American Classic 350mm seatpost £39.99

Take one length of aluminium tube, bend the end around into an elegant curve and attach a bomb-proof, infinitely adjustable saddle cradle and you have something like the American Classic seatpost shown here, which is offered in 250mm and 350mm lengths and in a choice of 31.6 and the traditional 27.2mm diameters.

At a claimed 200g, the 350mm – 27.2mm post is impressively light. The fact that the model is the choice of Paris-Roubaix winner Magnus Backstedt, who before his recent retirement was one of the heaviest riders on the pro road circuit, suggests that it is also impressively reliable.

For sure, the cradle, which uses just one bolt and provides generous suport to the underside of the saddle rails, is utterly immovable once tight thanks to the way the upper part of the cradle follows the curve of the post. Uniquely, the same fit allows the cradle to be set slightly lop-sided if desired, potentially permitting a skilled fitter to accommodate leg length discrepancies and similar problems without resort to orthotics.

In black with red and white graphics only. Setback 25.4mm. More soon on RCUK.