Just as the Oval Concepts R700 handlebar balances brute strength with a feathery weight, the R700 seatpost provides equal qualities. Its 3-axis cold forged 2014 T-6 alloy body gives it unparalleled impact-resistance and long-term durability. And its "IO" internal ovalization is no different from a butted frame tube -- it puts mass where it's needed for strength, while eliminating it where unnecessary in order to optimize the R700's toughness and lightness. One other nice detail is Oval's lush, black BB finish -- the byproduct of what we'd characterize as a shot-peening-like process that compacts and homogenizes the surface of the R700 for added strength.

The cold forged clamp of the R700 is 43mm wide and 38mm deep to gently cradle exotic saddle rails. Its lateral 2-bolt clamp makes saddle adjustment a breeze, while maintaining a solid grip on the rails on even the worst roads under extreme power. And as a bonus to those of you who live on the coast (or who have toxic sweat), the hardware of the R700 is marine-grade stainless steel to keep it looking new.

The R700 provides 28mm of saddle offset, and comes in 27.2mm and 31.6mm diameters in a length of 280mm (if you need a post with a longer length, then check out Oval's M600 seatpost). It weighs in at 205g, making it rival many of the carbon fiber seatposts on the market that cost twice as much (or more!) It's thanks to the R700's combination of strength and weight that makes it the choice of pro teams such as Silence-Lotto and Slipstream-Chipotle.