What can you say about a seatpost? It's one of those "forgotten" pieces of equipment that's only noticed when it breaks or is adjusted wrong.

Still, there is a wide range of seatpost options out there, and Campagnolo has added its share over the years. For 1999, Campy offers only one seatpost--the Titanium Record--which Campagnolo sent us for testing several months ago. (Interestingly, last year, Campagnolo failed to iron out production glitches and never got around to shipping the Record seatpost. This year, they are offering only the Record version. If you're putting together a brand-new, all-Campagnolo bike, you'll be using this seatpost!)

A few observations:

  • Our first impression out of the box was that this is a gorgeous piece of metal. The Ti shaft is highly polished, the alloy clamp has been given the full Campagnolo polishing, and the design is very high-tech. It's not beautiful in the manner of a Super Record post, but it's thoroughly modern and at home on the most exotic road machine.
  • The shaft is extra-long--you could easily use this post in a mountain bike (as long as it needs a 27.2 post).
  • The clamping mechanism does away with the friction-fit, wedge-style adjustment of recent years. In its place, Campy has provided a knurled fitting--tiny ridges on the bottom of the seat rail clamp engage with similar ridges on the top of the post. Set this one and forget it--it's not going to move anywhere. On the down side, at least one rider has expressed to us his frustration with the post--his potimum seat angle lies somewhere between two of the knurls, and he can't get the seat adjusted to his liking. The clamping bolt is a size larger than on Campy's former designs.
  • The clamping mechanism also allows the seat to be moved waaaaay back--farther than any Campy post in recent memory. For those of us who emulate Greg Lemond's "laid-back" style, that's great news.
  • The finish is great, but the "laser etched" Campy logo on the back side is hard to read. You have to get really close to see it; anyone not in the know will have a hard time figuring out who made it.
  • Does it ride better? One reader suggested that the Ti shaft would have a slight amount of "give," making for a more comfy ride. We couldn't tell a difference on our Ti Merlin, but on a very stiff frame you might detect a slight improvement in ride. If you do, let us know.
  • This guy is expensive. A quick review of retail prices will show that, at about $120 each, this is about the most costly option out there for holding up your seat. When you consider that a very workable (non-Campy) aluminum post can be had for less than $20, and that complete bikes are sitting in your LBS for $250, the cost really hits home.

  • Worth it? Well, you're getting a great design in last-forever Titanium, as well as a substantial weight reduction (about two ounces lighter than a '97 Chorus alloy post). Perhaps more to the point--if you're worried about cost, you won't even be looking at parts at this lofty level. Crack the wallet open, take a deep breath, and do it. Barring an errant bus running over your bike, this is certainly the last seatpost you'll ever need to buy, so think of it as a long-term investment.

Seatpost front view   Seatpost rear view
Photo above: The finish on the seatpost is great--highly polished Ti and aluminum.   Photo above: View from the rear. Barely visible (even in person) is the laser-etched Campy crest.
     
Front view close-up   Clamp close-up
Photo left: Closer view of the seatpost from the front.   Photo right: Close-up of the clamp. Also visible is the slight bulge in the Ti shaft, where the forged top has been inserted.