Seatpost suspension!

[Trevize1138]

So, after bending my latest seat post on my bike, I decided to finally plop down $100 at Freewheel and get myself a Rock Shox seat post suspension coil thingie.

Lemme tell ya, it's awesome! I mostly got it because I'm such a fat @** that I keep bending seat posts and because my lower back sometimes gets tired after a while. But, the benefits seem to go way beyond that.

I can stay seated more often because I'm not pushing my butt off the seat to avoid getting jarred all the time. Therefore, my legs seem to have more strength left in them for pushing on the pedals. I still stand through larger obstacles to use my legs and arms to work the bike, but over smaller stuff and bumpy trail I can stay in the saddle and breeze through it.

I also feel more stable because I'm seated more often on corners. I think this has a lot to do with getting my COG lower, rather than constantly pushing my butt off the seat.

Still don't know about going all the way with an FS ride, but a seatpost sure makes a *ton* of difference without adding much weight at all! :banana:

[Krejci]

Really that is intresting, where did you buy yours at. I mean i have the same deal, i have what doctors call a lil bit of a weight problem, i would grab bear claws as a kid and get um launched, right in this region here, but seriously if i go off jumps, my butt is absorbing it all, and i do have a hard tail. I mainly do or lebenon for my riding. do you think i should get one, if so where would be the best place to get one for the money? Thanks~ :banana: :banana:

[manual63]

Don't go off jumps while seated. I don't care if you have a Suspension Post or not, it's not good to jump or do a lot of technical stuff while seated.

[Krejci]

yeah good point, it kinda hurts!

[Trevize1138]

Well, truth be told, I wouldn't say I have a weight problem. I'm 6' and $2 and no cents. So, I'm just kind of a heavier guy. I know there are heavier guys out there riding, but most I know seem to be around the $1,70-$1.80 range =).

Yes, as Shad said, do NOT remain steated during a jump! :shocked: That spells "ouch" no matter what kind of ride you've got!

I picked my suspension post up at Freewheel in Minneapolis for about $100. I didn't shop around much 'cause I trust the guys there. He recommended the Rock Shox as a good off-road suspension post for the money.

However, from my limited experience in looking on-line a while back at suspension posts, it does seem like $100 is the minimum you'd want to spend for one. Anything cheaper than that might be good enough for a comfort bike, but ... ;)

[Daddy X]

I bought a USE brand suspension post a few years back for my hardtail and love it. I don't know exactly how the Rock Shox works but the USE has an adjustment so you can play with the shock tension. My only problem now is that I took if off to lend it to someone and when I went to put it back on I lost one of the seat clamp parts, oops.


Damn, jumping seated, I SURE hope you are not one of the people who voted for no seat on Shad's poll :crazy2:

[Trevize1138]

You sho can adjust it. They even took it apart for me at Freewheel to show me how to do it. Pretty simple: unscrew the top, take out elastomer, cut elastomer to desired length (if you want it even stiffer) put back together and adjust preload with allen wrench from bottom. Even got some Judy Butter with it for lube. I can probably overhaul my front fork now! :banana:

[tmac]

So can you climb the uphill log steps at Leb seated now? That'd be the real test I suppose.

[Tetreves]

I bought a Koobi PRS saddle, and I've really been enjoying it. It only has a 1/4" of travel to it, but it's just enough to take the edge off the small bumps and allow me to stay seated. It's also adjustable for your weight. I really noticed the difference at first between the Koobi and my old saddle, and the Koobi was great (and my back hurts MUCH less) now that I've used it for several weeks I don't even notice it, but I'm sure that if I switched to a different saddle I would hate it...it's a good saddle, and I like it. (Plus the added benefit of the split nose, 'cuz I got a lotta junk)

So for whatever that's worth...

It's at www.koobi.com


-ed

[martini]

I've got one too. Though I dont use it much. The time I have used it(chequamegon come to mind), it's been wonderfull to have. It really smooths out the trail, with little wieght penalty. I also have the rock shox one. I don't use it much cause I like more offset to my post than the RS post offers.

[ice ice baby]

Due to recent lower back pain, I am strongly considering buying a suspension seatpost. The guys at Penn said if I wanted a seatpost I should buy the heavy duty Rock Shox one and not the cheap $40 one. Is this true and if so, which seatposts would yuo recomend?:banana:

[martini]

I'd go with the shop guys recommendo. Rock Shox or USE are where its at. Though I hear that the White Brothers AP-1 is really nice too, plus it comes in an extra long 400mm for the tall boys. I think they're all in the $100-$130 range at normal LBS prices, cheaper online if you're willing to trust the online retailers.

[Dr. Guitar]

I got myself an Avenier (SP?) this spring. it was an immedeate relife to my back. I will allways ride with one from now on.

Has anyone ever tried a Thudbuster? On my new bike I want something better.

[denis-on-enduro]

why don't you people get real bikes with full suspension?

[zerpy]

Originally posted by denis-on-enduro
why don't you people get real bikes with full suspension?

Because with a suspension seatpost you get the benefit of saving your a$$ and lowerback while still getting full power to the back wheel.

Do you guys know of the weight limitations on that rock shox seat post? I was looking at the thudbuster which looks real cool, but there is a 250lb weight limit. Wondering what the rock shox one is.

Right now I am 300lbs. I'm pretty sure that no matter which suspension post I get I'll have to lose some weight first. But, with my height and build, I doubt I'll get much below the 220-240 range. We'll just take that as it comes.

[Daddy X]

Someone told me that they do not make the Thudbusters anymore but that another company makes a similar one. My friend who is a chiro and also races suggested that style to me. He was explaining the mechanics of how it works and basically that they way it travels, back and down, is better for your lower back than the way the USE and Rock Shox style works. But I also believe they are a bit more ching to get them.

I was talking to a guy at the Lebanon Hills Time Trial this spring (wow what a great event :D ) who had one and he LOVED it. He had surgery on his lower back and had problems riding until he got it, now he has no issues what so ever.

[martini]

I would bet that the White Bros AP-1 would work for you. It's an air post(I know scary), but WB is really good at what they do. I've got their air fork on my bike and I've been really happy with it.

I don't want FS, that's why.

[EmL34]

I don't think there's an advantage to having a suspension seat post vs. a full suspension ride from a performance perspective.

Based on the fact that so many here seem to be happy with it, I'd say it is an easy to implement, less expensive alternative to buying a new bike, though.

[Trevize1138]

What style are the USE and Thudbuster? Are they the same as the straight up-and-down cylindar type as the Rock Shox, or does one of those do that parallelagram design where your saddle actually goes down and back?

I test rode a bike with one of those parallelagram posts on it and didn't like it! It absorbed the shock well enough, but when you hit the brakes it throws you up and forward! Not a fun feeling.

We don't buy full-suspension bikes because we're good riders. ;)

[Kingbozo]

Originally posted by Trevize1138
What style are the USE and Thudbuster? Are they the same as the straight up-and-down cylindar type as the Rock Shox, or does one of those do that parallelagram design where your saddle actually goes down and back?


The USE posts (I have one on my hardtail) are telescoping like the Rock Shox. The Thudbuster is a parallelagram. I am not sure if it is still the case, but the USE posts were really light and offered quite a bit of travel compared to the other posts.

We don't buy full-suspension bikes because we're good riders. ;)

Whatever ;)

I'd say it is an easy to implement, less expensive alternative to buying a new bike, though.

Bingo!

[Trevize1138]

Originally posted by Kingbozo
The USE posts (I have one on my hardtail) are telescoping like the Rock Shox. The Thudbuster is a parallelagram. I am not sure if it is still the case, but the USE posts were really light and offered quite a bit of travel compared to the other posts.

Avoid the Thudbuster, then. I don't like the feeling that my bike is bucking me out of the saddle! What I noticed about the telescoping type is you don't have to get used to how it feels, you just enjoy a smoother ride. :banana:

[zerpy]

I have heard some complaints of people being launched by their thudbuster, I suppose the right combination of coming down on a large bump, and hitting the brakes hard right on the rebound - ejector seat!!! :) I would think that would be more of a prob for light riders.

But they are supposed to have like 3 to 4 inches of travel too. I don't know the specs on others but that's almost as much travel as some of the FS bikes.

I guess I need to try them out. Obviously I can't try a thudbuster right now, I'm too darn heavy. But that's also what I'm trying to figure out with the other shocks. Is there like a 200 lb weight limit on some of the shocks? That might considerabbly limit my choices in the future:)

The thudbuster comes with several different elastomers that you can interchange in different combinations (it requires 2 elastomer thingies in it) to tune for your weight.

I've tried some of the websites for rock shox and the thudbuster (cane creek) and the only one that has any decent info is cane creek for the thud buster. I guess they are the only ones that give a damn if people buy their product.

[Trevize1138]

The Rock Shox post looked way easy to adjust. The guy at Freewheel said he rides with one and all you need to do is take it apart, cut the elastomer, then re-adjust the preload if you want a stiffer ride. The cutting tool he used on the elastomer was a steak knife ;)

[mtnbykr]

mine came w/ several different elastomers [light/med/heavy]. i'd think you'd be able to use the elastomer from the old/crappy rs forks also...

k

[Krejci]

why don't you people get real bikes with full suspension?

Because grandpa didnt offer to buy my bike. I had to!!

[socrates]

Originally posted by Trevize1138
We don't buy full-suspension bikes because we're good riders. ;)

ROFL!!!!

No really Chris...why don't you get one?

[Dr. Guitar]

Isn't this thread about seatposts?

I'm leaning twords a hardtails only section. All us hardtailers could finally have some legit convos about bikes. We could sit around with our big stars that are on our bellys. Then if any pogo bike riders make a machine to put hardtail stars on their bellys, to fit in with us, we could make a machine to take off our belly stars. Then if the boing-boing bikers catch on that we have a machine to take off our stars, and then make their own, we could make a new machine to put our stars back on. Then...

[socrates]

Originally posted by Dr. Guitar
Isn't this thread about seatposts?

I'm leaning twords a hardtails only section. All us hardtailers could finally have some legit convos about bikes. We could sit around with our big stars that are on our bellys. Then if any pogo bike riders make a machine to put hardtail stars on their bellys, to fit in with us, we could make a machine to take off our belly stars. Then if the boing-boing bikers catch on that we have a machine to take off our stars, and then make their own, we could make a new machine to put our stars back on. Then...

"pogo"??? "boing-boing"???

It's quite evident that you haven't rid'n a Klein lately....yes it's true their oh-my-ach'n-butt bikes rule but so do their "pogo" or "boing-boing" versions, but with the "pogo - boing-boing" version I'm able to adjust the amount of "pogo - boing-boing" by 1) adjusting pressure in my tires 2) adjusting the pressure in the shock (or locking it out)

Rant On:

I find it quite interesting how many people have an opinion on which is better a HT or FS....I doubt many of these same people have even rid'n a decent FS inorder to feel the difference and see which they prefer, yes it all comes down to individual preferences but I really doubt that more than 15-20 people here have done enough "test rides" to be able to tell the difference

Rant Off:

Now lets shut-up and ride - this has been debated to death in the past few months

PS...Dr. Guitar-the rant is not directed towards you

[socrates]

Originally posted by denis-on-enduro
why don't you people get real bikes with full suspension?

Because they don't want to be Great Riders :D

[Dr. Guitar]

A great rider is not determined by what he/she rides.

A suspension seatpost will not eliminate back pain. I do ride differently with one however.

And I have spent plenty of time on a friends Trek FS bike. Not my cup of tea.

[socrates]

Originally posted by Dr. Guitar
A great rider is not determined by what he/she rides.

Exactly the point of my rant...a great rider is created by their level of confidence and ability....use the tools to their fullest and enjoy the ride!

[sensorysonic]

I've been riding a USE Suspension seatpost since 1999, and its absolutely fantastic. Plus, USE has great customer service, great warranty. My first USE seatpost broke in half, and they totally covered me under their warranty, which technically had expired. Great people at USE! I'm a Clydesdale, ranging in weight between 205-220 at any given time. The USE Alien I am riding is easy to self-service, totally adjustable with the different elastomer spring kits, and rides as if it's not there. I can't tell I have a suspension seatpost under me. Its like riding a hardtail, with the lack of the pounding. One thing. Absolutely DO NOT use Judy Butter in a USE suspension seatpost. This stuff will totally degrade and ruin the inner bushings and seals. Judy Butter is evil, evil I say, so just a warning. Some of the shops have sold Judy Butter with USE suspension seatposts, and that's a no go, bad things will happen. So that's my warning tip for the day! Cheers!

[country]

I have one "pogo" bike and one steel HT. I love both for different reasons. You should ride what helps you enjoy the trail the most and pushes you to the next level in your riding ability. But what ever you do get some objective info about both before you buy.

When I break both of my bikes I ride my wife's and she has a USE post. It's ok for washboard seated duties but as soon as you stand you lose all benefits. It does change your seat position if that bothers you. It's cheaper and provides a small level of comfort compare to the butt kicking some aluminum HT frames can give.

What it doesn't do, help with traction on techinical climbs, keep your rear wheel in contact with the ground on fast rocky descents, or assist with rock and root gardens. Even good riders on suspension bikes will tell you most shock asorbtion should come from your knees and elbows not your bike. If you sit through rock gardens you have other issues regardless of what you ride.

I'm in awe at the passion posted over the HT vs. FSR debate. Is there someone out there trying to force people to ride what they are riding? Ride what you want and ignore the groupies.

[sensorysonic]

I agree with you on most of you points Mark, on the USE suspesion seatpost. But, for climbing, the USE is incredible. It takes the edge off the climb while being seated, and if set up stiff, feels exactly like a hardtail. If you are riding you wifes USE setup, its probably very soft. USE posts are intended to be stiff and responsive, to take the edge off the trail, and give a measure of relief to your back. They are in no way a substitute for a full-suspension bike, not at all. You are right, you can't bomb with them seated, or thrash the hell out of them, but you can't do that with a rigid seatpost either, otherwise it will also snap.

[Trevize1138]

I just swapped out my Rock Shox suspension seat post for the Cane Creek Thudbuster I've been lusting after. Here's my quick review:

I'm not surprised that the seat post is better. The back and down action created by the linkage design goes with the momentum of your body much better than the straight down the seat post style of the Rock Shox.

I was actually getting worried for a while with the Rock Shox that I'd damage it or at least rub things internally wrong because of all the torque I must have been putting on it. Your body wants to fall down and to the rear of the bike but the Rock Shox goes down and to the front of the bike, so you feel like it fights with you sometimes.

So, that's the obvious benefit of the Thudbuster over the Rock Shox. But, a great side-effect is that I'm now a few inches further behind the handlebars! My frame is just a tad on the small side for me (17'' 2001 Stumpjumper M4 and I'm 6'0'') and it doesn't have as long of a top tube as bikes like Gary Fishers or On Ones. But, I've been running a super short stem on that bike anyway and love the way it handles even though the cockpit is a little tight.

The down and back action of the Cane Creek means I'm stretched out a bit more and my weight is even further behind the wheels. So, I expect my handling to improve as well as my ability to stay seated more often.