thinking of getting a susp post to smooth out the bumps a bit on the hardtail and (hopefully) help take a bit of the pressure off my problematic spine.

Can anyone suggest a good one and do they help. Any downsides eg climbing hills suffers?

I have a Rockshox one - had it for the best part of a year now, and I really like it. It takes the edge off the bumps a bit, although you do occasionally get `thwapped' on the arse as it rebounds (but some folk like that sort of thing..).

I've heard people complain that there's a problem with susp seatposts in that the distance to the pedals is not constant, but I have never noticed that (I move my seat height all the time). It might be a problem if you always stick with the same seat height. Another thing is that, due to the sag when you are seated, the seat can be a bit high when getting onto the bike.

I've never done any maintenance other than a wipe around the seals (although it probably needs it now) to it, and it still seems to work fine. Might consider changing to the rigid one through the worst of the winter cack.

HTH,

LV

a sus post will smooth out the bumps and take pressure off your spine.
i've uased a very cheap one (can't remember what) it worked but got sticky quite quickly and could not be re built. then i got a use alien xcr, didn,t really work better but when it gets sticky it can be taken apart and re lubed and put back together. they are very light for a sus. post. eventually it went on my wifes bike and it snapped in a feeble low speed crash. however, use customer service is excellent they supplied and fitted a new inner rod very cheaply and quickly. i now have a cane creek thudbuster, they are expensive and heavy but worth it because they work brilliantly. if you have a genuine back problem get one or a full sus. bike

I used a cheap Kalloy job for a couple of rides - really made a difference. You still get smacked by the seat, but it doesn't do damage the way a rigid post can.

Cane Creek Thud Buster, big heavy brute but the rider weighs 14st.

Works well needs minimal servicing

Does the job without going where the sun doesn't shine

I have a ZOOM post form Halfords for £15 its sticky and knotchy initally but once youve been on a couple of long rides it loosens up nicely

Cheers chaps - I'll investigate further - found a review in an old WMB - Crane Creek Thud Buster got good review followed by the USE Alien and a Post Moderne job.

The Creek one would be too big for my bike since my saddle is lower than the four inches the parrallelogram shaped susp bit takes up, might be ok with most of the others

sounds like your frame may be too big for you PAul. that may be the primary source of your discomfort.

But as far as Sus Posts go,the Thudbuster can't be beat.

I`ve used both USE alien and RS posts, prefering latter as more solid build. BUT an important factor also is shorts quality!!Although I like the comfort of the RS post I also find it difficult to achieve correct saddle height (see above comments). Changed back to rigid Titec post (temporarily); biggest difference I then found was Endura FS260 shorts super comfortable on saddle but cheaper shorts not good eg Odlo. Good shorts / inserts can make a world of difference. Worth thinking about in the saddle / susp post debates.

Great for trail riding, slightly upsets climbing rhythm when racing. I used a USE Alien XCR, but most of my riding is racing, so sold it.

i've had a rockshox one for a while now. i think it's helped sort out my back problems and definatly makes the ride smoother.

a little heavy, but worth the weight. dunno if i'd trust the USE ones for anything other than XC

I got a USE Alien when they did a promo deal at this years Red Bull and was very grateful for it whilst bouncing along rock hard rutted fields. I've kept it on since and have noticed the difference, a friend of mine recently broke his (he's a serial saddle breaker) and he could really feel all the bumps it had been absorbing when he had to ride rigid.

The guys at the USE stand at Red Bull were very helpful (and busy) and they supplied free internals service kits (in exchange for lager) to two of our team. They did say that you should never jet wash one and I would have to agree having seen what it had done to the internals on a mates post.

The clamp is very fiddly to set up and needed subsequent adjustment which meant breaking out the rubber mallet and a screwdriver to free it. But once on it's been fantastic and you would have to fight me to prise it off my bike - maybe a full susser next...

If you've got back problems, and can't afford to go FS, do it, my GF's bike has got one on, cheap halfords but it does work, only go for a short travel one though, long ones make hanging off the back of the seat to hard to get back on again, and painful :)

A carbon fibre seat post, if you've got enough exposed will absorb some of the shock, if you want to keep the weight down, but not the same.

Dyl