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RockShox
Shox Suspension Seatpost
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Submitted by
Mike D
a Cross Country Rider
from Springdale, AR
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Lake Leatherwood | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Strong, durable, smooth on moderate trails | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | stock post | | Bike Setup: | 05 Giant STP3 w/lots of goodies | | Bottom Line: | Didn't want to invest in full suspension bike, so I bought the seatpost and put it on my hardtail. The 'spring' inside is a semi-hard polymer plastic. The spring is very durable and so far hasn't needed replacement. My rear end isn't sore after a 13 mile ride on an intermediate trail. One of the best investments on my bike. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Faraz
a
from US
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | RockShox.com | | Strengths: | It save your ass, very comfortable, I have it for long time, it is very comfortable, I have tried to put it on HT as well as full suspension bike, it rocks, and feel like the rear sup. has more longer travel.grab one if you can, and made in USA too. | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed | | Bottom Line: | only blue color | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Racer
from Melbourne Australia
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | SHM Melbourne | | Strengths: | Keeps on keeping on .. I've just moved this post off my Hardtail mountain bike to my new road bike. The roadi' is a compact frame and was hard as all hell,,, until I decided I could handle the extra 200grams it adds. What a great move, I love this thing. 5 years and 1000+ k's and still as good as the day I fitted it new. I came with spare shim key parts to swap over when it started to get loose, I haven't even looked like needing them yet them yet. great product | | Weaknesses: | none at all | | Similar Products Used: | there's stacks of cheap ones out there | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale CAAD road race | | Bottom Line: | Best extra I've ever purchased bar none!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Brooklyn, New York, USA
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$68.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Totally takes out the little bumps and significantly softens the big ones | | Weaknesses: | None Yet | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Raleigh Mojave with some aftermarket stuff....(hey give me a brake, it's my first bike) | | Bottom Line: | Borrowed my dads bike to make sure I was serious about riding before I sunk my hard earned cash into my own bike. That bike broke my ass!!!! I bought a gel seat cover....(yeah I know - what a waste) and it didnt exactly do the job. After about 3 weeks of back braking riding, I decided that a better bike had to be the answer. SO I went out and purchased an inexpensive bike (just in case I decided later on that I really didnt like it) and promised myself that I would buy a suspension seatpost. I checked out MTBR and found this Rockshox....but couldnt find it for sale ANYWHERE!!! I finally found one listed on Ebay and jumped all over it. I weight 235 lbs and was a little apprehensive, but I put it on and - aaaaahhhhhhh - what a difference! The seatpost has yet to bottom out and there is no play whatsoever...just smoooooth riding. Im not the smartest biker, but even I was able to adjust it and take it apart to lube it up all by my self (my mom says I'm such a big boy) and it was really easy because Rockshox still provides the manual on their website. I live in Brooklyn and I ride locally, mostly on a paved trail alongside the Belt Parkway (Brooklyn Stand Up!), but eventhough the trail is paved there are still potholes along the way, and the pavement is cracked and so on and so forth...all the things you would expect from any New York streets. This seatpost made it feel as if though I were riding on a hardwood floor (almost).. BOTTOM LINE---I RECOMMEND THIS SEATPOST TO ANYBODY THAT RIDES A BIKE AND HAS AN ASS. Good luck finding one.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Knoxville, TN
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Takes all the big bumps out and cheaper than full suspension. | | Weaknesses: | Side to side play. Rock Shox doesn't support anymore. | | Bike Setup: | Rode it for a couple years on a Schwinn Homegrown Pro (back when they made good bikes). | | Bottom Line: | I used this post for a long time on my hard tail, but got rid of it when I switched to a full suspension bike. I just bought a used one to put on my girlfriends hardtail and it has a couple of inches in side to side play in it. Does anyone know how to fix this problem? I called Rock Shox and they do not support this post anymore because they quit making it in 2002. If anyone knows how to fix this please email me. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
shmoke
a Weekend Warrior
from colorado springs, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | This seatpost feels great. It's relatively light and very strong. I bought mine used and it's still tight-tight. | | Weaknesses: | Rebuild kit is expensive. Crude action from elastomer bumper whacks balls on large bumps. | | Similar Products Used: | Walmart gel-padded seat <- Not cool, heavier than suspension seatpost. | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Motobecane 500HT - Avid BBDB 203mm front, 160 rear - Cateye Micro Wireless - WeeRide child seat | | Bottom Line: | I bought this Rockshox MTB seatpost on eBay to save my rear and was immediately impressed by the comfort that it provides on my neighborhood runs and light trail riding. After getting used to the bouncing and bobbing, I can now enjoy the ride and stay seated over the rough stuff with full comfort.
I've disassembled, cleaned and lubed it twice now just for good measure and I'm encouraged by it's simple design and stout construction. The bumper is a little hokey though, a simple red rod about six inches long. The slider shaft, seals, bushings and keys are pretty simple too. I lubed it up with some Judy Butter and was on my way.
There was some stiction in the sliding action - even with the new lube. That prompted me to pull it apart again within a few days to correct what I suspected was a grease problem. I cleaned all the Judy Butter off and replaced it with an automotive bushing grease from Energy Suspension. This stuff is so thick and sticky it makes Judy Butter look like hokum. It works much better too. As soon as I put it in, all the stiction was gone - I mean competely. I even had to add some preload to account for the smoother action and the greater sag that has resulted. If you're having troubles with stiction or if you're due for a rebuild anyway try this grease, you'll love it. I'm going to try some in my fork too when the time comes.
I'm thinking about cutting the elastomer and substituting it for a coil spring like a few others that I've read about in the forums. This is a nice piece and with some care I'll wager that it'll last for years and years. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thad
a Weekend Warrior
from Princeton, NJ
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria | | Strengths: | It works. Helps reduce the bumps. Still strong after a year.
| | Weaknesses: | Color starts to wear off after a year. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | GT Avalanche 1.0 | | Bottom Line: | I tried a cheap $20 suspension seatpost to see if it made a difference. It did. I find they make the ride more comfortable. I can ride longer and enjoy it more. After a month or 5 long rides the cheap one started to wiggle side to side (very annoying).
I spent the extra money for the Rock Shox and have been very happy. I was lucky to find the price and it has been worth it. If you ride a lot buy this one, don't waste your money on a cheap one.
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Submitted by
Clydesdale Crusher
a Cross Country Rider
from Grants Pass, OR
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | no maintenance, trouble free | | Weaknesses: | some side to side slop after two years of hard, HEAVY riding | | Bottom Line: | I've been quite please with the good performance of this post. It is missed when I'm on a hard-tail without one. Consistent and reliable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Krayzie
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$85.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclepath | | Strengths: | The MTB seatpost is very well made, lighter than most other telescopic seatposts, smooth travel and stiction free, double-bolt clamp is a plus, no lateral play at all. | | Weaknesses: | The Rockshox graphics aren't etched to the center of each side of the post (maybe just mine), I can only find this post locally in blue color, only the cheaper GPS post comes in black. | | Similar Products Used: | Rockshox GPS seatpost | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Gary Fisher Tassajara Disc, full Shimano Deore group, upgraded to Shimano M520 SPD clipless and Selle Italia Max Flite Trans Am. | | Bottom Line: | At first I bought the Rockshox GPS seatpost (coil-spring with 45mm travel, single bolt setback clamp) and found that the dust boot doesn't stay in place, so much stiction even when riding on pavement and it's heavy as hell. Then I went back to the store to swap for the MTB seatpost and so far it has been stiction free, way lighter and with very very smooth travel (red elastomer with a plastic spacer and 50mm travel). I took both post part before and the MTB model is just way better in construction detail. I don't know what is it about those plastic keys ppl have mentioned as mine works on 2 metal pieces travelling vertically on railings. I think this is why my post has no lateral play so far. No pogo-ing or pedal bob either. I don't really notice it working until I swap the rigid post back onto the bike. That Bontrager post is now in the trash!
BTW with some Googling I've found out that Spinner - www.spinner-usa.com / http://www.biketaiwan.com/TBC/TBC_en.asp?cs_no=C04525 is the Taiwanese company that makes the Rockshox seatposts and some of their forks (famous for rigid forks I think for a long time). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stuart
a Cross Country Rider
from Montreal,Que
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$85.00 | | Strengths: | Easy setup / low maintenance | | Weaknesses: | Seat rail clamps | | Bike Setup: | Rocky mountain - hammer race hard tail | | Bottom Line: | Greatest single most inexpensive purchase short of jumping to a full suspension ($1500+).Soaks up the biting hits of rocky single track without the mushy feeling of a full suspension.Noticable comfort for climbing with improvement in traction and less wheel spin. Allowed me to reduced some leg and back fatigue.Bottom line- obviously not a full suspension but the next best thing to it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
troy
a Cross Country Rider
from roy
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | green pond trail | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint | | Strengths: | price, quality | | Weaknesses: | weight, needs shim if your frame has larger seat tube | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Y2K Trek 8000 stock | | Bottom Line: | This is probably the best upgrade you can make to a hardtail, it takes out any jars you experience while in the seated position; namely uphill and just cruising through rollercoaster type trails. It is WELL worth the money and an upgrade I've recomended to many friends and would buy time and time again. You won't be dissapointed. The small amount of added weight is something you won't even notice. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve M
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Ho-Chi-Mihn | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Simple design
Low maintanence
Low weight for a suspension post
Price (Now you can get them for $40 so I bought 2 more) | | Weaknesses: | Be careful not to tighten it too tight as the aluminum screws can snap | | Similar Products Used: | CODA (Total POS!) | | Bike Setup: | Y2K Trek 7000, Hell Bent 1" Low Riser bars, MARS Fork, Full XT components, Max Flight Trans Am Saddle with the "Parts Saver" channel, and Rock Shox suspension seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | Have had this post for 4 years now and it's BETTER than the day I bought it. It's simply an awesome performer and very low maintanence. Simply "Judy Butter" it up once a season and it's fine. I have experienced very little side to side play, as a matter of fact it's almost non-existent, which is rare with a telescopic post. Really takes the "sting" out of most hits. Affords a very good ride WITHOUT sacraficing hardtail performance. It is the absolute BEST ADDITION one can make for any hardtail. When you consider the value/performance ratio, it's a no brainer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Raymo853
a Cross Country Rider
from State College, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$44.00 | | Purchased At: | PricePoint | | Similar Products Used: | first squishy post | | Bike Setup: | Gunnar Rockhound | | Bottom Line: | The post works well taking the edge off of impacts. It does add weight to the bike over my older carbon post and I am worried the up and down motion was hurting my knees. The post also developed a little bit of play. It makes it a little tough to install some seat bags.
I have taken it off my bike in the desire of lighter weight and concern for my knees. My bike is already pretty able to sock up bumbs being steel and the carbon post also helps. I do not even notice the small amount of play. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
blue
a Cross Country Rider
from Tokyo
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Brand name | | Weaknesses: | 27.2 diameter only, requires shim for other diameters. Color is difficult to match. I made the adjustments according to the manual but didn't like the feeling of it. SR Suntour's NCX feels much better and costs less. | | Similar Products Used: | SR Suntour NCX, Crane Creek Thudbuster | | Bike Setup: | Klein Attitude '04 frame, Chris King hubs and headset, Mavic 717 disc rims, Shimano XT shifters and disk brake, Shimano XTR drive train, Magura rotors, Brooks titanium rail saddle, Wellgo Magnesium/Titanium pedal, Easton Monkey XC Lite carbon riser bar, Easton MG60 stem, FOX Float 100 RLC fork. | | Bottom Line: | I would recommend the the SR Suntour NCX if you are looking for a comfortable ride. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SGT. ROCK
a Racer
from Grande Cache, AB
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$44.00 | | Purchased At: | PricePoint | | Strengths: | Price | | Weaknesses: | Side to side play
Elastomer bumper | | Similar Products Used: | USE XCR, CC Thudbuster | | Bike Setup: | Hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I was looking for a suspension post for a commuter hardtail I was building, and at $44, the RShox was half the cost of any other post. Bonus was the gunmetal blue of the RS matched the dark blue metallic of the frame quite nicely.
The RS is a decent post, well made, but it definitely isn't in the same league as the Cane Creek or USE. All telescoping posts have some play, but the brand new RS has more slack than my three year old USE, and it's heavier. The travel of the 'scoping posts is definitely inferior to the Thudbuster, and the spring/elastomer combo of the USE is superior to the RS elastomer stack.
If you're on a budget, the RS is a solid choice. Stay away if you're looking for the best available travel quality. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Goggles McDougal
a
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Tapeworm in Renton | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$49.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | It does what it's supposed to. Really inexpensive at Pricepoint. At this price, stay away from Ebay. | | Weaknesses: | Weight, shim neccessary for my bike (30.9 diameter) | | Bike Setup: | Specialized '0l Rockhopper Comp Disc | | Bottom Line: | It definately takes the edge off of small bumps. I personally believe it helps with my lower back issues. But no, it doesn't solve lower back pain; go see a doctor and take glucosemine for that. Of course, this seat post doesn't take the place of you getting out of the seat on bigger stuff, but neither does my full suspension xc bike. A great value for what it does. But it does add weight. But unless you are a racer (which most of us aren't and you know it) the weight won't be noticed while riding. Bottom Line: Unless you are really weight conscious or Racer X, it is a nice addition to a hardtail xc bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Boj
a Racer
from Melbourne
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | - Well made
- Looks cool | | Weaknesses: | - Weight
- Don't get all of the travel, nowhere near 50mm | | Bottom Line: | I bought this post to specifically try to relieve back pain I would experience at certain tracks. In certain races I would get a terrible lower back pain which would last well after the race was over. After reading all of the reviews here stating that this post often helped with back problems I thought I'd give it a try.
Well it has been a year and I have to conclusively say that the post did not fix my original problem. I have ridden it well and truly and the way I felt it the effect of the post is not that noticable. Most convincing argument I found was when I tried the infamous 'go back to a rigid post' test. After riding suspension post for a long time I went back to a rigid and there was NO difference I could feel. No back problems going back to a rigid and I could not feel the ride to be any rougher. The post was set up correctly for my weight.
Furthermore I also specifically rode this post in a race where I would get that back pain and once again I got the same back pain, which suggests my problem wasn't related to shocks from a post. It just didn't work for the purpose I bought it for and after I discovered this through the tests I decided to sell it. Having said that I am only 22 and may just stand more often so it is entirely possible it works well for other people and was just not suitable in my specific case.
The post itself is well made. I put a little oil under the boot evry once in a while, got no slop from mine at all and I'm sure I would have ridden it for a long time before it would need a rebuild (the kit for which came with the post). Before I sold it I completely took it apart for cleaning and apart from some dirt everything was in great condition. While I never actually tested this there is no way you get 50 mm travel out of it. 20-25 mm more like it.
In conclusion if you can get it for a good price it might be worth a try as there seems to be a lot of people here for whom this post does wonders. It didn't for me, however I will still give it 4 chillis overall as it has worked flawlessly in all this time albeit without me noticing a difference in ride. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$54.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Really helps make the ride more "enjoying". There is nothing worst than riding for a couple hours and having to walk like a duck for 2 days. Great product! | | Weaknesses: | Ehh, the color isn't so amazing. | | Bike Setup: | NRS | | Bottom Line: | Great product! A must for male mountain bikers! Try one out, and hey you will probably buy it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Walt
a Weekend Warrior
from Fallbrook, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Smooths out the ride on large rolling bumps and some sharp ruts/bumps. | | Weaknesses: | Post slides when used with shim. Does completely smooth out small bumps. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo | | Bottom Line: | I tested this post throughly and it does make a difference on medium to large bumps. I really notice the difference on technical hill climbs. When the rear wheel goes over a large rock or bump on a steep hill climb the seat absorbs it nicely. The post really doesn't help when going downhill 'cause you should be off the seat anyway. On single track and flat trails (with bumps) it works great! I tried going really fast over some washboard on a fire trail near my house. The seat post made a small difference, but it was slightly noticable. The bottom line is it depends on how you ride your bike. If you are just a trailblazer, then it will help. If you are a freerider, forget it, don't bother. If you like cross country riding then it should help somewhat. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lee
a Weekend Warrior
from indianapolis, in, usa
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$44.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | smooths out bumps | | Weaknesses: | its heavy but my rear loves it | | Similar Products Used: | non susp posts | | Bike Setup: | specialized | | Bottom Line: | if your looking for more comfort get one,
I spent very, very little time on the seat, no i can realx a bit
get from pricepoint ive seen used going for almost as much on ebay as pp has new | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Hergest Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Elan Cyclery | | Strengths: | Good and solid feeling, strong and very adjusable clemp, smooth suspension and it works . | | Weaknesses: | Elastomer softens in hot weather | | Similar Products Used: | USE XCR | | Bike Setup: | Airborne Lancaster Ti/ Pace RC36/ Hope hubs and discs | | Bottom Line: | Strong and well adjustable post, both for suspension and saddle position and tilt. Smooth action with no stiction even though I ride with the saddle set well back. During a spell of hot weather (30c) here I noticed that the elastomer had become softer, hence more sag and therefore saddle height wrong. Noticed also other comments about elastomer hardening up in cold weather, if so then psot efficiency and saddle height will be wrong. However have experimented with substituting half of the elastomer with a USE medium coil spring and with this set up performance is excellent, very active ., great dael of adjustment on the threaded base cap, can ride over some very rough terrain and absorb all sizes of bumps. Perhaps RS should consider this sort of elastomer / coil spring set up as USE use. Strong looking construction inspires more confidence than the flimsy looking USE Alien clamp. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wayne
a Weekend Warrior
from Oregon
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Powell Butte | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Like previously mentioned, it takes the edge off my HT Rockhopper. Easy to setup as well. | | Weaknesses: | 1) The weight. Alomst 400g!
2) The color. It almost mathes the steel blue color of my bike but I would have rather it been black or silver.
3) Needing to buy an $8.00 shim! | | Similar Products Used: | Stock | | Bike Setup: | '03 Rockhopper w/ Sun-Ringle ZuZu pedals and Rock Shox Seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | An excellent investment. Does what it is supposed to do once it's set up. Trails are more comforatble than before, especially the long, seated climbs over any small bumps. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George
a Cross Country Rider
from Dublin, CA
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Any Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$49.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | Takes the edge of my aluminum hardtail, built to last, looks OK except for color. Does what its supposed to do. | | Weaknesses: | Don't like the color, would prefer black. Only the cheaper Rock Shox suspension seatpost comes in black. Still has some lateral movement felt in the saddle. Elastomer bumper in the seatpost gets hard in cold weather. | | Similar Products Used: | Regular seatposts and inexpensive suspension seatposts. | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Supergo 18" Access XCL aluminum hardtail. | | Bottom Line: | This post does what it is supposed to do and hasn't broke. Rock Shox should make this suspension post in black but continue to make it in what they refer to as gun metal grey. I prefer hardtails and this post makes my ride enjoyable. One chili off for the color. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a Cross Country Rider
from marlton, nj
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | cheap, sturdy, it works, no wobble in seat, very happy | | Weaknesses: | ugly grey color | | Similar Products Used: | stiff post | | Bike Setup: | 2003 diamondback apex, upgraded, crankset, seat, post, pedals | | Bottom Line: | makes the hardtail less hard | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Obi Wan Kenobi
a Cross Country Rider
from Sudbury, Ontario
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Jedi training camp on Tattoine | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | -Does it's job to snuff bumps.
-Great on big bumps.
-Keeps your sensitive region well protected. | | Weaknesses: | -sometimes you wonder if it is the actual elastomer, or the mass of the product, or the fact that you are standing on techinical sections anyway....
- No lockout, yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Easton Carbon Fibre seat post.
| | Bike Setup: | seat with ti rails.
cro mo bike. | | Bottom Line: | this post cost a lot. the official word is that those parallelogram suspension seat posts change the geometry of the seat-tube angle when put into motion (in the suspension process), but this seat does not do that. Except that as it gets shorter from travel (but retaining the same seat=tube angle); the distance between the handlebar and the seat shortens as the Rock Shox suspension seat post is in the suspension process, but since the travel is less than 2 inches, the difference is not that big anyway. i like the seat for urban applications with small bumbs, cracked pavement, and such. In this application, it does help to dampen the road cracks, and cycling off sidewalk curbs, down stairs. Otherwise, mind you that this will add weight to your bike, and if you are a conscious weight freak, then watch out. If you think that this will suffix for a full suspension bike, then you should keep dreaming. But if you want a smoother ride for your back end, and otherwise know effectively when to be off your saddle, and when you should be on it, then try it. Costs a lot, but not as much as a high-end carbon seat tube. Cheers. 6 flaming chili's if possible! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SilverStar
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Express | | Strengths: | Does its job by soaking small to medium impacts; low maintenance; preload adjust | | Weaknesses: | None that I can think of | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | '00 Specialized Rockhopper, EXR fork, Avid brakes, XTR shifters and r. der. | | Bottom Line: | I really like this post. It does its job as advertised and is basic and low maintenance. Go get one!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J Taylor
a Weekend Warrior
from Pittsburg, CA
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | Absorbs medium bumps. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Jamis hardtail, Deore discs, and XT all around. | | Bottom Line: | It really does what it's supposed to. I used to bread my ass going of the trail through the field, but now I can sit all the way through. Haven't hit any big holes or drops, but that's not my thing. Not as smooth as a FS, but a great alternative. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mikw
a Cross Country Rider
from marlton, nj
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint | | Strengths: | solid, does what it suppose to do | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | diamondback 2003 apex, oem | | Bottom Line: | made the ride, really comfortable, not a full suspen feel, but really made the ride much more fun. made a hardtail, less hard | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hank
a Racer
from 100 east main street
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Colorado Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$59.00 | | Purchased At: | nashbar | | Strengths: | No side to side rotation after 1 year and 2000+ miles; Good clamping mechanism; easy to adjust | | Weaknesses: | Not at smooth as a thudbuster | | Similar Products Used: | thudbuster, USE XCR | | Bike Setup: | Ti hardtail with Mars Elite front shock, XTR drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | I am a 170 lb rider who mt bikes over 2000 miles a year and road bikes at least as much. I live in the Southern Rockies and spend very little time on flat terain. I have used a number of different suspension seatposts over the the last 6 years and the Rockshock is the most troublefree so far. All of the posts I've used work well, they significantly improve the ride, comfort and handling of a hardtail. The seatpost adds a quarter pound to a 3.25 pound frame with a total weight of 22.5 lbs. I am not usually a fan of Rockshock products having repaired and rebuilt a number of their front shocks. The rockshock post is an excellent value for its price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
L L
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, Tx. USA
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | comfort,comfort,comfort | | Weaknesses: | my saddle rock side to side a little once adjusted, not sure if anyone else has had this happen? | | Bike Setup: | 02' stumpjumper, duke, eggbeaters, oury grips(sweetest ever) | | Bottom Line: | I used to dog people who had these post.....I AM AN IDIOT....This post flat out rocks. Some people say it doesn't make you a better rider, well I would just say it sure as heck makes me faster on the flats. Let's face it I am not 22 anymore, and my back is very appreciative of my new purchase. I am still a Hardtail holdout probably will be for a long time, stubborn I guess. I am however concious of weight and this post only weighed approx. 86g heavier than my stock specialized post. Considering my seat is 300g. I will buy a Flite 165g. and still be lighter. BOTTOM LINE THIS POST IS DEF. WORTH THE 55 BUCKS.
$45 FOR POST AND $8 FOR SHIM
5 FOR VALUE
3 FOR OVERALL SINCE I have only riddin on it twice, time will tell if it holds up | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
atm
a Weekend Warrior
from columbus, oh, usa
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | ft. custer | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | price point | | Strengths: | takes the edge off your stiff hardtail, simplicity of design | | Weaknesses: | none worth mentioning for the price i paid | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | '01 moab3, stock with the addition of a bontrager fs 2000 gel saddle | | Bottom Line: | this seatpost does what it is supposed to. don't expect it to drastically change your ride. however having now ridden it for a month or so there is no way i would ever go back to a rigid post on my hardtail. you really need to be out on a nice bumpy trail to experience the full blessing of this seatpost. i can actually ride for an hour straight w/out having to stop and rest to relieve the pain in my lower back. bottom line; great product- now we'll see how it holds up over time | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ronie
a Cross Country Rider
from Watauga, TX
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere on Lake Grapevine | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Great price,quality,looks cool. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | A Kalloy cheapie. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Rockhopper FS,Judy SL fork,Primo pedals,Serfas saddle,Rhyno Lite rims,Panaracer Fire XC Pros,Shimano XT/LX components. | | Bottom Line: | I am a big guy(6'4" and 255lbs) and to be honest,I wasn't expecting much difference from this and the factory seatpost,but for the money, you can't beat this upgrade. I generally ride 80% paved roads with my wife and 20% trails with friends,and whether hopping off curbs or over tree roots and rocks, this seatpost is an excellent performer for the price! Check the web for the best deal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike B.
a Weekend Warrior
from Van Nuys, Ca., USA
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Balboa park; L.A. river | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria | | Strengths: | Makes all off road excursions smoother; troublefree in one year's use; free rebuild kit included | | Weaknesses: | tops out occasionally; seems to be sagging a little | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Raleigh M50, stock | | Bottom Line: | The best investment that you can make for your hardtail. I have been using my RS for almost a year and have done no maintenance to it and it actually works better now. I have the seat all the way back and get no stiction al all( I weigh 175 ). No wobble either. I was running the tire pressure low at first, but now I have pumped it back up and the bike handles much better.
This product is not for extreme use, but for general trail riding and boonie bouncing there's nothing better. As many others have offered, if you doubt the efficacy of one of these little gems, try one for a month and then switch back to the old, hard post.
NOT ! ! !
Also, check Cambria Bikes for values and great service. I ordered the wrong size, and even though I tore the box up getting the thing out, they sent me the correct replacement quickly and without question.
Five super-burners for performance and value ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Poland, Maine
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | Rainbow Bikes - Auburn | | Strengths: | Does exactly what it promises, lighter than the cheapo suspension posts, no slop/twist. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Post-modern | | Bike Setup: | Giant XTC-SE2 hardtail, full XT, Marzocci Z2-Atom 80, Rolf Sattelite, IRC Mythos, Answer Pro-tapers. | | Bottom Line: | I had a Thomson post that I loved on my previous full-suspension bike. I broke that frame, and replaced it with a Giant hardtail frame. I love the hardtail, except for that stiff seatpost, so I stole my wife's Post-modern suspension post and absolutely loved the ride. It had some side-turn slop, and was heavy as a brick, so I gave it back and bought the Rock Shox. Much lighter, has a stiffer elastomer, and rides even better - much more to my liking.
If you're still riding a hardtail, this is probably the best thing you could add to avoid buying a full suspension bike. My riding partner rides a Trek STP softail which I've tried, and I like my hartail just as well.
I wouldn't worry about the weight penalty. It's about 100 grams heavier than my old Thomson, but I replaced the saddle with one 100 grams lighter than what I was riding, so I'm still in the same ballpark.
My first ride on our regular trails had me exclaiming, "I love this post!" more than once. It really transformed the ride. And, my buddy bought my Thomson for his STP, and he said, "Man! Is this thing stiff!" | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Loghopper
a Weekend Warrior
from NJ
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Mercer County | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Great price. Good construction. | | Weaknesses: | None so far other than it adds a bit of weight. Not my concern though. | | Bottom Line: | It takes the edge off big bumps. I was able to stay on the saddle on harder bumps for better balance and less fatigue. It doesn't make your hardtail a full suspension bike but makes a good enough difference. I like it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$59.00 | | Strengths: | It still works great | | Weaknesses: | I have found a way to overcome the weakness of it not reacting so well to smaller bumps. | | Similar Products Used: | Kalloy susp post, other generic one | | Bottom Line: | This is an update to an earlier review. I am still very happy with this post and its function and quality. My one complaint I had with it was that it didnt soak up and of the small bumps in the trail. Since the line of travel of the post is not parallel to the force vectors which bumps travel up from the ground, it causes some stiction in the post. This is only because the forces are traveling at a slight angle to the post so this is why it can still react to larger impacts. I got to thinking and I realized that if I were able to line the force of my weight up more parallel to the post I could get better absorbtion for smaller bumps. I realized that I got a different saddle which had some sort of suspension in the rear that it would kind of hinge backwards a little and line up my downward forces a little better. There are several brands of seats offering either elastomer supported rails or like my Selle Italia Max Flite Trans Am, the rails are supported by flexible plastic wings which gives a little cush. Combined together a suspension saddle and a telescoping seatpost make a very effective duo. No, its not as good as full suspension, but for the cost and simplicity its well worth it. Hope all my babbling made sense. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glenn vERNES
a Cross Country Rider
from Middletown, CT
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Takes the edge off bumps
| | Weaknesses: | None if your expectations are realistic | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Alum hardtail, Manitou SXR | | Bottom Line: | This post does its job well, as long as you don't expect too much. It takes the edge off bumps and makes for a more comfortable and back friendly ride, but it is not a true rear suspension. I used the post for two years (have since gone full susp) and had some sucess racing with it. Ignore people who dismiss this post after 1 ride. A little less efficient than a rigid post due to bobbing, but you hardly notice it. It takes some time to break in and needs rebuilding about once a year (easy to do). It is the single cheapest and best way to improve the comfort of any hardtail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken Mcdowell
a Cross Country Rider
from British Columbia,Canada
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | 10hrs of SORCA race loop | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Deep Cove Cycles(this place rocks) | | Strengths: | Stiff enough so it does not bob, yet effective on small to medium hits,low maitenance,seems to be very strong,have raced on it for about a year I'm 185lbs and there are no signs of stress yet(as there should'nt be for 140$CDN) | | Weaknesses: | Can't say I have found any maybe a little pricey,But I did replace a Dean Ti seapost for it,and I won't go back. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Dekerf frame and blah ,blah,blah,upper middle of the road componetry | | Bottom Line: | Would reccomend to anyone looking for a realativly cheap way to take the heat of of small to medium hits,there are no suprises with it,it just does what it is suppose to! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Enid, OK USA
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | everything | | Weaknesses: | can't find any | | Bike Setup: | GT Avalanche | | Bottom Line: | If you do not love this seatpost you must not have it on right because this thing is the best purchase I have made so far. Those bumps don't seem to be that big anymore! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JC
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Trail 100 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$59.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Value. Does what it's suposed to do. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Bike Setup: | Old Cromo Yeti Hardtail | | Bottom Line: | If you are looking for a substitute for a full-suspension bike, this is not it. If you are an all out aggressive rider, this product is probably not for you. If you want to take the bite out of your hardtail, this is a good product. I ride 3x per week and own a hardtail, a full suspension and a downhill bike. I had quit riding my hardtail because it beat me up too much. Now it is my favorite ride once again. It took me about three tweeks to get the setup correct. You have to cut the elastomer according to your weight so start a bit long. Once you get it dialed in it won't buck you off as some have suggested. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Leonard
a
from England
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$95.00 | | Strengths: | It works well if you have the right length elastomer | | Weaknesses: | Unbelievably expensive replacement parts and the stock setting means that you won't get much travel if you weigh less than 160lbs. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Ti hardtail | | Bottom Line: | Unfortunately, the price for a replacement elastomer is £40 in the UK. This is almost two thirds of the price I paid for the seatpost (£64.95). If you're under 160 lbs then you'll need to change the elastomer for a longer one, since the one that comes with the seat post is cut down to 127mm, and you won't get anything like the 2 inches of travel that you're supposed to get. Admittedly, if you buy the seat post after-market then you should receive a spare (140mm) elastomer in the box, but if you buy an OEM product then you'll have to track down a new one by yourself. It may seem cheaper than other suspension posts (e.g. the USE Alien XCR) but it could be a false economy in the long run. That said, when it's set up right it works just fine, and will add comfort to your hardtail. Its performance would deserve a 4 or a 5 burning something-or-other rating, but given its poor value, it only gets a 3 overall. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Drew
a Cross Country Rider
from Gloucester Point, VA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | Seems to do the job and didn't add that much weight to the bike. | | Weaknesses: | You are supposed to rebuild it after 25 hours of riding. That could get expen$ive. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Tassajara | | Bottom Line: | Overall I like the seatpost. It appears to absorb some of the impact from smaller bumps, which gives my back a rest. When going over several closely spaced small bumps it will get a weird oscillation going that will start bucking you off your seat. But now I know where it happens on the trails I ride. So I stand up and its not a problem. I think its worth the $$ I paid. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | I dont want everybody else going there | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$59.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Smooth, stiction free travel, very little lateral movement, light weight compared to a full-susp frame | | Weaknesses: | Only reacts to medium or large impacts. The small stuff doesnt make it budge, but thats why your seat has foam and/or gel inside. | | Similar Products Used: | Stock susp seat post that came on bike | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Raleigh M60 with RockShox Judy SL Air, Deore v-brakes, titec stem, Answer pro-taper bars, and other things I dont recall at the moment. | | Bottom Line: | I didnt really need to buy this because the stock susp post was fine, but I did it because I wanted a little more travel so I could leave it a little less stiff and have more cush. Other than that, I dont really notice a great improvement over the old one, but I wasnt really expecting that either. It does weigh about half a pound less so thats a plus. I also bought it because I wanted a black seatpost and this was the first rockshox post I had seen in black instead of that ugly blue color. But the bottom line is that this a high quality post and I definately recommend it for those who are riding a rigid post but want some of the benefits of full suspension. This does not keep the rear wheel on the ground any better, but 99% of mountain bikers dont even need full suspension so its really more of a comfort add-on. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dick Hallorann
a Cross Country Rider
from England
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Any XC | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$91.00 | | Purchased At: | www.ChainReactionCycles.com | | Strengths: | This post is just *the* best choice if you want the comfort of a rear-suspension bike, but on a budget. I weigh 17 stone (108kg or 240lbs) I have yet to bottom the 54mm travel out (NB: This is under XC riding conditions) Case in point of the benefits of this item: Mate of mine (14 stone) and I did some downhills on *very* stony roads. He had to ride out of the saddle, I rode in the saddle. At the same tyre pressures, he burst his rear tyre on his '02 Gary Fisher Big Sur, while I came away unscathed! An awesome piece of kit which really improves comfort (and therefore ride-times) and reduces frame stresses and back ache all at a wicked price. | | Weaknesses: | My only gripes would be 1) the aluminium retaining lugs for the saddle setup – I stripped one of mine without any effort and the spares kit is £8, so be careful when installing. Also, if you're a weight-obsessive, this post might be a little heavy for your. Me - I weigh too much to care about a few ounces! | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | '95 Raleigh M-Trax 2000, full XT except Avid ArchRivals / Speed 5's, RaceFace Riserbar on Kore Sweet 69 stem, X517 rims, Selle Italia Flite XP saddle on RockShox suspost, various X-lite gear. | | Bottom Line: | Apart from my one gripe, my summary is: Buy one now! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from NC
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$59.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | not really any!! the only time you will notice any difference is if you are sitting down while going over obstacles (and that is usually a bad idea.) | | Weaknesses: | adds enough weight to your bike that you will notice when on inclines. also, the weight is added at the top of your bike (that is not good either.) WON'T make your bike soak up bumps any better..most of you know that-but some of these posts suggest otherwise. | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher | | Bottom Line: | Not trying to be an @$$ but this is a lot of money to spend on something that is really gimmicky. It won't help with suspension..you are still on a hardtail, and it adds weight. I agree that if you are older, have back problems and ride for long periods of time this little novelty could seem like a quick fix. But I would bet that most of us are in reasonably good shape, and are smart enough to stay seated when hitting obstacles that a shock, not a seatpost, will absorb. If you still have to buy one try supergo.com. I think they are selling them for about 50 dollars. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a
from Porterville
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | camp nelson trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | Paul's | | Strengths: | it saves my ass | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | gary fisher hardtail | | Bottom Line: | it was one of the wisest investments i've ever made! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter Calakoutis
a Cross Country Rider
from Saugus, Ma
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Lynn Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Price, durability, comfort, ease of installation. | | Weaknesses: | none that I've seen | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | merlin mountain, marzocchi z.2 bomber | | Bottom Line: | Great suspension seat post for the money, easy to setup and maintain, made my ride at moab alot more comfortable on my hard tail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, CA USA
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Appearance, ease of cleaning or maintenance | | Weaknesses: | Weight | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F600 Custom | | Bottom Line: | Great seatpost, it made my hardtail ride almost like a full suspension for only 110 dollars! Super easy to adjust, different rebound options, 27.2 fit my bike perfectly. Havent had a single problem with it yet!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Biopacebob Modesto,CA
a Cross Country Rider
from Modesto,CA
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Enchanted Forest Wilder Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint? | | Strengths: | A bouncy bouncy for your butt.If this technology falls in the wrong hands it could be ugly.
But for a hardtail bike it gives needed rest on washboard flats and mild downhills | | Weaknesses: | A little weight penalty | | Similar Products Used: | Regular seatpost | | Bike Setup: | Pesky little 2000 Schwinn Moab that you wish would quite playing leapfrog with your expensive Ti widget.Yea it's got a few upgades.so what?? | | Bottom Line: | Fits in with the rest of the Spartan functionality of my little screaming tantrum of a hardtail.No money or maintainence time for a FSXC??? get a rockshox seat post and shut up and ride!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dean Robbins
a Racer
from Baltimore, MD
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Avalon, Patapsco State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$84.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | Good feel, saves my back. | | Weaknesses: | 3mos into it seat mount bolt snapped, bummer! A little heavy, but worth the weight. Needs more seat tube sizes, can't seem to get the creak out with the shim. | | Similar Products Used: | Thudbuster | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8500, mars fork, xt,xt | | Bottom Line: | If your looking to take the edge off without going FS its just what you need. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Nieman
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Wayne, IN
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Warsaw | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Various | | Strengths: | Light weight, no flex, easy to adjust, seems to wear very well. | | Weaknesses: | Outside anodizing scratches fairly easily. (very minor issue). | | Similar Products Used: | PostModerne (for about 5 seconds before I sent it back) | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed Obed with XTR. | | Bottom Line: | I have three of these now. After being so happy with the one on my Litespeed, I bought one for our tandem, and my wife's Barracuda. These really are fantasic. I think full suspension is the rage mostly because of magazines. Ride a ti bike with a shock post and you will save weight and maintenance big time. FS has its place, but it seems to be unnecessary for about 80% of the riding public (don't worry, I've had two good ones, so I'm not just "unaware").
What really struck me was yesterday when I tore it down during my annual overhaul. True, I keep a bike clean, but this post has 2 1/2 seasons of continual use on it. I was stunned to see that the elastomer was barely collapsed, and the plastic guides (which keep the post from spinning) showed absolutely no wear. Keep the boot in place, give it a little lube every couple of rides, and overhaul it with Judy butter 2x a season, and it will give you a long lifespan. (I'm 190 lbs, so if I'm not destroying it, you shouldn't either).
More than just the quality, this thing really improves the enjoyment of riding for those of us with back problems. If your back seizes up on you when you ride, and you are currently running one of the "vogue" stiff a** aluminum bikes, try this thing out.
Finally, though a little pricy when they first came out, you can find 'em for as little as $60 now. Heck of a bargain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Racer
from Tallahassee, FL
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Smooth, Light by Sus. post standards, simple design, looks good, cheap by light sus post standards | | Weaknesses: | Heavier than rigid posts, pogo design slightly interupts pedal stroke when compressed (this is barely noticable, you won't notice it forget about it if you're not thinking about it) | | Similar Products Used: | Rigid posts, cheaper sus. posts. | | Bike Setup: | Aluminum Hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I had severe back problems when I began riding competitivly about a year ago. I went with this post, and the problem was cured. Being a racer, I wanted to stay away from the heavier linkage designs like the thudbuster, etc. The post works great, even after a year of neglecting servicing it. Its pretty simple, using an MCU (urethane thingy inside the post) core for preload and damping. One caution for sus post riders: be careful when riding with the post preload setup too light for you. My dad (65lbs more than me) rode my bike and endoed a couple times on short drops and stuff because the post would bounce up and kick him in the butt when he unweighted it. (it was ammusing to watch, though)
Overall would be four and a half, but I'll give the post a five because it made me laugh. (just kidding, its a great post - five all the way) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Providence, RI
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Well made, eliminating the constant pounding of a hardtail, yet allowing you to continue to reap the benefits of a hartail...yes there are some. | | Weaknesses: | Availability of sizes for 2002 model without a shim...I had to purchase a overpriced 1999 model as to fit my 27.0 exactly. | | Similar Products Used: | Thomson seatpost | | Bike Setup: | Marin Nail Trail | | Bottom Line: | Listen, if you want to ride longer without a pounding on your back/ass/legs & endurance...BUY it. The nay sayers are idiots who apparently haven't used it. A softail is the way to go(look at real bikes...Motocross), yet for a bike...this works. Avoid cheap imitations. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed Rossino
a Cross Country Rider
from Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | forrest and open fieldtracks | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Great adjustability and has a perfect designed seatclamp | | Weaknesses: | Now, after +/- 1800 mls it gets a sort of sideways tolerance | | Bike Setup: | Giant Terrago (hardtail) | | Bottom Line: | This suspension is absolute worth your money and performs very good.
Excelent for bumpy roads (even on those perfectly maintananced bikepath's in Holland! Some of them do have potholes, this fellow won't kick you of your seat anymore!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bobby brownten
a Cross Country Rider
from canada
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | lov em all | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | bike shop | | Strengths: | none, but i can put my saddle on it.yay! | | Weaknesses: | i weigh 135 lbs, i couldnt even tell the difference betwwn my rigid seatpost and this one.it stinks!! | | Similar Products Used: | only rigid , | | Bike Setup: | rocky mtn oxygen, very pretty! | | Bottom Line: | this product sucks!big time! if you want a susp seatpost,and you dont wiehg at least 150lbs, look elswere! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shaun
a Cross Country Rider
from Spokane
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | 9 mile | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Great ride | | Weaknesses: | Weight | | Bike Setup: | GT Zascar Team | | Bottom Line: | I bought the Zascar so I would have a hard tail bike but after riding it for a couple days my back and bottom started to hurt so I reverted back to my full suspension. My riding buddy has the seat post so I tried his bike for a while. The seat post makes all the difference in the world. I bought the post online and have not touched my full suspension since. It's the best of all worlds.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Vernon, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Strengths: | Takes the "sting" out. | | Weaknesses: | Good, but not great for big guys. You still get beat up on technical trails. | | Similar Products Used: | Rigid posts s&^% on hardtails! | | Bike Setup: | Fisher Ziggurat, XTB/XT mix, Avid brakes, Judy, Time Carbon pedals | | Bottom Line: | I would like to say that I'm in love with this seat post but I'm not. It takes the sting out of longer rides (2+ hours), but it ain't no substitute for Full-Suspension. If you're not riding super technical trails, this post will make the ride very comfortable. But for harder riding & more technical trails, you get dropped by your pals on Full-Sus rigs.
Negatives: this seatpost isn't set back at all. So you will feel more forward than if you had a set back post. Secondly, There are limited choices when it comes to the diameter of this post, so you will probably need a shim. Don't put too much grease on the post when installing. I did, and my post would just slide right into my seat tube. Doesn't look great unless you have some tint of blue on your bike. Even on the max setting, I feel like I get too much initial sag (for the big guys, I'm 218 pounds)
Positives: No side to side play. Doesn't bob too much when pedalling. Looks cool if you DO have some tint of blue on your bike. Set up didn't take too long.
I'm an optimistic type and like to write good reviews, but this product is good only for non-technical riding. So if that's the terrain you ride, you will most likey really enjoy this seatpost. It's a tough call because most riders who have tons of cash will say "Just buy a Full-Sus bike". But we aren't all made of money now are we? I'm lucky my wife let's me have a MTB and a road bike. If I wheel a new rig into my house she will shoot me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a Cross Country Rider
from Thunder Bay ON Canada
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | cyclepath.ca | | Strengths: | It smooths the ride enough, lessens fatique, no side play at all. a nice seat clamp, value at least for me 69 bucks Cdn. | | Weaknesses: | There is some bounce , Probabaly not meant for big guys | | Similar Products Used: | post modemne | | Bike Setup: | using with WTB speed V | | Bottom Line: | In combination with speed v, the post has made my hardtail alot less harsh. By no means is it like a full suspension but a good addition to my ride. For you larger guys out there, I weigh around 240lbs. The post is not optimun for this weight but I find it more than adequate. For 45 bucks there wasn't any difference in price with a descent rigid post. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Flyer
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$59.00 | | Strengths: | Nice set up post, easy to maintain and tune. It didn't come with instructions, but you can download those and service manuals straight from RockShox's website...a definate plus. | | Weaknesses: | Well it's heavier than my Titec was....but that was the tradeoff I guess | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Giant XTC se2....many changes | | Bottom Line: | I think like everyone else has said, this is not a replacement for a FS bike, but it sure takes the sting out of a lot of nasty bumps. The bike I am riding is VERY stiff, and now that I have put this on, I wouldn't ride another Aluminum hardtail without one. Well worth the money, but I got a good deal on it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Cross Country Rider
from Texas
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | mtbr | | Strengths: | better than nothing at all | | Weaknesses: | sticks a bit | | Bike Setup: | C-Dale F-1000 HARDtail | | Bottom Line: | I did find a noticable change when I installed the post. What used to only be an hour or so before my back started to hurt now takes about 2 hours generally speaking. I think I may have had too high of expectations when I got it. It was well said a few post down "dont expect this post to turn a hardtail into a FS". I dont think I was that optimistic but I was hoping for a little more relief. I guess more crunches are in order. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Parenteau
a Weekend Warrior
from Nanaimo,BC,Canada
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Can't narrow down to one | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Arrowsmith Cycle,Parksville | | Strengths: | Quality construction,unlike some of the low end posts that I looked at.The posts doesn't give you that bobbing feeling while riding that some posts do. | | Weaknesses: | None that I've found so far.I'll know better in a years time when it's had some serious use. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F400 | | Bottom Line: | I've got a terrible back so anything that softens the ride is a benefit to me.It does soften the ride without any noticable bounce.I'm not aware of any post movement while I'm riding which is what I like.It's to early to comment on longevity,but because I use this bike to ride to work as well,I simply use the CODA post with another seat for commuting.I toss the RockShox post in for weekend fun.It certainly doesn't turn the bike into a softail but it definitely becomes a softertail.My wife grabs it every time she goes riding without me!I've had to buy one for her for Christmas. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a Cross Country Rider
from Kokomo, IN, USA
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint.com | | Strengths: |
smooths out the small bumps. | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Similar Products Used: | Standard seatpost | | Bike Setup: | Trek 4500 | | Bottom Line: | I have ridden on this post a couple of times and the normal lower back pain I always get seems to be a thing of the past. If you ride a hardtail without a suspension post and experience lower back pain buy one asap | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Sacramento CA
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | all of them | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$85.00 | | Purchased At: | local bicycle store | | Strengths: | Low maintenance, nice dust boot, good performance, easy to adjust and install, good seat clamp, no shims required. | | Weaknesses: | None yet, no excessive side to side play after 1 year. | | Similar Products Used: | rigid post | | Bike Setup: | steel hardtail | | Bottom Line: | The Rockshox post and a WTB speed V seat have made my KHS Comp much more comfortable on moderate cross country rides, especially level and climbing. Doesn't do too much for downhills though. One drop of triflow every 4 months under the boot keeps the post plush - same maintenance routine as the good old Q21 forks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Strengths: | Takes the sting out of the bumps, Reasonably light considering all the parts | | Weaknesses: | Sticks a bit on the rebound, adjusting seat height takes playing around due to the fact seat height changes when weighted. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Ti Hardtail, high end mix of comps. | | Bottom Line: | It smooths out the ride in the saddle. It's not like full suspension or even a ST, your legs still take the big hits and drops. It does its job though. Gives you a little shock absorbtion between your rear wheel and and your lower torso. My back and bum don't feel jack hammered after a couple hours of riding anymore. I stay in the saddle a bit more too. I think the thudbuster is a better design b/c the linkage seems to get the line of travel closer to that of the actual force from impact. But it's also heavier and more expensive. This works just fine. I'd recommend it, just don't expect it to transform your Hard Tail into something it's not. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Al
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Strengths: | easy to set up, has been maintenance free so far | | Weaknesses: | errr.....its grey | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Giant ATX850, jett fork, Deore running gear | | Bottom Line: | After using this seat post I do not see myself ever buying a full suspension bike. I could not justify the extra cost when this product gives me everything I could want from a FS bike (note that I am not a downhill rider)
My local trails are very rocky, and when I come across a rock free trail it is usually corregated. I used to come home from rides with a sore lower back, but no more! I don't even feel the seat moving, the trails just seem smoother.
Simply the best accessory I have bought for my bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampa
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Superbikes (local Tampa store) | | Strengths: | Takes the edge off just enough. | | Weaknesses: | None noticed yet | | Similar Products Used: | Moxey, Thudbuster | | Bike Setup: | Klein frame, mavic, Shimano XT, XTR, RS Judy, Cane Creek. | | Bottom Line: | I bought the RS seatpost after reading the reviews here. I've only had it out a few times, but I immediately noticed a big difference. At the end of a day of hard riding, my lower back felt great, where it used to ache. I also felt like I had more endurance throughout the ride since I could keep my butt in the saddle a lot more, saving my legs for climbs and sprints, instead of holding up my body weight for every rough patch. I think that in a race, that would more than make up for any additional weight.
I've tried some other seatpost shocks with a lot more travel, and they were too much movement for me. With the RS, you hardly notice it's working until you hit something big.
If you're looking for something to make your hardtail behave like a FS, this isn't it. But if you want to soften the ride a little to save your back and legs, you won't be disappointed with the RS post. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Pasadena, CA
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | BikeWorld | | Strengths: | (This is a follow up review - see Chris, Christchurch, New Zealand 1/5/00 below)
Takes the edge off the bumps.
Easy to adjust. | | Weaknesses: | Developing side to side play, but hey, it's been two years! | | Bike Setup: | GT Avalanche / Rock Shox Psylo XC | | Bottom Line: | I have been using this for two years now. It has some side to side play now, but I don't really notice it.
What I do notice is that it really takes the hard bumps away. The ones where you should of been out of the saddle! It allows to to stay in the saddle a little bit longer and not get tired on the big rides.
I just grease it now and then and away I go. It is very low maintenance.
Until I go FS I will have one of these on my bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eagle
a Cross Country Rider
from Oregon
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Came stock on bike | | Strengths: | Takes the edge off.
Works well | | Weaknesses: | Adds Weight | | Similar Products Used: | Post Modern suspension seatpost (cheep, but worked pretty good)
Ridgid Post (no absorbsion but light) | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Komodo | | Bottom Line: | Its a great upgrade for a hardtail owner. It does it's job well and really saves you when you dont clear a tree or somthing and the seat hits you. Also helps a lot while sitting in the saddle. Sure, it has a weight penalty but i think it is well worth the weight. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken Mcdowell
a Cross Country Rider
from Squamish,British Columbia
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Hidden Monkey | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Takes the heat off the in the saddle bumps. Could consentrate on trail instead of how much my saddle was being wedged up my ass. | | Weaknesses: | Minor bit of latteral slop understandably it is an older post | | Bike Setup: | Your standard higher end hardtail, previous post was a Dean Ti | | Bottom Line: | I was planning on getting a new FS bike next year.Even though I'm due for new ride,after trying a buddies susp seatpost,I think I'm going to stretch my De Kerfs life another year with a good susp seatpost. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scott connors
a Cross Country Rider
from redlands,ca,usa
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | santa ana river trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | jenson usa | | Strengths: | works, not heavy, attractive, good value, durable, free extras. | | Weaknesses: | not made of titanium, I don't feel like standing up over bumps anymore so my butt gets numb after a long ride, lack of blood flow to my butt. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale caad 3, Manitou Sx-R, Grip shift, sun sub 1V rims, IRC mythos xc, Titec Berserker Ti saddle. | | Bottom Line: | Absolutely saves you from catasrophic and painful clunks and bumps while seated. Will not be noticed while pedaling or over chatter or stuff but eats up the big hits (which would be otherwise painful with a stiff post). I can ride twisty singletrack, Descend rapidly and stay mostly seated saving my leg strength for sprints and climbs. Unfortunatly not getting out of the saddle as much cuts off the blood flow to my seat and my butt tends to get a little numb unless I remember to get out the saddle every now and then...
I'm 190 pounds and appreciate the softer ride. Sure I could own a Full Suspension but I don't and 90 bucks is a cheap way to love your ride.
No slop after 1 year seems durable. Free set of keys, extra elastomer and judy butter with mine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Lynn | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | Increased confort
More traction
Reduce fatigue | | Weaknesses: | Weight | | Bike Setup: | Stock C'dale F800 plus seatpost and Hutchinson Python Gold tires | | Bottom Line: | The last miles of a long ride were always a painful thing on my hardtail. I had to stand up for even the smallest pebble on the trail to avoid the punishment on my back and butt.
With this thing, I can ride longer, I am less fatigued, my ass doesn't hurt, and yes, I can climb better. I've never ridden a FS bike, so I'm not comparing it to that. With the suspension seatpost I can remain seated while climbing up rocky terrain, which gives the rear wheel more traction.
Low pressure on the Pythons and this seatpost have allowed me to stick with my hardtail for I while longer than my back would have otherwise allowed. And this is a cheap upgrade compared to the alternative of going to an efficient XC full suspension bike.
If you have the cash, you might as well get FS. But if you ride long and frequently, love your hard tail and are tired of the ass beating, try this thing first (plus the Pythons!).
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
LuisV
a Cross Country Rider
from NY
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$69.00 | | Purchased At: | www.jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | Excellent build quality. Great Rock Shox customer support and reliability. Performs as expected. | | Weaknesses: | A slight weight increase over a standard seatpost, ugly color. | | Similar Products Used: | Post Modern Suspension Seatpost, no-name standard seatpost. | | Bike Setup: | Haro Werks XCR Frame, XT & SRAM Drivetrain, Manitou Mars Elite Fork, Mavic x517 Rims on XT Hubs, Azonic Handlebar and a Thomson Elite Stem | | Bottom Line: | As mentioned in other reviews... it does exactly what it is supposed to do. It helps to take bumps out of the road and soaks up vibration. It WILL NOT give you the ride of a full suspension bike, but again that's not what it is intended for. If you're looking for a back and rear-end saver then this post will give you what you're looking for... if you want the benifits of rear suspension (ie. better traction) then get a full suspension frame. Want to help soften a hard tail's ride then by all mean go out and buy this post as it will not disappoint you! :) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Fayetteville
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Marketplace | | Strengths: | Does it is supposed to | | Weaknesses: | Saddle retaining bolts rusted like mad! | | Similar Products Used: | rigid seatpost | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed Obed | | Bottom Line: | Have been using one with great success for a little over eight months. I have had to adjust the preload according to the temperature, as it is a pure elastomer system, but other than one stripping, clean, and lube, haven't had to perform any other maintenance. Mine hasn't developed excessive side to side play, and I ride quite a bit, but have seen others that have.
Big thing is that I recently decided to switch back to a rigid seatpost, been riding a lot more, and just decdided to see if I would get more power transfer with a rigid post. I had NO F****** IDEA of the pounding I had been missing. This post won't turn your hardtail is a FS by a long shot, but it really soaks up the chatter that makes riding a HT quite literally a pain. It may weigh 200g more than the rigid post, but its back on the bike and worth every gram. I'd advise to set up with 1/4 inch of sag, depending on your weight. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul M
a Weekend Warrior
from Fremont, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Well made, looks good, works well | | Weaknesses: | Small amount of side to side flex | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | 2000 KHS 1000 LX/XT components | | Bottom Line: | This product does a great job of taking the edge of hard
jolts and providing a generally smoother ride. There is a slight penalty in weight and side to side flex of the saddle
but the trade-off was worth it to me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J-Bay
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Cruz
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Wilder | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Promo | | Strengths: | The post works good you can hear it top out on the hard jolts you miss standing up for.Once it is set up for your weight I can,t feel it pogoing and it hasn't hurt my spin or knees. This post with a WTB 98.com seat is awsome. | | Weaknesses: | Very hard to tune with preload and stack length to achive the recommeded sag. Ugly blue color and it's 30mm to short. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Voodoo D-Jab / 8-speed plasma /XTR drive train/ LX brakes/ Big Al stem /Azonic riser bars/King head set/Judy sl. | | Bottom Line: | Hey this bike rips it's not a Santa Cruz Superlight and we all know this. I like the post. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | Invention to cure a need that doesn't exist | | Bottom Line: | I was given one of these as a gift and tried it out for awhile before getting a FS bike. I still don't understand why these are pushed as anything but a marketing gimmick. A well designed/padded saddle like the WTB will give you cush without weighing so much and interfering with your pedal stroke. The same guys that would laugh at anyone with a gel saddle (which is lighter) will install these heavy things on their hardtail & ruin the handling with the top-heavy weight of the thing.
For those who don't know: putting on a suspension seatpost does NOT turn your bike into a FS. It will not climb any better, gain any more traction, absorb bumps nor give any more traction or control under braking. Two entirely different animals.
You want a soft ride? Run less air and a gel saddle
You want suspension? Buy a full suspension bike. End of story. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
LeGrande Rives
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Louis, MO
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Berryman | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Strengths: | Plush ride that's taken for granted until I ride someone else's bike.
Great design.
Relatively light weight.
Cheap dual suspension. | | Weaknesses: | Small amount of side to side play - barely noticeable. | | Similar Products Used: | Rigid posts | | Bike Setup: | Kona Explosif w/ Marzochi Atom 80. | | Bottom Line: | Does what it's supposed to do. My butt is happy. I weigh 170 and used the factory settings. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Racer
from Calgary, Alberta
Date Reviewed: November 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | no horses, Hornby | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Calgary Cycle | | Strengths: | Works well, light weight, no excessive movement. Used it for a year and have only lubed it. | | Weaknesses: | Not full suspension, not cheap | | Similar Products Used: | Nashbar Post (weird feeling) | | Bike Setup: | Klein, Judy XC with England Air Carts | | Bottom Line: | Despite what Mtn. Bike Mag says, suspension posts take the edge off an otherwise painfull hardtail (like the Klein). The RockShox is one of the better ones. Until you get a full suspension. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$85.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Shop | | Strengths: | Good action, plush enough, not toooo heavy | | Weaknesses: | Elastomer stiffens, bushings/keys don't last long, adds weight | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8900, Raceface, LX/XT/R, Bontrager, RockShox Judy SL | | Bottom Line: | This is a great post for cross country to take the edge off. If you have back pain, or sciatica like me, it will allow you to ride even when walking is difficult!
Decent for the money, can be bouncy and could use a spring.
I rode for less than a year, very light duty due to school and a cracked frame...waiting for new one..and the damn keys are worn out (according to RS)...not worth it to buy a rebuild kit every 8-10 months..that's bull. If you get it cheap, ok, otherwise do some research, this is a RS ploy to extract cash from the consumer | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jer
a Cross Country Rider
from Venice Beach Ca/Park City Ut.
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Upper Sweaney's Switchback-P.C.UT.(It Rock's!) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | Cole's,Park City Ut.[Creeps] | | Strengths: | Simple design,Clean Looks,Has Boot,Mines the right color.Makes a XC Hardtail truly plush,Without compramising the reason we CHOOSE them(Lightness and the ability to Climb Like A Gorrilla On Crack!)(Yeah,How Original) | | Weaknesses: | Ellastamers,Needs springs.Heavy(We're try'in to lighten the bike.)Ugly boot thing again(An just as we got them of the fork.)Price."Shouln't I get a choice in color for that price"Needs alot of maintance(More than my woman)Sad but True. | | Similar Products Used: | Some cheap one,The Race Face One,It was Stolen,......By my Girlfriend,..........She's still rendering services for payment,Ahah,Reminds me of"Victoria's Secret",The gift that keep's giving! | | Bike Setup: | General Trash(GT)Pantarra------Not To Much O.E.M. Anymore. | | Bottom Line: | Pretty choise unit all in all.Lighter than most other ones,Makes the ol'hardtail pretty comfy really.Not to mention it WILL make you less fatigued on those longer rides,More compeditive with your bros,Less miserable when the little woman say's"O Honey,I wonder where that trail goes?"I used to think,You go ahead and I'll meet you back at the condo!But now it's,"Okay Baby,Let's Check It Out!"
P.S.I'm not on Viagra either. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pascal Cormeau
a Racer
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | north shore | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Eurotech Cycle | | Strengths: | This seat post allows you to ride over small bumps and rocks without even getting off your saddle. | | Weaknesses: | The "Rock Shox" picture is coming off | | Similar Products Used: | dual suspention | | Bike Setup: | a really really nice bike | | Bottom Line: | SEAT POSTS
The post continues to bring full-suspension plushness to hardtail bikes. Beneficial for all riders with back problems, the seat post has also proven itself effective in World Cup racing. The Sport University, located in Cologne Germany, has proclaimed a suspension seat post the ultimate comfort upgrade for the non-suspended crowd. 50mm of Telescoping MCU based travel at only 390 grams. Keep it light, keep it simple, keep it comfortable with an MTB Post.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from Knoxville, Tn
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$108.00 | | Purchased At: | Earth Traverse | | Strengths: | easy to use/works | | Weaknesses: | Price is high!! | | Similar Products Used: | rigid seatposts/ | | Bike Setup: | Azonic DS1 /Azonic 1.5" risers /XTR ti cassette/2.3 Panmaracer DH tires/Platforms... | | Bottom Line: | Skeptical at first-But tinkering With seat for/aft & angle really helped alot with the stiction/binding feel...run your seat in middle of rails at least or forward..Preload is simple to use on post..tested around street & feels very good..Better than rigid by far!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wookie
a Cross Country Rider
from North Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Barn, Penticton, BC | | Strengths: | Really smoothes out the trail. Significant reduction in saddle soreness. | | Weaknesses: | Adds some weight. Seat has to be set higher than normal to compensate for sag when seated. | | Bike Setup: | Norco Rampage with Marzocchi Z2 BAM | | Bottom Line: | You only feel the difference when seated, but WOW! What a difference it is. This post is going to save my spine for sure. And because I don't have to stand as much to absorb bumps my legs don't get as tired, even after 3 hours of riding. I should have got this thing a long time ago. If you can't afford, or don't want, a full suspension rig, or, if you suffer from back pain, or if you just want a smoother ride, try it out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jamie
a Cross Country Rider
from easton pa
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anything you can put a bike on | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | jacks broken spoke | | Strengths: | looks good! smooth, no stiction like some have complained not as pricey as some other high end models. | | Weaknesses: | tough to get allen wrench in the seat adjuster front bolt. | | Similar Products Used: | some cheap no namer brand. | | Bike Setup: | JAMIS nova cyclocross bike for those who have not rode a cyclocross bike try it it's different. | | Bottom Line: | The product does what it's supposed to do take a little of the mountain out of mountain biking. It never said it would make your hard tail feel like a fully active suspension at one hundreth of the weight. IT PERFORMS WITHOUT YOU REALLY KNOWING IT'S THEIR thats what i wanted and thats what i got. you should buy this if you just want a little forgiveness on your hard tail. If you think it's gonna feel like your riding a caddy you should just save your money and check out a jamis dakkar series. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fat and 40
a Weekend Warrior
from Herndon, VA USA
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Difficult Run | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$89.00 | | Purchased At: | Speedgoat.com | | Strengths: | Simple efficient design. Reduces the shock of small bumps on level ground,allows you to peddle more and coast less.
Easy to adjust (it ain't rocket science you know). | | Weaknesses: | Replacement parts are kind of expensive (keys, MCUs). Probably stiffens up in Winter, but still softer than
a conventional seatpost. You really need an "L" shaped allen
wrench to adjust the seat clamp. | | Similar Products Used: | Cheapo "no name" brand suspension post. | | Bike Setup: | 98'Hoo Koo Ekoo, 2000 Judy SL,XT derailliers,cassette and hubs, Hell Bent riser bars, WTB saddle Ti rails, Ritchey Rock pro rims,LX shifters and 5 bolt crank, Michelin Wildgripper lites. | | Bottom Line: | After reading other reviews, I was a little unsure of buying a suspension seatpost of any brand. But, full suspension bikes have disadvantages too, dirt wearing out bushings,bearings etc. and until this year, biopacing and weight. But,my back was getting sore so I had to do something. This post works amazingly well, worth the extra 4 ozs. Thanks to this seatpost, when It's time to replace this frame; it will be Titanium hardtails I'll be looking at, not full suspension. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from Cleveland, OH
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ft. Dufford, KY - Shaker Lakes, OH | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$119.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Club | | Strengths: | the sucker works! looks good, doesn't add too much weight..... | | Weaknesses: | none yet (besides cost) | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Trek VW alum, Manitou SXR front shock | | Bottom Line: | wish I would have done this a long time ago...true, a full suspension ride its not, but it does take the harshness out of the ride & I'm sitting down more & pedeling more and coasting less over small bumps; don't even realize its there til I notice that I'm sitting and riding & not standing. I'm looking to buy a full suspension soon (?), but in the meantime this helps alot. The cost sucks, but it is worth it....its giv'n new life to my (outdated?) 3 yr old Trek and giv'n me time to check out all the rides out there.....2001 Trek Fuel (lust?), Klein Mantra (omg it's plush), C'Dale V700sx w/lefty (techy cool)
All this with just one ride....I'll update later w/more rides under my belt w/this.
4 flamers for the high cost & 5 for its works well | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Dickinson
a Cross Country Rider
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Stirling woods | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | Stewarts Cycles, Stirling | | Strengths: | Easy set-up; good instructions; fairly light; good action on riding without being 'bouncy'; no shim required as they had my size. | | Weaknesses: | restricts seat bag use (but not impossible) | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F600 | | Bottom Line: | Very impressed. My worry before buying was that the seat post would bonce a lot, especially on climbing in the saddle - this was proven unfounded from the first ride. Would recommend for any XC rider particularly those, like me, who stay in the saddle a lot. Have no negative points except for price (in UK anyway). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Emmett
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Alberta
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Shuniah Mines | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Fairly light, looks cool | | Weaknesses: | not very soft, hard to adjust | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Moab, LX, 221, Bontrager, Judy C | | Bottom Line: | When I got this, I wanted a light seatpost that would offer some padding to my Schwinn hardtail. Well, the post is set up for 160-190 lb riders, so I (125 lbs) didn't really feel a difference. I tried to open the thing up, to put in a bigger elastomer, but the screws had seized up and I couldn't get at the stupid thing. So, the only time I'm grateful for my $120 is when my feet slip off the pedals, and my ass is at the mercy of the saddle, when I happen to be going down a flight of stairs. How often does that happen? The thing is way too hard for me to notice. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rog
a Cross Country Rider
from London
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Seem s strong and reasonably well built | | Weaknesses: | After a short while rotational play and general slackness became very aggrivating. Tried to solve this by servicing, but the problems did not realy go away.
Elastomers are far to soft.
The worst thing is the stiction that this post suffers from. | | Similar Products Used: | use post | | Bottom Line: | Thought i'd give this post a try but to be honest I wish I hadn't.
I used to ride a use xcr post but sold it with my old bike. The use seemed a far superior product and I miss it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve M
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ho-Chi-Minh Memorial Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Low Weight for a suspension post
Easy Maintainence
Easy to Adjust
No Stiction whatsoever
| | Weaknesses: | Price - but if you shop around you can get a good deal.
hard to adjust seat | | Similar Products Used: | USE
Coda | | Bike Setup: | Stock Y2K TREK 7000 with Low Risers | | Bottom Line: | Have had this post for 3 months now and it's BETTER than the day I bought it. Simply an awsome performer! Really takes the "sting" out of most hits. Affords a very good ride WITHOUT sacraficing hardtail performance. It is the absolute BEST ADDITION one can make for any bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rafi julius
a Weekend Warrior
from jerujalem
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | very plesent xc ride on hartail, without the disadvantages of FS.
simple to maintain and adjust.
not too expensive.
comes with a helpfull mannual, extra elastomer spacer keys and judy botter. | | Weaknesses: | ????????????- not so far | | Similar Products Used: | very HARD tail | | Bike Setup: | jett 00 front | | Bottom Line: | if you don't like the fealing on full suspension, but your butt hearts - get this one: its perfect for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jaime M
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston,TX
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ant Hills/Ho Chi Minh | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Simple design, Travel, Absorbtion, Low maintence, Adjustibality | | Weaknesses: | Price, Tricky seat mount | | Similar Products Used: | Nashbar, USE, Coda Suspension Posts | | Bike Setup: | Stock Y2k Specialized Stumpjumper | | Bottom Line: | Is as good as advertised. I was a bit skeptical because I've had bad luck in the past with other telescopic posts. Not so with this one. This post really takes the edge off anything that you'll be still in the saddle riding over. It also offers a wide range of rebound and travel settings. It's easy to maintain and so far NO side to side play. It does everything it's suppose to do better than I ever thought it could. it's the BEST upgrade fpr any hardtale!
4 chilli's for value because it ain't cheap and a perfct 5 for it's overall performance! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from jax,fla usa
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | Great addition to my Trek! My bike feels much more comfortable and I feel faster. I got mine for about $80.00 and it was worth every penny! try it you will like it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Willie
a Weekend Warrior
from Nova Scotia, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Spanish River | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Smooths out the ride. Much cheaper than upgrading to FS. Easy to setup. | | Weaknesses: | Price | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Giant ATX 870 with Judy XC ands XT XTR components, Specialized Body Geometry saddle | | Bottom Line: | This product really works as advertised. It smooths out the harshness of the trail and allows you to remain seated a lot more. It's easy to set up and easy to maintain. Although it's a lot cheaper than upgrading your bike to a full suspension, it's still a bit pricey ($150 Canadian). I have not had any problem with sideways play or creaking. I weigh 200+ and this post still does the job under my big butt. It's probably a bit heavy if your a gram counting racer, but if your just out beating the trails for fun I really recommend it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kit
a Racer
from Gainesville
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali -all the way! | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Can we say SWEET!!!??? This baby is maybe the best addition i have ever made to my bike.You don't realize how much of a difference this makes until you try out the old rigid post again!guess i'm Spoiling myself....You can also adjust this thing easier and faster than anything else i've seen | | Weaknesses: | I am now suffering from EWS (empty wallet syndrome)
I paid 120 bucks for an aluminum tube with an elastomer in the middle and a clamp on top? | | Bike Setup: | fisher paragon-Judy XC,XT/XTR drivetrain,Bontrager Race wheels... | | Bottom Line: | If you're young and you wanna have kids someday,or if you're old and want to save yourself from severe butt pain-BUY IT! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tully
a Weekend Warrior
from Woodinville. WA
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | weight, looks, performance, set-up and maintanance | | Weaknesses: | price, elastimers insted of coil spring | | Similar Products Used: | whatever comes stock on Raleigh M80 and M600 | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Gary Fisher Tassajara hardtail, rockshox post an Specialized BG MTB saddle | | Bottom Line: | I found quickly that riding over bumps is uncomfortable, so i decided to buy the rockshox post. It really helped a lot, much more than i expected.
I give it a four for value because at that price, it should have a coil spring and I give it a five overall because you can't buy better telescoping seatpost | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sebastian
a Cross Country Rider
from Madison, WI, USA
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Quarry Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Weight - Not that much heavier than my rigid Bontrager post | | Weaknesses: | Bolts strip out easily - warranteed once, stripped out again. | | Similar Products Used: | Everything in the shop at which I work. | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Gary Fisher paragon hardtail with a Profile riser bar. | | Bottom Line: | This post definitely takes the edge off the bumps. I'm not going to bother getting new hardware again to keep my seat on since the saddle mounts are compatible with my Bontrager post that doesn't break. Surprisingly, the Rock Shox is not much heavier.
It feels strange at first. I feel like the saddle is constantly pushing me up nomatter how soft / hard I set the spring. The retail price on this is a little steep, but I get a nice factory discount.
I'll never go back to a rigid seat post unless it is weightless.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mad Aussie
a Cross Country Rider
from Tempe, AZ
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | National | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Better than rigid, saves my back | | Weaknesses: | CREAK!!!
Doesnt work while standing. | | Similar Products Used: | Softride beam | | Bike Setup: | Voodoo Bokor Aluminum hardtail | | Bottom Line: | This makes my hardtail more comfortable, I can ride seated over some rocky sections and my back only hurts for a half day after a race. I am switching to a full susp. as it doesnt work while standing going downhill. Mine has developed a creak in the clamp area | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a Cross Country Rider
from los angeles, ca
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | craftsmanship, looks, saddle clamp, telescopic movement | | Weaknesses: | short | | Similar Products Used: | thudbuster | | Bike Setup: | old c'dale cad 2 (Stiff!) xt-lx mix and 50mm of luxurious headshok travel...which just about evens up the seatpost travel... | | Bottom Line: | Last week I did a new trail with lots of rough up hill climbing and my back was sore for about 3 days. I bought the rockshox post and just did the same trail with no back pain. It really takes the small hits when I was doing the long in-the-saddle climbs. I hope it lasts awhile...
But, at 85bucks I'd buy a new one every year!
I had bought one of the original Thudbusters and it just soured my opinion of suspension posts. It was cheaply made and after a long ride I'd felt I'd been kicked in the groin!
Tightening the saddle down was impossible, and I ended up flinging the thing down a mountainside.
The rockshox is doing what I hoped it would and I don't have to worry about it. The Rockshox ... rocks... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
michael
a Cross Country Rider
from washington ct
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | telescopic suspension postbinds when weight is not perfectly centered on the saddle.side to side play developed quickly | | Weaknesses: | post binds when weight is not perfectly centeredon the saddle.side to side play developed quickley | | Similar Products Used: | use shockpost and control tech | | Bottom Line: | i bought this post with great hopes as my friends had been praising other brands of telescopic suspension posts for years.the first prob i had the internal would bind when it tok an impact on the rear of the saddle. second pro it quickley developed rotational play after s while i purchased a rebuild kit at $30 this did nothing ultimatly to cure the problem. after all this trouble i do not like the acction of the post,the elastomer only design is too spongy and impossible to set for my weight (160lbs) its is better than a ridgid post however | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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