Suspension seatposts?

[Jonathan55]

I'm planning to order a Rad Mini. It has an optional suspension seatpost. I have never tried one and am guessing that it isn't real bouncy but don't know.

Any thoughts or reviews on this kind of accessory?

Thanks,
Jonathan

 

[Over50]

There is a lot of discussion on this forum of the various brands. Search for BodyFloat, Suntour NCX and Thudbuster for starters. I am using BodyFloat on 3 bikes and I tune it fairly stiff. It has worked well for me with athletic saddles (haven't tried a suspension post combined with a comfort saddle).

 

[Trail Cruiser]

(haven't tried a suspension post combined with a comfort saddle).

Two of my ebikes have body floats with comfort saddles. The springs in the comfort saddles add another 1 inch of travel on top of the body float's travel. The comfort level is as good as my full suspension ebike. On the really rough successive bumps, I am still comfortable on the saddle while my feet are already bouncing off the pedals.

 

[Al P]

I have suspension posts on both of my bikes. I wouldn't ride without them because I don't have much natural padding. The more expensive Body Floats are probably even more comfortable than mine. Your local bike shop can install a suspension post for you to try in minutes.

 

[J.R.]

I have BodyFloat on 1 ebike and Thudbuster LT on another. BodyFloat wins for me, hands down.

 

[rich c]

Two of my ebikes have body floats with comfort saddles. The springs in the comfort saddles add another 1 inch of travel on top of the body float's travel. The comfort level is as good as my full suspension ebike. On the really rough successive bumps, I am still comfortable on the saddle while my feet are already bouncing off the pedals.
View attachment 17955

I must be doing something wrong, but my suspension seat post and spring front fork is not close to being in the same class as my air shock full suspension emtb. Must be the suspension saddle!

 

[Jonathan55]

Thanks, I was wondering if these things did anything. I am ordering the Rad Mini and will probably order the optional Suntour seat post. Back in my bike days (the 70s) there was no suspension and only a few mountain bikes. Sounds like a cool idea!

Jonathan

 

[mrgold35]

I have both Suntour SP-12 NCX 400mm and 350mm Bodyfloat v2 with orange springs. I have the Sunlite Cloud-9 11.5X12.5 cruiser seat for both suspension post on my Radrover. The larger Cloud-9, 4" fat tires, and front suspension also aid in smoothing out bumps in the road. Either seat is a huge step up compared to a straight seat post. Both perform equally on smooth paved road/trails, undulating bumps, and larger bumps (like transitioning from paved road to concrete sidewalk at speed). I can keep my butt in the seat 85%-90% of time over the same bumps where I had to lift off the seat before almost every time.

The Bodyfloat really shines at smoothing out smaller repeating bumps on paved roads or washboard trails. Pretty much anything that vibrates you like a jackhammer is where you would want the Bodyfloat under you.

 

[pxpaulx]

How much do they charge for the sun tour post? Only reason I ask is that you can get it from bike-discount.de for around eighty bucks, that is where I got mine 2 years ago.

 

[mrgold35]

I found my two suntours on eBay last fall for $82 for 350mm (no cover) and $90 for 400mm+ Suntour cover with firm spring for both. The Thudbuster neoprene cover fits perfectly over the Suntour if you need one and can't find the suntour version.

 

[TrevorB]

The bike.discount suntour comes with cover. Suntour is excellent especially compared to standard suspension post that came with bike.

 

[Alex M]

I'm curious, - how much higher becomes the saddle with Suntour NCX?

 

[John from Connecticut]

Jonathan55, The Cirrus Body Float is the only way to go, period. I recently purchased a Trek XM 700 e-Bike ( which I absolutely love) , but
for me it was like sitting on a stump. I have a bad disc in my back. The bike was so stiff I was going to have to return it...I installed a Cirrus
Bodyfloat Seat post and I could not be happier. The Bodyfloat is amazing. A fantastic piece of engineering.. It 'saved' my $3500 bike. Good luck.
John

 

[mrgold35]

I'm curious, - how much higher becomes the saddle with Suntour NCX?

Depends if you are talking max height or min height of the seatpost overall?

My wife is 4'11" and she needs her seatpost set around an inch above it sitting directly on the frame. The Cloud-9 cruiser seat also added about another 1-2 inches of height because of the extra padding. The Suntour and Bodyfloat added too much height her seat when I included the Cloud-9. I even switched her to a less padded saddle (ISM Touring Saddle) and the suspension seat-posts are still too tall for her.
- Suntour has a 4" for head
- Bodyfloat has a 3 1/2" to 4 1/2" for head depending on adjustment for the amount of float you dial in

I had the opposite issue at 6'3" and the seatpost is at the max inset mark. My seat dropped down around 1/2 inch once I dialed in the 350mm Bodyfloat and sat on the seat. I could adjust the Bodyfloat with less "float"; but, it kinda defeats the purpose of the $250 seat. Just that small little reduction of seat height made my right knee ache after long rides. I switched back to the 400mm Suntour and zero pain afterwards. The 420mm Bodyfloat wasn't available at my time of purchase.

I took a chance on the 350mm Bodyfloat because I was able to get the 350mm Suntour SP-12 NCX I purchased for my wife to work for me. The 350mm Suntour seems to be a a little longer compared to the 350mm Bodyfloat with the same Cloud-9 seat.

Top: Radrover standard 350mm seatpost and seat
2nd from Top: 350mm Bodyfloat+Cloud-9 Cruiser seat (this seatpost is even with edge of cardboard and I sink more when I sit on the seat)
2nd from the Bottom: 350mm Suntour SP-12 NCX+Cloud-9 Cruiser seat (little over the edge and I don't sink or float as much)
Bottom: 400mm Suntour SP-12 NCX+Cloud-9 Cruiser seat