When I'm running a higher tyre pressure on my hardtail I get a very harsh ride. I was thinking about getting a suspension seat post like the USE one (I normally use their seatposts), but I've heard mixed opinions as to whether they are worth getting. Does anyone have one, and is it good? Or has anyone had any nightmares with them?

Thudbuster is the only type worth having IMO, I have the LT 4" travel.

I'm also thinking of getting one for the same reason, any advice much appreciated.

Check out the reviews for the thudbusters.

I've been using a Koobi PRS saddle for a few months. It has little elastomers built in

it definately takes the jarring out of a ride without compromising pedalling IME

Cheers Karlos: just had a squint at the reviews of the thudbuster. Also looked on Cane Creek's website, and the theory seems sound. Looks like it could get full of mud though - even with the special bag thing...

I purchased the cover and it protects it fine. The slight rear movement doesn't bother me I think only people that haven't tried them say that, it feels very natural. I ride full suss now but it (Thudbuster) saved my arse on the 100km meridas.
Put it this way I can go faster seated over rough stuff and finish long rides in comfort, job done can't say I noticed the extra weight.

Isn't the clue in your original post: 'When I'm running a higher tyre pressure on my hardtail I get a very harsh ride' try lower pressures!?

I'd agree that the Thudbuster is the best option. The USE XCR Shockpost is excellent as telescopic ones go, but it will suffer with lateral play eventually, which is very annoying.

HOW MUCH ............ **** me .

£150 , lot of money ... spose, if it stops you buying a full suss, its the better option .... still £150.

Kell,

I'd go with the previous suggestions if you have the cash (£100+ for the Thudbuster, last I looked) but if you're more on my finance wavelength, I looked about and went for the mid-budget Post Moderne (can't remember the name - bugger!).

For about £35 I get about 2" of decent boing, no real pedal effect and smooths the smaller bumps out nicely. You're usually out of the saddle for the bigger stuff anyway, so that doesn't bother me much.

I find it's lots of the smaller stuff which delivers the 'Japanese Flag' effect anyway rather than the less frequent big bangs.

If you can afford the Thudbuster, ignore the above opinion!!

Hope this helps.

Excellent product if you don't mind the weight gain , 200 - 300 grammes .

Fatter faster rolling rear tyre, and a wider rim adds some comfort.

Carbon Post adds abit aswell, if you worried about the weight.

Telescopic posts, of which I've tried a few only offer a soft landing when you get pushed off the seat, pretty much, do Zero to take out actual bump forces. ( DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY HONESTLY, none of them last long either )

Recently got the Thudbuster ST, I have to run 2 elastomers less than I'm supposed to to get full travel and comfort, but I LOVE IT, well worth the money, nearing FS comfort ( no help with jarring legs while standing ofcourse ), I can't feel it move under riding literally, bike climbs better with it aswell, despite the extra weight.

My only regret is not going for the LT, want to try one of them out, should be really good if the ST is anything to go by.

yeah, the use ones work great until the lateral play rears its ugle head,(after 10 minutes normally). youll treat yourself to the "service kit" which wont make any difference. youll then keep it for the next two years cos "im not spending 90 bloody quid on a seatpost and not using it!" while admiring the art of dry stonewalling because your saddle rotates nearly 90 degrees when riding down singletrack.


thats what my old one was like anyway, dont know if use have sorted the problem on the new ones.

Bought my thudbuster straight from the states with no problems just after xmas also got the cover free. Very impressed with it's performance, Cant see me ever taking it off now although you have to remember it will never make your H/T a full susser.

Best add on i've bought so far.

Thudbuster wise, ST anyway, all the sitting down bits on a FS are rideable sat down pretty much, it's when you stand up you remember your back on a hard tail, for harder bits :(

I imagine LT would be more so.

the only annoying thing with the thudbusters is, if your off the back of the seat, you can easily move the seat forwards which is quite off putting, 20degrees of flap before the rubber gets tension again.

Thudbuster LT all the way.
I bought one after Dylan sang the praises of the ST. Bought it from thudbuster.com in the US, came with a free cover, needed a shim as well but the whole lot came in at £95 including the VAT customs stung me for!

I haven't tried any other type of suspension post and was a bit wary of spending that much cash on a seatpost, but it really does do exactly what you'd expect it to. I could go on, but I think you get the idea - I love it.

Wish I'd of bought the LT, was worried about how weird it would feel, can't feel my ST move at all so likely wouldn't on the LT to :(

Although ST is move than enough to make 30miles completely comfortable.

Funny this should come up.

I bought some narrower tyres than usual for Mayhem at the weekend and stuck 45 psi in them.

On my test lap, soon realised that the bumpy pedally bits would be hellish on my back after a few laps. I went to the USE tent and bought a Sumo XCR post, which is telescopic with about 1 & 1/2" travel using elastomers and a coil. It really made a big difference and I only got a hint of backache after 7 laps, which is 50 miles at race pace so that would give anyone muscle fatigue.

I was (am) really impressed with it, so much so that I'm thinking of leaving it on for trail duties.

4assed, find a way to mark, how much travel you use ( cable tie most likely ), then measure your sag, then ride up and down the road, measure travel again. Then hit a bump it won't be much more if anything than normal riding.

Telescopic only works, when your arse gets kicked off the seat, it gives a nice soft landing.

I found it didn't react negative travel wise to aid in grip, or only slightly if so.



Try a thudbuster!!

( Attach mobile phone in video mode to the back of your seat to really see the performance )

Thudbuster, the post reacts to every ripple in the trail, small and large.

( didn't try USE one, Post Moderne, same coil and elastromer setup though, and stitction that took me several hours to cure )