Seatposts?

[Durt]

Need a 31.6mm Zero offset and I am just tired of searching, comparing, blah. Indecision is a real problem for me....

Ritchey WCS 1 bolt Alloy OR Thomson Elite?

Which would you choose and why?
Secondly, Would you buy a carbon post for CX?
Would a carbon seatpost really provide any more vibration dampening if the bike already has carbon seat stays? I've never ridden carbon anything other than forks.

I think I want to go with the metal post due to durability and price. The carbon are attractive but I'd have to increase my budget and I've seen some break during CX remounts. Keep in mind that racing would only be a small fraction of the riding this bike will see. 90% of the miles will be on the road. So I'm not sure if fear of breaking during a race is a valid enough reason to bypass.

My budget is $100. I can go higher but would prefer to spend less.

[BeerDrinkingDad]

Need a 31.6mm Zero offset and I am just tired of searching, comparing, blah. Indecision is a real problem for me....

Ritchey WCS 1 bolt Alloy OR Thomson Elite?

Which would you choose and why?
Secondly, Would you buy a carbon post for CX?
Would a carbon seatpost really provide any more vibration dampening if the bike already has carbon seat stays? I've never ridden carbon anything other than forks.

I think I want to go with the metal post due to durability and price. The carbon are attractive but I'd have to increase my budget and I've seen some break during CX remounts. Keep in mind that racing would only be a small fraction of the riding this bike will see. 90% of the miles will be on the road. So I'm not sure if fear of breaking during a race is a valid enough reason to bypass.

My budget is $100. I can go higher but would prefer to spend less.

I was running a Race Face something or other that I found on Flea Bay for DIRT cheap after the bankruptcy announcement (rocky mtn cyclery?) until my Crank Bros (sponsor) cobalt 3 post arrived. Both are as functional as you'd like a seatpost to be (set and forget) although I lean to the cobalt due to the sharper styling.

My Thompson posts always seemed to work loose and develop annoying creaks. They've been relegated to commuter/wife/kid duty.

One bolt would not inspire confidence although ritchey products are generally pretty solid.

You do seem to want a carbon post so you'll probably end up getting one regardless of the commentary but keep those posts on your road/tt rigs.

[Kram]

I really like my Ritchey. I had a Thompson and it was a pita to adjust, and it developed creaks. Crabon? I'll keep that for my crank. Seen too many broken crabon seatposts in cross races.

[adam_mac84]

I really like my thompson... I find it relatively easy to adjust, I have developed none of the problems mentioned above...

I have also ridden CB 0 offset, and they are a nice post. I'd stay away from carbon posts... unless you get one of those super high performance carbon wrapped alloy posts... then you get cool points for the CF

[zmiko]

I've been happy with both of the Thomsons. I have elite's on two bikes, no loosening or rattling issues with either.

[eekase]

On my Cervelo's I took off the 3T carbon posts and put on the Thomsons. I sell the 3T's on ebay and almost break even. No creaks, set it, forget it, etc. I can't really tell if the CF post make the ride any more compliant, but on those two bikes, the ride is comfy anyway.

[m_s]

The Ritchey Pro two-bolt on my mountain bike has been rock solid for three years. No slippage at all. I also like RaceFace posts. I'm not sure I would use a one-bolt Ritchey though; I have seen them slip more than a couple of times, though they could have been improperly used. Doesn't Ritchey make a two-bolt WCS?

[Durt]

I went with the Ritchey WCS.

m_s - I did not see a 2 bolt, zero set back on Ritchey's website. No worries though. It was a fair price and other one bolt posts I've had on mtb's were never a problem.

Thanks everyone for your input. I'll post pics when I get the new whip built up.