The response to our call to BIKE readers was remarkable: We wanted to know which problems with carbon occur most frequently. In addition to many frame breakages, BIKE readers also reported seat post breakages. Fortunately, the accidents described were not serious. This does not always have to be the case: You'd rather not have the experience of ramming a broken seatpost into your arse.
DO THE MANUFACTURERS HAVE THE MATERIAL UNDER CONTROL?
Our ultimate crash test aims to clarify whether the manufacturers are simply shooting in the dark during production or whether they have the plastic under control. We sent 30 carbon fibre seatposts (three of each of ten models) to the experts at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) for testing. These included well-known manufacturers such as Easton, FSA and Ritchey, as well as lesser-known brands such as low-cost supplier XLC and market newcomer Pro. Were we at the Carbon handlebar test (issue 10/08) While a whole series of models have flown around our ears, the picture for seatposts is more reassuring. Only one seatpost failed in the dynamic test.
You can find these carbon seatposts in the PDF download:
Easton EC 90 Zero
FSA K-Force Carbon
FSA K-Force Carbon Lite 2
Pro Vibe full carbon
Race Face Next SL
Ritchey WCS Carbon 1 Bolt 31.6
Ritchey WCS Carbon 1 Bolt 27.2 (post-test see link below)
Syntace P6 Carbon
Truvativ Team Carbon Double Clamp
XLC Composite Pro
