I’ve got a mate whose deciding between a carbon or ti seatpost for a new steel hardtail (http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/soul). Any advice, recommendations or tips for young players? What about longevity of carbon? He doesn’t want a dropper. I’ve always used Thomson aluminium, so don’t know how to advise him. We’re talking rough, rocky, Australian trails here – Sydney Blue Mountains.

If he intends moving up and down then titanium, otherwise carbon.

Ti all the way. Its more robust than carbon.

Ti for me.

far more ‘give’ in them than carbon, ime, and you can buff them up with a pot scourer if they get marked.