Long, strong, MTB seat-post required - Advice please???
Discussion
A little while ago, I treated myself to a Giant Talon 29er, for bumbling around the forest tracks and along tow paths to the pubs, that sort of thing.
As I'm a freak of tall-ness, I bought the biggest one they do, and have the seat at the highest "safe" setting they advise. This is fine for pootling around, but not really high enough for making any kind of progress.
Another way to look at it is it is fine when I'm with the missus, but I don't feel comfortable at speeds I want to travel when alone.
What I'm looking for is a normal seat post, but as long and strong as possible. Since the bike is only for bumbling around on, I don't need something costing hundreds, so cost is an issue, but it must be strong, as I'm a lard arse.
Short of using a length of scaffolding pole, I'm unsure of where to start, as I'm more of a roadie to be honest. Any recommendations please?
Thanks in advance, etc.
As I'm a freak of tall-ness, I bought the biggest one they do, and have the seat at the highest "safe" setting they advise. This is fine for pootling around, but not really high enough for making any kind of progress.
Another way to look at it is it is fine when I'm with the missus, but I don't feel comfortable at speeds I want to travel when alone.
What I'm looking for is a normal seat post, but as long and strong as possible. Since the bike is only for bumbling around on, I don't need something costing hundreds, so cost is an issue, but it must be strong, as I'm a lard arse.
Short of using a length of scaffolding pole, I'm unsure of where to start, as I'm more of a roadie to be honest. Any recommendations please?
Thanks in advance, etc.
How tall are you Lewis? I'm 6' 5" and none of my posts are 400mm. The only time I've ever need one that long was on my old road bike which was too small.
You might want to also consider getting a 2 or 2.5" riser bar to go with it, as I seem to recall from the concept 2 thread that you too are an ex-rower, so will have an increased risk of back injury in later life: rowing, cycling and being very tall are two very big risk factors.
Minimising the drop from the saddle to bar contact points is essential to mitigate that risk.
You might want to also consider getting a 2 or 2.5" riser bar to go with it, as I seem to recall from the concept 2 thread that you too are an ex-rower, so will have an increased risk of back injury in later life: rowing, cycling and being very tall are two very big risk factors.
Minimising the drop from the saddle to bar contact points is essential to mitigate that risk.
Another vote for the Thompson! I have been through a couple of seatposts over the past few years and have settled on the Thompson, it is very well built but the thing that makes it stand out from the crowd is the slightly beveled exterior surface, which makes it grip really tightly in the seat tube.
Expensive, but worth it.
Expensive, but worth it.
rhinochopig said:
How tall are you Lewis? I'm 6' 5" and none of my posts are 400mm. The only time I've ever need one that long was on my old road bike which was too small.
You might want to also consider getting a 2 or 2.5" riser bar to go with it, as I seem to recall from the concept 2 thread that you too are an ex-rower, so will have an increased risk of back injury in later life: rowing, cycling and being very tall are two very big risk factors.
Minimising the drop from the saddle to bar contact points is essential to mitigate that risk.
I'm 6'8", so a bit of a freak. I had a fitting session on my road bike, and recently completed LEJOG in 9 days, with no issues, so the fit on that bike is pretty good.You might want to also consider getting a 2 or 2.5" riser bar to go with it, as I seem to recall from the concept 2 thread that you too are an ex-rower, so will have an increased risk of back injury in later life: rowing, cycling and being very tall are two very big risk factors.
Minimising the drop from the saddle to bar contact points is essential to mitigate that risk.
For this MTB I won't be doing anywhere near the mileage, so the fit isn't quite as critical, but my plan has always been to get the seat height right, and see how it feels on my back. (I'm very conscious of my back for all the reasons you've mentioned.) I may come back to ask about the riser in a week or two.
Thank you for your concern.
budgie smuggler said:
going to go against the grain and suggest a hope eternity 400. made in the uk and just as good imo as a thomson (having owned both).
Good info, thanks! pablo said:
have a look at the Easton Haven or USE Sumo, both come in 400mm
I shall indeed, are either of them stronger than the other? louiebaby said:
I'm 6'8", so a bit of a freak. I had a fitting session on my road bike, and recently completed LEJOG in 9 days, with no issues, so the fit on that bike is pretty good.
For this MTB I won't be doing anywhere near the mileage, so the fit isn't quite as critical, but my plan has always been to get the seat height right, and see how it feels on my back. (I'm very conscious of my back for all the reasons you've mentioned.) I may come back to ask about the riser in a week or two.
Thank you for your concern.
I had 4 months off work a few years back with a pro-lapsed disc brought about by a many years of rowing and then doing 20 miles almost every day off road. I wouldn't wish that kind of pain on anyone. For this MTB I won't be doing anywhere near the mileage, so the fit isn't quite as critical, but my plan has always been to get the seat height right, and see how it feels on my back. (I'm very conscious of my back for all the reasons you've mentioned.) I may come back to ask about the riser in a week or two.
Thank you for your concern.
You tend to rive about more when climbing on an MTB so the stress on your back can be greater, hence the riser suggestion.
If you do find you need one, I went for a Azonic World Force. Cheap, light enough and very robust. KCNC used to do a really nice light one out of scandium but no longer seem to sell them. Not many companies do a 2.5 though.
rhinochopig said:
I had 4 months off work a few years back with a pro-lapsed disc brought about by a many years of rowing and then doing 20 miles almost every day off road. I wouldn't wish that kind of pain on anyone.
You have my sympathies. I had a few weeks of with strains in the past which has been enough to make me take good care of it. I hate to imagine what you must have been through.Your advice and experience hasn't fallen on deaf ears, believe me.
louiebaby said:
This might be a stupid question, but the lengths that are mentioned, are these the total length of the seat post, including the bit that must be inserted, or are they the maximum height, and there are a few more inches that are always inserted.
[/DoubleEntendres]
Total length.[/DoubleEntendres]
Thanks for all the help.
I've just ordered a Thomson in black. (I looked at all the others suggested.)
I already have a Thomson on my road bike, and it has taken a couple of thousand miles of abuse with no problems, and the website described a fail safe, so it bends on failure instead of snapping.
Hopefully it will be here in a couple of days!
I've just ordered a Thomson in black. (I looked at all the others suggested.)
I already have a Thomson on my road bike, and it has taken a couple of thousand miles of abuse with no problems, and the website described a fail safe, so it bends on failure instead of snapping.
Hopefully it will be here in a couple of days!
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