General Cycling Discussion - suspension seatpost?

I like these, I think they make alot of sense,...and I'll tell ya why!!!

On most full suspension bikes, the rear suspension setup is much like a motorbike, the suspension swing arm is hinged where the motor is or would be. Problem is, on a bicycle the center of gravity isnt at the crank but up above the seat,.....the rider!!!!!!!

Im not saying a suspension post is better, Im just saying they arnt that fare fetched............. :D

The problem with seatpost suspension is primarily that they vary the distance between the seat and the pedals. I prefer that to be constant.

However they are a cheap, lightweight solution for those that want a smoother ride and aren't too concerned about performance.

I'm not sure how much benefit you'd get off road - they generally have a fairly short stroke.

If I were to reinvent the rear suspension setup, I would prolly base the suspension around the seat tube, the seat tube would be fully independent held on by two swing arms (to keep travel vertical).

A suspension seatpost is for the rider, the shock on the rear of a bike is suspension for the bike.

Already been Done!

If I were to reinvent the rear suspension setup, I would prolly base the suspension around the seat tube, the seat tube would be fully independent held on by two swing arms (to keep travel vertical).
.LOL.

There is a similar product not quite exactly as you drew. It's called the thudbuster.
http://www.thudbuster.com/products.html

They dont do anything for a road bike.

They dont do anything for a road bike.


I disagree. They do alot for a road bike if you're willing to give up some performance. In my opinion, if the suspension seat post costs less than $100.00 bucks, you better look elsewhere. The Thudbuster is probably the best one out there. They are necessary for folding bikes with small wheels. I also like the Brooks saddle and it works just as good as my suspension seat post. I have the more aggressive Brooks with 3 springs on my cruiser.

I had one on my hybrid and had on on my felt and they did nothing.I took the one off my felt and if anything,its better without but thats just my bikes. The front shock on my hybrid did way more work and helped a lot.

Your point might have made sense, if the rear suspension were engineered to provide rider comfort. Unfortunately for you, the rear suspension isn't there for rider comfort. Your comparison is the same as saying you could eliminate all of that heavy complicated suspension stuff in the back end of your car, by putting spings under your driver's ass.

Get a grip.

They dont do anything for a road bike.

well Im a big guy, I weight in at 245 pounds, thats alot to sit on :D

So your sitting on a compressed seatpost. I dont know if he's talking about all bikes or just off the street bikes.Dont think they work for street bikes.

I had one on my hybrid and had on on my felt and they did nothing.I took the one off my felt and if anything,its better without but thats just my bikes. The front shock on my hybrid did way more work and helped a lot.

A suspension seat post will work on any bike and I'm positive on this. My 16' inch wheel folding bike is IMPOSSIBLE to ride move than 5 miles without the suspension post. Once I put the post on the bike, I was able to travel 15 miles without any pain. Without a doubt, the new suspension seat post was the best investment I've made on that junk bike.

The problem with most people's perception on suspension seat posts is they cannot determine if they're working. Furthermore, most bike shops install cheap suspension posts that may not work at all. This has been my experience:

1. Break-in Time - Most people give up on suspension seat posts because they don't allow it to break in. Even the Thudbuster needs about 2 - 4 months before it really starts to work. The suspension post is no different than a Brooks saddle. Using a suspension seat post requires you to raise the seat post slightly higher and this process is simply trial and error. I can see why roadbikers may not like this.

2. Cheap posts - The best suspension seat posts cost about $200.00 USD. Unfortunately, most bike shops give you a 20 dollar post and off you go. The cheap posts have lots of pogoing or don't work at all. The best ones offer True damping with over 50 mm or more of smooth travel.

So your sitting on a compressed seatpost. I dont know if he's talking about all bikes or just off the street bikes.Dont think they work for street bikes.

I just ride on the weekends for fun, I dont ride 50 miles a day like everyone else :D

Suspension seatpost are a good alternative on a bike to wheel suspension, because 85% of the total vehicle weight is in the rider. It wont work in a car because the driver is only 5% of the weight.

The problem with wheel suspension is the multiple linkage points that are all subject to wear, and will degrade handling over a period of time.

I have a Post Moderne and I dont notice it except when I ride a bike without a sus post over the same bumpy road.

I just ride on the weekends for fun, I dont ride 50 miles a day like everyone else :D
I dont.18 on Tue; Wed; & Thur. 35-40 on Sat. And 20-25 on Sun. No 50's.

I wonder how riders ride without them?

I have a Thudbuster and love it. I believe (not totally sure where the centerpoint of linkage is) that the parallelogram linkage of the design minimizes change in distance to pedals. When it's working it is swinging down and back, not trying to jam the seatpost forward and down like some suspension seatposts.