Reversing a road bike seatpost

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2010-10-14 8:39 PM

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Subject: Reversing a road bike seatpost
Just wondering here. I recently got a set of clip on aerobars (Profile Design T2+) for my Felt Z100, and after my first ride and reading up on proper fit decided to make some adjustments to the bike to suit the aero position more.

One question I have is, when adjusting the seat, I noticed that I can easily reverse the seatpost and change the seat angle so that I can make it go more forward. Is that essentially what those forward seat posts do? Is it normal for people to do something like this? See images. (The bike is at a funky angle since it's leaning.)

Felt seatpost 1
Felt seatpost 2

Normally I would get a fit, but I want to use this bike on group rides as well, so that I just change things back and forth if need be. Also I eventually plan on getting a tri bike, so this setup is only temporary.

Edited by tophermcdougall 2010-10-14 8:42 PM

2010-10-15 10:52 AM
in reply to: #3153304

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Subject: RE: Reversing a road bike seatpost
I'm surprised no one's replied. Anyway I took it out for a ride not long after and it seems much more comfortable in aero position now. 
2010-10-15 11:08 AM
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Subject: RE: Reversing a road bike seatpost
Welcome to the '80s!

Actually, we all did this, back when all that was available were road bikes. We were all trying to make the aero position comfortable with clip-ons and Scott DH bars (if you get a chance to see some of the bike legs from the late 80's tris, it's pretty entertaining the horrid positions in the field).

Now, don't get me wrong -- it's probably getting your contact points where they should be (or a lot closer), but remember -- bringing the saddle forward like that is shifting a lot more of your weight onto the front wheel of a bike that wasn't designed for it. Can make the handling kind of sketchy.
2010-10-15 11:23 AM
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Subject: RE: Reversing a road bike seatpost
Nice bike someone in my tri club bought a forward seat post with seperate seat for the tri-position. I would recomend a fitting. They cost alot but make a big difference in your ride.
2010-10-15 12:34 PM
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Subject: RE: Reversing a road bike seatpost
briderdt: I had heard that that's what people used to do "back in the day," and yeah, I did notice that the handling felt a little different on the front wheel. I'm not sure if it's good or bad though. I'll know for sure on a long ride. 

My question though, is that is this essentially the same as a fast forward seatpost? When I see pictures of them it makes me think that it's pretty much the same principle. If so, then why do people even buy fast forward seatposts and don't just do what I did? 

Belize breeze: Only reason I'm not bothering to get a fit is that I intend to switch it for group riding and such, plus I only have 1 or 2 more races before the season is over. After that I'll probably use it more as a road bike since I'll be getting a tri bike for next season. 
2010-10-15 12:40 PM
in reply to: #3154564

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Subject: RE: Reversing a road bike seatpost
tophermcdougall - 2010-10-15 10:34 AM
briderdt: I had heard that that's what people used to do "back in the day," and yeah, I did notice that the handling felt a little different on the front wheel. I'm not sure if it's good or bad though. I'll know for sure on a long ride. 

My question though, is that is this essentially the same as a fast forward seatpost? When I see pictures of them it makes me think that it's pretty much the same principle. If so, then why do people even buy fast forward seatposts and don't just do what I did? 


The Profile FF seatpost does the same thing, to a higher degree (farther forward).

2010-10-15 1:14 PM
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Subject: RE: Reversing a road bike seatpost
You efectively got a FF seat post for free with your bike!

I've tried to do this with 2 road bike posts (mine and a buddy's) and could not get the clamp to allow the seat to be flat, it forced the nose up hence no good.

Yes it's the same thing and yes you got lucky!
2010-10-15 3:31 PM
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Subject: RE: Reversing a road bike seatpost
My bad! I didn't understand that maybe there are several road bike seatposts out there that don't easily do this due to the limited angle possibilities. This is my first road bike, and before that I rode mountain bikes about 15 years ago. Cool that I didn't have to spend money on a Fast Forward post.

Edited by tophermcdougall 2010-10-15 3:32 PM
2010-10-15 5:17 PM
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Subject: RE: Reversing a road bike seatpost
Wow, your "work area" looks a lot like my garage and work desk! My wife is on me all the time to straighten it up. Back to your post, I was able to flip the seat post on my Trek roadie around like you did after installing aero bars and have had it that way for years now. I tried the same thing with my nephew's newer Fugi road bike and like someone else mentioned, I was unable to get the angle right.
2010-10-17 5:13 PM
in reply to: #3155101

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Subject: RE: Reversing a road bike seatpost
Tri'd to do this with my road bike seat post - no good, nose of saddle was much too high,

so bought a profile design seat post, which works fine but results in a really twitchy feel when in the aerobars
2010-10-17 7:25 PM
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Subject: RE: Reversing a road bike seatpost
rgretsof - 2010-10-15 5:17 PM Wow, your "work area" looks a lot like my garage and work desk! My wife is on me all the time to straighten it up. Back to your post, I was able to flip the seat post on my Trek roadie around like you did after installing aero bars and have had it that way for years now. I tried the same thing with my nephew's newer Fugi road bike and like someone else mentioned, I was unable to get the angle right.


I just looked at the seat post on my Trek 2.1 and think I can do the same... I just put the clip on aero bars on today and following a test ride decided I needed to figure out a plan for the saddle... and I think this thread is the answer... going in ofr a fit so I will have to ask about it... nice timing...  

2010-10-18 12:06 AM
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Subject: RE: Reversing a road bike seatpost
rgretsof - 2010-10-15 3:17 PM Wow, your "work area" looks a lot like my garage and work desk! My wife is on me all the time to straighten it up.


Haha. I wish I did have an area in my room to work on the bike, but for now my bike stuff is sharing space with all my music equipment, which is where there's bass cabinets in the picture. I really should organize everything though. 
2019-07-06 4:17 AM
in reply to: tophermcdougall


1

Subject: RE: Reversing a road bike seatpost
Hello... I am thinking of reversing the seat post on a classic road bike. I acquired it and it's bigger for me. I think that by reversing the seat post it will shorten the distance to the handlebar. It did shorten the distance but the seat is angled upward. How do you fix that?
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