Seatpost clamp - difference??

[carelgrundlingh]

All the best for 2011!!!

 

I want to buy a new seatpost clamp for my carbon road bike. Is there a difference (and what?) between the one that has got the gap vertical, and in the middle....and the one that's got the off centre skew gap (see examples below)? Other than that, anything else to concider when buying a seatclamp for carbon frames??

 

[The_Break]

The scew gap is designed to reduce weight as it removes more material than a straight gap if the gap has the same horizintal dimension.

 

The offset from "middle" allows for less stress in certain areas of the clamp.

 

Whilst I don't know exact pros and cons of these clamps in terms of field experience the 2 most important things to check when buying a seat post are:

 

Fit - the seat pst must have a nice snug over the top of the seat tube. Enough to not damage the paint when you assembly, yet not so much that it has play before you put the seat post in. Also ensure the clamp does not touch the seat post when fastened. It should only touch and make the frame clamp around the seat post.

 

Torque requirements - make sure you have the frame's, seat post's and seat clamp's min and max torque values. Never exceed any of the max torque values. Choose the lowest max value from the 3 components and then check that they are not under any of the other part's min value. I highly doubt you will find the min values (not often given), but don't exceed any of the max value.

 

Good luck man! Small part, but still with some important technical knowledge necessary.

Edited January 9, 2011 by The_Break