In the wide world of cycling, just about everyone riding
accepts the stock setback of their seatposts without even a momentary thought. Just get on and ride, then adjust the saddle,
and maybe the stem to suit, right? Well,
the point is, we do not have to accept this regime at face value. Why do bicycle manufacturers expect the
consumers to blindly accept the almost universal 20-degree setback, thus
leaving riders with the often fruitless game of finding the most comfortable,
efficient stem length and saddle position?
Well, we don’t, if one just puts some thought into it.
I finally got tired of being the victim of the post setback
I was innocently dealt and had, unfortunately, grown used to, since it pretty
much was all which was offered off the showroom floor. Besides, everyone was running with
20-degrees, anyway, right? So, a plan of
action went into effect. First, a
confession; I really, really like Ritchey seatposts. They are extremely functional, have an
ingenious one-bolt rail clamp system, provide some compliance, and just look
darn good, to boot. However, I almost
gave that all up in my search for something with less than a 20-degree setback by
going with another manufacturer. Almost.
Recently I switched to a Shimano PRO Vibe 7S alloy bar and
stem, so naturally, I went looking to the PRO Vibe 7S seatpost, as well. I mean, it looked really good, promised to be
stiffer than the Ritchey WCS, and offered a 15-degree setback. Well, only it didn’t. The Shimano catalog showed a Vibe 7S offering
with the aforementioned 15-degree’s, and a Di2 post, also with 15-degree’s of
setback. Well, the reality of the
situation is they only offer the Di2 post, and, as some of you may have already
guessed, in only a 20-degree option. Bummer. So, back to the Ritchey catalog I went, and BAM! I came across a WCS, zero-degree offset
model. It was the same WCS post I had
come to love, it had the reduced offset I was looking for, however, unfortunately,
it did not come in the gloss, red paint which looks so, so good. OK, black it was to be.
And, the results?
Well, I have put a few hundred miles on the zero-degree offset post, and
we, my backside and I, are extremely pleased with the additional range of
saddle adjustment (for the record, I use a 120mm stem). Doing all of the
proper measurements for my body geometry, I quickly found my personal
“Sweetspot.” I feel more comfortable on
the bike, and most importantly, I feel much more efficient, and my sector times
on training routes bear this out. I am
slightly more upright, but I am able to produce more power, more comfortably, for
longer periods of time. What’s not to
like about that?
No longer will I be limited by the 20-degree seatposts of
the world.
The Specs:
- 3D Forged TR741 Alloy
- Available in 27.2, 30.9 & 31.6mm diameters
- Available in 300, 350 & 400mm lengths
- Interchangeable clamps provide compatibility for all popular rail sizes
- 0mm Offset
- 7x7mm saddle rail clamp included
- Saddle Clamp Torque Spec: 12Nm
- Available in black only
- 195g (27.2/350)
- Retail price: $89.95 USD
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