,060
    PLuKE wrote:
    ...I wanted to know if own brand components are good in terms of performance....
    It depends on the brand and the component. There is no general rule. For example I have a Canyon roadbike. Not a particularly "prestige" brand although few people will say they're not excellent bikes. The own brand seatpost it came with is their own brand Canyon VCLS 1.0. Generally considered to be a superb seatpost and has been used at pro level. Similarly their VCLS 2.0 seatpost, again "own brand", is considered by many reviewers to be one of if not the best comfort seatpost available. Giant own-brand components are I believe perfectly good, Bontrager is Trek's "own brand" and they make plenty good stuff, Syncros, I think is Scott's "own brand" again they make perfectly good components. Switching out original components for aftermarket components is not by definition an upgrade. It may be an upgrade depending on the specific component in question and what you're trying to accomplish.
    PLuKE wrote:
    ...I admit I am a fashion victim, I want the bike to look nice, and feel nice with performance to boot. I suppose I look at own brand components are cheap, they might be very well made etc, but I feel I should upgrade them to a named brand, again I admit brand snobbery/victim.
    Just try not to mix up the two!
    Getting a bike that feels nice and has performance to boot may not be best served by blindly following fashions.

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