Suspension Seat Posts

[E-Wheels]

Any sense to add a suspension seat post to a full suspension ebike?

Hi tallpaul,
This thread might be useful

Full Suspension Vs. Seatpost Suspension...which is best?

Ok ladies and gentlemen, hoping to get a little feedback from people who've had their shapely butts on both a full suspension bike and a hardtail with a good (kinekt or Thudbuster) seatpost suspension. I've loved my first mountain bike. I bought a hardtail BH Atom X, not quite sure what my...

electricbikereview.com

 

[Alaskan]

Any sense to add a suspension seat post to a full suspension ebike?

I have a Kinekt seat post on my Homage which is a full suspension bike. The Homage has a comfortable, smooth, sure-footed ride. The suspension is does a good job of smoothing out ruts, pot holes, curbs, expansion joints and in general large low frequency flaws in the roadway or trail. The Kinekt adds significant improvement reducing the higher frequency chatter from small sticks, cracks and seams in the roadway, and chip seal pavement. Bottom line the Kinekt improves on an already excellent suspension system. Together they keep the tires in fuller contact with the road, reducing braking distance and making the bike more sure footed in turns...as much of a safety enhancement as it adds to comfort.

 

[steve mercier]

Is the Aluminum 2.1 seat post the same thing as "Body Float"?

I'd called the local dealer yesterday asking for the Aluminum 2.1 seat post in 30.9 and he said he had it. I've just returned from the store and notice that there's nothing on the box that says Aluminum 2.1 and the invoice says "Kinekt Body Float". Did he give me something different? I sure hope not.

Anyway, while riding this morning I was hit by a car. I've got a 200 lumen flashing red light on the back of my helmet as well as the regular rear (non-flashing) tail light on the bike. I was on the bike path and a woman came up from behind me and turned right, right in front of me, to go to a gas station. She claims she didn't see me. I slammed on the brakes but still hit the right rear quarter panel of her car and the bike went right and I sailed right over the back of the car. I've got a big gash on my right shin (right to the bone) and most certainly a cracked rib on my left side. I can hardly move. And I've just recovered from a cracked rib on my right side. Looks like I won't be able to ride again for awhile. (Took 3 weeks last time.)

So, I won't be able to try this new seat post for awhile. Not even sure if I'll be able to install it without pain.

I heard a story on the CBC stating that researchers believe in many cases that drivers DO see the bike but then it gets quickly dropped from short term memory. But even if that is true ,what can be done about it aside from preparing a last will and testament ?

 

[jim6b]

I heard a story on the CBC stating that researchers believe in many cases that drivers DO see the bike but then it gets quickly dropped from short term memory. But even if that is true ,what can be done about it aside from preparing a last will and testament ?

Lawyer up. Failing to see is no excuse. There is a duty for drive to kept proper lookout and that includes for cyclists.

When you hear some drive said "they didn't see" do not take that to mean they can escape liability, because all they may be doing is admitting they failed to keep a proper lookout . . . and will have to pay up. So lawyer up.

 

[DaveMatthews]

Is the Aluminum 2.1 seat post the same thing as "Body Float"?

I'd called the local dealer yesterday asking for the Aluminum 2.1 seat post in 30.9 and he said he had it. I've just returned from the store and notice that there's nothing on the box that says Aluminum 2.1 and the invoice says "Kinekt Body Float". Did he give me something different? I sure hope not.

Anyway, while riding this morning I was hit by a car. I've got a 200 lumen flashing red light on the back of my helmet as well as the regular rear (non-flashing) tail light on the bike. I was on the bike path and a woman came up from behind me and turned right, right in front of me, to go to a gas station. She claims she didn't see me. I slammed on the brakes but still hit the right rear quarter panel of her car and the bike went right and I sailed right over the back of the car. I've got a big gash on my right shin (right to the bone) and most certainly a cracked rib on my left side. I can hardly move. And I've just recovered from a cracked rib on my right side. Looks like I won't be able to ride again for awhile. (Took 3 weeks last time.)

So, I won't be able to try this new seat post for awhile. Not even sure if I'll be able to install it without pain.

Oh man... not again.
Get better soon!

 

[FlatSix911]

There are tons of research done to this.

Invisible cyclists: Eye-tracking experiment finds drivers don't see more than 1 in 5 riders (+ video)

Younger drivers, women and sat-nav users most likely not to see cyclists

road.cc

Basically, car drivers are humans.
Science has proven that humans are far from perfect.

Human eyes and brain can register only so many things.
Optical illusions happen all the time, it's just a thing of being a human.

This is going to get a little philosophical, but is it right to prosecute someone for having an optical illusion?
People get hit by a car, it's not fair for victim, but I don't know it's fair if the person was taking reasonable amount of cautions and driving normally.
No, I'm not talking about drinking & driving, street racing, etc.

The solution is technology, as any flight instructors from any aviation school would say, just trust your instruments, never trust your sense.

Self-driving cars are safer.
Humans get tired, lose attention or get distracted, get angry, wants to check text message, wants to listen to music, etc.

Self-driving cars have to be safer than regular cars. The question is how much.

How safe is safe enough, and how do we measure it?

www.vox.com

Why driverless cars will be safer than human drivers

While companies all have their own reasons for investing in driverless cars, they all agree that one of the biggest benefits will be improved safety.

www.businessinsider.com

I agree that self-driving cars will be far safer than humans driving cars.

However, during the transition period, it will be a complete $hit$how.

I show no mercy for humans that are intentionally distracted by cell phones... they should be prosecuted.

 

[Handlebars]

The driverless cars won't hit the riderless bikes

 

[Mtl_Biker]

Lawyer up. Failing to see is no excuse. There is a duty for drive to kept proper lookout and that includes for cyclists.

When you hear some drive said "they didn't see" do not take that to mean they can escape liability, because all they may be doing is admitting they failed to keep a proper lookout . . . and will have to pay up. So lawyer up.

"Lawyering up" isn't really something often done in Canada. Although I do wish I'd have done something. My rib is really hurting and my shin isn't healing well. Looks like it'll be at least another week before I can ride again. And a physio therapist told me yesterday that ribs hurt more a week or so after being broken or cracked than initially, due to the tightening up of everything. SIGH

 

[Marci jo]

"Lawyering up" isn't really something often done in Canada. Although I do wish I'd have done something. My rib is really hurting and my shin isn't healing well. Looks like it'll be at least another week before I can ride again. And a physio therapist told me yesterday that ribs hurt more a week or so after being broken or cracked than initially, due to the tightening up of everything. SIGH

Feel better fast!
All these distracted drivers has changed my cycling significantly. Way less road riding, and only if there is a very wide shoulder.
I used to think I didn’t need lights during the day but not anymore. Bright lights front and rear and even the helmet.
And butt-kicking, well maintained brakes. I’ve had a few occasions when drivers have underestimated the faster speed of ebike and they pulled out in of me.

 

[jim6b]

I'm looking to add a dropper post in anticipation of needing one for those possible emergency stop situations.

Has anyone installed a dropper post on their commuter e bike?

 

[Mtl_Biker]

I'm looking to add a dropper post in anticipation of needing one for those possible emergency stop situations.

Has anyone installed a dropper post on their commuter e bike?

A dropper post? Really?

I might be totally wrong in my understanding of what they're used for but I thought they're for die-hard mountain bikers tackling very technical terrain. How exactly would such a post help in an "emergency stop situation"? And really, why would you need it? And in an emergency stop situation would you really have the time to hit the lever (even remote lever) to drop the post? I'd be much more hitting the brakes.

I just found this on the web:

The idea behind the dropper is to provide optimum saddle height for both climbing/flat riding, and for descending. When you need to pedal, you want your saddle at the height where you'll get the most efficient power transfer. When it's time to descend, the ideal saddle height is a lot lower. Descend faster.

 

[jim6b]

Yes. Really.

And right, you do not understand. And what you find on the web is often . . ..


I believe dropping the seat on descents gives greater control, lowers center of gravity making it less likely to take a header over the handle bars when breaking hard as in an emergency.

Again, has anyone installed a dropper post on their commuter e bike.

 

[jim6b]

"Lawyering up" isn't really something often done in Canada. Although I do wish I'd have done something. My rib is really hurting and my shin isn't healing well. Looks like it'll be at least another week before I can ride again. And a physio therapist told me yesterday that ribs hurt more a week or so after being broken or cracked than initially, due to the tightening up of everything. SIGH

Okay, it is your choice get a lawyer and sue for damages or not.

But if you were to sue, you might teach someone to pay attention and possible stop the driver from running over a bike ride some time in the future.

gl with your injuries.

 

[Mtl_Biker]

Yes. Really.

And right, you do not understand. And what you find on the web is often . . ..


I believe dropping the seat on descents gives greater control, lowers center of gravity making it less likely to take a header over the handle bars when breaking hard as in an emergency.

Again, has anyone installed a dropper post on their commuter e bike.

You're saying pretty much what I posted that I'd found on the web, except for the emergency part. But you're saying I don't understand. I'm NOT trying to be adversarial here (really) and I would like to understand. So please enlighten me. A dropper seat post needs to be activated somehow to make it drop, right? That could either be a lever on the post itself or a remote control on the handlebars. In an emergency situation (on a commuter e-bike) is it really going to be possible to drop the post AND brake? What do you do first... brake or drop the post? As you can see from this thread, I had an accident just over a week ago when a driver passed me and immediately cut me off to get into a gas station. Emergency situation. I hit the brakes instantly and at least for me, I wouldn't have been able to also react and drop the post (if I had that option). It all happened in an instant (and I've got the broken ribs to prove it).

I agree that on mountain bike type descents a lower seat is desirable, but I can't imagine doing such a descent on a "commuter e-bike".

 

[Handlebars]

I believe dropping the seat on descents gives greater control, lowers center of gravity making it less likely to take a header over the handle bars when breaking hard as in an emergency.

Again, has anyone installed a dropper post on their commuter e bike.

I haven't seen a dropper post operate, but it sounds like it could be a good idea if it could be actuated by the front brake lever.

 

[jim6b]

I haven't seen a dropper post operate, but it sounds like it could be a good idea if it could be actuated by the front brake lever.

They are. Usual mounted on left side with a wide variety of lever choices, albeit a bit pricey at $50+ for those from front line companies, Crank, Wolf, etc. I ride with a high seat that would allow 150 mm drop though that may be more than needed. Notice the Specialized Creo gravel has a 50 mm dropper standard.

Would not be surprised to see them take hold. Example, I have step hills with brush near and to the road edge blocking visibility of cars on cross streets and driveways. They are more of a hazard than some rocks on a trail. Rocks are in the same place as last time you did the run. Cars . . . not.

 

[MarkF]

Some like to drop there seat at a stop so they can touch the ground easier.

 

[jim6b]

Some like to drop there seat at a stop so they can touch the ground easier.

Or just to mount. With a dropper post, the step through design becomes of "what for" to many.

 

[Handlebars]

Some like to drop there seat at a stop so they can touch the ground easier.

I bought a small frame size so that I can put both feet flat on the ground

 

[Readytoride]

Thanks for all the good wishes everyone.

What I don't get is that I had one of the very brightest flashing red lights Cygolite Hotshot Pro 200 on the back of my helmet at the time. It's impossible to miss seeing, plus I had the bike's red tail light also. How can someone drive up from behind and not see that? Anyway, she cut right in front of me to get into a gas station and claimed she didn't see me. And that she's been driving for 30 years and had never had an accident. SIGH

The gash on my leg is pretty bad... skin split open right to the shin bone, but the cracked rib made it almost impossible to sleep. No matter how I moved I had a lot of pain.

And I really wanted to try my new seat post!

I know this is a bit off subject, but....was talking to a neighbor (in her 70s) the other day that said she'd waved hello out her car window when she saw me riding my ebike down the road, and did I see her. (I wave to everyone, anyway, long before they reach me and as they pass me and always get a friendly wave back. Rural roads, nice folks.) So I said I did (didn't really but wanted to be polite) and, out of curiosity, I asked how well she'd seen me, intentionally wanting to gloat over my brand new super bright pink flashers on my bike.

"Your shirt", she said.

My shirt? Well, yeah I tend to wear bright sherbert colors of brilliant orange and Barbie doll pink and clear sky blue and mint greens, very easy to spot. But still...what about my plethora of neat blinkies? Two pinks and one red - all festooning the rear of my bike, PLUS a solid red built in BIG tail light fed by the bike battery. Did she even notice them?

"No," she said, "I only saw your shirt." "So...didn't you see the lights at all?" "No, I didn't see the lights."

Now, I'm a small lightweight person so there's not a lot of real estate that shirt has to cover, meaning it's not a broad billboard of neon warning to motorists that there's a "cyclist ahead" as I'm heading down the road. Just a small spot of color different than the surrounding landscape.

I then asked a few others that see me on the road pretty much everyday. Same answer. They see the shirt before anything else. Only one person mentioned the blinkies, and those were the pink ones they saw.

I'll probably go back to Wal-Mart and get a few more of those cheap neon polyester stretchy t-shirts if those are what make me the most visible.