DiggyGun
Well-Known Member
- Region
- United Kingdom
- City
- Buckinghamshire
Story so far, my R&M Nevo3 GT Vario GX came fitted with a Cane Creek Thudbuster ST, along with a Selle Royal Lookin 3D Moderate saddle. This worked fine for a while, but the side saddle clamp kept getting loose and the nose of the saddle kept rising up make it uncomfortable. Nothing I could do seemed to stop this.
My solution was to change the seat post to sort the issue out.
Went for another Cane Creek product as the diameter is 31.6mm. Initially looked at the Thudbuster LT as it had a top clamp for the saddle, but couldn’t find one. Chose the eeSilk+ as it appeared to have a better top seat clamp.
Fitted this and used for quite some time, but when I fitted it, I kept the original Medium elastomer that came with it.
This weight range for this was below my actual weight, as I really needed a Firm one. But I couldn’t find anywhere in the UK selling replacement elastomers. So used this one for many months and the main improvement was that the saddle never moved. You still felt some bumps, but it was a compromise.
I chose an Ergon SC Prime Core Men M/L to try as this did have some good reviews. Was comfortable initially, so was pleased with that. But swapped the saddles back over to further test. And, found that the original Lookin 3D was, in fact, more comfortable, so then rode with that.
I also tried a Brooks Cambium C19 Carved saddle as they are supposed to be one of the best makes of saddle. But just couldn’t get my man bits comfortable. Back to the Lookin3D.
I’d forgotten about the weight range on the eeSilk+ elastomer and one day, when cleaning the bike, noticed some crazing on the elastomer. So got Mrs DG to inspect the Seatpost whilst I was sitting on it. She noticed that is was bottoming out, so essentially there was no re-bound.
Finally tracked down a Firm elastomer in Germany, so got that and fitted it. Immediately, it was noticeable that the rides were more comfortable, so a good call.
However, I recall at the time when I got the eeSilk+, I also fancied the Kinekt, but it was a lot more expensive at the time. So this was always in the back of my mind.
Recently, I have upped the frequency and distance of my rides, as I’m trying to lose a bit more weight and increase my overall fitness. As a result of this, my backside was beginning to get uncomfortable on the rides now, so started to do some further investigation into saddles / seatposts.
I then decided to bite the bullet and get the Kinekt XR seatpost as I found that this also comes at 31.6mm, so would be a straight swap.
This arrived and I fitted this. Changed the springs over as I was really near the top end of the fitted springs, but in the middle of the range of the additional springs.
One of the things I like about the Kinekt XR is the settings are clearly marked for the preload tension and saddle position. This makes changing positions very easy.
Mrs DG helped me to get the preload initially set, so now to test time with the Lookin 3D saddle.
Initially, I didn’t like the feeling of this, so something was not set quite right. Increased the preload tension and the angle of the saddle. Things seemed a bit better, but it wasn’t significantly better than the eeSilk+.
So one afternoon, I spent some time doing some further testing. Fixed my iPhone to the rear of the bike so that I could video the seat post in action.
I had selected a quick route around the block as the test route, for repeatability. I then rode this a number of times at all the settings from 1 to 6, recoding each one adding the setting reference to each video. I was quite surprised by how much movement there was was, so you can see that it is really doing its job.
After doing this, I found, on tarmac at least, the most comfortable setting, which for me, was No. 3. Albeit, lower than the recommended preload setting for my weight, it felt good.
Now to try this setting on mixed terrain to test it out further.
The next we went for a 30 mile ride, which had a mixed terrain of tarmac and cycle tracks.
Good news, there were no issues at all. There was no feeling of bumps, apart from the bigger ones. Overall, the ride was much smoother and my backside felt fine all day;
I ordered another saddle to try, the Selle Royal Respiro Relaxed, as they have 30 day trial period. This is a bit bigger and looks to be a bit more padded. The write up states that it is for more of an upright riding position, common on an eBike.
The Selle Royal Respiro saddle arrived and was fitted to the bike. Gave it a quick, short ride to test it. However, didn’t like it. It was comfy to start with, but even after 13 miles, it wasn’t that comfortable as you began to notice it. Possibly, because it had its own elastomers, so it may have created some conflict with the Kinekt.
Put the Ergon saddle back on the Kinekt as hadn’t tried that combination yet.
Done some 30 mile plus rides with the Ergon / Kinekt combination and this seems to be comfortable.
Did investigate a different Ergon saddle, the ST Evo Core Men as this is stated as being suitable for touring. Emailed Ergon for some more information, who advised that the SC is for more an upright stance and the ST is for more a sporty stance.
Selle Royal have a good way of describing the riding position;
There are couple of things that I’ve changed with the Kinekt / Ergon combination;
Some more rides with the Kinekt seat post and Ergon saddle have confirmed that this seems to be the optimum combination. My backside is now far more comfortable and you do not notice the seat post or saddle, it just appears to blend in.
Don’t get me wrong, after about 25 miles plus, you know you’ve been sitting on a saddle. However, it is much more comfortable, no more painful sit bones, less discomfort.
I am now one comfortable and happy cyclist.
DG…
My solution was to change the seat post to sort the issue out.
Went for another Cane Creek product as the diameter is 31.6mm. Initially looked at the Thudbuster LT as it had a top clamp for the saddle, but couldn’t find one. Chose the eeSilk+ as it appeared to have a better top seat clamp.
Fitted this and used for quite some time, but when I fitted it, I kept the original Medium elastomer that came with it.
This weight range for this was below my actual weight, as I really needed a Firm one. But I couldn’t find anywhere in the UK selling replacement elastomers. So used this one for many months and the main improvement was that the saddle never moved. You still felt some bumps, but it was a compromise.
I chose an Ergon SC Prime Core Men M/L to try as this did have some good reviews. Was comfortable initially, so was pleased with that. But swapped the saddles back over to further test. And, found that the original Lookin 3D was, in fact, more comfortable, so then rode with that.
I also tried a Brooks Cambium C19 Carved saddle as they are supposed to be one of the best makes of saddle. But just couldn’t get my man bits comfortable. Back to the Lookin3D.
I’d forgotten about the weight range on the eeSilk+ elastomer and one day, when cleaning the bike, noticed some crazing on the elastomer. So got Mrs DG to inspect the Seatpost whilst I was sitting on it. She noticed that is was bottoming out, so essentially there was no re-bound.
Finally tracked down a Firm elastomer in Germany, so got that and fitted it. Immediately, it was noticeable that the rides were more comfortable, so a good call.
However, I recall at the time when I got the eeSilk+, I also fancied the Kinekt, but it was a lot more expensive at the time. So this was always in the back of my mind.
Recently, I have upped the frequency and distance of my rides, as I’m trying to lose a bit more weight and increase my overall fitness. As a result of this, my backside was beginning to get uncomfortable on the rides now, so started to do some further investigation into saddles / seatposts.
I then decided to bite the bullet and get the Kinekt XR seatpost as I found that this also comes at 31.6mm, so would be a straight swap.
This arrived and I fitted this. Changed the springs over as I was really near the top end of the fitted springs, but in the middle of the range of the additional springs.
One of the things I like about the Kinekt XR is the settings are clearly marked for the preload tension and saddle position. This makes changing positions very easy.
Mrs DG helped me to get the preload initially set, so now to test time with the Lookin 3D saddle.
Initially, I didn’t like the feeling of this, so something was not set quite right. Increased the preload tension and the angle of the saddle. Things seemed a bit better, but it wasn’t significantly better than the eeSilk+.
So one afternoon, I spent some time doing some further testing. Fixed my iPhone to the rear of the bike so that I could video the seat post in action.
I had selected a quick route around the block as the test route, for repeatability. I then rode this a number of times at all the settings from 1 to 6, recoding each one adding the setting reference to each video. I was quite surprised by how much movement there was was, so you can see that it is really doing its job.
After doing this, I found, on tarmac at least, the most comfortable setting, which for me, was No. 3. Albeit, lower than the recommended preload setting for my weight, it felt good.
Now to try this setting on mixed terrain to test it out further.
The next we went for a 30 mile ride, which had a mixed terrain of tarmac and cycle tracks.
Good news, there were no issues at all. There was no feeling of bumps, apart from the bigger ones. Overall, the ride was much smoother and my backside felt fine all day;
- No having to change position to get comfortable.
- No pain or pressure on the sit bones.
- Felt as good at the end of the ride as I did at the start of the ride
I ordered another saddle to try, the Selle Royal Respiro Relaxed, as they have 30 day trial period. This is a bit bigger and looks to be a bit more padded. The write up states that it is for more of an upright riding position, common on an eBike.
The Selle Royal Respiro saddle arrived and was fitted to the bike. Gave it a quick, short ride to test it. However, didn’t like it. It was comfy to start with, but even after 13 miles, it wasn’t that comfortable as you began to notice it. Possibly, because it had its own elastomers, so it may have created some conflict with the Kinekt.
Put the Ergon saddle back on the Kinekt as hadn’t tried that combination yet.
Done some 30 mile plus rides with the Ergon / Kinekt combination and this seems to be comfortable.
Did investigate a different Ergon saddle, the ST Evo Core Men as this is stated as being suitable for touring. Emailed Ergon for some more information, who advised that the SC is for more an upright stance and the ST is for more a sporty stance.
Selle Royal have a good way of describing the riding position;
- Relaxed (around 90 degrees)
- Moderate (around 60 degrees)
- Athletic (around 45 degrees)
There are couple of things that I’ve changed with the Kinekt / Ergon combination;
- Changed the pre load to setting No. 2
- Instead of having the saddle horizontal, it’s now slightly nose up.
Some more rides with the Kinekt seat post and Ergon saddle have confirmed that this seems to be the optimum combination. My backside is now far more comfortable and you do not notice the seat post or saddle, it just appears to blend in.
Don’t get me wrong, after about 25 miles plus, you know you’ve been sitting on a saddle. However, it is much more comfortable, no more painful sit bones, less discomfort.
I am now one comfortable and happy cyclist.
DG…
