AceH

I just joined this forum and I posed this in the General Cycling Forum because I did not notice this forum until just now. Excuse me for posting in more than one forum.

Question...
Could a suspension seat post on a Comfort Bike deal with a rider who weighs 230 lbs?

I'm torn between a Mountain Bike and a Comfort Bike. I would get the Comfort bike but I'm not sure about the suspension seat post and my weight.

P.S. I'm riding to lose weight and the bike in question is a rather low end bike. I also like the upright riding position on the Comfort Bike. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

CACycling

The post will most likely bottom out once your bottom hits it. Seat posts are pretty cheap (especially if you aren't looking for a light weight one) so I'd consider dumping the suspension post and getting a regular one. At your weight, you don't have to worry about anything super strong so pretty much anything will work.

AceH

Thanks. I think I'll go with the Comfort Bike since I like the upright riding position, then later replace the suspension seat post with a rigid one.

pinsonp2 

I started at 240# with a lowly Schwinn Sierra 7 that had and still has a suspension seat post. Never an issue. I have since moved to a Trek Navigator 2 (needed a bigger frame once I got more limber) and no problems with that suspension post or fork. Now, I must say, the Navigator has its uses, but it is a slug compared to my FX and my 2.1. The Nav is a great bike for trudging my stuff to yoga class and backand just cruising the hood! Enjoy whatever you get.

P2

AceH

Isn't your "hood" Grosse Point, MI?

pinsonp2 

No, wish it was! I am downriver, Detroit River that is, from the Points.

jgsatl

one of these will work great for you at your weight



https://www.thudbuster.com/products.html

a bit expensive, but can be a real rear end and back saver.

MIH-Dave

Downriver? I'm rocking out in the DH (South Dearborn Heights). I love my "lowly" Schwinn Sierra with suspension seat post. I have not had any issues with the seat post. Remember they're adjustable, you just have to play around with it to get it right.

Bingo

For what it's worth, I have a Trek Navigator 2.0 with seat post suspension and I'm a big ole boy at about 280. It doesn't bottom out on me that I can tell. I like it. I'd say just head over to your local bike shop and try taking one for a spin to see.

200mph

Some of the suspension seat posts can be adjusted for spring preload and in some cases the spring can be changed depending on rider weight. At least this was the case with my 8 year old Cannondale. The seat post instructions that came with the bike described how to adjust the preload and listed the various springs that could be purchased separately depending on rider weight. Keep in mind this was no a high dollar seat post. Take the seat post all the way out of the bike and look inside. If it accepts an allen wrench or some other tool it is likely adjustable.

Mr Danw

My suspension seat post was fine on my Schwinn Sierra when I was pushing 240. I did tighten the pre-load. It still works well after many miles.