Fresh Goods Sunday - USE Ultimate DURO Carbon Seatpost - 400mm x 27.2mm x 10mm layback ULTDURO400272C

 

I only really use USE and Thomson seatposts now on all of my bikes. I bought this model when I bought my Creo 2 gravel bike as I kept my original USE Ti Duro seatpost in my Creo 1 gravel. It was time for a change so ordered a second USE Carbon Duro 400mm x 27.2mm post with a standard 7mm x 7mm clamp. They are hard to get hold of now but Tweeks and Winstanleys still sell them and direct from USE themselves but its full rrp. 

The swap over was simple enough, remove my saddle bag, loosen the seat collar clamp and pull the post from the frame, clean everything down. Remove the saddle and refit onto the new post. Carbon paste on the shaft at the bottom, up to the clamp height. I also added some ParkTool grease to the seat post clamp surfaces and copper slip to the bolt to stop any potential squeaking. As ever the standard of finish is spot on and the stealth graphics I like. Adjust the height of the saddle, adjust the angle of the saddle and adjust the saddle on the rails for the correct reach to the stem. I write down what mine are for every bike I have and most are very similar. Refit the saddle bag and the bike is ready to rock n roll again. USE have loads of different models from Alu, carbon, Ti and suspension in loads of different diameters and lengths. Customer service is normally ok if you have any problems and they are UK based. 

RRP £80.00 and I paid £64.00 inc free next day delivery from Tweeks Cycles. Discount 20%.

Manufacturers Blurb - 

The Ultimate Duro is made to be strong, light and durable; this 10mm layback post is designed using the most up to date composites and computer aids to create the carbon best lay ups to ensure this post does everything you need from hard hitting and flowing trails.

*Supplied with standard 7x7mm clamp. Other size clamps to fit oval carbon rails are available. Please see the saddle manufacturers measurement, if the rails are wrapped please check the measurements are still valid.

• Material: Carbon
• Length: 300mm / 400mm
• Diameter: 27.2mm / 30.9mm / 31.6mm
• Setback: 10mm
• Finish: 3K Matt
• Weight: 174g – 217g

A lovely early Sunday morning sunny local ride on Co Durham's old railway lines.

 

Another glorious sunny morning to be out on the bike early doors. It was a nippy start again with the Garmin reading around 8 degrees but there was alot less wind today so felt warmer. I had a rough route planned in my head but gave it a few tweaks when I was out on the bike. It was lovely and quiet first thing with a few dog walkers and other cyclists out enjoying the descent weather. We had some rain showers yesterday but did not come to much really. The lines are still bone dry and dusty with less muddy / damp sections as the days go by. I was out on the Creo 1 gravel again as it was in the back of my van. I will not explain where the loop went as there is a map at the bottom of the blog. All in just over 38 miles in 2hrs 52mins with just under 2000ft of climbing. Enjoy the few snaps below and hopefully more soon - 

A longer and sunnier gravel ride - towards Parkhead n back

 

Finally managed to see a half descent sunrise and the sun kept on shining. It was an out n back route along the old railway lines of Co Durham from Langley Park all the way up to Consett then turned left and headed towards Parkhead. I had a massive headwind all the way and by the time I reached the last carpark area before crossing the last open moor section I turned and headed back down. The descent was fast and I hardly touched the pedals! It was lovely and quiet and I hardly seen a sole early doors. Once back at Langley Park I thought I would make the most of the dry and dusty conditions and continued straight on to Broom Park picnic area then straight on again to the road crossing between Ushaw Moor and New Brancepth. I turned here and headed back to Langley Park from there, again with a headwind. My legs were feeling it by now but I managed just over 42 miles in 3hrs 1min and 1600ft of climbing. Below are a few snaps and a short video clip from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon-