Intended Use:Cross Country Racing and All Terrain Riding
Travel:63mm
Spring:High Pressure Air
Damping:Pressure damping automatically adjusts to air pressure
Sizes:26.8 & 27.2
Length:350mm
Submitted by
annonymous
a Cross Country Rider
from Wislon, WY, US Date Reviewed: June 27, 2008
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
light-weight & effective
Weaknesses:
torsionally weak... after riding this for a while, some play develops from side to side. I returned my first post and they sent me a new one, but after a month or so, the new one developed the same play. I got used to it, so it's no big deal. But it definitely feels loosie goosie. I'm also a big rider... 6'4", 200 lbs., so I put more stress on it than your average rider.
Bike Setup:
Merlin XLM ty frame... all top of the line components.
Bottom Line:
I've been riding this post for years. I'm used to the side-to-side play that develops quickly, but I wish it wasn't there. The post does it's job very well, but I wish it was just a little more bomber. I can't say that this is the ultimate shock post because I haven't tried any others. I'm giving this a "good" review, only because of the side to side play. If the post was stronger and didn't have the play, I would give it an excellent review.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Murphy
a Cross Country Rider
from Springfield, PA, USA Date Reviewed: September 24, 2006
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$129.00
Purchased At:
Eko Sports/MRP
Strengths:
Smooth supple ride. It really took the edge off of the rocks/roots/pot holes on the trail. It is easily adjusted with a shock pump.
Weaknesses:
I snapped it in half on a road ride to the trails after about 10 monthes of use. They fixed it but it is sticking again.
Bottom Line:
Their customer support was very appologetic when it broke and I mailed it back to them. It took them much longer to return it than they said it would, but no big deal. I called them about it and a real person answered and I talked with the actual person who was repairing the post. Try doing that with any other company!! When I got it back it worked perfectly. I was very happy. But that didn't last long. I was out in wet conditions and it started to stick again. It wouldn't compress/return smoothly. I followed their lubrication instructions and it didn't return to preride smoothness. Needless to say I need to contact their customer support again. I will update the review after I get it straightened out. Everything I've heard leads me to believe that they stand behind their products so hopefully it all works out. I hope I can get it working as before because it was a great asset for the old hardtail!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Craig
a Weekend Warrior
from NJ Date Reviewed: October 15, 2005
Favorite Trail:
anything with dirt
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$105.00
Purchased At:
Not so LBS
Strengths:
smooth long travel
Weaknesses:
a little side to side motion, but all my other sus seatposts did the same thing!
Similar Products Used:
Cane Creek, Rockshox
Bike Setup:
Hardtail
Bottom Line:
So much smoother than my Thudbuster, and looks better and is lighter. Doesn't lauch. Lots of travel
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
LarryG
a Cross Country Rider
from Lexington Date Reviewed: June 19, 2005
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Local shop
Strengths:
Great adjustability. Travel seems almost bottomless. No harsh rebound. Best of all, the incredible service from Tim at Eko Sport!
Weaknesses:
Not as good a a full-suspension bike, but you already knew that, right?
Similar Products Used:
Tamer Centrik, Moxey.
Bike Setup:
Cove Handjob (steel) with so-so collection of parts - it's my spare bike.
Bottom Line:
This seatpost started getting a lot of stiction after a year and a half of use. Tim talked me through an overhaul, then when I determined the bushing was worn he told me to send it back. He overhauled it completely at no charge! Excellent customer service!
The seatpost is just right for taking the harsh edge off. While the White Bros. was gone for repair I rode the Tamer seatpost which uses elastomers. There's really no comparison in terms of ride quality - the White Bros easily absorbs twice the impact of the Tamer. Plus I've never had an air leak in the White Bros., and even if I did, replacing an o-ring or two would most likely fix it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve M
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, TX Date Reviewed: April 12, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Ho Chi Minh Mamorial Park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Universal Cycle
Strengths:
Air spring provides infinate range of adjustment.Very smooth with lots of travel. Light for a suspension seatpost. Looks great.
Weaknesses:
Side to side play can be SCARY!
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox suspension seatpost Coda (TOTAL JUNK)
Bike Setup:
Y2K Trek 7000 all XT
Bottom Line:
I've put about 300 miles on this post and it does work. The air spring is pretty smooth and easy to set up. It's the smoothest suspension seatpost I've tried and there is no tendency to launch you out of your saddle at any time, which sometimes is the case with other posts. The PROBLEM is that despite it being so smooth, it developed sie -to-side play (about 1/4 inch!) almost from the start and that can be scary when cornoring. Plus, it's bothersome when pedaling while seated on straights. It does NOT instill confidence at all and I don't really use the thing anymore. You're supposed to be able to "limit" the side play by tightening a pin and then adding lock tight, but it doesn't work. I'm pretty disappointed in the product. I've since rebuilt my old trusted Rock Shox post. The Rock Shox post is not as smooth, and doesn't have as much travel, but it works and it does not have side-to-side play either. Buyer BEWARE of this product!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JP
a Cross Country Rider
from Indianapolis Date Reviewed: November 24, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Pisgah - Black Mountain
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Bottom Line:
This is an update of my previous review from about 3 years ago. This is a great product and White Brothers stands behind it. My seatpost locked-up in the second season and wouldn't budge. My local shop sent it back to White Brothers and they made an upgrade and repair and I've been riding it ever since with no issues.
I use this post to race and ride cross country and it takes a beating. I've used many other seatpost shocks and never got more than a season out of them.
If you want "full" suspension without a weight and cost penalty, buy this post (my hardtail set-up weighs about 21.5 pounds). Don't expect it to take big hits, this is a seatpost shock after all, but it will definitely smooth out bumps, roots, rocks, etc.
There is a slight bit of rotation of the post when riding, but unless you're a roadie or a 300-pounder, it shouldn't bother you.
I also bought another identical post and put it on the stoker's seat of my mountain tandem. No problems with that set-up yet. As I said before, nothing beats an air shock when it comes to smooth, stiction-free travel.
Keep up the good work White Brothers!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Warren
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Canada Date Reviewed: December 5, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Strengths:
light weight, etc
Weaknesses:
currently - side to side play - and now, its broken - I will follow-up. I am a 215lb guy, the scale for the use of the product indicates someone of my size can use it. I have done two fall rides with this post, and it snapped last night on an outing, without trying. it had some side to side play last night, and my rear tire slid out, the side to side play became the full way around.
I like the post, and it has some potential to by my version of a ST, but, this remains to be seen. I will give it one more test, then I am going back to the Thomson seat post for good.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Critic
a Weekend Warrior
from Tacoma Date Reviewed: November 1, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Victor Falls
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$155.00
Purchased At:
Perofrmance
Strengths:
Light weight, easily adjustable, low maintenance.
Weaknesses:
Broke my first one without even trying.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Schwinn Homegrown
Bottom Line:
This is a follow up to my original review from last January. Since I got my post back from White Brothers I have had no problems at all. It has developed none of the rotational play that has been observed by some users and only lost about 20 psi all summer. The instructions that I received with the rebuilt post are a little different from the original ones and caution against running the saddle too far back on the rails, so I pass that along. I am rating the value as only two chilis because the more I ride this post, the more I question whether the benefit of any suspension post is worth the expense. Overall rating is four chilis, because it does what it does quite well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a
from Brisbane Australia Date Reviewed: October 18, 2003
Favorite Trail:
still Look'n
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Chameleon.
Bottom Line:
Soon after posting a review for this post (back in jan) , the shaft in mine snapped. I emailed White Brothers who asked me to send it back to have a new shaft fitted, explaining that it was most likely one of a dodgy batch. I posted it off, not expecting to see it again for months (or ever!). Two weeks later (I live in Australia!) it was back on my bike and has run flawlessly ever since, I havn't even needed to top up the pressure or lube the thing. Terrific customer service.Highly recommended.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Some Guy
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA, USA Date Reviewed: July 12, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Lewis River Trail/ Skookum Flats
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$165.00
Purchased At:
uhhh..... forgot?
Strengths:
Super smoothe, light, super quality, sexy post, can adjust it to your weight (i'm super light, so i needed this post over the others which were meant for riders over 150 lbs, im about 130)
Weaknesses:
a hassle to adjust during a ride.... loses air slowly, my seal popped..=/........ pricey, and kinda sqeeky, but that was probably my seal about to blow, lol
Similar Products Used:
Only a rigid titec
Bike Setup:
K2 ZED team, with some xtra goodies, discs, new fork, this post, ect.
Bottom Line:
This is a good post, light, good quality and all that, and smoothe. Unfortunately it loses ait slowly.. but that didnt bug me much.... and how you could adjust it to your weight was really cool. but, the seal broke on a ride about 8 miles out, and, well, i rode on it deflated for a while, hope i didnt ruin it, i still need to bring it into the shop. but.. i hardly ever looked at the post, or.. did anything to it, so i guess its kinda my fault the seals broke. but, overall i was very happy with it, it saved my arse on every ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
LGB
a Cross Country Rider
from SLC, UT Date Reviewed: May 19, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Smooth, ample travel; ease of use; no pivots!
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Ibis, Manitou, Shimano
Bottom Line:
Follow-up to my 6/02 post ... excellent ride properties; smooth, seemingly bottomless suspension. Improves time-in-seat dramatically with all the attendant bonuses (ie; better handling/traction) and takes the heat off the lower back.
Early this year I experienced binding in the post (due to loose/malfunctioning internals) and with 1 call to Eko sports and a week of shipping time I had a new one. Excellent customer service.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Zack Henderson
a Cross Country Rider
from Orinda, CA, United States Date Reviewed: March 22, 2003
Favorite Trail:
I'm still looking
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$145.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bikes
Strengths:
Little stiction, very responsive, improves comfort when decending.
Weaknesses:
I noticed lateral movement in the post. It doesn't bother me, but by tightening the brass pin in the middle of the post, you can reduce the movement. It is also pricey.
This post is worth every penny you pay for it. The idea of having an air-sprung post is great. Having this post improves your riding by increasing the room for error and softening the downhills. I ride about twice a week, and this post has not shown any signs of weakness or wear. The White Bros. Ap-1 is definatly the way to go.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from Cambridge, MA Date Reviewed: January 20, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Hedgehog
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$149.00
Purchased At:
Merv's bike and sport
Strengths:
Light weight, air ride
Weaknesses:
Everything else about the post is a weakness
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox - bad deal also
Bottom Line:
I broke my 2nd post now. The dealer gave me a new post after the first post broke at the head. The second post did the same thing. I am not going to warranty this at all as I am done. Way too scary for me. There is stiction in the post and way too much side to side play.
With a name such as White Brothers, you would think they would test this post much longer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane Australia Date Reviewed: January 16, 2003
Favorite Trail:
still searching
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$130.00
Purchased At:
Alfred E Bike
Strengths:
Micro adjustable and very easy to dial in. Nice action with little stiction. Nicely finished and packaged. Emailed questions to White Brothers answered promptly by a guy who rides.
Weaknesses:
Rotational play is very disconterting at first.
Similar Products Used:
Carbon posts. Looked at the Cane Creek Thudbuster but couldn't come to terms with it's sheer ugliness.
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Chameleon
Bottom Line:
I ordered this post at the same time I ordered my Chameleon frameset as I'd read a lot of comments about the unforgiving tail-end of the Santa Cruz hardtail. Well, the Santa Cruz's kick is not nearly as ferocious as I had been expecting and a good carbon post would have done the job fine.
That said however, I really like this seatpost. The slight rotational play worried me at first - I thought,"how will I ever get used to this!", but after only kilometer or so it ceased to be an issue. As some other reviewers have noted, the slight rotation feels almost natural.
The AP-1 suits the laidback-playbike feel of my Chameleon and has met all my expectations and then some. I bought the AP-1 primarily for comfort and really didn't expect much in the way of "high-performance". But a couple of weeks ago, just out of interest, I resisted the urge to stand on some very fast and particularly nasty rock-stewn descents (the sort where if you had a glass-eye you'd put it in your pocket for safe keeping) and was amazed at how well the AP-1 ate up the bumps, suddenly, a bike that was skittering all over the trail could hold a perfect line. This post begs to be sat on through the rough!
To sum up: Although I said the rotational play is not really an issue, I'd prefer it if there were non. Also, the AP-1 is perhaps not quite as stiction-free as White Brothers claim.
I hope I don't face any of the unfortunate failure issues some of the other reviewers have had to deal with, because I like this post tremendously. It makes the perfect hardtail even better.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Critic
a Weekend Warrior
from Tacoma, WA Date Reviewed: January 8, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Victor Falls
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$155.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Great adjustablity, fairly light weight. Long rides are less tiring (and painful) using one of these.
Weaknesses:
Obviously under-engineered! The shaft broke cleanly in half just at the top of the guide pin slot. This was after only 6 months of use. Some rotational play developed with time, but was not much more than an annoyance.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Schwinn Homegrown Comp
Bottom Line:
I rode with this post for only 6 months before it broke. I was sitting on the trail, stopped, and turned to look behind me when it just let go. I am really lucky I wasn't even JRA or it could have been nasty. The point of failure, at the top of the guide pin slot, was clearly the result of fatigue and considering that I don't huck this bike at all and am not a clydesdale type, was attributable to a poorly designed and tested product. It took me a couple of months just to get this post, as they were backordered at Performance. I returned the damaged post a month ago and just this week heard that the replacement is supposedly tied up in customs, somewhere on the way from Taiwan (and I thought this was a U.S. made product). I have gone back to riding with a rigid seatpost and have found that I can get along without a suspension post and if it were an option, would just ask for a refund and be done with it. I sure hope that White bros fixes this problem before somebody gets hurt or worse.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
R
a
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: January 3, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Plush, practically no stiction, weight compared to full-suspension.
Weaknesses:
It broke after less than three months of use. Recent excessive rotational play.
Bike Setup:
Cannondale hard-tail
Bottom Line:
I ride mostly slow technical northwest muddy and heavily rooted/rocky trails. I didn't really need a full-suspension bike, so I decided to buy a Cannondale hard-tail, which performed extremely well on these types of trails. The only problem was with how stiff this bike is, so I decided on a suspension post. As far as I'm concerned, air-oil is the way to go, so I bought the White Brothers AP-1.
Once dialed into the right air pressure, the post performed even better than I imagined. There is virtually no stiction and very little "bounce" - and only on bigger hits, when going at a higher speed and is no worse than what you would experience on a non-suspended post. The rotational play did not bother me as much as other reviewers. The best description I can think of, is riding on a "lazy susan" - but after awhile, you get used to it and it even seems to help pedal. I don't notice at all anymore.
Unfortunately, within the past two weeks, it no longer "suspended" and the rotational play got much worse - too much even. I took the post off and checked the air pressure, which was fine. I let some air out and refilled it to the appropriate air pressure, but it didn't help. I am sending it back to the manufacturer to either replace or fix it. I'll post a follow up later. If I'm happy with the turnaround, I'll probably buy another one for my other bike, otherwise, I'll probably go with the U.S.E.
1 Chili for value - it broke in less than three months, with only 1-3 rides a week. For $150 I'd expect a product to last longer, with such light use. We'll see how good White Brother's customer service is, hopefully, I'll get it back within two months like some of the other reviewers.
5 Chiles for Overall Rating - even though it broke, I really liked the way it performs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
yves gagnon
a Racer
from victoria, bc Date Reviewed: November 7, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
russ hays
Strengths:
good action/travel
Weaknesses:
upper part of the post
Similar Products Used:
rs sus. post
Bike Setup:
moon racer/ sid sl/ cross max uts
Bottom Line:
the post started to act up after 3 months and one day the upper part of the post came off the post. one of my cycling friend had the same thing happen to him. white bro. replaced the post but it took 2 months. and the price is too high. poor design
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
f-pig
a
from Phoenix, AZ Date Reviewed: October 19, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$140.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
2-bolt head works nice. Not overly heavy.
Weaknesses:
Not enough damping for my taste in initial set-up and damping adjustment required disassembly.
Similar Products Used:
None.
Bottom Line:
I decided I don't like my seat dropping out from under me as much as this allows. If I run the air pressure high enough to prevent it dropping too far, then it is too springy. Maybe people that like a softer ride will find it alright. Mine is hardly used and for sale ($90), e-mail me if you are looking for one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
gator
a Cross Country Rider
from California Date Reviewed: July 29, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Tsali
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$130.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Nice seatpost. Doesn't slip. I don't notice any rotational motion at all. It's great, once you figure out what the right air pressure you need is :-)
Weaknesses:
Takes a while to get it adjusted just right, but that's common with any air shock.
Bike Setup:
White, and it goes fast.
Bottom Line:
Great seatpost. Especially for someone who had a regular seatpost that was constantly slipping, this is really great. It's also great anytime you're on the saddle and you have a bump you need swallowed without losing any pedaling motion to the shock.
I've noticed very little rotation (MAYBE a 1/4 inch, if that), but other than that, it's been really great for someone who just went back to a hard tail :-)
Don't waste your time with any of the others. This is the one that's worth it. It may be kinda pricy, but you get what you pay for (and it's MUCH cheaper than an FS).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jake Barrett
a Racer
from Tooele, UT, USA Date Reviewed: July 10, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Painted Trails
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$155.00
Purchased At:
LBD
Strengths:
Very easy to adjust air pressure; lightweight compared to other sus posts; super smooth and noticeable travel; almost 2.5 inches of travel.
Weaknesses:
Weighs more than a standard post (expected though since it suspends)
Similar Products Used:
Cane Creek Thudbuster, Tamer Pivot Plus, Coda, Post Modern, Rock Shox, USE
Bike Setup:
Jamis Dragon, XTR, RockShox SID SL
Bottom Line:
I've read all of the other reviews, and can probably safely claim to have more time on this post than all others combined at this point (I'm fortunate enough to ride 15-20 hours per week). I too had questions/concerns about the immediate rotation my post had out of the tube when I first got my post. A quick call to Eko Sport (they own White Brothers) and they explained to me that the post is designed to have 1 degree of rotation, in either direction, which helps keep the brass pin sliding freely within the stanchion. The length of your saddle will amplify this motion (I ride with an SDG which means it pivots about 1/8"-1/4" at the nose ), but I can honestly say that with over 400 hours of riding this post the rotation has not increased at all and if anything I like how it moves with my natural hip motion when pedaling - I don't notice any movement or a lack of movement. In fact this has by far been the most maintenence/trouble free post I have ever owned. I have not had to lube anything yet, or replace any nylon parts - something I can't say for any other telescoping post I have owned. Also, the damping and action of this post is great. It took me about a week to dial in my preffered air pressure (very cool how close you can make it), and about the same amount of time to get used to a post that was so active - now it is great - it has yet to lose air, I check at least every three weeks. Having been on the position changeing pivoting posts for a few years I would not go back to them after riding this post. I would recommend this post to any type of XC rider since it can be so easily tuned with the air pressure - almost no need for XC full suspension with this post.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pat
a Cross Country Rider
from Tennessee Date Reviewed: July 1, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$155.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Smooth, no stiction, well damped.
Weaknesses:
Rotational play
Similar Products Used:
Thudbuster, Coda, Rockshox
Bike Setup:
Litespeed, Cane Creek wheels
Bottom Line:
This post outperforms the others I've had. My wife has the same size Litespeed frame which has a Rockshox post allowing us to switch bikes and make comparisons. The White Brothers post soaks up more hits in a more controlled fashion. However, the Rockshox post performs well and can be found on sale for about half the cost. My reservation about this post is the small rotational play which developed almost immediately (the Rockshox unit has been ridden almost a year and demonstrates none). Reading the other posts makes me anxious about longterm durability.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason Bertolacci
a
from Evergreen, CO Date Reviewed: June 26, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Bottom Line:
In followup to my review below...a defective AP-1 seatpost turned into a good experience when I received a call from Tim Fry, president of EKO Sports/White Brothers Cycling, after he read my MTBR.com review of the White Brothers suspension post. White Brothers explained in detail the problem which ailed my original post and sent out an advanced replacment which arrived in time for the weekend and more importantly, a ride on the Monarch Crest trail.
As reported in the previous review the performance of the AP-1 post is great and happily the new seatpost has not developed excessive rotional play. The post does allow a small amount of play (say 1/8th of an inch at the tip of saddle) but not an amount which is noticable when riding.
On the bike the AP-1 post is smooth without the pogo effect some reviewers of elastomer dampened suspension seatposts have complained about. It allows me to position my body low and close to the bike over rough descents and it helps me maintain a smooth cadence when peadling through the rough sections.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
LGB
a Cross Country Rider
from SLC, UT Date Reviewed: June 20, 2002
Favorite Trail:
High Milcreek, Great Western Trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$160.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Air spring, travel
Weaknesses:
Impossible to tune on the trail
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Ibis, Manitou, Shimano
Bottom Line:
Only 2 extensive rides, but the air-spring action and amount of travel are faultless! Handles most medium size hits with aplomb. With seatpost suspension this good, I have to question the wisdom (and expense) of the short-travel "softtail" frames (eg; Moots).
However there is a fair amount of rotational play. Noted the other reviewer's comments on this issue and will keep a close eye on his experience with White Bros. Normal setup head-scratching (ie; seat height, pressure).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason Bertolacci
a Cross Country Rider
from Evergreen, CO Date Reviewed: June 18, 2002
Favorite Trail:
High Lonesome
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$155.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Smooth low-stiction travel and easy air adjustability
Weaknesses:
Excessive rotational play (three quarters of an inch measured at the tip of the saddle)
Similar Products Used:
none
Bottom Line:
The first hour or two of riding the White Brothers seatpost was very encouraging -- the travel was smooth with good compression and rebound dampening. The post worked especially well on rocky seated climbs and long rough flats allowing me to pedal through the terrain. Light pressure on the seat during fast descents allowed me to keep the rear tire in contact with the ground without getting pitched over the bars when the rearend takes an impact from rocks and roots.
Unfortunately the post developed excessive rotational play (three quarters of an inch measured at the tip of the saddle) by about the third hour of riding -- not good. Not only is the play distracting it seriously hurts handling to the point I would rather be without the post.
I re-read the instruction sheet and it indicated the only way to fix rotational play is to replace the post's guide shim. With only a few hours of riding on the seatpost and no replacment shim on hand I decided to re-loctite and tighten the shim screw.
Tightening the shim screw seemed to work temporarily but on the next ride the play was back with in an hour or two. Interestingly the shim screw is not moving so something inside the post is wearing.
I called White Brothers and they were helpful. They said that the tolerances of some of the internal components of the seatpost are off causing rapid wear of the shim. White Brothers offered an advanced replacement with my credit card number, but since then have back-pedaled and want me to send the post in to them for repair which is a bit annoying since the post has been on only two rides for about 10 hours of total riding time.
I would like to give the White Brothers suspension seatpost a good review -- it works great when the rotational play is not present -- and perhaps when I get my seatpost back I will be able to update this review with good news, but until that news arrives I am pretty disappointed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Junction, CO, USA Date Reviewed: May 28, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Horsethief Bench
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Made for the size of my Bike, No Shims needed. Variable pressure, been an air shock, i can adjust it for my weight or terrain, easily with a shock pump. Very easy to adjust my seat angle, and to attach my seat.
Absolutely fantastic. As mentioned I have demoed the Tricky Dicky. I infact demoed that the day before I tried this one, and did the same trail, to give them both a fair shot at the same terrain.
The White Brothers seatpost felt equally comfortable going uphill, and on the more tricky flats that I would normally have stood if I was using my regular seatpost.
I did not encounter any stiction, and the rebound was very well controlled. I did not feel uncomfortable on the seatpost at all. Over the 2 that I demoed, I am very much leaning toward this one.
Give it a go - I dont think that you will be dissapointed.
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Submitted by
JP
a Cross Country Rider
from Indianapolis, IN Date Reviewed: April 12, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Pisgah
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Indy Cycle Specialist
Strengths:
Smooth like butter, long travel, no creaks, squeaks, or stiction Easy adjustments remove the side to side 'float' found in many other shockposts. Infinite air adjustment capability. The only shockpost I've used that actually has the amount of travel stated on the packaging.
Weaknesses:
Makes my full suspension cross-country bike obsolete
Similar Products Used:
USE SX, Thudbuster, Coda, Rock Shox
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher, with nothing original except for the paint
Bottom Line:
This Shockpost outclasses all the rest by far. Let's face it, if you are shopping for a shockpost, you're either too cheap to buy a decent full suspension, or you are a cross-country rider looking to keep weight to a minimum. Either way, If you want to ride lightweight, active full suspension on a bugdet, this shock will exceed your demands. This is the type of product that makes you say 'sh**t, why didn't I think of that'. Air is the only way to go.
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