[Review] Macneil - Fat Capital Seat

[Trimix]

Article from BMX-Zone.com, http://www.bmx-zone.com/en-article-id-497.html

"Based on the shape of the capital, but slightly larger with more padding for more comfort. Pivotal design features a clean look with no guts showing or rails to bend and twist."



I chose this seat as part of a new bike I just built, liking the look of it but unaware of it's performance or ride. I can say the added size and padding makes if far more comfortable than the Odyssey seat I run on my other bike, and it's still a clean 'smallish' seat. You should note that this seat (as well as other capitals) use the Macneil "pivotal" seat post connecting design, and therefore MUST be used with a Macneil pivotal seat post. This seat will NOT fit on your current seat post if it is not a Macneil pivotal. You need to buy them both (seat and post) at the same time.

The overall look and feel is great, the adjustments are basic and simple.



The Macneil system does not allow for forward or backward adjustment, but only pivots on 19 splines. They did a good job of "placing" the seat post attachment so I don't think this is a huge disadvantage, but you cannot move this seat forward and backward due to it having no rails to slide on.



The underside or framework of the seat is plastic, and time will tell, but this probably concerns me more than anything. The plastic undercarriage *seems* as though it might could crack from impact, but no problems yet. Just an observation. There is no steel in this seat (accept for the bolt attachment) which does save weight. The allen key screw that bolts the seat to the top of the seat post is blind, and hidden inside a heavy rubber monogram, split down the middle so that you can insert a allen key.



As far as installation goes, you cannot see this allen bolt, nor does any paperwork come with it telling you the size of the allen wrench. It took several attempts using different sizes, and blindly stabbing in the hole to find the allen key and it's size. If they would just sent you something saying "takes a 5mm allen key" or something that would help. I give it a 7/10.

Costs:$25 USDblack/grey$30 USD Tan

Weight: Just over a pound (seat and post)

[KoolAidGuy]

7/10 for the seat, the post, or both?

[sygbmx1]

do you know the weight of the seat?

[fitbikeco909]

www.danscomp.com says the weight..

[sygbmx1]

no it does not

[fitbikeco909]

yeah it does :roll:

[sygbmx1]

it has the capital, sl and og but not fat capital

[sygbmx1]

http://www.danscomp.com/470204.php?cat=PARTS

[Trimix]

7/10 for the seat, the post, or both?

Both, they're used together. Macneils site says "just over a pound" for the combo.

[sygbmx1]

that means nothing, they have been saying that for the combo since it came out

[Trimix]

Guess your out of luck then :P

[JoeyPower]

I've been running my fat capital for about 3 weeks now, and I love it. Super comfy, It feels pretty strong and solid, and is super light. Mines under a pound now cause I cut the post. I belive it uses a 9mm wrench, I think it says that on the macneil site. Being Canadian and all, I'm a big fan of Macneil. I run a heaton II Frame, Lighter Bars, ID Forks, and Fat Capital Seat/Post, and soon a front wheel.

[sygbmx1]

im guessing its around 12oz or so..

[Trimix]

Just weighed it, just for you. 1 pound 1.6 oz or 17.6 oz.
Seat and seat post.

[sygbmx1]

Just weighed it, just for you. 1 pound 1.6 oz or 17.6 oz.
Seat and seat post.

haha thank you but i didnt want the seat post weight:)

i think im just gonna staick with an intact and sr seat

thansk though

[Estebonbmx]

My capital seat (not the fat capital) had the plastic undercarriage go to shit on it, i think it got messed up on a failed attempt to hop over a small fence. The seat still works, it's just a little beat looking now.

[Matthew]

As far as installation goes, you cannot see this allen bolt, nor does any paperwork come with it telling you the size of the allen wrench. It took several attempts using different sizes, and blindly stabbing in the hole to find the allen key and it's size. If they would just sent you something saying "takes a 5mm allen key" or something that would help.

Arent the bolts 6mm?
Nice review nevertheless, good work trimix!

[Trimix]

Yes, they are. But you don't know that and they don't tell you. I guessed :)

I will say after riding it for a while now, the plastic underframing seems to be the rub. A good slam, with the bike landing upsidedown would certainly snap the nose.

[sygbmx1]

11.3 is the weight

[Eggit]

Yes, they are. But you don't know that and they don't tell you. I guessed :)

I will say after riding it for a while now, the plastic underframing seems to be the rub. A good slam, with the bike landing upsidedown would certainly snap the nose.
Yea they probably should tell you.

But by looking at the end of the bolt that sticks out I knew it was 6mm or 1/4"
BMX has been phasing out the american measuring system, and MacNiel is a Canadian company, So I went with the 6mm.

I wouldn't mark it down for not telling you the bolt size. It doesn't take long to find out. Few manufacturuers tell you the size of a bolt anyways.

[cube]

I've had this seat for a couple months and I highly recommend it.

[ZDN]

i'd give this combo a 9/10 had it for for 4 months and no problems so far except for the fact taht this seat comes loose all the time

[HaroF4]

I have the regular capitol and I give it a 9/10( the minus one is for the cost of the combo)

[mcdan]

I have the regular capitol and I give it a 9/10( the minus one is for the cost of the combo)

yo its the same price as a normal seat and post

normal-seat $20-post-$30 total=$50
macniel-seat $25-post-$25 total=$50

[HaroF4]

Thats true now I guess...when I got mine I payed 65 for the combo...But it was WAY worth it

[mvbmxkid]

i just got the capital and luv it

[mcdan]

my uncle got me the fat capital in brown/black now i just need a post

[akbmxlives]

are the splines on the seat plastic? if so thats lame

[LIQUIDbmx]

well trust me. like 2-5 cm of foam wont add too much weight. I know the difference from the sl and capitaL is only 1-2 ozes. So the fC is probably like 11-13 oz.

[LIQUIDbmx]

are the splines on the seat plastic? if so thats lame
Not really, if they were metal, they would be weight added on, when plastic is fine.

[bmxer608]

this seat does looks awesome. I would get the fat capital too because i dont like slim and low padded seats.

[thatotherguy84]

I Just bought this seat.

Its amazing I can still table without hitting my seat.

[JIP]

This seat/post combo is ****ing awesome.

[StreetIsTalkin]

nice reviw.. i think i might be getting one.. not sure yet

[flybikes765]

dont have a clue wat your all on about. im giving it a big fat 10!!

[Prozakk]

I was thinking of getting this to use with the Federal Stump post, for my son. Why wouldn't it work with a Macneil???

[Prozakk]

I was thinking of getting this to use with the Federal Stump post, for my son. Why wouldn't it work with a Macneil???




There it is again. Now I know for sure it's stalking me!

[Karl H. Marx]

I was thinking of getting this to use with the Federal Stump post, for my son. Why wouldn't it work with a Macneil???

It will work
All pivotals use the macneil system

And stop being impatient! :)

[Prozakk]

It will work
All pivotals use the macneil system

And stop being impatient! :)

Your answer is a contradiction to what's on:

http://www.albes.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1770

Which is why I was asking....

Thanks for the answer. I'm not known as being a patient person.

[Mountain_goat]

Your answer is a contradiction to what's on:

http://www.albes.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1770

Which is why I was asking....

Thanks for the answer. I'm not known as being a patient person.

Because when that was written, only macneil had pivotal seats, now every other companys got one, so it wont really matter what post you use, as long as it says it is pivotal.



"takes a 5mm allen key"

6mm?

[steezboi]

Not really, if they were metal, they would be weight added on, when plastic is fine.

my friend stripped his splines because he didn't tighten it down enough

and i got too lazy to try all my allen keys in it, so i just hammered out the whole bolt and found out it was 6mm the easy way

[abdrider]

good review

[lucasbmxer]

i have this seat i like it. i guess 6 mill at first b/c most shit on a bike is 6..
well, aculy the only thing that is six is my back axle..but it was 6 and i figured that.

ok
well still 9/10 but great review, the only thing i hate is the marco poolo u have to play with the bolt.

[lucasbmxer]

o and i run an animal post and it fit fine for me lol...