Submitted by
Pynis McDermott
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2009
Strengths: Functions Properly and does work to take the edge off. Simpler design, and well worth the weight penalty.
Weaknesses: SERIOUS WEAKNESS: pivot noise is so loud it drives me insane. MINOR WEAKNESS: Elastomer seems to be wearing too much too soon. I use a black, since I am 220#'s and it is too soft after 6 months of use. A lot of people recommend going up in elastomers, so that means I have to special order one from the cane creek fat camp.
Bottom Line:
I have been trying to diagnose a creaking for over a month. It is so loud it drives me nuts, and in a race, it is a downright embarrassing problem. This product requires a compromise: on one hand you get the hard jarring bumps from your HT minimized, but on the other hand you have a weight penalty, and a seatpost that will require constant mechanical adjustment and maintennance. It is a give/take, but I might try going back to the regular seatpost and see how I like it. Value Rating - pretty good considering it is a far cheaper upgrade than FS. Overall Rating - average due to the shear annoyance and fact that I thought something was wrong with my bike for so long due to the noise.
Bike Setup: Gary Fisher X-Cal HT 2008 w/ Bonty Components, SRAM Drivetrain, and Shimano Disc Brakes.
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Submitted by
Sweetdick
a Cross Country Rider
from LKHopatcong
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2003
Strengths: This thing works likea charm. Nice looking, well made, and functions as it should. I love it. As an older guy it allows me to ride faster and longer. I love it and I saved big bucks by not needing to get full suspension just yet....
Weaknesses: I have not found any yet. It does weight more than your average post but the thing simply works.
Bottom Line:
If you need to save your back and your butt and canot afford or justify the extra $1,200 for a decent full suspension bike give this thing a try. I think it is the way togo.
Bike Setup: I ride a Gary fishere Big Sur with LX and Bontrager components
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Submitted by
Curt
a Weekend Warrior
from Minneapolis, MN, USA
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2003
Strengths: Takes the edge off paved trails and roads.
Weaknesses: It just recently developed a large stress crack in the main body(no offroading or abuse, honest).
Bottom Line:
Fact 1: You're not getting any younger. Fact 2: the most common reason for a Dr. office visit in the US is low back pain. Go with a stiffer elastomer setup. Give it some time, you'll never go back. Don't expect FS performance. This is a comfort, not a performance, upgrade. Takes the edge off easy/moderate terrain. I'll let you know how Cane Creek handles my broken seatpost situation.
Similar Products Used: USE, Moxy, 1993 Shimano XTR CrMo thinwall non suspended post(light and springy)
Bike Setup: 1993 KLEIN Attitude(just recently got it customized to perfection).
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Submitted by
Angel
a Cross Country Rider
from Miami
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2003
Strengths: Design,ease of adjustability,amount of travel,stiction free, acceptable weight,product support and finally price.
Weaknesses: Non as of yet.
Bottom Line:
I've been using the Thudbuster now for a month on and off road. In my opinion, it is the best addition one can make to a hardtail MTB. It has eliminated most of the lower back stiffness that I would be left with after a good day of serious trail riding. There still are certain trail conditions where you should rise up from the seat, but for the most part the Thudbuster absorbs quite a bit leaving you ready and not jarred for the next part of the trail. The Thudbuster will almost make you think your on a full suspension bike with the advantage of not having the extra weight. Cane Creek claims 3.9" of total travel, I would venture to say that it's closer to 3.2" of travel and that also depends on the weight of the rider, selection of polymers, preload setting and how hard of an impact the bike went through to max the travel. With all said and done and depending on your type of riding style, my investment in the Thudbuster was a worthwhile addititon to my Rainier and would recommend it, thumbs up to Cane Creek on a great product. Consider the Lizard skin (Crudbuster) cover for the seatpost if you decide to purchase. Cane Creek sells it relatively cheap plus shipping.
Submitted by
tony ferguson
a Cross Country Rider
from lynchburg va.
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2002
Strengths: cool looks
Weaknesses: constant motion and changing center of gravity
Bottom Line:
I really tried to like this post especially after paying so much for it.I felt like it destroyed the handling of the bike because of the constant changing of center of grav.the rearward movment caused a pain in my shoulders from the constant push ups, stretching, exercise.bottom line? i hated it!gave it to a friend who also hated it.started riding rear tire at 30 psi and found it was better than the thud buster
Submitted by
Sean
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago, IL
Date Reviewed: March 22, 1999
Bottom Line:
For the cost and nominal weight concession, this thing is a gem. All the travel I need and it handles a wide weight range out of the box with included spacers. No additional upgrades necessary (like stiffer elastomers on some telescopic posts). Wouldn't go back to standard posts ever again (or FS for that matter).
Submitted by
David
a weekend warrior
from ventura, california
Date Reviewed: October 9, 1998
Bottom Line:
As advertised....takes the edge off...i'm 6'3, 220# and i've been riding with it for about 2 years. No slop yet but, I don't ride heavy. The droop nose seats (WTB) seem to work better with the seat rocks up in front. I've spent alot of time with seat adjustment. Keep it cleaned and lubed does keep it working without fuss. For me, a heavier elastomer would be nice. Using all 4 shims. Simple is good....Thanks
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
a weekend warrior
from In
Date Reviewed: September 22, 1998
Bottom Line:
I have used the post for a year or so, big improvement over standard post. I can't seem to get it set quite soft enough even after grinding down elastometer. I just ordered the quad pivot, wondering if any one had any reviews on this post? I had to oil the linkage on unjpivot post almost daily to get rid of pivot noise.
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Submitted by
Tomasz
a weekend warrior
from Pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: September 11, 1998
Bottom Line:
I got mine directly from the manufacturer and since they sent me a wrong shim the first time I got a second seatpost free. It was definitely an improvement on my hardtail and I liked it simple design. However, after about 900 miles (half of that on trail) it developed a significant side play. But I crashed it several times (and I weight 200 lb). I put the other one on, and so far it is flawless. And I already logged 1800 miles on it (half of that on trail). As a precaution I lube it every 50-60 miles without disassembling (takes 10 sec). My only minor complaint is that it does not fit well some saddles.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Roy Duhamel
a weekend warrior
from Jefferson City, MO
Date Reviewed: July 16, 1998
Bottom Line:
I have had my Unipivot since last summer. I got it over the Quadrapivot since I regularly ride a fairly flat trail and - I did not want to be floating up and down while pedaling. I think the Unipivot is just great. It does not have a large travel, but what it has is satisfactory for my needs. I would recommend it for the added comfort when hitting bumps and holes when riding on hard surfaces.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a cross-country rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: June 12, 1998
Bottom Line:
I made a series of expensive upgrades to my bike over the last year: 217’s/XT to Cane Creek Crono’s, Atom Bomb, LFX2 bars, RF rings andBB, frogs, blah. blah, blah. Anyway, the Unipivot is awesome, even though I have a hard time admitting it. I looked at susp seatposts over the past 3 years when I started seeing them on group rides. The weight weenie/minimalist/racer-type personalities said don’t do it. And, it looks kind of goofy. I bought the Uni with a predisposition that I didn’t need it, but I had to give it a shot b/c of the trail conditions that I ride (rocky, technical singltrack full of loose rocks, stairsteps, washboards, and no topsoil). Well, after four months of torturing this piece of equip, I can say with all honesty it has had probably the largest impact on riding enjoyment than any other upgrade. It is sooo comforatable, and I can now literally sit through nasty washboard bumps while jamming in the big ring. I rode 7 days at Moab. Two riders had softails (Moots, and Litespeed Unicoi). They are great frames, but I’m pretty sure I was able to stay seated longer through the rough. This thing is so active and plush, when people ask me about it, I tell them it has turned my M2 hardtail into the “magic carpet ride.” Riding partners now say “How much was that anyway?” “where’d you get it?” and “when we get back to the lot, can I try it out” after they see me stay seated through nasty stuff.It, of course, cannot do a damn thing for you in really steep technical descents. But, high speed fireroad descents over washboards are a non issue. Technical climbing is now way better, as others have said below. I ride longer b/c I am more comfortable and have less back pain.On the downside, you have to tip the nose of your saddle forward, so that when you sit on it, it pivots back to the level positon. This was not a really big deal. Unlike one person below, the backwards and down pivoting action gave me no problems at all, just took some getting used to. I also have to lube the seat tube/shim/seatpost interfaces twice a month to keep squeaks at bay.BTW, I have the limited editon SL model. It weighed 353 g w/o shim. The 30.8 shim brought it up to about 414, I think. Not too bad a weight sacrifice given the perfomance. I weigh 180, and run the “90” durometer elastomer with one preload disk.Engineering and finish quality is surprisingly very good, as I thought that it would be kind of cobbled together.Anyhow, enough ranting. Can’t believe I had this much to say about a freakin’ seatpost. Guess I’m still surprised I like it.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jaren
a cross-country rider
from Brookfield, WI
Date Reviewed: May 25, 1998
Bottom Line:
I love this seatpost. Not only is it nice on the backside, I have found that I can stay in the saddle much more, giving me a lot more control. The 1.5 travel is perfect. I don't think any more travel would be efficient. I am definately in favor of adding this seatpost on for the weight, performance, and price rather than getting full suspension. I mail ordered from Aardvark in Utah; great company.A definitive 5 peppers!
