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Seatposts
Kinesis UD Carbon Seat Post Kinesis UD Carbon Seat Post Kinesis UD Carbon Seat Post
Kinesis UD Carbon Seat Post

Kinesis UD Carbon Seat Post

7
by Stu Kerton
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Feb 7, 2015

7
£49.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Nice looking, well finished post that's easy to adjust; could do with more graduation marks
Weight: 
242g
Contact: 
shop.upgradebikes.co.uk
How we test

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Kinesis's UD Carbon seatpost is both competitively priced and a decent weight thanks to the carbon fibre shaft and alloy clamp. You get loads of adjustability as well.

Available in a single 350mm length and two diameters (27.2mm & 31.6mm) the UD Carbon should fit the majority of frames on the market. The main shaft is full carbon rather than an alloy wrapped one which along with the clamp weighs in at 242g (31.6mm) which is about right for a post of this size and price.

There are graduation marks on the rear for easy adjustment of height in 10mm steps for a total range of 90mm. It would have been nice to see slightly smaller steps though, maybe 5mm just to take the guess work out of it.

The main clamp assembly is found on quite a few seatpost designs. The forged alloy clamp uses a free moving bottom rail cradle to aid insertion of the saddle and a threaded thumb wheel to get the level right. The top clamp is tightened down by the rear allen key bolt once everything is positioned just so.

It's a very easy set up to use and adjust with tweaks to saddle angle taking a couple of minutes at the most.

All the fixings are stainless steel so seizure issues from using the post in the wet and dirt of winter shouldn't be too much of an issue.

The gloss finish on the post looks pretty smart over the natural finish and thanks to the diameter being within a couple of microns off the nominal 31.6mm there were no slippage issues.

As far comfort goes the Kinesis is noticeably more flexible than the alloy post it was being tested against though the larger diameter still keeps things pretty taut.

Overall the Kinesis UD Carbon post is a decent weight and cost without being overly flash or bringing anything ground breaking to the table. The clamp is a tried and tested formula that is easy to adjust and fit your saddle to.

Verdict

Nice looking, well finished post that's easy to adjust; could do with more graduation marks

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Kinesis UD Carbon Seat Post

Size tested: 31.6 x 290mm

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

The carbon seatpost is ideal for upgrading from an alloy one in terms of comfort and weight.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

UD CARBON SEATPOST - UD Carbon post with forged alloy clamp and stainless hardware.

'Micro-adjust' allows accurate saddle positioning. Post is graduated and has 'Kinesis UK' icon.

Sizes: 27.2 x 350mm. 31.6 x 350mm.

Colour: Natural carbon/Black.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

It provides a decent amount of comfort over an alloy version and is also really easy to set up.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The natural carbon finish / gloss.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Could do with 5mm gaps between position marks to make adjustment easier.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? It'd go well with my Aithien.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

The UD post is a quality bit of kit and a sensible price, there isn't really anything there that stands out from the crowd though so no real reason to by it over another. It would look good on your Kinesis frame though.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 36  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: Kinesis T2  My best bike is: Kinesis Aithien

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,

 

Kinesis UD Carbon Seat Post
Kinesis
Stu Kerton

With 20 years of road cycling and over 150,000 miles in his legs it's safe to say Stu is happiest when on the bike whatever the weather. Since writing his first review for road.cc back in 2009 he has also had a career in engineering including 3D-CAD design and product development, so has a real passion for all of the latest technology coming through in the industry but is also a sucker for a classic steel frame, skinny tyres, rim brakes and a damn good paintjob.
His fascination with gravel bikes is getting out of control too!

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