Seatpost aesthetics

[thenewguy11]

What's the general consensus for the minimum amount of seat post showing to be aesthetically pleasing? My dilemma is that I'm building up frame with a level top tube but an extended seat tube (kind of like the Trek Madone). That naturally decreases the amount of seat post showing and given that my handlebar drop isn't particularly large because of my lack of flexibility, I feel like I'm pushing it.

[dave thompson]

The correct amount of seat post showing is the amount of seat post that shows when your saddle is at the perfect height for you.

New guys are always welcome. :banana:

[BCS]

You need the amount of post to achieve your desired saddle height :cool: All kidding aside, I think that when the amount of post showing kind of matches the head tube length, the bike looks balanced.

[Rada]

Unless your are in the "it's better to look good than feel good" camp, aesthetics be damned. What ever gives you the best fit is correct.

[eddief]

both are in the "eye" of the beholder. One eye:

[avalonracing]

both are in the "eye" of the beholder. One eye:

Motorcycle positioning.

[phcollard]

both are in the "eye" of the beholder. One eye:

Dunno for the seatpost but that's one very nice bike!

[Scott Shire]

Les than a fistful looks strange on anything other than a dj, bmx, fixed freestyle, or trials bike (in which case slam that badboy as low as he'll go).

For conventional road bikes, i prefer the saddle to be higher than, or at least level with, the bars -- at least aesthetically.

[dave thompson]

Another 'eye'.
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/2498/p10304901.jpg
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/6678/meivici11.jpg

[fourflys]

that Serotta above is sweet! I'd say on a level top tube bike, conventional view is about a fistfull of post on a properly sized frame...

[godfrey1112000]

The correct amount of seat post showing is the amount of seat post that shows when your saddle is at the perfect height for you.

New guys are always welcome. :banana:

I agree with Dave, here is my trio S HB and SP,

[Lifelover]

What's the general consensus for the minimum amount of seat post showing to be aesthetically pleasing? My dilemma is that I'm building up frame with a level top tube but an extended seat tube (kind of like the Trek Madone). That naturally decreases the amount of seat post showing and given that my handlebar drop isn't particularly large because of my lack of flexibility, I feel like I'm pushing it.


According to my Opinion (ATMO), having the extended seat tube would allow you to get a way with very little seat post showing and have the bike still look normal.

ATMO, on a level TT bike there should be at least 4 inches of post/extension above the TT and no more than 10-12 inches.

However, this is only my preferences in the way the bike looks. If you need to have more or less to make the bike fit than do it (until you get the right size frame).

[thwart]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5310849486_4f7f7d31c1_b.jpg
http://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=77132&stc=1

Nice thing about cycling is both of these are correct...

[thenewguy11]

Thanks for the replies. The frame is by and large the right size - head tube, reach, etc. I can replicate the fit from my old Merlin which works well for me but the seat post is only going to show about 3". I'm not even sure the Edge post will work because of it's curved set back. Guess I'll find out when it gets here next week.

[FixedNotBroken]

It's whatever is comfortable for you..that is when you have the right frame size.

[Bob Ross]

When the lanky young Abraham Lincoln was campaigning for Senate, he was asked by a member of the press "How long should a man's legs be?"

To which the sage Mr. Lincoln replied "Long enough to reach the ground."







...and so it is with seatposts: There should be enough seatpost showing to reach the ground.

Wait, no, that's not right...

Oh, I got it: There should be enough seatpost showing to reach the saddle.

[soulspinner]

Enuff post so its easy to get in a work stand.

[R2D2]

Dunno for the seatpost but that's one very nice bike!

That is a traditional "French" fit to get a long top tube and high head tube for extended distance riding (Randoneurring). It is not seen as much these days so appears out of place.

[steampunk]

start with the fit.

and if you're "picky" about looks, well you can always take photos of your bike (say for posting on forums) with the saddle and post raised as high as you aesthetically want. we wouldn't know your true saddle height anyway. :) think of it as akin to all the airbrushing they do for the magazine covers.

[michael white]

don't forget to flip the stem down and put all the spacers on top for the photo. Also throw a bunch of mud all over the whole thing.

[spartacus]

Double entry. See below.

[spartacus]

The classic aesthetic is to have the seat post shaft and head tube the same length, and the stem and top tube at the same angle.

[rice rocket]

Sloping top tubes were a blessing for me, it gives me extra seatpost for a more damped ride, and more standover for my short legs. I'll let the more gangly folk have the level TTs. ;)

[tuxbailey]

That Moots is HOT!!!!

[Gothard]

Anything that gets you on the road in confort is right.

For aesthetic purposes based on perceived "performance look", please refer across the hall.

[cmg]

post a photo of the setup you wish to use and the forum will comment on it.

[false_Aest]

What's the general consensus for the minimum amount of seat post showing to be aesthetically pleasing? My dilemma is that I'm building up frame with a level top tube but an extended seat tube (kind of like the Trek Madone). That naturally decreases the amount of seat post showing and given that my handlebar drop isn't particularly large because of my lack of flexibility, I feel like I'm pushing it.


I'm going to assume that you're asking this because you're going to have your beautiful, unique, amazing, blahblahblah "whip" photographed while being held by a really really really really hot lady in a g-string.

Since this must be the case I suggest showing a lot of post and generous setback. You should also slam your stem as low as possible and cut off any extra steerer tube.

Why do this?

When others see the picture you want them to think that you're 1) well endowed (a la setback) 2) flexible enough to entertain any "bunny" 3) athletic enough to put any other male to shame.

----

FWIW, make sure to wipe down the tubes with denatured alcohol and then a polishing agent so that there are no smudges or whatever to distract the eye from looking at the lady.

[nathbdp]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4521786652_a17d5d3b19_o.jpg

this is about right

[Ramjm_2000]

Very hard question to answer based on all the different frame designs but as the addage says..."I know it when I see it"

[false_Aest]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4521786652_a17d5d3b19_o.jpg

this is about right


not enough setback to make it in the industry

[thenewguy11]

The classic aesthetic is to have the seat post shaft and head tube the same length, and the stem and top tube at the same angle.

This is the type of answer I was looking for. Once I get the post I ordered, I'll put up some photos for ridicule - don't worry. I haven't built up a bike in a while so this should be fun.

[Bob Ross]

FWIW, make sure to wipe down the tubes with denatured alcohol and then a polishing agent so that there are no smudges or whatever to distract the eye from looking at the lady.


That would have to be a hell of a smudge...

[Fixed]

when i started riding cats told me seat and bars had to be near the same height within four fingers and the post should have four fingers too .
i was young and the cats were not ,,
cheers

[rounder]

No one told me. But when I was watching bike racers, their knees would rise above the handlebars when they pedaled (high saddle low stem). So, i figured that was how you were supposed to ride. The more i rode, realized that you tend to gravitate to your own position where you are comfortable. Then, and along the way, you realize that bikes are pretty cool.