Thudbuster and Bike Friday
 

Anyone have a Thudbuster on a Bike Friday? If so does it work well? I signed up for my first brevets. I'd love to use my Pocket rocket but it's a little uncomfortable after 100km. It's mostly the seat tube area as the front flexes a bit. It's all asphalt riding. I've found a used Thudbuster ST in my area and I'm wondering if it's worth the trouble and money.

I used to have a non-Thudbuster suspension seatpost which was a Rockshox and it helped a lot on the comfort side when I had my BF New World Tourist during my 8000 miles tour in 2003. I now have a Thudbuster ST seatpost on my Dahon Mu SL and it helps a lot too especially riding past 80 to 100km comfort wise and it does not stick occassionally like a normal suspension seatpost does. Combined with a Pantour suspension wheel upfront, I have a magic cushioned carpet ride!

My Pocket Llama came with one, an LT, I disclosed my weight and they included the appropriate elastomers.

recently got a Boot made for the LT , [QBP] to cover the mech.. aka 'Crud buster', made for dirty riders .

It will keep the lube on the pivots cleaner..

wow I had never heard of a suspension wheel before thanks for introducing me to that.

I should probably get a cover as well, I tend to get that pocket rocket filthy on weekend trips.

The party selling the used ST is letting me try it out for a while to make sure it's right for my needs. So that's a perfect situation. I'll pick it up as soon as I get some time. I'm interested to see if it makes a significant difference without messing up my pedal stroke.

The Thudbuster ST is a marvellous thing, better IMO than the LT version. I use it with a softer than recommended elastomer and it's ideal on less-than-perfect road surfaces. Lots of London boroughs no longer appear to have any money to fix the gargantuan craters that have appeared in the roads after the icy winter weather, it's actually perilous on small-wheeled bikes. A sign of the way things are heading.

We have been riding Fridays (a NWT and a Crusoe) with Thud-Buster LT's since 2007. We like them.


They make our custom Fridays with 1.35" Kojacks feel just like our Pocket 8's that are equipped with 1.75" tires.

Lou

That's kind of what I was wondering...
My pocket rocket is actually set up pretty aggressive. I have the custom stem out long and a bit low, 1-1/8 tires. I like to run the tires high psi. She's fast; but I had to trade off comfort for that. I think my longest ride with it was 140km. I was pretty sore after that ride. This was mostly due to little bumps jolting my body. I'm adding aerobars and hopefully the Thudbuster for just a little more distance ability, when I designed the bike I never thought I'd use it for a brevet but it climbs so well and is easy to keep speed on. If I would have known I was going to do distance I would have maybe gone with different wheels and gotten the thinner tubing.

So you suggest a softer elastomer then? That doesn't mess up your pedal stroke or cause the the suspension to bottom out?

I have a question for cyclists using Thudbusters... what saddles do you use?

Makes sure the party has the extra elastomers for fine tuning riding weight to get the effectiveness of the suspension travel. It doesn't effect by bobbing if you spin smoothly if that's your concern.

Any saddle, but make sure the nose isn't too narrow or your thighs may rub against the para-linkage. Mine does very slightly.

I use brooks on all my bikes but I imagine any saddle would fit with it. I don't know if I'd want to use a saddle with springs and a suspension saddle though.

I'll use my Brooks Swift with the seatpost.

Me? Currently a S.I, (for Avocet) 'Turbo' Wet weather (under plastic bag cover) stability..

We are using stock Velo D2 saddles (as provided by Green Gear) on all four Fridays. The elastomers we use are one step up (stiffer) from mfg recommendation. We do not bottom out, however at 70 & 68, we are not super aggressive riders either.

Lou

Thanks Lou. I misunderstood you at first. Yes going with a firmer setup seems like a good Idea for road riding. I think the Thudbuster was designed for off-road riding. I'll try that :)

Brooks B66 with Thudbuster ST on my Raleigh. I use the LT on my 29er MTN bike.

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4143/4...96522e85_z.jpg

Damn, do you even know that you're sitting down with that much cush? ;)