Alu Frame - Would a Carbon seatpsot make any difference?

[migrantwing]

I was thinking of running a Carbon seatpost in my Alu frame. I was also thinking of shimming the seat tube and using a smaller diameter seatpost to possibly add a little more flex.

My question is: would it make much, little or any difference at all doing this?

TIA

 

[Crandoggler]

None. I did this after reading the revelations that some online reviews claimed. Absolute toss. Makes little to no difference, but looks good.

 

[migrantwing]

None. I did this after reading the revelations that some online reviews claimed. Absolute toss. Makes little to no difference, but looks good.

Haha! I like the layman's decscription

 

[helston90]

I went the other way- I had an alu frame with carbon post, I swapped in an alu post and also notice slim to no difference apart from the look

 

[migrantwing]

I'll stick with the alloy post, then. I still may get a smaller diameter post, just for kicks, to see if the little bit of extra flex helps, but not a Carbon one

 

[User269]

I'll stick with the alloy post, then. I still may get a smaller diameter post, just for kicks, to see if the little bit of extra flex helps, but not a Carbon one

Why do you want more flex? Is the bike harsh or uncomfortable? As for a smaller diameter post, all that will happen is that it'll keep slipping down.
What's the problem you're trying to solve here? And stop looking like Marco Pantani.

 

[ayceejay]

It is possible that letting a bit of air out of your tires will do what you want

 

[Drago]

None. I did this after reading the revelations that some online reviews claimed. Absolute toss. Makes little to no difference, but looks good.

I concur wholeheartedly. Carbon can't be both stiffer and a better damping medium at the same time

 

[PaulSecteur]

Like most things, it depends what you are comparing.

I went from a standard type seat post to a specialized "Pave" one and I can say I notice that there is lees road buzz, especially on longer rides.

I then got the specialized CG-R seatpost and that really helps soak up the bumps.

The Pave and CG-R are designed for more for comfort. Other seatposts may be designed for ultimate lightness or to be stiffer which is why some people might say carbon feels no different.



Pave seatpost

CG-R seatpost

 

[ColinJ]

It is possible that letting a bit of air out of your tires will do what you want

Absolutely!

The road surfaces round here are dreadful in many places. If I ride my aluminium Cannondale CAAD5 with high pressures (100+ psi) in 23C tyres, the bike feels horrid, and I have even lost bottles from the cages when riding down bumpy descents. After switching to 25C tyres and lower pressures (80-90 psi), the bike feels fine and the bottles stay where they should be!

 

[migrantwing]

Why do you want more flex? Is the bike harsh or uncomfortable? As for a smaller diameter post, all that will happen is that it'll keep slipping down.
What's the problem you're trying to solve here? And stop looking like Marco Pantani.

There's no problem, I just wanted to try different things out. A 'self test' if you will.

Haha! I have too much hair and too little ears to look like Marco If you are referring to my profile pic, it is indeed Marco Pantani.

 

[migrantwing]

It is possible that letting a bit of air out of your tires will do what you want

Very probable. As I said further up the page, it's more of a 'self test'. Judging by the reactions and comments, I don't think a smaller diameter or a Carbon post will make any difference at all.

 

[migrantwing]

Absolutely!

The road surfaces round here are dreadful in many places. If I ride my aluminium Cannondale CAAD5 with high pressures (100+ psi) in 23C tyres, the bike feels horrid, and I have even lost bottles from the cages when riding down bumpy descents. After switching to 25C tyres and lower pressures (80-90 psi), the bike feels fine and the bottles stay where they should be!

Guess I'll try some 25's instead of a different post, ColinJ.

 

[slowmotion]

Of course it would make a difference.
To your wallet.

 

[Dirk]

My wife has a Giant Dash flat bar road bike with an alloy frame, carbon forks & carbon seat post.
Some time back she had to replace the seat post as it had started to delaminate. While she was waiting for the new one to arrive, the LBS loaned her an alloy one for a week or so.
She moaned like hell about how noticeable the difference in comfort was! I was glad when the new carbon post arrived.....