Anyone have anything to say about either? The USE is a few grams lighter and a little cheaper... but I have to wait longer for it. (its the final piece of the bike...) Don't know whether or not its worth waiting for...

Anyone have anything to say about either? The USE is a few grams lighter and a little cheaper... but I have to wait longer for it. (its the final piece of the bike...) Don't know whether or not its worth waiting for...


I love my USE Alien, but you will got lots of complaints from others about how hard it is to adjust. I have never had trouble, and am only annoyed at having to use a screwdriver to get it apart when taking the saddle off (though I don't have to do this often). Once it is set, and properly tightened the seat post holds saddles very securely. I've never used the Easton post.

Oh, and ignore the people who will come after you about the cost of these things, no performance gain, yada, yada yada... Who cares? If you've got the money for them, and you like the look, I'd say go for it.

I use the Specialized Pave. It's worth taking a look at. I definitely felt the difference after switching out my stock Giant seatpost.

Of course, I have nothing else to compare this too.

I had an Alien on my old bike and loved it (adjustment is tricky but usually only happens once). On my new bike I needed more setback than the Alien was offering (position was still ok, but clamp tore a hole in the shorts). The Easton post (unless it's the new zero setback) will have a significant amount more setback than the Alien.
Just something to remember,

Michael
-----------------------------
Ride, rinse, repeat.

Im using the ec90 and love it so far. It looks good and easy to adjust with one bolt and easy to read insertion marks. I have no slipage problems.

USE have changed the clamp now. The Cyclops clamp has a single, larger diameter bolt rather than the two thin ones. The beauty of the new clamp is that loosening the bolt will not loosen the clamp on the post so we should no longer have to hammer the clamp to get it to release.

I just got a cyclops clamp for $25 from Ibexsports.com, the US distributor, and while I haven't mounted it yet, it looks a decent improvement.

http://www.eastonbike.com/COMPONENTS/comp_seatposts.html

The USE has very little setback and the EC-90 has a huge amount of setback, unless you're referrring to the new "zero offset" model.

Better figure out the setback needed before buying, It's a critical part of making a bike look right. A saddle pushed all the way forward or all the way back on the post shows poor planning, IMO.

Personally, I'd never buy a post with a 1-bolt clamp. 2 bolts to permit fine adjustment of the saddle angle is a better way to go. I'd check out the FSA K-force which is available in two different setbacks, or the ITM Millenium, that has a setback of about 2cm to the center of the clamp.

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/common/products/displayproductlist_v2.cfm?&CGRFNBR=629&CRPCGNBR=629&TextMode=0&CI=1,225,497

http://txcyclesport.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=M&Category_Code=seatposts

I know a of riders that like the two bold design to fine tune the seat angle. I just dont have a problem adjusting or finding the right angle for my seat with a single bolt. The setback is a big deal though...

I trashed 2 Eastonseat posts. The surface gelcoat was very soft and the seat post binder wedge bolt made depressions in the surface. The USE seatpost with aluminum shim solves the issue.

Jim

I love my USE Alien, but you will got lots of complaints from others about how hard it is to adjust. I have never had trouble, and am only annoyed at having to use a screwdriver to get it apart when taking the saddle off (though I don't have to do this often). Once it is set, and properly tightened the seat post holds saddles very securely. I've never used the Easton post.

Oh, and ignore the people who will come after you about the cost of these things, no performance gain, yada, yada yada... Who cares? If you've got the money for them, and you like the look, I'd say go for it.

I agee a carbon seapost is mostly about the Bling factor. It is an upgrade that I decided to throw MY hard earned money at. I really like my EC90 Zero Setback. My only gripe is that it is also tough to adjust.

Bling factor in a seatpost? That is, quite possibly, the most stupid thing I have ever heard. You are in your saddle the entire ride, every ride. at 19 to 23 mph who is looking at the space under your @ss? Why would you be interested in the opinion of anyone looking under your @ss in those conditions?

When and where does one reap the rewards of seatpost bling? Sure as hell can't be when you're riding . Must be at the latte shop. So now you'd like people to look at your bike when you aren't riding and say "wow, cool! Look at the really nice bike going NOWHERE. Nice seatpost though ..."

Riding is a minimalist event that rewards intelligent selections in gear. Choose equipment based on performance / reliability versus cost.

BTW, I have a ritchey one bolt setback seatpost for ya that you can have cheap if you want it.

Anyone have anything to say about either? The USE is a few grams lighter and a little cheaper... but I have to wait longer for it. (its the final piece of the bike...) Don't know whether or not its worth waiting for...

speaking of weight, the EC90 is quite a bit heavier than claimed: http://weightweenies.starbike.com/listings/components.php?type=seatposts

USE's posts are good but hard to adjust. you should figure on setting your saddle once and getting it right the first time. the alternative is a lot of turning of some very fine-threaded screws with small allen holes. and be sure to use good wrenches or you'll strip the screws.

[QUOTE=EvilGilligan]Bling factor in a seatpost? That is, quite possibly, the most stupid thing I have ever heard. You are in your saddle the entire ride, every ride. at 19 to 23 mph who is looking at the space under your @ss? Why would you be interested in the opinion of anyone looking under your @ss in those conditions?

QUOTE]

I never said I cared about what others thought of my seatpost (I probably couldn't care less actually)? I like my USE Alien post because I think it looks cool, and it is pleasing to me to gaze upon its unique appearance and fine craftsmanship. If people want to be looking under my ass, well that is their problem. I'll keep my seatpost, and the memories of thousands of miles we have been together.

Bling factor in a seatpost? That is, quite possibly, the most stupid thing I have ever heard. You are in your saddle the entire ride, every ride. at 19 to 23 mph who is looking at the space under your @ss? Why would you be interested in the opinion of anyone looking under your @ss in those conditions?

When and where does one reap the rewards of seatpost bling? Sure as hell can't be when you're riding . Must be at the latte shop. So now you'd like people to look at your bike when you aren't riding and say "wow, cool! Look at the really nice bike going NOWHERE. Nice seatpost though ..."

Riding is a minimalist event that rewards intelligent selections in gear. Choose equipment based on performance / reliability versus cost.

BTW, I have a ritchey one bolt setback seatpost for ya that you can have cheap if you want it.

That is a pretty bold statement from someone whose riding a bike that looks like it would have come with an early 80's Barbie camper playset. Personally I prefer the "minimalist" appearence of brushed titanium to a gaudy paint job. Please explain to me the performance /reliability that You gained by taking Your ride to look like it should be pulling a small car full of clowns....

That is a pretty bold statement from someone whose riding a bike that looks like it would have come with an early 80's Barbie camper playset. Personally I prefer the "minimalist" appearence of brushed titanium to a gaudy paint job. Please explain to me the performance /reliability that You gained by taking Your ride to look like it should be pulling a small car full of clowns....

yawn ...

My bike is a steel bike(specifically Dedacciai Zero), material chosen for it's ride quality / duarability. Steel requires paint - in this case, multiple coats of whatever good stuff that doesn't scratch easy and tends to last (John Slawta is known for the quality of his paintjobs). As for the design, it is a damn-near perfect representation of artist Peter Max's "Cosmic Flyer" and a special prefrence of the framebuilder.

The performance and reliability of the paintjob are found in the execution and application of a long lasting and reliable protective coat of paint over a material that requires the protective coat. While not diving into a material science debeat over Ti vs. steel I will say that I've ridden Ti and I prefer steel. The design color / design are inconsequential to the discussion. My issue with choosing "bling" over function was the point. Luckily I like stars and blue so everything worked out for the best (John doesn't charge extra for paint - just comes with the bike).

If you'd like to pretend we're still having a technical debate rather than a desparate bling monkey trying to justify an overpriced toy a Thomson Elite (27.2, 250) weighs a bout 200g. and costs $65. Performs perfectly and reliably every time. Your EC90 weights 20g less, costs $100 more, and by your own admission is a pain to adjust. The Thomson Materpiece is 157g for $125, and the Alien 10g under that for the same price. If you believe that paying a few cents more than $1 a gram is worth it then the smart money is with the Masterpiece, period.

So what else do you have beyond insults about the color of my bike? Any substantive comments or arguement to back up the trash talk? (oh wait, I just checked, you ride a litespeed with Ksyriums, an ec90 post, and zero -g Ti's... nevermind. Logic left you years ago). Looks like you're desparate to defend that expenditure. Keep spending on bling there pal, your coffeshop pals with say you are cool enough one of these days.

I had ridden USE Alien titanium posts for years and just got tired of the two bolt clamp, I still have over 50 replacement bolts for the Alien left, because eventually you would strip them out. The Masterpiece weights exactly the same on my scale, minimal setback like the Alien and a great two bolt clamp and I'm sure, Thomson's reliability. I'm sure that even with the changes USE has made, the Thomson will still be much easier to adjust the saddle.

Anyone have anything to say about either? The USE is a few grams lighter and a little cheaper... but I have to wait longer for it. (its the final piece of the bike...) Don't know whether or not its worth waiting for...