Am I mad to consider an integrated seat post?

[Steve vRS]

My latest bike of much want is a Giant TCR Advanced SL2. However it has an integrated seat post.

Now, providing I get the bike fitted to me, then everything should be fine but the internet appear to warn against them. Any experiences on here?

Steve

[matt-ITR]

Do you ever fly with your bike?
Is it a design that has some adjustment? If not, even changing your shoes can make it redundant.

[option click]

Most ISP toppers have a couple of cms adjustability.
Most people worry about them for travelling and resale.

I have two Cento Unos with ISPs. I think they're great. The other good thing about them is that if needed, the mast can be cut and a regular seatpost used instead.

[Steve vRS]

matt-ITR said:

Do you ever fly with your bike?
Is it a design that has some adjustment? If not, even changing your shoes can make it redundant.

Once a year to the Alps and I believe there is a few cm of adjustment. Yes, 30mm of adjustment.

Steve

Edited by Steve vRS on Monday 18th January 20:43

[Ponk]

Any negatives regarding travel, fitting in the car or resale are completely outweighed by the simple fact that ISP bikes look totally badass.

[Ridley]

Steve vRS said:

matt-ITR said:

Do you ever fly with your bike?

Once a year to the Alps

This is the thing that puts people off but there are boxes that comfortably take ISP bikes. I had a bikeboxalan which happily swallowed my frames until a friend borrowed it and Alitalia decided to misplace the box and his Oltre.

Now have a VeloVault which is a very tidy design and ISP suitable.

[outnumbered]

IMHO: Yes.

ISPs solve a problem that doesn't exist. There's no way I'd ever own a frame with one.

[Shuttle Cock]

My local Giant dealer has one in, it does look very nice.

[AyBee]

I'd love a Propel with the integrated seatpost but I fear I'd either need to reduce it to its component parts to get it in my current bike box, or buy a new bike box because I travel with it a couple of times/year. Still tempted though

[Steve vRS]

Well this is the bike with the ISP:-

..and this is one with a normal post.

In the real world with me riding it, the performance differences will of course be intangible from a stiffness and weight perspective. It's the aesthetics of the green bike that is generating much desire!

This one, with the same frame as the black one above is a nice colour as well and a bit cheaper. I could buy this one, change the wheels and ed up with a pretty decent bike. I'd be surprised if there is a whole heap of difference between the current 105 and Ultegra group-set.

Saying this, last week I was sure I wanted an aero style bike! I'm hoping to get a test ride soon on a TCR frame to check that I can bend in to the correct shape to fit on it.

Steve

Edited by Steve vRS on Wednesday 20th January 14:38

Edited by Steve vRS on Wednesday 20th January 14:39

[NerveAgent]

I actually prefer the TCR with the normal post, the ISP makes it look a bit too dainty ...

The Propel with an ISP, well I would take badass over practicality on that one!

[Kermit power]

Is it just me, or is the drop from saddle to bars totally insane on the green one?

[bstw]

Kermit power said:

Is it just me, or is the drop from saddle to bars totally insane on the green one?

Not just you, it looks ridiculous

[AyBee]

Kermit power said:

Is it just me, or is the drop from saddle to bars totally insane on the green one?

You mean you don't have a drop like that? Get aero!!

[Sandersports]

I Picked my TCR SL up last night ..... Ive had/raced close to 10 Giant's in the last 5-6 years , everything from Propels - TCR's , and at the end of the year i move them on by selling in classifieds on car forums and if no joy on them it goes on Ebay.

The demand for top end Giant bikes far out ways the issue of a integrated seatpost . The shims supplied give plenty (up to 40mm) of adjustment so the post is pretty much adjustable to the heights a future buyer would want.

Just go for it ... IMO this Flo yellow TCR is one of the best looking bikes Giant have released for a good few years, i might be biased as ive never been a fan of 'Murdered out' 'Stealth' 'Darth' looking bikes.

Add some Dura-ace , some better wheels and she will be ready to race.

[AyBee]

That looks awesome

If you removed the forks, do you reckon that would go into a normal bike box, i.e. with the down tube along the bottom of the box...?

Edited by AyBee on Friday 29th January 16:04

[Sandersports]

I will be striping it down early next week, so i will have a look if it fits in my bike box . Could do with knowing this myself . Will post the results next week .

[Kermit power]

Sandersports said:

I will be striping it down early next week, so i will have a look if it fits in my bike box . Could do with knowing this myself . Will post the results next week .

I'm not convinced striping down is a good look for bikes!

[BadgerBenji]

Just get it bought, it looks proper lovely in that green fluoro color.

[Steve vRS]

I'm having MAJOR issues with Giant over my CX bike frame replacement at the moment. They are being complete #@nts so TCRs are no longer on the menu.

Steve