My little 46 year old brother and I , 56, just did a short tour of 160 miles from Kenduskeag Me. to bar Harbor and Back. We took 3 days and had a ball for a couple of grey hair newbies. However, we did a 70 miler coming home and the back side or sit bones did some complaining.

I am riding a Trek 520 with the standard seat post and a Terry Liberator X saddle. I tried a Brooks for 1200 miles but mu prostate just would not get along with the saddle. It was fine for about 40 miles but the last 30 required a lot of saddle shifting. I looked on line at the Thudbuster ST suspension seat post and it looked like it could take the sting out of Bar Harbor's and route 1A's bumps.

Any opinions?

Thanks, Mike....

The Thudbuster has definite utility for tandem stokers who's anticipation of potholes is stymied by the back and shoulders of the captain. Other than for cushioning major jolts, I can't see how the Thudbuster will address your problem. I think you need a proper seat for your butt and you might have it with the Terry or even the Brooks. Since you are a newbie you may need to learn to not rest all of your weight on the saddle and your butt may need some toughening. You might also need to learn to stand on the pedals when riding over rough pavement. Sometimes refining technique is better than buying another "solution".

I think you may be right on just time and technique. I have commuted 120 miles a week for 2 years now to work and just started short tours. 24 miles a day in 12 mile increments 8 hours apart is quite different than 70 miles over the 9 hours we did on our short tour. We took 10 minute breaks every 10 to 12 miles and at the top on long climbs. Being more pro active on standing for bumps and just accepting some discomfort is normal on longer rides should help.

Hi gowfermike, I'm 56 too and recently swapped to a Selle SMP Strike Plus saddle after prostate surgery. For me, it made the difference between riding and not riding, though my problem was more in the area of the epididymus (the tube descending into the scrotum). The saddle has a huge cutout down the centre and its drop nose design means the cutout doesn't end just where you need it most. I've been thinking about adding a Thudbuster too but since switching to the Selle SMP haven't really needed to. The saddle is expensive but it's been worth every penny for me.

By the way, I believe Selle SMP make a touring saddle called the Martin Tourer but it's synthetic, not leather. Don't know much about it.

The Thudbuster might throw off the geometry because it may put you up too high. Give it a try but also look at other suspension seat posts that are not as thick and shorter. Also, give the Brooks Champion flyer a chance because the springs also act as a suspension.

I purchased the Thudbuster ST. It has worked well for the past 3 days of commuting. The combination of the Terry Liberator gel and the Thudbuster have eliminated any prostate issues and the sit bones are happier. It may be overkill, but as on with prostate issues yourself, I know you understand. I look forward now to getting on my bike again.

I just mounted a Thudbuster St on my Surley LHT build I did this spring. I had a Thudbuster LT on my Dahon folder and that seatpost just floats over everything. I went with the Thudbuster ST on the Surly to just take the edge off busted off roads. I like that I can swap in different elastomers to make it softer or harder riding. I ride with a Brooks B17 and have never been more comfortable on a bike.

Brian

ST Elastomer Trade? I have a white and a blue elastomer for the ST, need a purple and a black. I hope I'm not busting the posting guidelines, but here's a temporary email if you want to make a trade thudbuster@sent.com , Tom

I like my Thudbuster too. Gel saddles are fine for shorter runs but I'm not sure about longer runs. You might want to check out the Selle Anatomica saddles - these are way more comfortable than a Brooks - or at least there's no battle of wills about who's going to break first: you or the saddle.