Reilly Cycleworks Vector Carbon Fibre Seatpost

Seatposts aren't the most interesting or exciting components on a road bike, but if you're in pursuit of some weight saving, increased comfort or just an extra bit of bling, going carbon is a popular choice. The Reilly Cycleworks Vector Carbon Fibre Seatpost isn't insanely expensive, works nicely and might just save a bit of weight.

• Pros: Nice finish, light carbon, easy to adjust
• Cons: No setback option

As the name suggests, the post is made from carbon fibre, with a carbon fibre cradle and titanium retaining bolts. It's all very well finished and looks a premium product. It looked great on every bike I tested it on, from sleek carbon road bikes to rough and tumble adventure bikes.

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At 160g (for the 31.6mm – there's a 27.2mm option too), the carbon post saves a fair amount of weight compared with the 240g or so you're looking at for your common aluminium post, and it's the same price as the aluminium Fizik Cyrano R3 post, to pick one example. So it scores well on the weight and price front.

How is it to install? Easy! It uses a traditional two-bolt clamp system that's been around forever, and getting a saddle into place and tightened to the right angle is a cinch. It's a tried-and-tested design and takes five minutes to get the saddle fitted, and there's enough angle adjustment to get the saddle just right.

It's an inline seatpost with no setback; whether that works for you depends on your fit and reach requirements. The 350mm length is typical of road bike seatposts and for my needs was more than enough.

Helpfully there are height markers on the back of the post to help set the saddle to the correct height and to check it hasn't slipped. There's also a minimum insert marker.

You have a choice of 27.2mm or 31.6mm diameters, which should cover most road bikes these days; the majority of brands are moving to the smaller diameter in pursuit of increased comfort.

I've been using the post for several months now and have swapped it between various test bikes and it's still looking in great condition, with no obvious markings. I experienced no slippage issues in any frames and didn't have to resort to carbon assembly paste.

> How to set your saddle height right

I noticed a bit more flex at the saddle than some aluminium posts I compared it with, so there's a bit more comfort, but it's pretty marginal to be fair.

It's a low weight without an exorbitant price tag, is easy to install, looks good and performs flawlessly.

Verdict

Carbon bling without a massive price, and offers decent weight saving potential