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Submitted by
Hanu
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Bromont | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | PricePoint | | Strengths: | Very smooth motion | | Weaknesses: | clamp system | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | 1998 Trek 8000 with SRAM X9 drivetrain and Bontrager Race Light crankset. | | Bottom Line: | This seatpost is still stiction free after over 7 years/5000 miles of use on bikepaths/downhill/x-country.
Highly recommended!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BB
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikeworld | | Strengths: | Durability of main suspension | | Weaknesses: | Clamp kit, service department (if there is one), inability to get parts in the US | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Trek OCLV; Bomber Fork | | Bottom Line: | I used this for three years and have put a couple thousand miles of trail on it. I was very happy with it, until now.
Near the end of a long ride, I swung my leg up & over the seat - well not quite over. I sort of kicked the seat, and it came right off. One of the flimsy bolts had sheered off in the top bracket. I had to ride the rest of the way standing up. I'm just glad that didn't fall apart while I was riding it.
I e-mailed the address on the website; no response. I e-mailed their US distributor; no response. I'm still looking for a clamp kit in the US. They sell them in the US but not here.
I'd have given it four chillies, but since it does nothing but sit on my workbench now, "fair" is the best I can rate it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anthony Bichler
a Cross Country Rider
from Palisade, Colorado, USA
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Grand Mesa's Deep Dark Woods | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | Was nice for the first two rides. Seems to be well-respected by the cycling press. | | Weaknesses: | A very annoying top-out clunking. Difficult to reach customer service. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8000, Marzocchi Atom Race, Shimano XT and SRAM 9.0 | | Bottom Line: | I am very dissapointed with this product after six rides. After my first two rides, I was ready to become a walking bilboard for USE and what I felt to be an amazing improvement to my bike and the industry as a whole. I could stay seated on aggressive, rough climbs, and my butt didn't hurt so much after the tough rides, but now--unfortunately--I am contemplating going back to a rigid post and returning my purchase as a DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. The post has developed a very, very annoying top-out clunk when it returns back to its top position. At first, I thought maybe it was normal, and I just needed to stay firmly seated, but it has gotten worse to the point where I am now flung upwards out of the saddle and the post CLUNKS--sometimes several times in a ten-second period while descending. You either have to be pushing down on the seat with all of your weight OR just stand--kinda defeats the purpose, huh? Not only that, but USE is hard to contact--an international phone number, contact option on website does not work, and they will not respond to my e-mail--A REAL BUMMER. Sometimes I really think the bicycle industry is going backwards. It seems that the intentions are good, but in the end, the products just turn out like cheaply-made, high-priced toys. I want to see a real push towards durability and function rather than lightweight racing. So few actual bike buyers race and are gram-conscious, but everybody suffers from this trend. I've been riding seriously for a long time now--my last mountain bike was seven years old before I retired it. I am extremely frustrated to see that the expensive parts on my new bike can't even last seven days before developing problems. :( | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Monica
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento, CA - USA
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | The GORGEOUS one by the Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$95.00 | | Purchased At: | One of those Santa Cruz shops | | Strengths: | I don't know yet, haven't had a chance to ride - I can't make it work for me. Im just posting this for the hope that some good soul will read and reply with the magic help.
IT is light weight. Looks cool. | | Weaknesses: | It doesn't have a SETBACK. My bicycle is a little small for me, so I really *need* to have my saddle all way back.
The set up is a mess up. You need much more balance to set up those bolts than to ride by a cliff. ;P | | Similar Products Used: | Zoom suspension - just because it was *FREE* | | Bike Setup: | TREK 8000 WSD (Women Specific Design), hardtail, upgraded to XT components, Rock Shox suspension, etc. | | Bottom Line: | U.S.E.'s website is down. Hope someone from U.S.E. get to see my post and give me a hand here on making that work for me. Otherwise I'll just have to switch to Rock Shox or some other company without even giving U.S.E. a try. Customer service, guys. That's just like any bike component.
Only 3 Flamin' Chilis because Im neutral so far. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nathT norman
a Weekend Warrior
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Heartbreak Ridge (Western NC) | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | mail order | | Strengths: | USE customer service...adjustable pre-load...no need for a shim... | | Weaknesses: | the post came with several millimeters of side-to-side play out of the box...clamp design... | | Similar Products Used: | cane creek thudbuster... | | Bike Setup: | steel hardtail...bomber... | | Bottom Line: | here's the official word about the play issue: "This small amount of side play is 'normal' as if we made the slots too tight then the post would take for ever to settle in and actually work smoothly. Over time this amount will increase and when you feel it has become to much to bear, simply purchase a service kit and you should be good as new again.
We recommend that this is done annually, for normal amounts of riding, in order to prevent damage to the soft aluminium parts, better to fit a few bucks worth of bits often than have replace the whole thing!" ...I can't recommend this post b/c of the play...other than that it's a nice post...
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from TN
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Colorado Cyclist (on clearance) | | Strengths: | Seatpost works as advertised, it allows you to stay seated while pedaling over bumps you would normally stay seated for. | | Weaknesses: | None so far except it is not full suspension. | | Bike Setup: | 95 Stumpjumper with manitou sxr | | Bottom Line: | For you hardtail holdouts or for those not willing to finance a full suspension bike this product really helps take the edge off. I got the seatpost at about the same time as my new fork and between both of them I can cover trails much quiker than before. I have been staying seated through stuff that before would have required standing. Howeve, I have noted what may be a consequence of this increased speed, my back hurts more. I am going to start standing a little more than I absolutely have to and see if this will solve the problem. So while I am pleased with this product I wonder if I should have saved my money from the post and a few upgrades and applied to that full suspension bike that I really want? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron
a Cross Country Rider
from VA
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Strengths: | It does what it says. It saves your heiney, and it does not cost a fortune | | Weaknesses: | The clamp is a pain. I have broken a bolt or two over the years. First time set up is the worst, but it stays where you put it so that you don't have to keep adjusting- unless you break a bolt. Squeeks if it gets dirty, can be a little stiff in the cold | | Similar Products Used: | rs | | Bike Setup: | Nevil Devil, full XTR, Manitou Mars C - billy goat. | | Bottom Line: | First let me say that I have abused this product for at least 5 years now. I weigh about 215 pnds and I have ridden this post hard. It has held up very well considering: my weight, my riding style, and the places I ride- I live in a place with very technical, tight, rocky, almost trials like single track- and I have hammered this post pretty hard. This post is great for taking the edge off of long rides. If you do a lot of technical, rocky, root hoppin' log skippin' and want something that will help to take some of the hammering off of your body this post is for you. This post will not allow you to take 3' drops with your ass super glued to the seat. It helps the most on those 4-5-6 hr epic rides because it absorbs a lot of the abuse that your body is usually soaking up. I find that I am more fresh and have noticeably more energy at the end of long rides when riding this post. On long technical climbs it allows you to stay seated, retain traction and save energy. It will absorb some minor to middle sized bumps and bangs on rocky technical spots and downhill runs. It takes a bit of maintenance- like regreasing the elastomers, removing the post and cleaning out the grit and water that accumulates(this will reduce the squeeks) and checking the bolts. This post will not take unlimited abuse, and does not provide a "full suspension" like ride. I am not a "racer"- I do long mostly singletrack rides in the middle of nowhere. I buy and use stuff that is durable and works and does not leave me with a 20 mile hike through the Blue Ridge or Applachian mountains. I have a brodie without a suspension seatpost and I really notice it when I take it out on long rides- I miss the USE on my Nevil. I would buy it again and reccomend it, I think $100 is worth less beating on my body. Old school east coast technical riding kicks ass!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Terry
a Weekend Warrior
from Niceville
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Speedgoat.com | | Strengths: | Works well. Very little free play. Little stiction. Lightweight (weighs less than my original non-suspension seatpost). | | Weaknesses: | The worst weakness is that the angle of the saddle cannot be adjusted - I would prefer that the back of the saddle be adjusted up a tad, but it is not possible.
The method of attaching the saddle leaves some to be desired. Several parts have to be held in place by gravity, tape, or bubblegum while the screws are started.
The screws are supposed to be torqued, but I doubt that 1% of the customers have a suitable torque wrench. I have never seen a torque wrench that would fit one of the screws - it would have to have a very small head. I had to take a wild-arse guess on the torque. So far, so good.
It comes with very little documentation. No exploded views, parts lists, or maintenance procedures.
| | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Giant Iguana | | Bottom Line: | It dampens out the worst of the shock to the backside. It is not all that noticable in use, except that those hits that hurt don't happen anymore. It is a worthy upgrade. It increases comfort, and it may help prevent some injuries. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jan Myburgh
a Weekend Warrior
from Pretoria , South Africa
Date Reviewed: November 1, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | No more prostate/lower back torture | | Weaknesses: | Needs regular maintenace | | Bike Setup: | Diamond Back Vertec comp; Judy XC 100mm; Magura Clara disks | | Bottom Line: | My current bike setup is made perfect by this post . It saves your back and prostate . The biggest advantage for me is the fact that you can stay in the saddle on long rocky climbs . Especially with a heavy hardtail like mine , it makes a big difference .
The only porblem is that I need to regrease it every month , especially after riding in muddy conditions . Fortunately this takes 10 minutes . | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jdearing
a Cross Country Rider
from MA
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Loft | | Strengths: | It works, straight up, straight down. No side wobble or back and forward rocking. | | Weaknesses: | I had a tough time setting this up. The inline clamp that mounts the saddle to the post can be tricky or at least for a rookie like myself. I eventually stripped the hardware. The guys at the shop set it up properly in about 2 minutes. | | Similar Products Used: | My computer chair in the office | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Trek 4900 | | Bottom Line: | Makes for a smooth ride. I weight about 160 lbs and I can fell when this post is at work. Really helps me stay seated on rocky uphill climbs. Good up grade. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bruce
a Cross Country Rider
from Redlands
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | LochLeven to Angeles Oaks | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA.com | | Strengths: | Simple. Great attachment method for the seat. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Bike Setup: | Specialized A1-comp Aluminum hardtail, XMO front fork, Serfas gel seat | | Bottom Line: | Went on my first ride with the new seatpost today, about 4 hours, and wow, what a difference!! I felt like I had only ridden an hour. My butt definetly feels better, my feet actually feel better 'cause I wasn't standing quite as much. I could even sit over some rocky (2-3" rocks) sections of downhill at 20mph! You don't really even notice it working, but it's good enough for me to put off a purchase of a FS bike for a while (or forever). I like my light aluminum hardtail, 'cause it feels so tight, and this seatpost doesn't detract from that, but sucks up a lot of the "noise". Went with USE over R/S 'cause R/S uses elastomer and it'll sag in hotter temperatures and gets really stiff in cold temperature. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg Thrasher
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Increases comfort level, Sturdy | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Moab 3, stock. | | Bottom Line: | I love this seatpost! It greatly reduces strain on my butt, and even compensates a little for a harder seat. It is, of course, heavier than a rigid seatpost, but I don't notice it on the trail. Definately a must for anyone who doesn't want to run out and buy a full-suspension bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dances With Elephants
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anything downhill | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Light
Works
Easy to tune and service
That sheen
| | Weaknesses: | Clamp design
Lack of innovation
25mm???? | | Similar Products Used: | Roch Shox, Answer, Moxey, Thudbuster, Urapost | | Bike Setup: | Too many to mention | | Bottom Line: | As they say, it does exactly what it says on the box. It takes the edges of the bigger hits. The post disappears under you in use, so that you don't notice it working until you swap it for a rigid post.
The post's been reliable in use (we have 4) provided you maintain it regularly. Fortunately, it's very simple to do so. However, as with everything, there are a few problems:
Since I first clapped eyes on this post 5 or 6 years ago, the design hasn't changed. Considering the many problems of the clamp design becoming more apparent with contemporary riding styles, this is not a plus point. Yes it may be proven, but there's room for lots of improvement.
Then there is the clamp design - First of all I'm not a fan of the inline style, but that's my personal opinion so it will stay out of this review. The problems with the clamp design, although light, are myriad. First, not all the parts are captive - the central rail support is not pivot-fixed to the post and there is no logical reason apart from a manufacturing cop-out for this.
Let's see - what else? Oh yes, the bolts are very badly located by the straight tubular bolt support and it's a pain to adjust. A trapezeoid clamping mechanism would improve accessibility at the expense of more complicated parts manufacture.
Then there are the bolts themselves - they are too long and too thin to give either psychological or real assurance for the heavier and more 'extreme' rider.
Take a certain individual who posted here and was censored by the request of USE. I've bumped into him in the newsgroups and he seems to be an 'extreme' rider. Now we've also snapped a number of bolts either due to mistorquing or landing too hard on the back of the seat - only I realise that these are design limitations of the post and we've simply replaced the affected part instead of irately shouting on this site. The design is clearly not for extreme riding (and furthermore is incompatible with 8mm rails), and with suspension posts finding their way onto more and more dual/jump bikes, USE must make it clear on the packaging that the post is not up to this type of use.
USE may have a high degree of pride in their products, as is evident by their actions on this site. However their product needs much more refinement before it can be considered an accomplished design. Yes it works - and works quite well - but that's no excuse for standing still.
All in all, I guve the USE suspension post an 'average' rating. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil
a
from Deer Park NY
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Bottom Line: | I recently posted my opinion (see below)on this post and gave it a not so favorable review. I was contacted by James, an employee of USE. I thought the e-mail was a joke but it was for real. James was commited to helping set up the seatpost until I was satisfied. Needless to say, I was shocked that someone would contact me by e-mail and then call me on the phone to work out the problem. We are still trying some different adjustments but I think the most important thing is that USE cared enough to put someone on the case (unsolicited) just based on my posting. As consumers, this is the kind of service we should expect from the companies we lay out hard earned cash to. I have made some changes to my post and found them to help. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bob williams
a
from birmingham,al usa
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | oak mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | fairly light, simple design, price | | Weaknesses: | none noted yet | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | trek 8900,answer shock | | Bottom Line: | i was having back pain that was putting a damper on my riding fun. put this on and ...NO more pain. absorbs small bumps smoothly. appears to be easy design to maintain although i haven't had to put this to the test yet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt strugar-fritsch
a Racer
from lansing
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Ft. Custer, Yankee Springs, Brighton Rec. Center | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | felt great when it worked | | Weaknesses: | HEAVY AND VERY UNRELIABLE | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | 98 shwinn moab 2, panaracer tires, xt derailleur, time pedals, body geometry seat, englund total air cartridges. | | Bottom Line: | A very unreliable product. do not buy this. i broke my first shockpost after only 2 weeks of normal use, bending it, and blowing out the elastomers (and i am only 150 pounds!!) so i sent it back, got a new one, and it was defective!! i set the preload way up, and went for a ride, hit one bump and the post went down but didnt come back up...at all!! it took a tremendous tug to get it back to normal, i would say that a 100 dollar product should be more releable than this. bottom line is don't waste your money on this. if you want suspension get a real suspensionn bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil
a Weekend Warrior
from Deer Park, NY
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | At this point, I can't find any strengths. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Trek 6500 | | Bottom Line: | I must be doing something wrong as I can't seem to feel the difference between this and a rigid post. I changed the springs to one more suited for my weight but can't get it right. Maybe I am expecting too much. Any advice would be appreciated. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul -
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | - | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Adds a whole new feel to a hardtail, I think it's the best aftermarket purchase I've made yet, the value is great. | | Weaknesses: | Havent found one yet | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Giant atx, Judy's on the front. | | Bottom Line: | This product has really improved the comfort level of my riding, even big hits sting less, I think if I buy a new bike, I'll buy a hardtail and keep the suspension seatpost, that's all the suspension I would ever need...I wouldn't want to lose all of the feel of the trail with dual, I'd rather put the money in a good hardtail and make it nicer with the post.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Hammond
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Palos | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Lighter then many suspension posts on the market. Price is right. Simple to use. | | Weaknesses: | The clamping mechanism is a little big and funky (but seems to work okay). | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed Obed, Manitou SX-Ti, XT/SRAM 9.0 Mix, Serfras Lola Saddle | | Bottom Line: | I had some spare cash and this seemed like a good way to appease my craving for full suspension while avoiding buying a new bike. I go about 195 lbs. so I also bought the firm riding kit. Initially I was skeptical about the seatpost changing my geometry as it compressed. This is not an issue unless you are really hitting the rough stuff (and if that's the case then your probably out of the saddle anyways!). The product works well and takes out a lot of vibration. Like other reviewers, I can honestly say that you don't really notice that it's working most of the time. You simply feel less tired on the long rides. This is a great simple upgrade without half the hassle of pivots, shocks, and bearings that you would deal with on a full suspension rig. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Knight
a Weekend Warrior
from Humble/Texas
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | East End Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Great product. Simple to adjust to your riding style. | | Weaknesses: | After to order different springs depending on your weight instead of all springs coming with package. | | Similar Products Used: | N/A | | Bike Setup: | Trek 2000 with Manatou front Suspension forks and U.S.E. Sx seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | Great product.Like the review amove me says it breaks bikes into Dual and Full suspension. Get the same ride as full suspension with out the extrem cost of a full suspension bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Neville Scott
a Racer
from Cape Town, South Africa
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | It does exactly what is required of it.
Excellent value for money.
Looks good | | Weaknesses: | Takes a while to master saddle adjustment
but then you only have to do it once) | | Similar Products Used: | Kalloy | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Montare | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is that I now spend most of the time with my rear end on the saddle - enjoying the ride; and not worrying about when I'm supposed to be in the saddle and when I'm supposed to be out.
For average bumps the suspension effect is now the same with my front suspension and my rear.
(Ever had a bump softened by your fork and then been kicked by the same bump in the butt?)
I would very strongly this seatpost as a way of taking the harshness out of riding a hardtail.
And don't worry about bobbing or changing the pedal distance - you don't notice it working.
Advice - buy it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a
from Montgomery
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | The same quality as the XCR but at a price range right for the weekend warrior. Service for the post is always top-notch..never had a problem getting help for the post | | Similar Products Used: | Moxey, Thudbuster, Coda, Shok Post, Tamer | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Cannondale CAAD5 hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I must dis-agree with Tom from BC. I have been in the bicycle retail scene for 6 years and out of most companies I deal with...USE is a notch above on service and knowledge. I have always gotten excellent service from the guys at USE...they are the few in this industry who will call you back AND actually ride the product they sell. I have ridden all of USE's posts and sell them to my customers with top praise...because I feel they have earned it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Tha Man
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anywhere on the French Alps | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Post is Strong, Light, looks cool and is cheap | | Weaknesses: | none to date | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Answer Tamer | | Bike Setup: | Kona Munimula | | Bottom Line: | This is my recomended add on to any one with a hard tail. It just smooths away small hits and seems to soak up the big bumps. Like peole say you don't realy notice untill you take it off. Super product | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Guffey
a Cross Country Rider
from Watertown, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Bow Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Takes the edge off, cheap (kinda) suspension. | | Weaknesses: | None to speak of. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Rhygin cr-mo frame, riser bar, grip-shift, zokes z-2, xt other. | | Bottom Line: | Broke the original one after two years. Took back to the shop and USE sent me a new one - at cost I guess. I was happy anyway. The biggest complement is that you really don't notice it. I've been using it for so long can't remember what trail chatter is like...you should obviously be off the bike for the big hits...And USE definately stands behing their product. Go for it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Olde BikeScribe
a Cross-Country Rider
from Staatsburg, NY
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Takes the bite out of sharp hits. As a result increases control | | Weaknesses: |
None noted thus far | | Similar Products Used: |
none | | Bike Setup: |
LiteSpeed Obed with Girvin Shock | | Bottom Line: | Tried one at a Bike Festival and bought it after riding the same trail with it then my old stiff post. The increase in control in remarkable. You can stay seated and crank through the roots and cobble. I am now riding over and through stuff I used to walk. It is a great alternative to a heavy, expensive dual suspension bike. Plus it is alot easier to maintain. Try one - you will like it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
OldeBike Scribe
a Cross-Country Rider
from Staatsburg, NY
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Thiss thing works exactly as expected. It takes the bite out of the sharp lttle hits that used to cause me to stand. | | Weaknesses: |
None that I am aware of yet. | | Similar Products Used: |
none | | Bike Setup: |
Lite Speed Obed with Girvin shock | | Bottom Line: | I thought suspension posts were just a bunch of hype until I tried one a a Mt Bike festival. Rode the same trail with and without a suspension post. The improvement was remarkable. My SX is a newer model with the same internal components as the more expensive model. With a suspension seat post you stay seated and crank your way through. I'm now riding trough stuff I used to get off and walk. It does not turn your hard tail into a dual suspension but for me and I would guess most riders it is better. Not much extra weight but a whole lot more control. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brad
a cross-country rider
from Soquel,CA (near Santa Cruz)
Date Reviewed: October 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a brand/product to be added to your suspension seat post section..After trying a suspension seat post on a friends bike, I read the reviews and bought a USE SX Shok Post for my Bontrager. Realizing this was geaky thing to do, I was stunned as to quality of the ride. I now believe there should be two catgories of suspension; dual and full, the former using a seatpost with a front shock. The seatpost shock keeps me on the seat, and helps me glide through flat and up-hill rough spots, where I normally would have to stand. The compression is progressive and the dampening adjustable to any liking. The USE seatpost shock weighs only 100 gms more then the stock Bontrager (comp) seatpost, has no sticktion problems to date, and is easy to strip and clean.The cost was about a 100 bucks, which is certainly cheaper than a new FS bike. Granted the seatpost would be overwhelmed on a fast, choppy downhill; but I'm usually standing then anyway. This seatpost shock is made for cross country, and does it better than most FS bikes (of course I could say that about the Bontrager without the new seatpost, but I digress).On a scale of one to five; a five. It just doesn't get any better than this. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Birdman
a cross-country rider
from Princeton, NJ
Date Reviewed: October 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had this post for over 2 years. Very good performance, very stiff laterally, and soaks up the small bumps quite well. This model (SX) does not use a shim. The seatpost outer diameter is 27.2mm instead of being 25.4 and using a shim (XCR??). It's a bit heavier and has only 1.5 of travel, but it's also cheaper (about $100) and fits perfectly into my C'dale CAAD2 (was in my older Specialized M2FS).It's a little sloppy now (rotationally), but I've acquired the rebuild kit (about $10) and this should tighten things up. Not bad for over 2 years without rebuilding.An excellent product. | | Overall Rating: |
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Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
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Enter here
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$ 119.95
