Mountain Biking - Suspension seat post

Would you recommend it? Does it help to cushion the ride? Pros and cons on having one. Which model to get and how much do they cost?

Thanks in advance.

Yeah, I would recommend one, especially on a hardtail. Mine is dialled in pretty tight so I experience no bobbing when going all out, but it takes the worst of the shock so my lower-back doesn't have to. So yeah it does help cushion the ride. I haven't experienced any con's, although if you are really into watching the weight then I guess that would be a con. I bought the CaneCreek Thudbuster after checking the reviews on mtbr.com. It cost £100 ($150) for the Thudbuster, Crudbuster, and extra elastomers.

All in all, I've been very happy with this purchase as it allowed me to ride harder and faster, as well as feeling less beaten after the ride. I highly recommend the Thudbuster, you won't be disappointed.

Anyway, happy riding, Portent.

As Portent stated, it takes the edge off. I have an AL hardtail, and the s/s helps with the harshness. I also run mine @ a high compression, so I get no real bobbing.

I bought the USE XC model several years ago, and it's still running strong. I think it cost around $125????

Another option would be carbon seat posts, as they do exhibit some (not as much) shock absorption. In the weight department, they are definitely lighter than suspension seat posts. I'm thinking about getting an Easton carbon post to replace the GT post that came w/ my old Trek.

I also run a Thudbuster on my cannondale al hardtail. It works great so far, really does take the edge off all the small stuff.

on my cromo HT you dont really need one but on my al HT it definately helps a little bit.

The best and most expensive ones have a four bar linkage and look like a parallelogram. This will allow the seat to move more horizontally while absorbing some shock. The benefit is that the distance between the seat and the pedals doesn't change much with each bump.

Originally posted by Chi
Another option would be carbon seat posts, as they do exhibit some (not as much) shock absorption. In the weight department, they are definitely lighter than suspension seat posts. I'm thinking about getting an Easton carbon post to replace the GT post that came w/ my old Trek. A Carbon seatpost on a MTB. You know I got a BAD feeling about that.

I won't be sporting anything carbon for a time, but I've had tons and tons of people assure me that if you make sure you don't overtorque the seat clamp the CF posts are fine. But like I said.. I won't be going down that road again any time soon...

*rubs bum*

Why not? Besides, you wouldn't be sitting down while going downhill, would you? I guess if it does break, the little weight you save would be the last thing you'd be worried about. :p

Originally posted by Chi
Why not? Besides, you wouldn't be sitting down while going downhill, would you? I guess if it does break, the little weight you save would be the last thing you'd be worried about. :p

true that

yo tFUnK where u ride at? Been looking for some trails lately, hopefully when it stops POURING RAIN I'll go back out and enjoy the hills under the sun ...

A response to the price part of the original question

http://www.pricepoint.com/seatpostssuspension.html
http://www.cambriabike.com/seatposts/suspension_seatposts.htm

Originally posted by Chi
yo tFUnK where u ride at? Been looking for some trails lately, hopefully when it stops POURING RAIN I'll go back out and enjoy the hills under the sun ...

i too am looking for some trails. i ride at stevens creek mostly, but there was some trail damage on the small loop i usually go. hwy 9 has some trails i think but the one time i went up my chain snapped before i got far enough up the trail.

right now i am looking at some lighter rides, like railroad trails, or even parks where the path is mainly flat (shoreline in mtn view, lake elizabeth in fremont, stuff like that). usually though just the stretch of railroad that goes thru from mtn view to los gatos. i do this mainly with the gf.

which trails do you ride? i am looking forward to venturing to marin county, san mateo, los altos, fremont, berkeley, santa cruz. i'm not looking for real hardcore stuff right now though, i plan to do everything with my singlespeed. ahhh i can't wait to ride, though it's right about clutch time for me in school =[

edit: riding trails that have just been punished by rain really gets my adrenaline going!

Take a good look at the Thudbuster and the Rock Shox. Personally, I got the Thudbuster and I love it! Thudbuster is going for $89 and the Rock Shox for $45. With the R.S you have to buy the shem also. Thudbuster comes with it. But either way you can't go wrong. They really do make a difference.:)

Another vote for Thudbuster

tFUnK I'm still discovering trails around here but I usually ride w/ the GF along the Bay Trail up here on the peninsula. I've been down to the Los Gatos trail that goes up to the reservoir from Campbell. My friend and I are planning to go back up to this place near Mt Hamilton whenever he gets a day off from work. I also like going down to Bernal Road, there's some hills there that have some pretty technical areas that I find challenging. I've been to Sweeney Ridge up here in San Bruno, but I thought that was kinda short. I shoulda taken the dirt trail down to the beach. :D