Would you choose a suspension seatpost, a dropper seatpost, or a combination of both for your bike?

[6zfshdb]

This is a feature specifically of the XPLR gravel model:

> We created an all-new design complete with lightweight air-only internals featuring built-in compliance we call ActiveRide™. It’s like travel for your saddle.

> ActiveRide - Air only internals provide a fully rigid top-out position. With the touch of your AXS controller, you’ve got built-in compliance to ensure comfort and control over the roughest sections of gravel

You set it up with a shock pump where PSI ~= 2 * weight in pounds. Here's a video of it in action (timestamped for crotch shot of seat post):

Let us know how it works out.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Comparison of a Suspension and Dropper Seat Post
First hand experience

I have been happily riding Redshift ShockStop suspension seat-post for several years now. To make a long story short: Properly adjusted, that seat-post is second to the bike full suspension only. It virtually cancels all road vibration with the exception of -- possibly -- rough cobblestone

I've decided swapping the Redshift for an inexpensive XLC SP-T09 under-saddle lever actuated dropper seat post (27.2 mm, 80 mm of travel).

• It works very well for the intended purpose: dropping the saddle completely for descends, especially in rough terrain, and for lowering the centre of gravity in difficult terrain, e.g., sand.
• The fact you need to move your hand between your thighs to pull the lever makes the action slow and somewhat cumbersome. Not recommended for true MTB but good for gravel cycling off-road.

The overall quality of the XLC is high, especially related to the seat-post operating speed which is immediate (as long as you have the time to grab the lever!) The only design weakness is the saddle is fastened by a single big bolt: heavier riders have to apply quite high torque with the hex wrench to ensure the connection would not get loose.

The ride post the dropper install was hilarious. First of all, I had to find the proper saddle height again. Now, the saddle feels firm after switching to the dropper from the suspension seat post. Nothing wrong, as the firmness doesn't mean discomfort in this case. Yes, you start feeling the terrain imperfection with the rigid seat-post but at least with my Vado SL, most of the vibration is damped by 42 mm tubeless tyres running at low inflation.

But the pedal-bob! A precisely tuned Redshift basically is not manifesting any pedal bob; or I thought so. Once I went on a long ride with the dropper seat-post (which is rigid), I once or twice went on a spirited high cadence riding. My butt started bobbing on the firm saddle but of course the seat-post would prevent that! Meaning, I had to experience pedal-bob on the suspension post at times even not noticing that!

Will I keep the dropper? In case I intend riding off-road and loose surfaces, yes. Were I limiting myself to asphalt and gravel roads, I would stick to Redshift ShockStop!

DISCLAIMER:
An 80 mm travel dropper seat-post will not allow you planting your feet on the ground while still seated. Only long travel droppers allow that!

 

[BlackHand]

But the pedal-bob! A precisely tuned Redshift basically is not manifesting any pedal bob; or I thought so. Once I went on a long ride with the dropper seat-post (which is rigid), I once or twice went on a spirited high cadence riding. My butt started bobbing on the firm saddle but of course the seat-post would prevent that! Meaning, I had to experience pedal-bob on the suspension post at times even not noticing that!

Yep, I noticed the same thing after 2 weeks and about 150 miles on borrowed acoustic bikes with no suspension. Especially on the decent road bike - as soon as I started climbing or digging to go over 20mph my bottom would start lifting off the saddle with each pedal stroke. No bob noticable when just cruising on flats. I may swap the OEM(also an XLC I believe) seatpost back onto my Haibike for a bit to see whats what. I suppose the Kinekt spring may have softened over time also as I've never adjusted it after dialing it in several years ago and using stiffer springs than recommended for my weight.

 

[Ben J]

I also tend to bob a bit right around when I hit 90RPM. Things that cure it for me: Upshifting (bobbing caused by having "left over power" at the bottom of the stroke), and focusing on making my pedaling motion more circular (like adding more of a pull back at the bottom of the stroke). It happens to me even on a fairly rigid setup.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I also tend to bob a bit right around when I hit 90RPM. Things that cure it for me: Upshifting (bobbing caused by having "left over power" at the bottom of the stroke), and focusing on making my pedaling motion more circular (like adding more of a pull back at the bottom of the stroke). It happens to me even on a fairly rigid setup.

A good advice indeed! Only I love climbing at high cadence as even with low motor power that carries you uphill as if the e-bike were a lift! (When I see roadies riding out of the saddle on climbs, I am really sorry for their knees!)