It is being talked about more and more often: the telescopic seatpost. Is it useful? Isn't it useful? And who, if any, is it useful for? It is certainly a very useful accessory for driving purposes, especially on technical terrain. Off-road, be it gravel or MTB, takes on a completely different look with a telescopic.
To better understand the topic, we asked Emanuele Crisi a few questions . Crisi is a former professional biker, collaborates with several companies, and is now a skilled mechanic who works both on World Cup teams and in his own workshop.
Emanuele, you've obviously worked with this tool, the telescope. What is it in general?
It's basically a stem that slides inside a seat stay. Then there are various companies, different types of operation: hydraulic, air, spring. I think the telescopic has been a real revolution in recent years, second only to the advent of 29″. Since it appeared, the first pioneers in the cross-country world began installing it and people began to look a little less at the weight and a little more at the functionality of the bike and what could be done to improve it. This tool plays a fairly important role because it makes life much easier on the downhills, especially for tall people.
Why?
Because the bike's center of gravity is significantly lowered. Instead of having a forward-leaning stance, which the bike already has on downhills, you can lower it and therefore have much more stability. Today, we see World Cup riders riding their bikes more like downhill racers: much more slouched. You can free yourself better from the bike, which is extremely important. And it also helps you on climbs.
Uphill?
Of course, sometimes on a particularly technical climb, especially with those telescopic ones that aren't just on-off but also adjustable, lowering it even by just a centimeter and a half helps a lot. By lowering the center of gravity, you can apply a little more pressure to the rear wheel , and this makes it easier to tackle a technical section. In short, it improves traction.
You said something very important: one thinks of the telescopic only in relation to descending, but it can get you out of trouble in other situations too…
Exactly. Especially among the older generation, it's hard to get people to understand the importance of this tool . They still focus a lot on weight, perhaps a lighter crankset. But I always say that if you have to invest in a bike and you have a mountain bike, it's better to spend 500 euros on a good dropper post than 600 euros on a wheel.
And why?
Because a telescopic handlebar really changes the way you ride a bike . It can also broaden your horizons and the routes you take. Not that a carbon wheel doesn't do that, but in my opinion it's a more overlooked detail. Given my racing background, I regret not installing one sooner: I was one of the last to do so: I have to admit my guilt. I was, like everyone else, primarily concerned with weight. And then, to be honest, it's not just for mountain biking.
Here Emanuele, let's move the discussion: the telescopic seat post can have excellent values also in the gravel?
The answer is yes. With RDR Italy we have created a gravel extreme, with large wheel clearance, 2.25” tires, wide rims and inserts to increase comfort and absorption capacity, Also thanks to special spokes. At that point we chose a telescopic post instead of a fork: when descending, on technical trails, lowering the center of gravity offers more control than a few centimeters of front travel. The bike remains much more manageable and safe.
And why?
Because I imagined myself on a trail, perhaps in Alto Adige or Trentino, on a hillside trail through the woods, with soft terrain and a few roots. In that context, I'd prefer a dropper post, which, by lowering the center of gravity, allows me to better manage the bike, rather than having three centimeters of fork, which, between sag and actual use, becomes even less.
And what did you put on that bike? Which is the RDR Gypsy that we saw at Craft Bike Days Italy...
We assembled a DT Swiss spring-loaded telescopic. On a gravel you're not going to do extremely technical climbs, so an on-off solution without too much travel is fine: 6 centimeters are already more than enough.
Yours was a gravel adventure, more oriented towards off-road, but this solution does not clash even on a gravel "average"?
Absolutely not. It depends on the needs: we would need to have 200 bikes in the garage to cover everything... But I wouldn't rule it out even on a gravel from competition. With Team Basso this year we also started the sector gravel and there will be very challenging downhill routes, where it might be worth mounting it. In my opinion it could also look good on a high-end bike.
Why?
We're talking about an accessory that isn't a rotating mass, so the weight's influence is less critical than with wheels or tires. Furthermore, today's controls are very ergonomic. You can even consider leaving a fixed internal casing and mounting the telescopic tube when needed.
The telescopic control, obviously, better on the handlebars?
Yes, all the controls are on the handlebars, because it changes the way you ride a lot. Thinking of a less extreme bike, I would combine the telescopic with a handlebar gravel (or Road) wide enough to give a secure grip. Without a handlebar control, you risk losing your footing. And then your position also comes into play.
What do you mean? Explain it to us better, Emanuele…
By bike, both MTB and gravelWe have a very aggressive and forward-looking setup, even if it's not absolutely so. Downhill, we're often at the limit. Think of motocross riders: they ride with their backs straighter and less forward, to understand... Having the telescopic allows you to lower the center of gravity and to better grip the lower part of the handlebars, with a stronger grip. This allows for better use of brakes and transmission, increasing safety and control.
Matej Mohoric won us a Sanremo in a super way and it's obviously an extreme case, but do you think it also has value on Road?
For me, yes. We're reaching an increasingly higher level, where the details make the difference. Professionals also have weight limits: bikes are often ballasted to stay within 6,8 kg. I'd use that "space" to install a dropper post.
And what type would you mount?
Clearly a very light dropper post, with three centimeters of travel. On a technical level, especially a fast one, it's life-changing. I'm thinking of the Terminillo descent: almost 20 kilometers, with some technical and fast sections. With the MTB, I go at the same speed as on a road bike, but much more relaxed thanks to the dropper post.
Which could also be useful for those who don't compete and simply want to have fun, increasing safety...
Exactly. But on a road bike, aesthetics also matter a lot: a dropper seatpost is still difficult to accept . Furthermore, with modern frames, often aerodynamic or with special tubes, it's also complicated to integrate one. And then you have to like it: because if you don't like it, it's not your bike.
