Easton EC70

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I don't get too excited about a seatpost...and this one is no exception. Its a bit more comfortable that the stock aluminum one that came on my bike, and I like the setback, but my comments will focus on Easton's customer service. I've had this seatpost for about 2-ish years and 10,000 miles. Last week the helicoil un-threaded from the upper clamp...if you don't know what that means suffice to say that it broke and was unusable. Called Easton's customer service number, talked to Jan, and had a new clamp kit delivered under warranty 3 days later...no cost, and no questions asked. Didn't even demand to see a sales receipt (which I have). I carefully select every piece on my bike and every company I do business with. I will go out of my way to purchase from a company that makes such nice gear and provides that level of post-sale support. Thanks Jan.

Price Paid:  $90.00 at Bike Beat

Favorite Ride:
Mountain Mama Century

Bike Setup:
Kestrel 300 with DA triple, Concors Light saddle, CK Headset and Richey HB/Stem.

Summary:
Purchased when I building up a Kestrel 300Ems. Light weight even though this was the 350mm mt bike version as the shop did not have a 250mm at the time. The set back on this seatpost made it difficult to use a regular tool kit behind it as the velcro strap on the seatpost was cutting through a pair of good riding shorts in one 30 mile ride. Not a problem on my other bike. I had to rig an older toolkit underneath the seat. Other than that it worked fine till just after riding on it for 3 years. Hit a bump on a century ride and heard a loud crack. I thought I had damaged my carbon fiber frame so I took back to the shop. Turned out that the head of the seatpost had cracked and was starting to separate from the post. Shop caught it before that happened and took care of the replacement for no charge. Evidently, this is a problem with the 350mm size models. Shop says it problems with one other on a mt. bike, but no problems with the 250 size.

Shop did a great job isolating the problem as the crack was difficult to find and took care of the free replacement.

Strengths:
Light weight. No problems with slipping or the finish degrading over time.

Weaknesses:
350mm model seems prone to breaking. Setback makes it difficult to use toolkit. Adjustment is difficult to fine tune, although once adjusted and tightened it stays put.

Similar Products Used:
Shimano

Price Paid:  $119.00 at mail order

Favorite Ride:
Hunterdon County, NJ

Bike Setup:
1999 Lightspeed Classic, Look LDS fork, Cinelli bar & stem, Turbomatic saddle, Dura Ace group, hand built tubulars.

Summary:
I chose this seatpost to take advantage of the generous amount of saddle setback it provides. Upon initial installation, it fit snugly into the seat tube of my Lightspeed Classic frame. I certainly didn't have to force it or twist it to get it in, but it wasn't loose, either, It fit properly. The problem started when I removed it to pack the bike for shipment to Hawaii. Although the inside of the frame's seat lug is smooth with no burrs, the epoxy clearcoat on the post disintegrated as I slid it from the frame, leaving a lot of fine, white powder inside the seat tube and on the seatpost shaft itself. Now, it fits too loose, and continually slips down when I ride. I torqued the Campagnolo seatpost binder bolt so tight in an effort to hold the post securely, that the steel bolt snapped.
The solution was to replace the EC70 with an Easton EA70, the identical seatpost, except the shaft is made of aluminum alloy instead of carbon fiber, and it is $40 cheaper. The EA70 weighs less than 30 grams more than the EC70. It doesn't slip in the frame, and I can't feel any difference in the ride quality. So, I recommend the EA70, but not the EC70.

Strengths:
Generous saddle setback, light weight

Weaknesses:
poor carbon fiber durability, slips down in frame

Similar Products Used:
Shimano Dura Ace seatpost, American Classic aluminum seatpost, Selcof BiPosition seatpost, old Campagnolo Chorus alloy seatpost

Price Paid:  $110.00

Summary:
Best seatpost period!
Easton say not to, but grease it.

Strengths:
Light weight, strong, rock solid clamp, 25mm offset

Weaknesses:
None so far in the two years I have used it.

Similar Products Used:
Easton EC90, Thomson Elite, Bontrager Race lite

Price Paid:  $45.00 at Performance

Bike Setup:
Titanium frame, Ouzo Comp fork.

Summary:
Even near maximum insert I couldn't believe how much this post deadened vibrations in my seat. Now I realize the tail feels like the head which also sits on a carbon fork. Now I try to ride over gratings and cobblestones.

Strengths:
Got a really good price. Totally deadens ride.

Weaknesses:
Had to buy a torque wrench to make sure I don't overtighten but this is good to have anyway. Sometimes not sure how well it will wear after repeated insertions.

Similar Products Used:
Aluminum posts (kalloy)