Spring loaded saddle verses suspension seat post?

[DouglasB]

I need, or would like, some sort of suspension system in my seat. I know everyone likes the Thudbusters but I'm looking for a less expensive work around. There are the Suntour and Satori seat post as well that I'm consideringa and are less expensive but I have seen some spring loaded seats that look interesting. That was the "old school" way of adding cush to your tush. Anyone have any luck with a spring saddle?

 

[J.R.]

I really like my Kinekt Body Float; the price has gone up and up though. I also own a Thudbuster LT; works pretty good, but you need about 4.5" space between saddle rails and the frame seat tube. On bike 3 I have a XLC spring loaded seat-post and it beats a blank. If I were going on a budget I'd try the Satori post. For only a few dollars more I believe it would beat the XLC post I have.

One thing that doesn't work well is using a sprung saddle with a suspension post. With the different spring rates one can rebound while the other compresses, giving a harsher ride. Theoretically I suppose you could tune them to work together.

I wish I had purchased the Kinekt before the Thudbuster. It works much better. My mistake! Live and learn I guess. I hope you get the one that's perfect on the first try.

 

[christob]

I used a Brooks B67 saddle for about 1,000 miles (until one of the rails broke. Though I think that had to do with my higher weight back then, and positioning the saddle as far forward in the clamp as possible -- so the saddle was quite cantilevered, which wouldn't have helped any, for stress on the rails.)
Anyway - I haven't yet tried a suspension seat post, but the Brooks (which has those 2 massive rear springs) was surprisingly comfortable (though there's a whole "break-in" period that is customary on a stiff leather saddle, as the leather slowly, slowly gets more supple), and I've considered getting another one for awhile now... However, I SUSPECT that no sprung saddle will "compete" with a suspension seat post, in terms of its ability to soak up the road bumps more effectively.

 

[6zfshdb]

My wife and I used this Zoom seatpost with spring loaded seats on our MTB's:

https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-27-2-Al...&qid=1547905055&sr=8-2&keywords=zoom+seatpost

It was a relatively cheap way to improve riding comfort. She loves hers and is still using it. In my case, I'm a bit too heavy for the Zoom and it would bottom out on rough surfaces. I eventually bit the bullet and sprung (no pun intended) for the Thudbuster.

 

[DouglasB]

My wife and I used this Zoom seatpost with spring loaded seats on our MTB's:

https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-27-2-Al...&qid=1547905055&sr=8-2&keywords=zoom+seatpost

It was a relatively cheap way to improve riding comfort. She loves hers and is still using it. In my case, I'm a bit too heavy for the Zoom and it would bottom out on rough surfaces. I eventually bit the bullet and sprung (no pun intended) for the Thudbuster.

I'm 200 lbs so I guess a pogo stick seat post is out for me and I'd guess that would be true for a spring loaded seat as well.

 

[Dewey]

There are the Suntour and Satori seat post as well that I'm considering and are less expensive but I have seen some spring loaded seats that look interesting.

I have a Brooks B66s sprung saddle and it’s all the suspension I need for my 225lb but then I ride on paved roads or asphalt paths. The Suntour SP12 NCX seatpost looks good value but you’ll need to order the hard red spring version (Suntour sell it as a spare part for $15 but you can specify it when ordering)

 

[John from Connecticut]

I really like my Kinekt Body Float; the price has gone up and up though. I also own a Thudbuster LT; works pretty good, but you need about 4.5" space between saddle rails and the frame seat tube. On bike 3 I have a XLC spring loaded seat-post and it beats a blank. If I were going on a budget I'd try the Satori post. For only a few dollars more I believe it would beat the XLC post I have.

One thing that doesn't work well is using a sprung saddle with a suspension post. With the different spring rates one can rebound while the other compresses, giving a harsher ride. Theoretically I suppose you could tune them to work together.

I wish I had purchased the Kinekt before the Thudbuster. It works much better. My mistake! Live and learn I guess. I hope you get the one that's perfect on the first try.

I have Kinekt Body Float Seat Posts on both of my e-Bikes and absolutely love 'em, 4200 combined miles. They cost more then some other products,
but I feel, no pun intended they are worth the $$. To save some dollars I went with the metal post rather than the carbon fiber version.

 

[DouglasB]

I put an add on Craigslist in the "Bike Parts" section, asking if anyone had a suspension seatpost they wanted to sell. A fellow got back to me with a Thudbuster he no longer wanted. $55. I'll need a shim to make it work on my bike, as his is a 31.6 post and mine is a 34.9. I looked on the Cane Creek site and it looks like they don't make a 34.9 post but they do make shims.

 

[J.R.]

I put an add on Craigslist in the "Bike Parts" section, asking if anyone had a suspension seatpost they wanted to sell. A fellow got back to me with a Thudbuster he no longer wanted. $55. I'll need a shim to make it work on my bike, as his is a 31.6 post and mine is a 34.9. I looked on the Cane Creek site and it looks like they don't make a 34.9 post but they do make shims.

That's a good price. Make sure you get all the original elastomers with it. That will allow you to adjust it to your weight. Of course you can buy more from Cane Creek. You can also buy seat-tube shims from other sellers on Amazon.

 

[tomjasz]

Both! The Thudbuster and NCX posts are about equal in performance. BUT the NCX can be had for around $70 with some searching!
Mine came from (Link Removed - No Longer Exists)

I also have a Brookes full suspension seat. I like the NCX with a big butt Cloud9 seat best.

 

[DouglasB]

I got it for $45 including a seat that's in great shape and looks comfortable. Let's hope it all works out. The seller took it off of a bike he purchased used. It appears to be in good shape and has the heavier #7 elastomer, so that's good, as I'm 205 lbs. If it is too soft, I'll give it to my wife and get something else probably the NCX.

 

[tomjasz]

I got it for $45 including a seat that's in great shape and looks comfortable. Let's hope it all works out. The seller took it off of a bike he purchased used. It appears to be in good shape and has the heavier #7 elastomer, so that's good, as I'm 205 lbs. If it is too soft, I'll give it to my wife and get something else probably the NCX.

Score!

 

[DouglasB]

Got the shim for the Thudbuster today and installed. Rode it over to the neighbor's, down his pot hole filled driveway. Not bad. Waiting for the weather to get better for a longer test ride.