Bike Seatpost Types And How To Measure The Size
While the seat post may seem like an unusual part of the bike, it can have a major impact on how enjoyable the ride is, and may even be a weight-saving upgrade.
When it comes to the comfort of a road bike, most people focus on the seat. But there's another component that can make all the difference: the seatpost.
You may be asking, "Why is it important to choose the right seatpost?" By choosing and installing the right seatpost, your safety, bike performance, comfort and aerodynamics can all be improved. This is especially true if your bike has a shorter frame.
Types of Bike Seatpost Explained
A bike Seatpost can be called a saddle pin, saddle pillar, or saddle pole. It refers to the tube that extends upward to the bicycle saddle from the frame. It may usually be adjusted to have a different amount of frame exposure. And there is usually a mark showing the maximum extension and minimum insertion.
Aside from that, this bicycle part can be made of different materials, such as aluminum covered in aluminum, carbon fiber, titanium, aluminum, or steel.
There are several types of bike Seatpost, and some of the most common are the following:
Dropper
First on the list is the dropper bicycle seat post. This seat post can be easily adjusted with a switch or lever on the handlebar even while the biker is still seated on the bike. Considering that you can change the saddle's position, it would be more feasible to maneuver the bike and position yourself comfortably, especially when riding on rugged terrain.
You can reposition the saddle with a switch or level for increased pedaling efficiency. Most of the dropper-type bike seatposts come with an air spring or coil with electronic, hydraulic, or cable actuation.
Pivotal
A pivotal Seatpost is also quite common on some bikes. They have semicircle ridges with a concave top that complements the semicircle ridges with a convex bottom. These two semicircles are joined by a bolt that holds the seat post to the saddle. This type of Seatpost is becoming more popular among mountain bikers.
Plain
This type of Seatpost frequently appears on family-friendly or less expensive bikes and includes an additional clamping mechanism at the top. When the clamp is fastened, a single bolt holds the saddle rails and the remaining portion of the seat post in place.
Bike Seatpost Sizes Explained
Now that you know the most common types of Seatpost, it is time to determine the proper Seatpost sizing. Diameter, length, and setback are the three factors to consider when determining the correct Seatpost dimensions.
Diameter
The seat tube is attached to a bike frame where you will mount the Seatpost. It is worth noting that a seat tube's dimension is different depending on the bicycle model. Therefore, make sure to determine the proper diameter when selecting a Seatpost.
In most cases, most bike owners would choose a Seatpost measuring 27.2mm in diameter. However, other common bike seatpost sizes include 35mm and 21.15mm.
Length
Like in diameter, a seatpost's length may vary depending on different factors, including the bike's model. For example, mountain bikes are known for their long Seatpost, which means that they can be adjusted to different positions, giving riders a more comfortable place to sit.
The length of a Seatpost can be from 75mm to 400mm or longer. However, before choosing a Seatpost, ensure that you have measured the right length that will suit your needs.
Setback
Determining the seatpost's setback should be the final consideration when sizing it. Any curve or bend in the upper part of a Seatpost designed to counterbalance the impacts of the frame's seat tube is known as the setback, which is commonly vertical. Some riders choose a setback because it positions the seat to allow them to use their hamstrings and quadriceps more efficiently.
Your frame could need a setback post if a straight post moved your seating too forward. Setback varies from frame to frame and can be up to 45mm. It is better to check your frame's specs or take it to a bike shop to see how many setbacks your body and frame need.
How To Measure The Seatpost Size (Diameter)
The seat tube is a part that supports the Seatpost. Or, to put it in another way, it is where the seat post is fastened. When measuring the seat tube, ensure to consider the inner diameter of the area where the seat post will be attached. Do not measure the outer diameter because that will not affect how big the seat post should be.
The diameter of the seat tube is measured with a Vernier caliper. Exact measurements of external and internal components may be obtained with a Vernier caliper. Caliper digital readouts may have a button-based metric to-inch measurement conversion.
What is The Ideal Seatpost Size?
You can examine your present or previous saddle post to establish the seat post size. The most straightforward approach to deciding how giant your Seatpost should be is doing this. Although it might seem easy, it's crucial to remember that you can determine the diameter of a seat post by looking at your current or prior saddle post.
If you're unclear about the length of your current Seatpost, remove it and take a measurement. The most common bike seatpost sizes are often stamped or laser engraved at the end of the insertion line.
Seatpost diameters are frequently a multiple of 0.2mm, though not always. If you measure anything close to a number that is not a multiple of 0.2, the next bigger size will probably fit. For example, it should fit if your Seatpost is 25.5mm wide and the next size is 27mm.
The right post is the one that inserts smoothly and without resistance (other than from a hand). It is probably too thin if the Seatpost slips in with play before the pinch bolt is tightened.
Final Thoughts
The main issue with seatposts is that they are frequently positioned excessively low. When the Seatpost is low, it is useless and inhibits you from using all your leg force to pedal.
When you reach the bottom of the pedal stroke, you should raise your Seatpost so that your leg is completely extended. In this posture, the pedaling position is optimal. Be cautious about lowering your Seatpost when mountain biking on a path and approaching any challenging terrain.