Mountain Biking - Suspention seat posts.

Just wondering if any of you guys/gals are riding with one? Just wondering if the added comfort is worth the extra weight and cost? Also which one are you using if you are using one.

I just ordered a RockShox Suspension Seatpost and will post a review soon.

Take a look at :
RockShox (http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Suspension_Seatpost/product_23190.shtml)
and
Thudbuster (http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Suspension_Seatpost/product_23209.shtml)
reviewed at MTBReview.

I had one on my last bike and plan to get one for my new bike. I forget what I had but it made a nice difference in ride comfort. I've heard a lot of good things about the Rock Shox one and the Thudbuster. You will not notice the difference that the suspension seat post will add. We're talking what a couple pounds maybe? People need to get over adding a couple pounds.

Try searching the forums - there was a discussion about this a while ago that might have some good info in it for you. You van check out the ratings at www.mtbr.com . The thudbuster and the Rock-shox style are both liked by many people. The thudbuster, because of its design, I think means that the distance between your seat and the pedals doesn't change as much as it does when the Rock-Shox (telesoping, like a fork) when it compresses and rebounds. If anyone could clarify this, I would appreciate it. Running a suspension seat post will take the edge of off the sharper bumps, and you can change the elastomers or other material to make the seatpost suspension stiffer or softer. Running lower tire pressure and wider tires are also less expensive ways to take the edge off the sharper impacts. Standing over the rougher stuff (you probably already do this) also helps. Good luck!

Originally posted by sebring
We're talking what a couple pounds maybe? People need to get over adding a couple pounds.

Really just a couple hundred grams....but who's counting? :)

I had a telescoping one and hated it. When I set the initial sag (weight on seat) it was difficult to adjust the seat height. Once that ordeal was over, I went for a ride. Whenever I stood up, guess what the seat raised up too. When I would ride some steep descents, the seat would rise up and catch my shorts. I just never got comfortable with it on the bike. I never knew where the seat was. I switched to a fixed post, and stood more on the bike!

Other people love theirs! To each his own!

L8R

Cane Creek Thudbuster;

Brilliant!!!

Cheap ones can work lose with regular use. They are designed for occassional weekend leisure rides.
As an alternative, consider a sprung Brooks leather saddle. The Conquest model is designed for MTB use. With a lightweight seatpost, the weight penalty is not that great compared to a sus post, and may be lighter.

Check out the latest issue of MBA for some short tips
on how to improve comfort with and without a suspension seatpost. The section is short, but its got some good ideas that you might not have though of yet.

-Moab