Any suspension seatposts that don't wear out?

[rudivb]

Hi, I've got one of those suntour NCX seatposts on my "workhorse" bike. With 10000+km a year, I like to keep this bike simple and low maintenance. But this suspension seatpost has (literally) saved my ass many times, as we have horrible roads here.

BUT, after about 2 years, I've got loads of horizontal play with this suspension system. I'm pretty sure it's the bushings that are wearing out. Not sure if it's smart/safe to just keep riding?

A revision kit is like half the price of a complete new suspension post, so I might as well buy a new one. Are there any other suspension posts that don't have this problem? The very cheap ones are a lot simpler with just a rod going up and down, but probably not that effective?

Also came across a new model/brand on AliExpress "safort" for a good price, but again we are dealing with bushings that will wear out I guess.

 

[lnanek]

I've had a Satori single spring one on my bike for years:

https://a.co/d/0bS3owDP

And a bar that absorbs vibration in front that does seem to help with rough pavement:

https://a.co/d/0cDylGsv

I also have this weird multiple spring contraption, but haven't had time to mount it yet:

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqhjYEo

 

[rudivb]

I've had a Satori single spring one on my bike for years:

https://a.co/d/0bS3owDP

And a bar that absorbs vibration in front that does seem to help with rough pavement:

https://a.co/d/0cDylGsv

I also have this weird multiple spring contraption, but haven't had time to mount it yet:

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqhjYEo

That last one "airseat" looks interesting, never seen anything like it.

Front "stem" suspension might be nice too yeah.

 

[neptronix]

It's going to cost you about twice the money, but cane creek seatposts are well built, have much larger bearings, and i bet they would last quite a bit longer.



Review: Cane Creek Thudbuster Suspension Seatpost - CYCLINGABOUT.com

 

[Mongo]

If you've got some excess seatpost height, one of these ~$9 (Wally-world and elsewhere) spring-things may work:



Nope, haven't tried it myself ...

 

[rocketman58]

It's going to cost you about twice the money, but cane creek seatposts are well built, have much larger bearings, and i bet they would last quite a bit longer.

View attachment 355151

Review: Cane Creek Thudbuster Suspension Seatpost - CYCLINGABOUT.com

I've had one of these for a couple decades, and it's still going strong. This is the LT (long travel) model, far better than the short travel model. The elastomers will not last forever. I have replaced the elastomers a couple of times over the last 20+ years, but that is all.

 

[neptronix]

I've had one of these for a couple decades, and it's still going strong. This is the LT (long travel) model, far better than the short travel model. The elastomers will not last forever. I have replaced the elastomers a couple of times over the last 20+ years, but that is all.

Wow.. really well built then!

I have no experience with these but i had a cake creek suspension on my BikeE from the 90's and the thing just barely started leaking air ~3 years ago.. amazing for a rear shock to last over 2 decades without any servicing.

How is the road-feel with elastomers versus spring? i'm imagining that juddery roads that would normally upset a spring are smoothed out more.

 

[E-HP]

Wow.. really well built then!

I have no experience with these but i had a cake creek suspension on my BikeE from the 90's and the thing just barely started leaking air ~3 years ago.. amazing for a rear shock to last over 2 decades without any servicing.

How is the road-feel with elastomers versus spring? i'm imagining that juddery roads that would normally upset a spring are smoothed out more.

I received a caution on my build thread about the older LT, which was addressed when they updated the design:

My econo-e-bike

How bout a big slick such as the thick slick that’s pumped hard? I think it will do better then a thin if pumped to same hardness and a plus with the rounder contact patch of the bigger tire right? And if a thin tire it will be lower rolling resistance on a smooth surface but if it’s rough...

endless-sphere.com

 

[lnanek]

If you've got some excess seatpost height, one of these ~$9 (Wally-world and elsewhere) spring-things may work:

View attachment 355153

Nope, haven't tried it myself ...

I always wanted to try that, but there was a negative review picture of one that snapped...

 

[Gruesome]

This one has been holding up for three years now:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BG7MG15

 

[Zambam]

Hi, I've got one of those suntour NCX seatposts on my "workhorse" bike. With 10000+km a year, I like to keep this bike simple and low maintenance. But this suspension seatpost has (literally) saved my ass many times, as we have horrible roads here.

BUT, after about 2 years, I've got loads of horizontal play with this suspension system. I'm pretty sure it's the bushings that are wearing out. Not sure if it's smart/safe to just keep riding?

A revision kit is like half the price of a complete new suspension post, so I might as well buy a new one. Are there any other suspension posts that don't have this problem? The very cheap ones are a lot simpler with just a rod going up and down, but probably not that effective?

Also came across a new model/brand on AliExpress "safort" for a good price, but again we are dealing with bushings that will wear out I guess.

Have you been oiling the bearings?

 

[neptronix]

I received a caution on my build thread about the older LT, which was addressed when they updated the design:

My econo-e-bike

How bout a big slick such as the thick slick that’s pumped hard? I think it will do better then a thin if pumped to same hardness and a plus with the rounder contact patch of the bigger tire right? And if a thin tire it will be lower rolling resistance on a smooth surface but if it’s rough...

endless-sphere.com

Thanks dude! your bike has been an inspiration.
The new LT does look a little thin, metal wise. I'm still a little scared of it and might get the ST or something else.

 

[E-HP]

Thanks dude! your bike has been an inspiration.
The new LT does look a little thin, metal wise. I'm still a little scared of it and might get the ST or something else.

Had to get the Leaf after seeing your video. That's inspiration.
Luckily I've lost weight over the last 5 1/2 years. I don't need all of that travel, so I'm using one medium and one hard elastomers, and took about 5/16" off the latter. It's pretty cushy. Not as many miles as the OP puts on, but there's no wobble/wiggle; feels the same as on day one. The bushings are a bigger diameter than some of the other options.

 

[neptronix]

I'm about 5 pounds over the weight limit ( good thing they listed it! )

+1 motivation to keep losing that covid era fat, i'm sure at ~200lbs or so i'd be confident to take advantage of that wonderful 90mm of travel. The 50mm i have currently isn't too bad!

In the meantime it's 2.4" on the back, at 25-30psi, and positioning as such that i lean forward and have as much weight on the air fork as possible, seems to work out pretty well!

 

[gromike]

I have that Suntour suspension seat posts on one of my bikes, but admittedly I stand on the pedals when I see the rough stuff. When I don't see the hazard, and I'm sitting on my bum, it works great.

 

[rudivb]

This one has been holding up for three years now:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BG7MG15

These ones are a lot simpler and cheaper, no bushing/bearings to wear is definitely a pro. Do you have a comparison with one of the more expensive/complicated systems? These posts probably perform less, but still if it works 70-80% as well as the suntour for example, I'd be happy to take this while saving money and maintenance.

I always wanted to try that, but there was a negative review picture of one that snapped...

Yeah I'm also scared this one would snap on me.

Have you been oiling the bearings?

Yes, usually when I hear it "squeaking", probably should've done it more regularly for it to wear less. I also have the cover on it.

I have that Suntour suspension seat posts on one of my bikes, but admittedly I stand on the pedals when I see the rough stuff. When I don't see the hazard, and I'm sitting on my bum, it works great.

As a delivery driver I've learned to sit very lightly on the saddle (especially when you have drinks in your backpack).

 

[qwerkus]

Aren't those suntour seatpost supposed to be repearabl?. I rememder seeing all kinds of spare parts online, including new rubber part and new bushings.

 

[rudivb]

Aren't those suntour seatpost supposed to be repearabl?. I rememder seeing all kinds of spare parts online, including new rubber part and new bushings.

Yeah, but it's 34 bucks for a repairkit, for 60 euro I get a complete new NCX seatpost from aliexpress and for 43 euro I can get the Safort seatpost which is similar to the NCX.

 

[rocketman58]

Wow.. really well built then!

I have no experience with these but i had a cake creek suspension on my BikeE from the 90's and the thing just barely started leaking air ~3 years ago.. amazing for a rear shock to last over 2 decades without any servicing.

How is the road-feel with elastomers versus spring? i'm imagining that juddery roads that would normally upset a spring are smoothed out more.

Elastomers are typically better at taking out small road vibrations than some shocks. When riding my hard tail mountain bike on pavement it was like riding on glass.

 

[rocketman58]

Thanks dude! your bike has been an inspiration.
The new LT does look a little thin, metal wise. I'm still a little scared of it and might get the ST or something else.

There is a dramatic difference between the feel of the ST and LT. I used an ST on my road bike, but it was not as smooth as the LT.

 

[nicobie]

There is a dramatic difference between the feel of the ST and LT. I used an ST on my road bike, but it was not as smooth as the LT.

I agree. I had to switch to a ST because of lack of room on my seat stem but really liked my LT much better.

 

[rocketman58]

I agree. I had to switch to a ST because of lack of room on my seat stem but really liked my LT much better.

Ya, the LT will not work on most road bikes if sized correctly for you. I switched to a recumbent bike for road riding, so no seat post was required.

 

[rudivb]

I'm considering the thudbuster now, found a few secondhand ones barely used, reasonably priced.

I can't find any info about "maintenance", the suntour definitely needed some lube every now and then.

For people with the thudbuster, how is maintenance?

 

[nicobie]

Both my LT and ST never got any and still worked great.

 

[2old]

My ST, which was purchased before Thudbuster was purchased by Cane Creek, has never had any maintenance and after 20 or so years still functions perfectly (AFAICT).