|
Giani
Suspension Seatpost
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
Jack
a
from Colorado Springs, Co, USA
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Bottom Line: | I have one of the very first units. Yes there have been problems with it, but with any new product, there is always problems. I've had my post for over 3 years now and love it!!
I have been hearing rumors that one of the guys that used to work for GIANI has been working on putting out a newer model of the product. It would be cool to see a company start out big, fall down to nothing and rise for the dead. GO GIANI!!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary Gianni
a Cross-Country Rider
from Winsted, CT
Date Reviewed: June 6, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
price, durability, performance | | Weaknesses: |
I hope the seatpost doesn't break, it seems to be getting a little chewed up where it enters the seat tube. | | Bike Setup: |
94 stumpjumper with a mag 21 | | Bottom Line: | It is one of the best upgrades I have ever purchased. For under $100 it really takes the edge off of trail riding. Not the same as full suspension but neither is the price. I think this seatpost is a very good product. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darren Byrnes
a cross-country rider
from Minneapolis, MN
Date Reviewed: December 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have been using the Giani seatpost for a couple years and it eventually started to give the telltale side to side wobble (Not a big deal). I figured I just needed some new keys for the inside. I called Giani last March and they happily replaced my 1 year old post with a BRAND NEW ONE!!! Such a deal...Fast forward to November...after riding on it this past sprig, summer, and fall I decided to swap the seatpost into a new frame I just bought...I pulled out the Giani and it was BENT!!! I had installed it correctly and made sure the little guide mark was in far enough, but the thing was bent back towards the rear of the bike...I tried their web site and can't load it...i called the 800 number they have and it is out of service...I left a message with their local number and they haven't called me back...I wonder if they are out of business...Oh, well...I guess I'll buy a USE seatpost... | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Burke
a cross-country rider
from Miami, FL
Date Reviewed: November 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
After about a year of technical trails on a super-stiff Cannondale, I needed something to take the edge off the ride. Given its cost and CODA background, the Giani seemed to be the best option.The customer service was fine and the delivery was quick. The post itself was a winner. It was a good-looking piece of equipment, fairly light and, junky-looking, single-bolt seat clamp aside, seemed to be well-made.The ride was decent. It managed to absorb the shock from ruts and smaller bumps, and softened the overall ride nicely; my lower back definitely appreciated it. It had little-to-no noticable effect on larger obstacles or hard hits, but then, that's not really what it was designed to do.There were some problems; it suffered from a bad case of stiction at times, and, no matter how much I tightened my seat clamp, it refused to stay in place for an entire day. Overall, though, it did its job. Unfortunately, did is the key phrase here; I killed the poor thing in about three months. It bent badly and blew out the end bolt, which then, along with the damper, into my seat tube. So what happened? It may have had something to do with the overall quality. However, I think it had much more to do with a major design flaw--the post is just too damn short.At their recommended max, you only have about 6.5-7 of post to work with; the ENTIRE post is less than 10 long. This is more than enough for road applications, but on a mountain bike, especially if you like to ride a small, quick frame, that's not nearly enough post.So while I will admit that the actual post is well-constructed and works well enough, caveat emptor--it's unlikely that you'll have enough post to meet your needs, and, if you can squeak by, the post seems likely to break at the height you like if you ride hard or race. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Van den Heuvel
a weekend warrior
from Simi Valley (Los Angeles) CA
Date Reviewed: October 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Looked like, and performed like, a great deal -- at first. Some of the other reviewers here are right, the thing needs lubing all the time with Judy Butter or it sticks something horrible. Mine got worse and worse sticking and sideplaying, although I did lube it every dozen rides or so (is this poor maintenance??) until finally it bent in the middle. The elastomer range isn't so great, you either bottom out or get rammed like there's no suspension at all, at my weight (around 186 pounds). I don't like the design, it sits back and moves in a direction which isn't really in line with the movement of your body. So naturally it bends... For the money, I think at $120 you're more than halfway to a Moxey or something really well built. And it is awkward with the shim, which comes out of the bike frame when you adjust seat height and then you have grease all over your hands right there on the trail to contend with.... but that is probably just my clumsiness | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a cross-country rider
from somewhere USA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
for 80 bucks, you could get 2 cyclepro seatposts with 1 3/4 inches of travel @$40 each. there are cheaper ones with 1 1/2 for like $25 that re no namers but still work good. 1 1/2 is decent, but you could get better for that price. also it comes with no boot. plus u gotta buy the shim for like $25. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ron minnich
a cross-country rider
from princeton, nj
Date Reviewed: July 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had this seatpost since aug. 97. I was looking for something without
too much travel (1.5 is ideal) that would take the worst edge off the trails
and roads we have around here. The delivery was prompt and the quality of the seatpost is excellent.
My first use of this post was in Jim Thorpe, Pa.; Since then I've used it mainly around here. It does exactly what I wanted it to, and it is really nice to blast along now without getting my back pounded to bits by the terrain. My son has one of these too and loves it. Sometimes it is easy to forget just how active it is, until you watch someone else riding with it. It does indeed do a lot of work!Simple, inexpensive, well-made, durable, does exactly what I wanted. What more could one ask? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Olle Andrén
a
from Sweden
Date Reviewed: May 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Well, I have to have give Giani 5 chilis for a good product (now) and an excellent service. I bought a seat post by mail order in March and it worked well during the Swedish winter - the elastomer is a bit harder when its cold - but thats OK.I am bigger and heavier than most of you guys out there (197 cm and 112 kg, in USA that spells 'linebacker') so I was a bit worried about the strength of the thing. And, as I feared, after a month or so the cast aluminium thing that is connected to the vertical piston developed more and more play. So I sent an email to Giani (one of the addresses at their web site does not work BTW) just to complain...with not too much hope.One week later I found a new, complete, seatpost in my mailbox - an improved version, with a stronger top end. What can I say - these people deserve all sales they can get - and the new, improved version (identified by a longer cast-aluminium collar with a ring in it) seems to be able to take some abuse and live thru it.So, 5+ chilis for the service and 5- for the product (ask me after a year and it might get a full 5 if it holds up). The function of the thing is very much like earlier reviewers have described - nothing revolutionary, but it makes your life a bit easier and your lower back a bit happier.
Right now, I am trying a combination with the Giani and an old-fashion coil sprung saddle - works well on my hardtail... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JamesX
a cross-country rider
from Syracuse, Utah
Date Reviewed: May 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've got the Coda 900S made by Giani Co. It was one of the best upgrades to my riding except maybe V-brakes. I got it from Giani...they had some old ones laying around and I got if for about $35.00. I think it was made in 1995 or '96. Cheapest upgrade to pseudo-full suspension! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a cross-country rider
from Ann Arbor, Michigan
Date Reviewed: April 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had the Giani for about two months. At first I didn't notice a difference between it and a regular seatpost. Now I realize that it's effect is very subtle. I've noticed that I stay in the saddle longer and the trail seems a little smoother. I even notice it's effect when I'm up out of the saddle with it clenched between my legs. It hasn't been exactly what I expected but I have grown to appreciate it for what it is. Don't expect a full-suspension style ride.I have begun to notice a little side-to-side play in the saddle. However, it is slight and does not yet affect riding performance. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lauren
a racer
from Orlando
Date Reviewed: April 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Well..I bought this seat post without too much expectations. I ride *hard* and this seat post requires a re-lube after each ride. I wonder when the designers of seatposts will take into consideration the force placed toward the rear, and compensate for the resulting stiction. Overall, this is a good seat post, but I'd place it in a first/second generation status, although it *is* ready for prime time. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thom
a cross-country rider
from Crownsville, MD
Date Reviewed: March 31, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Mixed feelings on this product. It was quite sticky at first, but its performance has improved considerably after a bath in Krytek. I certainly ride pain-free, which says something since I'm a fat old goat with a bad back who rides an aluminum hardtail. My only sustained gripe about the product has to do with Giani's much ballyhooed customer service. They didn't deliver the product when promised, didn't ship it the way they said they would (sent it 3 day instead of 2), and lied about where it was at in the Fed Ex tracking system. It wound up taking 5 days to get to my door when I paid for two-day shipping. They never did reimburse me for the shipping. I'd probably get another for my road bike, but I can't fork over my hard-earned money to people who I don't trust. If you're going to get one of these, plan in a couple extra days for shipping. And take anything they tell you over the phone with a big old grain of salt. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a cross-country rider
from Houston
Date Reviewed: March 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Actually, I am not much of a mountain biker, just an old person with a bad lower back. However, I did put a Giani seatpost on my mountain bike prior to a ride across the border into Mexico from Lajitas, Texas, in February. The road to San Carlos was primarily a rutted path of sand and shale with considerable climbing on the way over and considerably rough descending on the return trip. The Giani did an excellent job with no pain to my lower back. Great product. It should get 5 chiles. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PHIL
a weekend warrior
from N.J
Date Reviewed: February 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
THIS IS A NICE SEAT POST. VERY HIGH QUALITY. I ORDERED MY ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO. THEY HAVE THE NEW 98 MODEL OUT WHICH HAS THE BOOT INCLUDED. IT ALSO HAS A PRELOAD FOR THE ELASTIMER SO YOU CAN FINE TUNE IT. COST ABOUT 99.50 WITH SHIPPING IT IS A GREAT DEAL. I AM USING IT ON A 98 C'DALR KILLER V 700!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a weekend warrior
from USA
Date Reviewed: February 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have not heard one person mention that you can't adjust the SEAT ANGLE with the Gianni! I have had mine for several months now. There is a little side play, but I forget about that because my ass doesn't hurt. Aside from that, I love it. fifty words eh? 49 48 47 46 45 44 43... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TK
a cross-country rider
from SAN MATEO CA
Date Reviewed: January 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Great seatpost which gets even better if you were to lube the innards. Pull up the boot, twist off the top cap pull out the post , grease up the inside including plastic slider now almost zero stiction. I guess that Judy butter is actually good for something. Arlo Englund's slick honey will work just as well. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick R
a weekend warrior
from Tampa, Florida
Date Reviewed: December 27, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
At 43, I was trying to hold out on my hard tail, seeking to prove that I could take the jarring impacts of the trails, sacrificing comfort for performance. But However, I wanted my wife to ride with the family with no complaints--no small task. I researched suspension seat posts and found an ad for Giani seat posts in the back of one of my magazines, and a favorable review in the August 1997 edition of Mountain Biker. I called Giani direct and they filled me in on all the details, and I ordered one. I got a 27.2 post with a shim for a 30.8 tube. It came with a boot and an extra elastomer, with the final cost with shipping about $110 (shim was $25.00). It all fit and my wife was happy at the end of a 20 mile road ride on our vacation. But back to me, I decided to sneak it off her bike for a few rides since my seat tube is 27.2. I became spoiled. I didn't notice any appreciable weight gain and I could sit longer on the saddle. I rode it at Tsali in N.C. and at Hard Rock in Ocala and I wasn't even conscious of the rugged terrain. Today I ordered a Giani for my bike. I wish it was as light as a USE, but you can't have everything. The only negative I experienced was the pretty abrupt pre-load when you sit on the seat. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a weekend warrior
from Arkansas
Date Reviewed: November 14, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've used the Giani suspension seatpost for two months. I can't compare it
to other suspension seatposts because this is the only one I've tried, but
it does exactly what it is supposed to do and I am very happy with it. It is reasonably priced and is an upgrade that will make a major improvement in the performance of a hardtail. I bought my seatpost at my local bike shop and it included three different elastomers (soft, medium, and hard) which are very easy to interchange. It also included a rubber boot. Plus, the customer service at Giani is excellent so if you ever have any problem I think that Giani would definately help you resolve it.
BUY THIS SEATPOST!!!!!!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Albert
a weekend warrior
from Earth
Date Reviewed: October 17, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
It is a great product. for the money it is amazing. it trully does its job and my rear end is defenetly super happy about it. the people at the company are also super friendly. they will match up the proper elastomers to your type of riding and weight.
GO GIANI | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a weekend warrior
from
Date Reviewed: October 9, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
In the begining there was a lot of stiction. In the end there was a lot of side to side play. It's a waste of money | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Nays
a weekend warrior
from Charleston, SC
Date Reviewed: September 16, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had this baby for two weeks now and its like riding a new bike. A little sticktion the first two rides or so, but now just smooth riding. The customer service was the best you could ask for and what a price for a QUALITY item. If it holds up this will be a real winner. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gonzo
a weekend warrior
from RI
Date Reviewed: August 16, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Next to the Z2 Bomber up front, it's the sweetest hardtail upgrade one can make.
On or Off road, it's like butter. The customer service is A1. Nice Job Giani! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Lindsey
a weekend warrior
from Lawrence, Kansas
Date Reviewed: August 2, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Giani Seatpost : I've used it for 4 mos, and think its a good product..Its a big improvement over a std seatpost, and priced better than most.. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ted May
a weekend warrior
from Washington, D.C.
Date Reviewed: July 27, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Great seatpost. Some info not covered in other reviews; the seatpost was designed by Adam O, designer of the Coda seatpost shock. According to engineers at Giani, this seatpost is a design generation beyond the Coda post. Costs much less due to start-up nature of the company (call Giani to order a seatpost and you will usually be talking to one of their engineers!) and direct from factory distribution. Cannot stress how helpful these guys are. They spend 10 miutes on the phone evaluating your weight/riding style, etc, before recommending and elastomer. And then they send the next closest. I like to tinker, and called to request the third elastomer that I had not originally received. It was sent out, no charge, immediately.I ride a C-Dale Killer V with a wonderfully stiff frame. This seatpost has done a lot make the bike's capabilities available to me. Highly recomended. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daryl
a racer
from Milpitas
Date Reviewed: July 17, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Excellent post! Worked great for a while. I ended up landing really hard on it and put in a slight bend. No problem! I called the company, and they sent me a new one (with a new, stronger design) - free! Great customer service! Best of
all - the post only cost $75, and provides over 1.5 of travel. THE BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daryl
a racer
from Milpitas, Ca.
Date Reviewed: July 14, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Excellent post! Worked great for a while. I ended up landing really hard on it and put in a slight bend. No problem! I called the company, and they sent me a new one (with a new, stronger design) - free! Great customer service! Best of all - the post only cost $75, and provides 1.9 of travel. THE BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a cross-country rider
from Queens, NY
Date Reviewed: July 11, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The finish on this aluminum seat post is very clean, the travel is pretty sweet, approx. 1 - 1.75 depending on the elastomoer that you have in it. The pre-load is from your own weight. Giani interviews you to see what type of riding that you do and they match up the elastomer for you. The people there are nice and the product price is very reasonable compare to other suspension seatposts, like U.S.E and ANSWER, the weight is actually pretty decent and for $5 more they will accompany it with a rubber boot which is a must for you sick off-roaders!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Hearn
a weekend warrior
from Plymouth, MN
Date Reviewed: July 11, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I love my Cannondale hardtail but with the addition of the Giani Supension seat
post it just got better. The Giani post is well made and nicely finished.
The seat post clamp is simple to operate and holds the seat securly, no
slipping and adjustment was very easy. Additionally the people at Giani
offer several different elastomers to fit people of different wights. And they
send thier posts to you with either the next stiffer or softer elastomer
insert (depending on where you fall in the wieght range) so you can modify it
if you want a harder or softer ride. Changing the elastomer is just a single
allen bolt, nice and easy. There was no pogoing with this post and
it softened out the ride on my hardtail just enough to make it feel nice and
plush and give me more confidence tackeling the trails. The people at Giani
were very nice and they ship thier posts so you have them in two days of your
order. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lee
a weekend warrior
from MI
Date Reviewed: July 11, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a great product. It costs $75 and $5 more for a boot to cover the post. It certainly makes the ride more comfortable, nice travel, and easy to switch out the elastomers. Made of 6061 aluminum for long wear. 1 year warranty. If you don't like it 363 days later, send it back for full refund, no questions asked. Very nice people to deal with. Shipped to your door in 2 days. No shims required for most standard post diameters, so no muss, no fuss. Try it. You won't be dissapointed. Email for additional questions. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jim
a weekend warrior
from L.I.N.Y.
Date Reviewed: July 11, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a well made inexpensive seatpost. It works great and is a great value since others are 2-3 times its price . There is an extremely small amount of side play, and I mean miniscule. The people at Gianni are great too ( speak to Lauren). So dont pay big bucks for advertising buy something that wors. The only minor complaint i have is that it is not really tuneable. | | Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$ 74.95
