Cane Creek Thudbuster LT Review

[RoadWrinkle]

Took Spinningmagnet's advice and purchased a Thudbuster LT suspension seat post for my hardtail through Amazon; with free shipping total cost was $145.00. First thought was Ouch! Then I decided my wallet could take the damage more than my back so I pressed the button. This is the newer third generation design and "LT" stands for long travel.

Took about a week to arrive (to Hawaii). Nice clean packaging and easy to follow instructions out of the box. My first impression was how substantial the suspension mechanism was.View attachment 5 Very solid and well designed with thick pivot arms and metal bushings.

You can get all of the specs on their products at their website, so the purpose of this review is to convey how amazing this seat post feels. I have never purchased any bike accessory that totally transformed the way my bike rides. Not only do you get vertical travel from this suspension, but you get some horizontal as well. This allows you to get into a flat-footed pedaling cadence and rythym that is very comfortable on your back, but also actually helps you pedal more efficiently...it is amazing!

The design has two screw bolts that allow you to pivot the seat into what ever angle you desire. The clamping style connector holds your seat rails firmly and there is no movement at the saddle frame at all once you tighten everything.

The unit came with two extra suspension barrels (elastomers) for heavier or lighter than normal loads (riders).View attachment 3 You can adjust the amount of travel allowed by simply tightening the nut that secures the suspension barrels in place to add or take away load to the mechanism. I have found this feature very nice if I have bumpy terrain or smooth, it is a quick adjustment that makes a huge difference.

Overall impression is very positive, I would highly recommend this seat post for anyone without a full suspension bike.The higher cost than pivot style suspension seats posts is well worth it in terms of how much it transforms the ride of any hardtail.

 

[spinningmagnets]

The worst complaint I have ever heard is that the elastomers wear out in a couple years if you ride often. The box came with several elastomers to choose from, so the customer can decide how hard or soft you want the springiness to be. If you use a combination of one firm and one hard elastomer, you will have two sets of the same feel (a second set for when they wear out in the future)...that is, if that combination feels good for you.

I think they will be in business a long time, so it shouldn't be a problem getting more elastomers in the future. Even if they did go out of business, there will be "new in box" elastomers popping up on Ebay for a few years.

Here's an article on the Thudbuster and their competitors: http://www.electricbike.com/suspension-seat-posts/

 

[teklektik]

+1
I have 6000+ miles on my ThudBuster. A truly great device. Here's a post about it from a year or so ago.

The only thing I would add to that post is that my attempts to buy second unit from ThudBuster.com for a new build were entirely unsuccessful. After weeks of waiting and multiple unanswered phone calls and emails, I cancelled the order from them. I never received confirmation of the phone calls, emails, or the cancellation - just the original email response for the order - completely non-communicative.

Anyhow, I simply ordered from Cane Creek. Cane Creek answered phone questions knowledgeably and shipped quickly.

 

[RoadWrinkle]

+1
I have 6000+ miles on my ThudBuster. A truly great device. Here's a post about it from a year or so ago.

The only thing I would add to that post is that my attempts to buy second unit from ThudBuster.com for a new build were entirely unsuccessful. After weeks of waiting and multiple unanswered phone calls and emails, I cancelled the order from them. I never received confirmation of the phone calls, emails, or the cancellation - just the original email response for the order - completely non-communicative.

Anyhow, I simply ordered from Cane Creek. Cane Creek answered phone questions knowledgeably and shipped quickly.

So Thudbuster.com must be some online dealer I am guessing b/c as you indicate Cane Creek has their own website. I like to use Amazon b/c you get shipping deals to Hawaii where I am. I should add I keep the pivot arm bushing cleaned and oiled so I am guessing a long life for this product.

Spinningmagnets: Thanks for the link it was actually that article (you wrote) that convinced me to buy in the first place. I have seen the mastery of many subjects and devices you have displayed on this forum and that alone was enough for me to order away....thanks again.

 

[Toorbough ULL-Zeveigh]

If you use a combination of one firm and one hard elastomer, you will have two sets of the same feel (a second set for when they wear out in the future)...

yep, that's exactly what i did.
blu/blu wuz the recommened for my weight according to the chart but went blu/grey so i could have a spare set down the road.
coming off riding life-long hard-tail, a slightly stiffer combo didn't bother me in the least & i find even preferable.

 

[teklektik]

So Thudbuster.com must be some online dealer I am guessing b/c as you indicate Cane Creek has their own website.

Actually, no. This is the site of the guy (Ryan McFarland) who actually invented the ThudBuster. I have spoken with him in the past - a nice helpful guy. I don't know what happened there - just reporting the delays so folks don't get stalled. You get a better deal at ThudBuster.com than elsewhere and may wish to give them a spin, but I would start with a phone call to touch base instead of just going the on-line ordering route and waiting.

 

[RoadWrinkle]

Actually, no. This is the site of the guy (Ryan McFarland) who actually invented the ThudBuster

Interesting, I wonder if he is partnered with Cane Creek, or whether he sold the whole unit to them and retained licensing rights (I doubt they would let him sell for less if so), or if he is a dealer for Cane Creek. Either way, it is a great product and if he sells it for a little less to the public, even better.

I have noticed if you don't keep it clean, the bushings oiled, the elastomers greased, it can start creaking even when it is newish.

 

[RICK]

I've got about 6000 miles and 4 seasons on mine - no noticeable degradation of the elastomer. Really made the difference as my back was hurting without it.

 

[pacamu]

did you get the fabric cover to protect the parts
got the st version and the fabric cover its great and looks good also
i fully serviced wih some chain lube on all the bushings when brand new been great so far.
paul

 

[RoadWrinkle]

The cover is a good idea regardless of the terrain you ride. Cane Creek has some great step-by-step videos on their website for servicing and even rebuilding the TB...

 

[cal3thousand]

I have a Cane Creek Thudbuster LT and also a couple of the Suntour NEX suspension posts:


(Not my image, but looks exact)

I find that the NEX has better rebound control and seems less linear than the Thudbuster. It seems to absorb more of the bounce before putting it back into vertical movement. It's also cheaper if you can find it.

Having said that though, the Thudbuster is EXCELLENT for taking the sting out of rough roads and high inflation pressures. Pairing it with a Cloud 9 seat, it allowed me to ride my hardtail more than I would have otherwise. They both rock backwards while compressing, so some rearward clearance of your rack should be prepared.

Reminds me... I have a Thudbuster to put up in the F/S section. :wink:

 

[EldRick]

One does, of course, need 4"-6" of unused seatpost to install either, thus neither will work on a properly-fitted bike.

 

[Architectonic]

The problem with the Thudbuster LT (besides the size of the post) is lots and lots of creaking (after a few thousand km)... Then after 10,000 km mine is well and truly worn out. The elastomers don't look great anymore, but they're still fine. It is the bushings that are worn out and there is a lot of side to side play.

 

[EldRick]

...after 10,000 km mine is well and truly worn out.

That's awful - you're only talking about 100-150 hours of use, and the bushes wear out? Contrast that with any usual mechanical bushing, which one would expect to last for thousands of hours. They must be using cheese for the bushing material.

 

[Architectonic]

More like 250-300 hours, but yes, I'm not impressed.

 

[RoadWrinkle]

I think the bushing are brass. I keep the swing arm's bushings well oiled, the elastomers well greased and do not have creaking. Cane Creek sells a rebuild kit with new bushings, elastomers, etc. Plus they have vids on their website for all repair, rebuild and routine maintenance. Also, the travel on the suspension is horizontal as well as vertical so you do not need that much seat post clearance.

 

[melodious]

I've put 2K total miles (1/2 normal & 1/2 electified) on my LT Thudbuster with 2.3" big apple 29er wheels on a hardtail. Other than the electric kit, the TB seat was easily the best change I placed on my bike. Just one thing. Having semi-fat tires & TB seatpost psychs you at first that you have a rear flat. :lol:

 

[deepfraught]

Moving parts life vary with the environment they see. Here's the cost of rebuild options:
http://www.thudbuster.com/products.html
Elastomers for LT - $6.50 each
Elastomers for ST - $15.00 each
LT rebuild kit with tool. $39
LT rebuild kit parts only. $24
ST rebuild kit with tool. $39
ST rebuild kit parts only. $24

PS: I ordered an LT and ST from Jenson USA as they ship to Australia affordably, same $145 price etc.

edit: parts arrived Tuesday from a Friday order from Jenson.

I fitted the LT to the steel road frame and it was an instant solution, one of the most rewarding bolt on bike comfort upgrades. The 700x28c rear is sorted now, the 622x45c (1.75") Schwalbe Marathon Plus at low-mid range pressure in the front eliminates the vibration through the bars. I found on other bikes the Brookes B17 fit me perfectly out of the box, and the same paths were OK at un-assisted speed and on other bikes, but with electric assistance putting more effort in to a higher cruise speed was needing more time off the seat standing off. The Thudbuster LT came to the rescue, so I can pedal all the time except for as at lower pedal only speed what are now the big bumps to stand off for.




Since this frame/speed was the real problem, with ST and LT in hand, it was obvious to use the LT straight away.
I've now fitted the ST to a pedal only 2008 Specialised Roubaix S-Works SL that was already good at removing the harsh vibration of 700x23c tyres, as by the ST's style it suits the leaner pedal only. It will be shared with a Voodoo carbon/scandium disc braked pedal commuter alternative to the all carbon rim braked Roubaix. The Voodoo's 700x45c front and 32c rear tyres at lower pressure worked well, but with the ST I can then possibly up the rear pressure in the 700x32c or got to the 700x28c.