Hi,

Due to some back issues over the last year or so, I am looking to buy a suspension seatpost to help reduce the strain on it and also to make cycling a bit more comfortable and I would be interested in hearing your comments/experiences/recommendations etc.

FYI, I'm 6'2", 83kgs and the suspension seatpost would be for use on either of my MTB's but most importantly it will be for the touring/bikepacking trips, predominantly off road with double track/gravel type surface but also some single track. I would tend to have a reasonable amount of luggage in the form of carradice saddlebag +/or panniers and a tent upfront. Both MTB's have 100mm suspension forks, although the travelling one is currently set up with rigid forks. If I had to prioritise one bike and use for it, this would be the travel bike (Sonder Frontier) over double track/gravel type roads, fitted with 29" wheels with 2.25 or 2.4 tyres.

There seems to be an array of views/choices out there. I always thought the Thudbuster was probably the way to go but having looked at it again, it seems this one might favour smoother roads and something like the Redshift might be best for MTB use?

Over to you and thanks in anticipation

Hi Teaman... I've had similar issues as yourself and I found it was the change in frame that sorted me. Boardman and Cannondale were a revelation back in the days which despite being alu were so comfy on the old back. I'd look at your frame. Used suspension seatpost for a few years too but ultimately it was the frame that made the bigger difference...

How about a Canyon S25 VCLS 2.0 CF...?

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Wed Aug 24, 2022 5:37 pm Hi Teaman... I've had similar issues as yourself and I found it was the change in frame that sorted me. Boardman and Cannondale were a revelation back in the days which despite being alu were so comfy on the old back. I'd look at your frame. Used suspension seatpost for a few years too but ultimately it was the frame that made the bigger difference...

Thanks but after various visits to an osteopath and chiropractor, they seemed to confirm what I thought, namely that the cause of the back issues wasn't cycling but rather lots of gardening and in particular bending over and weeding. It's weakened it and perhaps made it more vulnerable but they both said cycling shouldn't be a problem and encouraged it. My background is more road but is now mostly MTB and both my MTBs thankfully feel reasonably comfortable (but perhaps not quite as comfy as my full susser in 26" mode which I need to try and sell as I don't use it anymore and i already have n+ too many )

I picked up an ancient Rockshox one for a tenner off eBay. Has some elastomers in it and a rubber gaiter at the top. Like this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325274528741 ... SwFTpi1d-S

Put it on my drop bar touring/cx bike. I wasn't sure if it was doing much, but had my pal check out my rump over some bumpy bits and he said it was pretty active. Quite good going through bombhole ruts/potholes etc - I could keep pedalling where he was getting bounced up off the saddle with a rigid post.

So... potentially an option if you can find a cheap one? Outer than that you probably want a Redshift one, their stuff is well regarded.

I've been lusting after a pnw coast dropper/suspension post. Sadly no personal experience of it, but maybe one to add to your list?

Ps there's a bloke selling a redshift post for 175 over on yacf. You might have to register with the site to view his ad.

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=123816.0

I’ve used various suspension posts:

PNW coast suspension dropper:
Feels like it only really works for big hits and does less taking the trail buzz compared to redshift or thudbuster type designs. It’s also noticeable that the movement is up and down rather than moving in an arc like the redshift or thudbuster designs. But it is a dropper which the others are not

Redshift suspension post:
I have this on cargo bike, it feels like the post ‘floats’ and is more plush than others, but I think it moves a bit more when pedalling.

CaneCreek eesilk+:
Takes the trail buzz out and lessens bigger hits, it’s also comparatively light. This is my favourite on my drop bar 29er. I did have some issues with a bolt falling out and uk distributor not having a clue but emailing the USA contact address they were very helpful and resolved. There is also some side to side movement after a year’s use, I suspect it’ll not be the longest lasting piece of kit

CaneCreek Thudbuster LT
Good for trail buzz and bigger hits, it’s heavier and more tricky to use with a seat pack

I had a USE suspension seatpost on a 2004 Specialised hardtail. It did take some of the sting out of the lumps and bumps, but I don't think it had any damping and it would get really annoying as you were trying to pedal while pogoing up and down. I read a group test article that said the thud buster was the best, can't remember where I saw it though.

Boab wrote: ↑Wed Aug 24, 2022 6:08 pm How about a Canyon S25 VCLS 2.0 CF...?

Thanks Boab. Not sure why but I've always thought of these as being more appropriate for a road bike . I did however read somewhere that a cheaper Chinese clone version worked very well but possibly on a road bike

BenS wrote: ↑Thu Aug 25, 2022 11:31 am I’ve used various suspension posts:

PNW coast suspension dropper:
Feels like it only really works for big hits and does less taking the trail buzz compared to redshift or thudbuster type designs. It’s also noticeable that the movement is up and down rather than moving in an arc like the redshift or thudbuster designs. But it is a dropper which the others are not

Redshift suspension post:
I have this on cargo bike, it feels like the post ‘floats’ and is more plush than others, but I think it moves a bit more when pedalling.

CaneCreek eesilk+:
Takes the trail buzz out and lessens bigger hits, it’s also comparatively light. This is my favourite on my drop bar 29er. I did have some issues with a bolt falling out and uk distributor not having a clue but emailing the USA contact address they were very helpful and resolved. There is also some side to side movement after a year’s use, I suspect it’ll not be the longest lasting piece of kit

CaneCreek Thudbuster LT
Good for trail buzz and bigger hits, it’s heavier and more tricky to use with a seat pack

Thanks Ben and others. Still not sure which will suit me best so will try and research it some more and post an update once I've got one on the bike.

BenS wrote: ↑Thu Aug 25, 2022 11:31 am CaneCreek Thudbuster LT
Good for trail buzz and bigger hits, it’s heavier and more tricky to use with a seat pack

Agreed,

I couldn't get it to work with wild cat harnesses but it works brilliantly with Acepac's seat packs

Another vote for the eesilk, I managed to grab one for a good price from the alpkit ebay store