As the title states, what are the benefits of a carbon seatpost like this one from MEC?
My research indicates there may be the following pros and cons:
Pros
Cons
Is there anything else I'm missing or that I'm completely wrong about?
In general, you've hit the high points yourself.
The benefits (and issues) will vary by post model, manufacturer, and design. Carbon fiber is a very versatile material engineering wise.
Storck makes 2 carbon posts, which are externally identical. But one is a comfort post, which focuses solely on smoothing out your ride, and the other focuses on being light and stiff.
While there were issues with catastrophic failures, especially in early models, carbon component design is no longer in its infancy, and you are extremely unlikely to have failure issues if you choose your components and ride in a manner appropriate to the style of bike you own.
I have had one fail, but it was on a second-hand bike and I've no idea what its provenance was. It was sudden, but not catastrophic - I was riding down a 5 mile hill and felt the saddle start to wobble. When I stopped I found the post had cracked in a spiral up its length.
The ride home out of the saddle was hard work, but I'd be far less worried about failure in a seatpost than forks or bars.
I find it hard to imagine you could get a carbon seat post catastrophically fail. (I say that as someone who has broken a Titanium seat rail, a Ti frame in three places, and a Ti stem.
Generally on a very stiff frame, (like Aluminum) getting a carbon front fork, carbon seat post can help absorb some of the harshness of the frame.
