Trevtassie

Anybody got a suggestion for a good suspension seat post that won't cost the earth, isn't as heavy as an anchor and won't crap out after a few thousand kilometers?

Trevtassie

Think I answered my own question, got a USE Vybe- the originators of the telescopic elastomer post. So hopefully it won't end up all twisty loose like the cheaper copies and it only weighs 455g.

BikeLite

Most common might be thudbuster but suntour makes one under 100 bucks.

jmeb

Thudbuster or bigger, supple tires. Isolating shocks to the rider is much more easily done at the tire level than it's transmitted through the frame to the post.

DropBarFan

Thudbuster ST is about the same price & weight as Vybe. I have an old Trek city bike with suspension seat post & fork that work surprisingly well. Haven't tried a susp post on the Trucker but the added comfort might well be worth the weight.

Happy Feet

If that doesn't work another option is a sprung seat.
A Brooks "Flyer" is just a B17 with springs. I have a B67 which is a bit wider for more upright riding and it's pretty comfortable on the bumps.

Trevtassie

Where I live a Thudbuster is US$200, I did look at the SR, but dang, that thing weighs nearly 1000g. The Vybe works out to be US$100 delivered from the UK (where the manufacturer is based). I have been using the cheap equivalent of a Vybe, they tend to wear out quickly and get all floppy.

J.Higgins 

I have a flyer on my LHT and I absolutely love it. Looks retro to boot!

Leebo

Springer seat and bigger tires? OP, current ride and tires in use?

stardognine

I was seriously looking at the B-67 last year, but then accidentally found my current saddle. I don't see a model # or name, but it was a pull off of a new Cannondale, at a shop down near Columbus. It looks like most any "modern" saddle, but it's actually very comfy, which is saying a lot, since I'm pretty skinny, lol.

FrontRanger

Fit the largest, most supple tires your frame/fork will clear (and don't run them at max psi). The BodyFloat post, while not cheap, is very effective at isolating road buzz/chatter.

J.Higgins 

I had to look it up, and hey now that Bodyfloat rig looks pretty nice. I'd like to try one out for sure.

jeff400650

Specialized CGR (cobble gobbler). I hear good things about them. Would be the lightest, I bet.

FrontRanger

They're very nice. You don't realize how much of a difference it makes until you switch back to a conventional rigid post.

veganbikes

I wouldn't want a suspension seatpost even Body Float or Thudbuster which are both fine options. Wider tires at lower pressure and a good comfortable frame, fork and saddle are the way to go.

DropBarFan

I moved from 38mm to 50mm tires & it helps comfort & handling a lot on the already-smooth riding Disc Trucker. OTOH saddle shock can cause creeping fatigue, sometimes bumps & helmet weight give me headaches. I agree with Sheldon Brown that sprung saddles are logical for touring, IMO there should be plastic versions in addition to the Brooks models.

Trevtassie

Not much room to go on tires, though when the new Troll frame arrives I could jump up from 2.0 to 2.4. I more just like something to take the edge off big hits when touring, so I can belt down hills without needing to stand. The cheapy posts do that, but don't last.

fietsbob

I own 2 Thudbusters, My Bike Friday has a Long travel, My Koga has a short travel

Both use 1.7" wide tires

Weight-weenie Light? there are Carbon fiber posts engineered to flex underneath you..

one: https://www.ergon-bike.com/en/product...tzen#cf-series



....

edthesped

I'd love to have the disposable income to see if the ergon posts is comfortable.

fietsbob

Spring of coiled steel inside an Aluminum seat post is the low cost end of the market.. saddles can wobble rotationally a bit..

Thud Busters are not light but they do dampen road shocks effectively with a series of rider's weight adjustable elastomers, (mine are for my 200#)



Newer 'Body Float' is Active and follows the up and downs with 2 coil springs..





....

DropBarFan

Ergon CF3 is "only" $166 + shipping on Bike-Discount.de, about half the weight of Thudbuster ST but not adjustable, seems aimed more at roadies/CXers.

BodyFloats are heavy & expensive, non-dampened design apparently aimed at hardtail MTBs.

Ergon would be a nice experiment but I'd guess resale value is not good. Interesting that on Ebay I see no used Thudbuster ST's...sign of satisfied buyers?

dabac

I've been quite happy with my Thudbuster ST.

DropBarFan

Reading more positive Thudbuster reviews, gotta try it. Not crazy about extra weight but Thudbuster/synthetic saddle combo is not much more than regular seatpost + Brooks leather (which unfortunately don't fit me). Plus, I'd guess that Thudbuster cushioning might even allow one to use ultra-light saddles.

Carbonfiberboy 

Another vote for the Specialized CG-R CobL-GobL-R. Works very well for damping out vibration and small bumps. No bouncing, lasts forever.

Trevtassie

I got a USE Vybe. Good bit of gear, well made, not too heavy, discrete (ie doesn't look stealable) and works great without being a pogo stick. Can recommend it.