I recently electrified my beloved steel tourer, and the extra speed combined with worsening road surface in my area is making me want a bit more comfort. Getting older might be a factor as well 😛
Has anyone tried suspension seatposts? Are they effective? Are there any downsides, besides a small amount of extra weight?
There’s a bunch of different styles(sprung seat, lever post, air or spring chamber, rubber block) so the experience can vary widely. I’ve used a lot of them and can tell you that at best, the improvement is very minor, as in they only take the bite out of the most violent hits and not much else. At worst, they act as a pogo stick and at a certain pedaling cadence, you will feel like you are bouncing while riding.
If you’re not expecting much from them, I don’t think it’s a bad thing to try but if you’re experiencing pain that’s keeping you from riding as much as you want, you’re likely not going to get the relief you’re hoping for.
I tried a seat post suspension once but didn’t like it. It changes your distance to the crank slightly during up/down movement and felt awkward to me.
But then again I don’t enjoy front or rear suspension for road bikes for the same reason: that the steering geometry changes with the compression of suspension and alters your turning while in the turn.
If you want to actually improve the comfort of your ride then I advise you to look at changing your tyres before adding novelty items like suspension seat posts. It will change the riding characteristics a lot more on the bike.
I’m not sure how much bigger my frame will accommodate - I think my current tyres are 40c and I could go up to 45, or 50 at a real push.
Do you think moving up to 45 would be noticeable?
Depends on the terrain but 40 up to 50 is a 25% increase so I would imagine so.
The tyres themselves will make a different depending on the suppleness and thickness of the rubber used as well as tread patterns.
What type of inner tube you use or moving to tubeless will also change the ride charactaristics.
I have a Kinekt dual-spring suspension seatpost that I have been riding on for years. For the most part, I really like it and it works well to smooth out bumps in my ride. It has a decent amount of travel for shock absorption.
However, it requires having the correct springs installed for the rider’s weight. If the springs are too soft, you’ll bottom out or bounce up and down as you pedal. Springs that are too stiff will nullify any benefit of having a suspension.
It takes time to dial it in, but for anyone who suffers from back or pelvic pain, I recommend a good suspension seatpost.
I haven’t tried them. I have heard good things. However, I don’t know you and don’t know what you know, so let me provide some generic advice for saddle pain that is less expensive and more effective:
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Bike fit. Either learn to fit your bike to your body, or you can pay a shop to do it for you. Notably, a more upright position will cause more weight on your bum and less on your hands, and vice versa. Also you can measure the width of your “sit bones” by sitting on a piece of cardboard or something, and get an appropriately-sized saddle.
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Padded shorts. These will make the biggest difference.
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"Chamois butter’. Basically like a chalky substance that absorbs moisture and prevents chafing.
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Ride more. Your sit bones will “wear in” like any other part of your body. The more you ride, the more comfortable it will be.
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Thank you for this post, it happens I’m actually eyeing a redshift suspension seatpost. Have heard positive reviews about them though everyone seems to agree it’s not like you’d get the suspension level of a double-suspension bike.
Though now that you mention you’re thinking about your steel tourer it makes me wonder if you have considered one of those brooks-type of seatposts that have springs on them that act like a bit of suspension.
