Why Not Carbon?
Before Brompfication introduced its first titanium seatpost, I personally used a custom-made carbon seatpost from Schmolke Carbon in Germany. This seatpost was incredibly light, weighing just 140 grams, including the saddle clamp. This sparked a trend among Brompton enthusiasts, leading to numerous modified Bromptons equipped with Schmolke's carbon seatposts. Today, Schmolke even sells a version of the TLO Seatpost specifically designed for folding bikes on their website.
However, despite its lightweight advantage, carbon has significant drawbacks for Brompton users beyond its high price: the material can lose structural integrity if scratched deeply enough to affect the underlying fibers. Given the frequent folding of the Brompton and the constant sliding of the seatpost in and out of the seat tube, carbon wasn’t the most practical material for daily use. At the time, my primary concern was minimizing weight, so I managed by removing the seatpost entirely when folding the bike—a workaround that suited my personal needs but was impractical for a commercial product. In retrospect, I regret influencing so many to adopt a solution that was less than ideal for the typical Brompton rider's daily use.
The Advantages of Titanium
With carbon fiber out of the picture, titanium was the natural choice for our seatposts, offering an ideal blend of strength and lightness. Known for its resistance to scratches, impacts, and corrosion, titanium ensures long-lasting quality with minimal maintenance. Its exceptional durability and lightweight nature not only enhance overall performance but also make the bike easier to carry and transport—a key advantage for Brompton riders. Additionally, titanium's inherent shock-absorbing properties effectively dampen road vibrations, providing a smoother and more comfortable ride, especially on Brompton's smaller wheels, which tend to amplify bumps.