Salsa’s Regulator Ti seatpost is something of a cult item among bikepackers looking for epic durability and extra comfort. Plus it’s a lovely piece to use and look at. However when push comes to shove, weight, compatibility and cost comparisons with best mountain bike seatpost alternatives aren’t so forgiving.
Design and aesthetics
There used to be several curved shaft seatpost options, but Salsa’s Regulator Ti is one of the few remaining. You’ll either love or hate the curved look (which likely depends on the lines of the frame it’s being added to) and it definitely works better on compact/MTB-style frames where more of the extra-long 410mm shaft is free to flex.
The clamp head is a thing of simple beauty, too, using an internal wedge system to lock the infinitely angle-adjustable alloy clamp pieces into the transverse titanium tube welded onto the shaft. The saddle clamps then bolt on from the outside for a super clean look that separates saddle security and tilt setting, but still allows the latter to be altered without loosening the saddle.
Specifications and performance
Looks aside, the thin-walled 3.25 AL/V titanium alloy tube adds a noticeable amount of buoyant spring between your butt and your bike.
Stainless steel hardware means you can put the required 6-8Nm of torque into the bolts without worrying about shearing something or slipping. You will need to keep an eye on that tension on the first few rides though, particularly if you have a habit of bouncing in the saddle through compressions and/or you’re using a long and heavily loaded seat pack.
On the downside, the long shaft and luxury design of the Regulator comes at a significant cost in terms of weight and money, even compared to other premium options. It’s 39g heavier than Thomson’s slightly more expensive inline titanium post, 88g heavier than Zipp’s similarly comfort-tuned carbon shaft Service Course SL that’s $115 / £119 cheaper and 105g heavier than USE’s $75 / £130 cheaper Duro Titanium. Those alternatives come in several diameter options and are compatible with carbon and oval rail saddles, too, while the Salsa only comes in a 27.2mm diameter, round rail format. It’s 85g heavier than Canyon’s radical split shaft VCLS seat post that’s $TBC / £71 cheaper, too.
Verdict
With classic, retro looks, a really clever seat clamp (presuming you tighten it enough) and a noticeably smoothed saddle experience, if you’ve got enough shaft exposed we can see why the Regulator Ti has devoted fans, particularly in the adventure riding community. However, we can’t deny that there are cheaper, lighter titanium and carbon options that give a similar ride and fit more bikes and saddles.
Tech Specs: Salsa Regulator Ti seatpost
- Price: $275 / £275
- Weight: 319g
- Sizes: 27.2 x 410mm
