Technique

Test: seatpost Deda Ultra

Details

Parent Category: Technique

Category: Dedaelementi

Published on Monday, 05 January 2009 12:08

Written by Luca Salvatelli

Not weighs little, but it is reliable and finished with great care, good ability to absorb vibration

The company

The group Deda is a relatively young company, but in a few short years has been known to impose its own brand in the world of bicycle components. The secret of success was to have focused right now on technological innovation and quality of its products, which often go to the summit of world production in their respective areas. Currently, Deda Group is composed of three separate Companies: Deda Steel, Deda Tre and Deda Elemeti. Deda Steel specializes in the production of pipes for frames, steel, aluminium, titanium or carbon, floats, bands as well as complete frames. Deda Tre deals with the production of tires, tubular and accessories for wheels. Finally, Deda Elements specializes in the production of folds, and ultimately attacks seatposts also cranks. The range Deda elements is very wide, ranging from track to Mtb, monocoque carbon from the light and is able to meet the needs of all cyclist, from the most refined cyclist who research the best in every detail to the neophyte.

The Range

Deda has divided its product range to the bicycle road race in different categories. At the top of the range are the products of the series Special, the most refined, the basic products Sport, characterized value for money and always distinguished by an excellent finish. The seat belongs to Deda Ultra line Amateurs, all focused on a number of components in light alloy coated carbon fiber. A line therefore less valuable, working for less sophisticated or less noble materials, but standing out, however, be a good bill and aesthetics sought.

The seat post we test: Deda Ultra

The seatpost Deda Ultra is made of light alloy with a surface completely covered with a layer of carbon fiber. The details of the head have worked with numerical control machines, and anodized in black, while, as on other seatpost Deda, the nut is held in place by two o-ring facilitating the assembly. The saddle setback is 22 millimeters and is offered in two different diameters 27.2 and 31.6 millimeters, for both measures is the length of 340 mm. The weight declared by Deda is 260 grams, we have detected grams 324, for the seat of 31.6 millimeters in diameter.

The test

The seatpost Ultra is really good. The carbon fiber wraps all the stem and only taking in hand we understand that this is not a carbon monocoque structure. The parts are light and perfectly realized only visible on the head the attack. With their black integrate perfectly throughout. Ben made the whole screen, but it is absent, as on other seatpost Deda, a graduation that will facilitate the arrangement saddle height. It will be a platitude, but is useful when you want to make small adjustments and it is always easier if you remove the seat post, put it back exactly the same height. One had lacked proof O-ring on the nut, but not matter mounting the saddle was found easy and quick. The inclination is the same rule by the classic gear, a quick and precise enough even if we would have liked the dual system that ensures a nut adjustment inclination of the saddle (although at the expense of more weight). The surface treatment of the stem is very strong and robust so that with the care of a film of oil spray one can put the seat post and remove without rows to form on its surface. Once in motion it appreciates the rigidity of the seat post and his ability to filter discrete vibrations. We are far from a carbon monocoque seat, but the thin coating of carbon should help not just to absorb the blows, but above all the vibrations, with a behaviour of some of the best classic seatpost alloy. Excellent stiffness and strength which make it a product intended for those who prefer the reliability and durability at low weight at all costs. For this is a product suitable for use in mtb. The carbon look, finally, goes perfectly with carbon frames in which this seat integrates the best giving a refined touch and homogeneous whole but against a much lower cost structure to a full carbon.

Conclusions

The seatpost Ultra has proved an excellent product. It does not have a low weight and that the prejudice from being used on a bike that will be quite light, but it is reliable and has an aesthetic that combines perfectly with a frame with carbon in sight. Is drive, but still manages to ensure a minimum of comfort over long distances because it has a good ability to absorb vibrations.

The price

The seatpost cost 70,00 Euro. A price in line with the quality and performance that have emerged during the test.

Is suitable for

Athlete: is hard, but it is too heavy to be adopted on a bike designed in competitions.
GF cyclists-tourist: is the ideal use of this seat which offers a constructive care, excellent reliability and a discreet comfort over long distances.

Positive aspects

Aesthetics
Construction quality
Stiffness
Reliability

Negative aspects

Weight not content

For further informations:

Deda Elementi
Via Leonardo Da Vinci, 21/23
26013 Campagnola Cremasca (CR) Italy
Tel. 0373 750129
Fax 0373 751105
Web site: www.dedaelementi.com
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.