When it comes to cancelling vibrations, there are several steps brands take to aid this in frame construction: using thin seatstays; placing the seatpost clamp lower down so that more seatpost is exposed (allowing for more flex); and using a narrower seatpost A carbon seatpost is effectively an additional step; a cherry on top. Rear lights can be a bit of an issue when it comes to an aero post, although many brands now offer adaptors that allow for the shape.

The introduction of carbon to bike manufacturing was a game changer for seatposts. Not only can it help to reduce the overall weight of the bike, but the way in which carbon components are manufactured – by building up layers of fibres –can be adjusted to give it the perfect blend of compliance and stiffness. From damping to deflection, the best carbon seatposts can help soften vibrations and take the edge off impacts. Like handlebars, wheels, and nearly all other bike components, seatposts come in a variety of materials, the most common being aluminium and carbon fibre. As always, carbon commands a higher price tag, but it usually weighs less and can be constructed in a way that dampens more vibration while maintaining directional stiffness in a way that will benefit the rider. There's the Canyon VCLS (it stands for Vertical Comfort Lateral Stiffness) seatpost, which uses a 'v' shaped split to create two thinner strips of material and thus disrupt the buzz from that nasty tarmac before it reaches the rider. Leisure riders just need to make sure they’re buying a seat post with the correct diameter and in the correct length. If you’re in doubt, remove your existing seat post and have a look towards the end of the post and chances are it will have the diameter and length stamped on it.

Vitus ZX-1 Carbon Aero Seat Post 2018-20

All seatposts clamp to the saddle in their own unique way, and have different methods of allowing the saddle to point slightly down, slightly up or remain flat. Materials: The most common seatpost materials are aluminium and carbon fibre, with the former being less expensive and more commonly found on low- to mid-range posts and bikes, and the latter being the option of choice for premium bikes. Carbon fibre is generally regarded as being more comfortable due to its vibration-absorbing characteristics, while top-end carbon posts are also the lightest on the market. However many – especially trail and gravity MTB riders – still favour premium aluminium posts for strength and confidence. If it has a round seatpost, however, you are likely to have far more options – but diameter becomes all-important. The two standard diameters are 27.2mm and 31.6mm and all of the seatposts featured in the guide will fit one of those two sizes, while some have more options in between.

There are different lengths on offer, too. Seatposts will have a marker which shows the minimum amount of post that can be inside the seat tube. If you ride a small frame with a lot of seatpost showing, you'll need to make sure you buy a post that allows for this. As with all aerodynamic upgrades in cycling, it is a culmination of marginal gains that will start to make noticeable differences to your riding. So, yes, seatposts can make a difference but, in most cases, aero seatposts will come in a proprietary design to fit a specific bike, making upgrade options considerably limited. Do carbon seatposts make a difference? At 300mm in length, the Enve seatpost is available in 0mm, and 25mm-offset versions. While quite a few carbon posts have a metal clamp head bonded on the top, the Enve post is carbon through and through.Aero posts: While most posts (and seat tubes) are circular in cross-section, many manufacturers are now making aero posts for road and TT racing, with an elliptical ‘blade’ cross-section which offers improved aerodynamic performance by offering less frontal area to the wind. However in the case of ‘full’ aero seatposts you will require a frame with a matching seat tube, which limits the options when it comes to changing or upgrading. Some manufacturers get over this by offering posts with a shaft featuring a ‘normal’ bottom half, with the part above the seat clamp then shaped to a bladed aero profile.