U.S.E. Aero Carbon Seatpost

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
Up for anything

Summary:
This post is truly a great light weight aero product. It fit my frame perfectly and the clamp is sturdy and creak free. You see a lot of these on Ebay because people have bought the wrong size, usually to long. Be careful to make sure you select the proper length. As far as the controversial clamp, well it is quite different than let's say a Thompson or a single bolt offset style. You can mount this a lot easier if you mark down the post length exposed from the frame and the distance from the tip od the saddle nose to the center of the stem ahead of time. Where people get frustrated is the clamp adjusts the fore and aft and the tilt all at once. They're not seperate adjustments. So first get the height correct, then measure the saddle to stem with tilt and you'll save yourself a lot of frustration. Just remember this is a set and forget type of clamp. If your a constant tweaker, it's more time consuming than most.

Strengths:
Light, strong, quality made.

Weaknesses:
If your low on patience, give the job to the shop. Remember you'll get it right if you take your time.

Similar Products Used:
Thompson, Dura Ace, Specialized Pave

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I have just bought and fitted this post - and wanted to put on the record that I had NO difficulty installing the saddle onto the Alien clamp - it is a no brainer - actually easier than traditional seatpins in my opinion. I just can't understand why many of you found in difficult at all? I have ridden the post for 100 km and it didn't creak, slip or require further adjustment.

Strengths:
Easy to install, light and a work of art.

Weaknesses:
Only just installed - longevity yet to be proven.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at www.bicycleshop.com

Favorite Ride:
Gravitron!

Bike Setup:
The way I like it.

Summary:
Once you get over the clamping mechanism nuances the overall design is superior! While the clamp is not made to be adjusted on the fly once dialed in you will never have to worry about it moving again. There is the occasional creak from time to time but nothing a quick shot of lube won't quite down. If you have a little bit of patience this is the post for you, featherweight without the sacrifice of reliability. During the off season I hover around 210 lbs and the clamp has never moved or hinted of movement! After not taking the proper precautions of regularly checking my seatube I can tell you that the are VERY strong as well.It took me all day cutting this post out of my seized seatube, WOW, carbon is tough!
Value wise it is a little expensive, but I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for. I have to give it a 5 below for an overall rating because it is a work of art, an understated work of art, but still a beautiful post.
By the way I have used this post for years and have had no striping issues at all.

Strengths:
solid platform. Probably the thinest aero post out there, Truly aero not just ovalized! Did I mention feather light.

Weaknesses:
Clamp takes a little getting used to but no big deal. Have patience grasshopper. The graphics do tend to rub off easily, but I think it looks better without them anyway.

Similar Products Used:
You name it I've tried it.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Full Campy Record Yeti Road Project, Carbon and Ti parts.

Summary:
The U.S.E. Aero Carbon Seatpost or better known as the aero alien post was perhaps designed by aliens due to the need to have 3-4 hands to install this nasty thing on your bike. It took me 90 minutes to install this post which really makes one wonder if they should be PAYING US to ride on this. I have also had constant noise from the post and have found it difficult to get a secure fit on my Salsa Ti saddle. Due to the design of the post, you are very limited in what saddles will fit. It is very sensitive to rail width.

Strengths:
Ultra light

Weaknesses:
Stupid design - created by extraterrestrial life forms? Maybe just engineers that pretend to ride bikes? How many tiny little parts can be crammed into one product so that it can be called the lightest? Have I asked enough questions to make my point?

Similar Products Used:
Now riding on a very nice all carbon Easton, 15 grams more, but 15 minutes to set up and dial in.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Great looking post out of the box. Very light- not ridden yet, though I have to comment on the fact that whilst adjusting the cradle etc, my hand has somehow managed to rub off most of the decals on the post! Absolutely ridiculous, given the cost of this thing, & now a classy looking post looks.....a bit cheap! Why can't manufacturers (that includes you Mavic, with your cheap Ksyrium stickers!), put a little more thought into these high end products? You'd be outraged if you bought a car, & the snazzy paintjob rubbed off on the first wash!

Strengths:
Light
Good quality carbon

Weaknesses:
Nice graphics- until you touch them!

Initial cradle trickiness, though I agree with below, once you've fitted it, you probably wont need to mess around too much then on.