Are suspension seatposts a worthwhile investment, either for regular riding, or the weekend epic? Does the extra weitght make-up for the comfort factor?

I have used a USE XCR seatpost (not the newer Alien) on a P7 then an EVO2 for a few years. While the post is a little heavier than the stock item, I didn't notice it, and the added comfort is fantastic. If I was buying now, I would also look at the parallelogram posts (USE were developing one, don't think it has made it into production yet...).

if you go in for 3hr+ rides then i would say it's essential. it takes the sting out of those jolts that you feel in the small of your back.

I used a rock shox and was quite happpy until it and the rest of the bike was nicked :-(

the weight isn't too bad and woludn't be noticable unless you've already spent loads of cash reducing the weight of your bike in which case you'd go for a carbon seat post.

I've got a USE XCR only gets used on longer rides as it doesnt look that durable to me. Certainly makes thing comfier and hardly weighs that much extra.

Makes the longer journeys much more bearable, if your going to hit a pot hole or significant bump then your bum is best being clear of the saddle and allow your suspension and knees to absorb the impact.
As for weight how much liquid do you carry.
1 pint weighs about 2lbs. I never drink all the liquid i set off with so carry excess weight for the entire ride anyway.

Thanks for the input, but do you not find yourself "pogoing" on bouncy bits, making it harder to pedal?

hmmmm
the amount of saddles and seatposts i get through (with a fantastic scar on my stomach as evidence) i could never see the logic?
Surely it goes against you pedalling?
hmmmm
One for the "nice idea, poor execution" drawer....

It absorbs the bumps rather than acting like a giant spring.

In the case of the rock shox the suspension is provided by a bit of elastomer about 1cm in diameter and cut to length dependent on your weight.

This might mean it freezes in the cold (like good ol' elastomer forks) but i don't have any knowledge of this

The USE posts use a spring & elastomer. Preload can be adjusted (slightly), obviously there is some movement when you sit on the saddle, but contrary to Nuclear's assumption, the posts work very well. We are not talking about an alternative to full suss, so you would be out of the saddle on the really bouncy bits anyway. It's hard to explain the benefits, so try one and see, I'm sure you will be impressed.

GOOD, EXCELLENT and ugly.
Thudbuster by Cane Creek. nuff said

Stand up. Simple

Wot all day?
Ain't the idea of a bike having a saddle so you can sit on it, so why not have a bit of comfort in sitting.

A long time ago I did have a leather saddle, the seat post came up through it one day, I stood up then mind.

this is one you want
[img]http://www.canecreek.com/site/product/seatpost/recall/thud.jpg[/img]

damn did'nt work

On the subject of dodgy saddles what was the leather one like (before it broke obviously) I wrecked my stock saddle by crashing on it recently and can't decide which new one to buy...

Try one of these.

oh thats funny.it looks about as comfy as my current one...maybe i should swap ;)

sheldon brown is one odd person

Tim, one assumes that recommending a product using an illustration from it's
recall notice is a subtle form of irony...?

No irony at all :-) I was too lazy to fetch a picture from inside the webpage. The recall notice was the first thing that caught my eye because I have Thudbuster.

On the recall notice; My Thudbuster falls within the batch that has been recalled and I've sent it off today to get the upper linkage replaced by CaneCreek. If I had'nt opened that linjk last night I probably would not haveknow there was a recall.

It's still a brilliant product. It's great buying American products because they have to do continuous product testing to fing any long term faults. If they don't , they open themselves up to getting sued out of existance.

If anyone is looking into buying a ThudBuster make sure yours does not fall within the following serial numbers: 10894 to 18710.

I have'nt experienced the problem they're basing the recallon but I sent it off anyway. Free suspost service by CaneCreek, Who's complaining