Road seat post Black Friday: carbon discounts

Four measurements to take from your current seatpost

• The diameter: this is marked on the shaft, to the tenth of a millimetre. The selection ranges from 25.4 to 31.6 mm, with intermediate values like 28.6, 30.6, or 30.9 mm from Kalloy Uno: an estimate isn't enough.
• The setback: 0 mm for a straight post, usually 20 or 25 mm otherwise. Zipp clearly states it, while FSA uses the code SB20 or SB25.
• The length: 300, 350, or 400 mm. A longer post offers more leeway above the minimum insertion mark, useful on a sloping top tube frame, where the post extends further out.
• The saddle clamp: with one or two screws, it must accommodate your rail section, either round at 7 x 7 mm or oval in carbon. The NCX suspended post from Suntour, for example, only accepts round rails.

Two saddles on the same post: how to choose between them

A single post often comes in several variations: the Service Course SL from Zipp in 27.2 or 31.6 mm, straight or with a 20 mm setback; the SL-K from FSA in ITC head or SBS, in 25.4, 27.2, or 31.6 mm. Only compare prices for posts of the same diameter, setback, and length. The Di2 versions from FSA are designed to house the internal battery of an electronic Shimano transmission: without this battery, the classic version is adequate, even if the other has a higher discount.

Suspension or dropper post on a road bike?

Two categories go beyond pure road. The NCX from Suntour, a parallelogram suspension post, moves back as it compresses; its steel spring is pre-loaded according to the cyclist's weight, making it suitable for touring and rough roads. Short droppers like the Reverb AXS XPLR from Rockshox or the EA70 AX from Easton, both in 27.2 mm, lower the saddle by 50 to 75 mm for gravel descents; the EA70 AX requires a frame with internal cable routing.

Brands of road seatposts for the Black Friday

Kalloy Uno, the proprietary range from Taiwanese Kalloy, covers most diameters in aluminium, from 25.4 to 31.6 mm, in lengths of 300 to 400 mm: a solution for older frames with less common sizes.

Suntour offers the NCX, a parallelogram suspension post with about 50 mm of travel, whose spring changes based on the cyclist's weight.

FSA offers its K-Force and SL-K posts in Di2 versions, in 25.4, 27.2, or 31.6 mm, with either 20 or 25 mm of setback.

Zipp equips the Service Course SL with a two-screw clamp compatible with all types of rails, in straight or 20 mm setback versions; the SL Speed completes the range.

Easton indicates the material in its names, EA for aluminium and EC for carbon, and includes the EA70 AX, a 50 mm dropper, in its AX series dedicated to gravel and adventure.

What saddle to pair, and where to look elsewhere?

When not on sale, road bike seatposts detail setback, aero frames, and height adjustment. During Black Friday, a new post pairs well with one of the discounted road saddles; long travel droppers include MTB seatposts from Black Friday. Also consider clearance sales for end-of-line items and new arrivals for the latest references.

Frequently asked questions

Does Black Friday also apply to bike parts?

Yes: at Vélo-Store, the sale extends to components, including the road seatposts gathered on this page. It takes place the day after Thanksgiving, right before the holidays, and its discounts on these items continue throughout November.

How can I find out the diameter of my seatpost?

It's engraved on the shaft, often near the minimum insertion mark. If not, measure the shaft with calipers, to the tenth of a millimetre, or refer to the technical sheet of the frame.

Can a post narrower than the seat tube work?

Yes, with a reducing sleeve made for both diameters, from 27.2 to 31.6 mm for example. The opposite is not possible: a post that is too wide won't fit, and forcing it could damage the seat tube.

What length of post should remain in the frame?

At least up to the minimum insertion mark engraved on the post, and more if the frame manufacturer specifies its own value: then the stricter of the two applies.

Should I grease a carbon seatpost?

No. A carbon post or frame is installed with a special carbon assembly paste: its particles grip the post and allow for lower tightening. Regular grease is reserved for metal posts and frames.