Seatpost Suspension!

KonaKurt

Featured in the new WMB mag, is an interesting grouptest (p129) for 'shock absorbing seatposts'. I have never heard of them before, so assume this is a new innovation for 2009!

What does everyone here think about them? Are they ever likely to replace existing full suspension?

KK.

GHill

KonaKurt wrote:

Featured in the new WMB mag, is an interesting grouptest (p129) for 'shock absorbing seatposts'. I have never heard of them before, so assume this is a new innovation for 2009!

I'm pretty sure those were around in the mid 90s (along with shock absorbing stems). They didn't really catch on then, not convinced they will now.

supersonic

Yeah, been around years. Can take a bit of the sting out - as the tests showed quite well, they tend to be hit and miss.

grumsta

Don't see how they would replace full suspension - given that on rough stuff you are not sitting down anyway surely?

mtbikerboy

I've not read the article but my opinion on these seatpost is that they are designed to give comfort not for taking big impacts- and they have been used for many years for that purpose. they can be perfected for commuter/touring bikes (maybe even tuned for XC & road bikes) but i dont think they can replace mountain bike rear suspension completely.

Daz555

They just make life a little more comfortable when you are in the saddle.

neil²

I've got one on my Trek commuter. I must admit that I really like it!

I would consider adding one to my hardtail, but was also unaware that they were being sold for that purpose. As mentioned above - the biggest benefit would be for comfort rather than handling, but it could be worth it for longer trail riding.

antfly

They`ve been around about about 20 years,they are quite good for xc but they always break fairly quickly.I reccommend a Fizik Gobi saddle for a bit of flex on a hardtail.

stumpyjon

I had one for years on my old hardtail. Not sure I'd recommend them (it was a USE one). It might have helped a bit to take the sting out of big hits but was useless on small bumps (and I'd changed the spring to make sure it was right for me).

They're expensive and weigh a lot.

Bikerbaboon

Im running the 3" travel crain creek after talking to Super on this forum. On the big stuff you are up and out of the saddle so you are 100% still on a HT. But if you have a 5k trek up and over the moors that you are bobberling over small rocks and bumps while starying in the saddle the amount of back pain is reduced massivly. If you are finding you get back pain on hte longer XC rides have a look they re good the crain creek and i you dont get saddle bob as you peddle.

P-Jay

Hmmm comfy, but as above rear suspention is as much about grip as comfort/helping you hold on.

KnightofCydonia

Bikerbaboon wrote:

Im running the 3" travel crain creek after talking to Super on this forum. On the big stuff you are up and out of the saddle so you are 100% still on a HT. But if you have a 5k trek up and over the moors that you are bobberling over small rocks and bumps while starying in the saddle the amount of back pain is reduced massivly. If you are finding you get back pain on hte longer XC rides have a look they re good the crain creek and i you dont get saddle bob as you peddle.

Would that be the thudbuster ? I was going to ask a question about it a week or so ago just to see the general opinions on it. It's costly and sometimes I don't know if i love or hate the look of it, but here it is




It'd stop be from going FS if it gave a comfy arse over bumps

Bikerbaboon

yep that's the bad boy.

Its not the same as having 3" travel on you rear wheel. Its just enough to take the sting out of riding across lumpy trails where you need to keep in the saddle to pedal. you do pay a bit in weight i think its about 200g more than a straight seat post... but i think i have more than 200g to lose in my bum b4 i worry about the seat post


they are pricey but i would get another if i was getting another hard tail.
the blue rubber can be changed for differing colors to change the spring strength for your weight and the bolt through the middle of the rubber can be used to set preload effectively.

Dan_xz

Not meant to replace full sus. It only suspends the rider a little and not the frame.The bike will still bounce around like a hardtail underneath you but just without so much of your weight adding to the effect.

I used one on my old Zaskar - the bike was too rigid for me and I started getting a bad back after long rides. Got a Use post and left it on a hard setting so it just took the very edge off things and I was cured. Wouldn't recommend them for anything more than that - if you set them soft so they are active then you have to think that the saddle to peddle distance will be constantly changing without you being ready to adjust. This could increase the chance of knee injury as your muscles will be constantly misjudging their movement.