Suspension Seat Post Advice

[saxman]

I'm looking to upgrade my suspension seatpost. I bought a fairly inexpensive one (I can't remember the brand name) a few years ago when I returned to riding after suffering a compression fracture of two of my vertebrae (I think it was my T-1 & T-2). It made a world of difference, but I'd like to upgrade to something better to protect my back, which is still a bit vulnerable to shocks directly up the spine. I know I'm eventually going to have to bite the bullet one day and go with a DS bike, but I'm trying to put that day off as long as possible as I like the way my hardtail handles.

I've been considering the Rock Shox telescoping seatpost and the Cane Creek Thudbuster, which is more of a pivot-type suspension seatpost. Anyone have experience with either of these suspension seatposts or have any suggestions/advice on another brand?

[skiandmtb]

My wife really enjoys her thudbuster. Softens out the bumps, adjustable via the elastomers. Didn't try any others, but researched on MTBR.com

LJ

[skiandmtb]

I got a duelie, maybe you should too! (Seems to be some used ones for sale)

[bikerRob]

... I know I'm eventually going to have to bite the bullet one day and go with a DS bike, but I'm trying to put that day off as long as possible as I like the way my hardtail handles....I've been considering the Rock Shox telescoping seatpost and the Cane Creek Thudbuster, which is more of a pivot-type suspension seatpost. Anyone have experience with either of these suspension seatposts or have any suggestions/advice on another brand?

3/29/05 >> I've been using the "USE XCR" suspension seatpost for about 4-5 years and have never regretted it. It is however, one of the more expensive brands but you get what you pay for. It is light weight, with 2 inches of adjustable, useable travel and easy to maintain. There are a couple of draw backs though...for one, the clamp screws are easy to strip so you have to be real careful when you mount the seat on the clamps. Once you get the position of the seat dialed in you're ready to go. The other drawback is that once you get use to riding it you will never want to ride without it. ( It works that good ). I've heard from others that the Thudbuster is pretty good too...it just draws a little more attention if you know what I mean.

[Dirt]

There are a few different kinds to think about.

The ones like the Thudbuster that use a parallelogram design to give suspension travel, and those that telescope to give travel. Each have their advantages and disadvantages.

Parallelogram Designs: The Thudbuster is the most popular of these designs. They actually make two different models. One had just under 2" of travel, the other has about 3". When you hit a bump, the seat swings back in a rearward arc as the seatpost compresses. That is how it is able to get a lot of travel. Some people really like this motion. It works really well on the back of our tandem. Others don't like how it effectively changes the seat tube angle when you hit a bump. It is the kind of thing that you should try if you can before you buy one. Some folks don't like that there is very limited damping control to these posts.

The good part about it is that since the seatpost is moving back instead of down, it doesn't change the effective seat height as much as a telescoping post does.

Damping is what controls the speed at which the seatpost compresses and rebounds. A seatpost with no damping would basically work like a catapult (as Trek found out with their first suspension bike design about 13 years ago).

One note of caution. There are a lot of deals available on Thudbusters. Cane Creek (makers of the Thudbuster) came out with a revamped model of the 3" travel post and the new 2" travel post about 8 months ago. These both have stronger and more rigid pivots. In the long run, you may be better off making sure that the deal that you get is on the new, upgraded Thudbuster.

Telescoping Designs: I think you see more of these. They're often made by companies that sell suspension forks. Rock Shox, USE and White Brothers are three examples. The useful travel on these posts is somewhat Some use elastomers (slightly high tech rubber bumpers) to provide both spring and damping. Others use a coil spring and some kind of fluid damper. These tend to offer a bit better damping and smoother operation than the elastomer type.

One of the main problems with the telescoping type is that it makes seat height adjustment problematic. Your seat height changes every time you hit a bump. If you have very precise measurements for your seat height, it is difficult to measure your true seat height since it must be done with you sitting on the saddle in a riding position in order to compress the post.

Investing in a good quality post is suggested rather than going on the cheap as the bearings or bushings (the usually plastic surfaces upon which the seatpost slides) are of higher quality. Some last very well as is identified by the previous poster who talked about his 4 or 5 year old USE. That says a lot for the quality of the USE post. It is also one of the lightest.

One last word of caution. Whatever post you get, make sure that you supplement the seals that come with the post. Dirt, mud and water are the enemy of the suspension seatpost. You can make your own seal with an old bicycle tube and a pair of zip ties. For our thudbuster, I purchased a motorcycle tube and stretched it over the post.

You can see it in this photo:
http://myroadtrips.peterbeers.net/mbrt/Bike_Repair/Project_Phoenix/I_MG_1413.JPG

It isn't pretty (Especially on such a dirty bike -- a bike which is now spotless and in full working order) but it has allowed that seatpost to function well for many years.

Hope that helps with the search a little.

Pete

[TrailVictim]

Performance in Manassas has or at least had the other day a new Thudbuster on the junk table back by the shop for like 60 bones.

[mscard]

I have a Tamer Tricky Dick (27.2) you can have for $40. It's very similar to the Cane Creek post, except instead of the an elastomer it has a steel spring inside of the post. For more details on the post see http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Suspension_Seatpost/product_88994.shtml)

I bought it to try and soften up my old hardtail before the SM100 and just didn't like it. I road it once or twice, then desided to go back to my rigid carbon post.

Let me knowif your interested.

Mike

[camp]

I've been considering the Rock Shox telescoping seatpost
I have 2 of these sitting on a shelf in my garage.
You can try them, or have them for free.

[bcaverly]

I love my USE XCR seatpost. Strong, lightweight and no play in it at all even after 4 or 5 years of intermitent use. Some of the cheaper versions I have seen have more play new out of the box than the USE does.

That said - it is no substitute for full suspension. It's great for dampening the annoyance of small amplitude vibrations like the rooty sections of the lake perimeter trail at Seneca Creek SP. For larger obstacles you either need FS or just rise up off the saddle, legs bent (which you should probably be doing anyway) - your legs are a much better and more effective shock absorber for larger 'hits' than any seatpost will be.

[Parrishdk]

I've been using a Rockshox suspension post for a couple of years. Seems to work pretty well, I've never had a problem with it. To be honest, I've never done a hint of maintenance to it either. Not saying that's a good thing mind you, just a thing. LOL. It's travel is sort of limited, I'd say no more than an inch and a half max. If I were to do it all over, I'd go with the Thudbuster, just for the extra travel.

[saxman]

Thank you for the very informative responses...and for the offers on the suspension seatposts. I'm leaning towards the Thudbuster, but some of the offers put on the table are definitely worthy of consideration.

[jks9199]

I'm looking to upgrade my suspension seatpost. I bought a fairly inexpensive one (I can't remember the brand name) a few years ago when I returned to riding after suffering a compression fracture of two of my vertebrae (I think it was my T-1 & T-2). It made a world of difference, but I'd like to upgrade to something better to protect my back, which is still a bit vulnerable to shocks directly up the spine. I know I'm eventually going to have to bite the bullet one day and go with a DS bike, but I'm trying to put that day off as long as possible as I like the way my hardtail handles.

I've been considering the Rock Shox telescoping seatpost and the Cane Creek Thudbuster, which is more of a pivot-type suspension seatpost. Anyone have experience with either of these suspension seatposts or have any suggestions/advice on another brand?


I suffered a compression fracture of the L1 & L2 about 15 years ago, and I ride a hardtail without back problems, and without a suspension seat. You might want to try wearing one of the lightweight bodybuilding/aerobic back support belts, instead. I had to do that for about 6 months as I healed, and then for the next year when my back was bothering me, whatever the exercise I was doing. You also want to work on your ab strength and general flexibility... It's amazing how much your abs and "bendiness" have to do with back pain...

Jim

[saxman]

I was tinkering with the bike tonight and looking over my current suspension seatpost. Lo and behold, the sucker was frozen! I've been riding essentially with an unsuspended seatpost...and I survived! I took a few shots, but overall it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.

I was able to free up the seatpost and get it working again. Once I try this one on the trails, I'll decide if I want to upgrade, or perhaps even return to the stock seatpost, since my back appears to be a bit more resilient than I had previously thought.