carbon seatpost

[rollinstok]

I,m a born again cyclist who used to do a few 3 or 4 day mini tours each year but really need to get fit again as I agreed to do Hadrians Cycleway in May with my son and one of his mates. I,m panicking a bit as I,m 53 and they both have a 22 year advantage on me plus the fact I,ve been lazy for several years. I have started doing day rides and also want to lose weight off the bike. I bought a Marin Sausalito a couple of years ago which was great for the odd potter about but very sit up and beg style. I replaced the heavy suspension fork with a really nice columbus carbon cyclocross one.. this has transformed the bike from a plodder to a reasonably quick hybrid, plus the geometry is so much better now. My next step is to replace the suspension seatpost for a carbon one but I,ve heard about them snapping.. is this rare ? will I be ok touring with one ? Do I need a sleeve of some sort if its going into an aluminium frame ? I,m 12 st 2 lbs and travel light ( just 2 panniers and a barbag with valuables ). I have confidence in the fork as I,ve been along trails, towpaths etc and I guess if its designed for cyclocross then thats more than I will throw at it.. I need your advice now please on the seatpost. When I used to cycle a lot, carbon was very exotic and high end.. it seems that its very much the norm now.

 

[Hacienda71]

Don't rule out aluminium. They are half the price and often weigh less than the cheaper carbon ones, they won't absorb as much buzz of the road but with a padded seat the difference won't be huge. If you do go for carbon grease with special carbon paste. If you go aluminium to aluminium grease with normal grease lightly or you may end up with a stuck seatpost. As for carbon breaking I haven't had one break but I would be reticent about using any form of luggage which attached in any way to the seatpost.

 

[rollinstok]

Don't rule out aluminium. They are half the price and often weigh less than the cheaper carbon ones, they won't absorb as much buzz of the road but with a padded seat the difference won't be huge. If you do go for carbon grease with special carbon paste. If you go aluminium to aluminium grease with normal grease lightly or you may end up with a stuck seatpost. As for carbon breaking I haven't had one break but I would be reticent about using any form of luggage which attached in any way to the seatpost.

Thanks for that. I have been looking at an Easton Alu one as well and perhaps may go for that. I,m just amazed at how cheap carbon is nowadays and ( to me ) its state of the art !! My forks are very sexy and I just wanted the seatpost as well.. changed the saddle 1st thing for a more suitable one, the standard was a big lump. Cant understand Marin putting c..p parts on a decent frame.