Currently riding a Trek 8000, to try and save my back I'm thinking of forking out £80+ quid on a USE XCR seatpost and shim. Anyone any experience of sus seatposts? will it be like riding a full sus or will it just ruin my brilliant hardtail

I use a sus post on one of my bikes it takes some getting used to as it feels like your riding on a punctured wheel but is saves the back on long rides

I won an XCR post at a race and used it a bit. It felt great for trail riding, but the extra 150-200g and the slight disruption to pedalling while climbing meant I rarely used it for racing, which is what I mostly do. If you mainly trail ride though, I'd recommend it, very comfy.

also check out the raceface one on chaireaction as they are on special. I've been using one on my zaskar since this years red bull. It's great, have it setup up reasonably hard so that it soaks up medium to big "jolts"...

Race Face sus post? Where? Never heard about that one.

Perhaps Marc means RockShox?

I get on quite well with short-travel seatposts. I've tried mad 4in travel ones like the Moxey and found them just a bit too weird, but a couple of inches like a USE or a RockShox one is fine.

I'm not a huge fan of shimmed seatposts, though. I'd much rather have one that fits the frame. USE do now make posts in the common sizes so you can do away with the shim.

I used a USE XCR at the sleepless when I did it solo and I could still sit down after. Says it all really. Not bothered about weight bu they arent that heavy anyway. I personally would only use it for long rides. Cant comment on durability though.

the USE's work great, but the clamp is the biggest fiddle in the world.... the bolts round off too easily and snap if you dont get them tight enough - once theyre on theyre fine, but they can be quite tricky to set up


dont let that put you off though they do save youre back a treat !

If you use one for a while and then ride a hardtail that doesn't have one you can really notice the difference. My USE Shokpost sometimes makes me think I have a flat at the back but they definitely sooth out the small regular bumps in the trail. I'd say go for one, the weight penalty is a small price to pay for the extra comfort they give. By the way I won mine through the Maximum Mountain Bike magazine about three or four years ago.

I used a rock shox seatpost for a season racing xc and it was a godsend. It took the edge off small stutter bumps allowing you to stay seated for longer and less tiring. Overall the seatpost worked great with only occasional lubing, but still not a patch on a full susser.

doesnt Steve Worland from MBUK use the cane creek one on his bikes?? could always email him!

I use the Rockshox one as well - fits the Inbred nicely! It was bought post RedBull as my arse was in agony (I did it on my Scott which is more rigid than a rigid thing at the back end). It lives on the bike now - doesn't weigh too much so I don't see the point in taking it off, and adds that nice wee bit of comfort to proceedings ;-) I don't really notice it anymore to be honest, except the lack of feeling sore the next day!

I have the Rockshox one too, it works great for taking the strain out of long rides and I hardly notice that its there most of the time.

I'm sure its due for a service soon give the crap its had thrown at it over the last six months.

Chain reaction are doing them for 55 quid, bargain!

er yes I meant rock shox not raceface! doh!

must engage brain.

totally agree with Rob and er Neville about it.

Have also been told by a use user that the clamp is not great and they have a habbit of breaking, which was what pointed me at the rs ones in the first place. That said, apparently use customer service is pretty good.

I hope all these good things I'm hearing are true, as I'm getting a rockshox one soon. Can't afford a full susser, so this'll do until I can.....

cheers guys, lots of great input. i think i might go for the rockshox for £55 quid. one issue is that i have a 31.6mm post, do rockshox have specific shims or could i use a use shim?

I'm lucky enough to have a 28.6mm seatpost so don't have to use a shim.
There shouldn't be a problem using any old shim as they are just a piece of metal/plastic that goes between the tube and post.
Go for it, happy bouncing >;o)

Got a USE XCR for wife's bike and have to say I am pleasantly surprised at how effective it is. Agree with the comments about the clamp though. Not going to shift once it is done up but you have to take your time setting it up and with the tiny 3mm alan bolts which can round quite easily.