How to choose the best suspension seatposts

Considering that bicycle frames are rigid structures and that most of the cyclist’s weight is applied on the saddle, a lot of riders suffer on their bicycle seat. Of course, choosing a comfortable saddle is very important but you can improve your pleasure riding with and adequate seatpost upgrade while reading our best suspension seatposts review. Don’t forget to also consider the pressure and size of your tires.

The best fact about suspension seatpost upgrade is that, it is easy to install and it can be cheap (less then $100).

Why should you use a suspension seatpost

• To reduce road impact & improve bicycle seat comfort. While reducing vibrations & chocks from road bumps, you will have less risks of damaging your perineum soft tissues, have less pain and recover faster from your rides
• You will be able to make longer rides without the urge to stand up to alleviate pressure on the perineal zone (happens a lot for people having prostate issues) and save muscle strength in the legs. This will also help you prevent pudendal neuralgia in cycling.
• You will have a lesser impact on your lower back, as a lot of cyclists suffer from back pain. Vibrations, frictions and compressions will be significantly reduced.
• If you have small road tires, you will be able to go off the road easily as road imperfections won’t be directly transferred directly from the frame to your saddle.
• Instead of investing in a pricy full suspension road bike, you can opt for a cheaper investment in your existing bicycle through a suspension seat post upgrade.

Drawback of a suspension seat-post

• You will add extra weight to your ride. You can assess the additional weight below in the respective suspension seat-post reviews
• Suspension seat-post implies the appearance of bob while pedaling, through your body movements and the suspension activation..
• suspension seat-post are un-necessary if you already have a full-suspension bike (all suspension needs are already covered by the bike suspension) or if you a fat bike (where the fat tires are also playing the amortization role).

What are the different damping systems of the best suspension seatposts

Spring damping suspension seatposts

Consider the seatposts with spring damping suspension. These seatposts are really bouncy, is the best way you would describe them! They’re especially good on off-road terrain because they’re so responsive to bumps. However, this great sensitivity comes at a price: when spring posts are set up correctly for rocky terrain, they bob more than anyone would want on flat areas. Adjusting the spring preload is the simplest technique to limit this movement (or the amount of force required to cause the saddle to start moving). This will prevent the saddle from bobbling, but it will also diminish the seatpost’s ability to cushion tiny bumps. If you prefer smooth roads, you’ll probably find spring seatposts a little too stiff.

Elastomer suspension seatposts

Suspension seatposts made of elastomers are discrete but efficient, as they are barely noticeable beneath your saddle. This is due to the fact that elastomers have a slower rebound speed after a shock, which is especially useful while riding on rough surfaces like gravel roads. For a better description, you’ll appreciate the more subdued sensation of an elastomer post since it feels more ‘natural.’ Elastomers have the disadvantage of firming up in cold temperatures, making them stiffer, therefore avoid this material design if you require it to cycle in negative temperatures. You’ll have to apply lubrication on the elastomer’s edges, however this may be replaced through the use of a seatpost layer cover.

Air damping suspension seatposts

Air damping suspension seatposts are usually used in telescopic seatposts. You will benefit from the possibility to adjust the spring rate to the exact level of accuracy you want to reach.

Suspension seat post designs

Linkage-driven suspension seatposts

Forces coming up from the rear wheel will cause the seatposts to move in the same direction. This enables them to effectively offset, if not completely neutralize, bumps, so minimizing the impact forces that flow through your back and bottom. Furthermore, when the seatpost is compressed, linkage posts ensure that the saddle-to-pedal distance is mostly maintained.

Telescopic suspension seatposts

A telescoping post is commonly thought to be inferior since the angle at which it compresses differs from the direction of force coming from the rear wheel, resulting in a less reactive seatpost system. When riding over bumps, telescopic posts result in a reduced saddle-to-pedal distance. Telescopic posts, despite their limitations, are nevertheless widely used since they are frequently lighter, less expensive, and have a lower installation height.

What is the best suspension seatpost according to road profile

The spring seatposts are by far the most effective at minimizing vibrations on the rocky path. Meanwhile, the elastomer Cane Creek eeSilk improves vibration by about half as much. It’s worth mentioning, though, that this seatpost has just about half the suspension travel. It’d be fascinating to see how an elastomer seatpost with a longer travel compares.

The air seatpost helped a little, but it still needs a lot of bump force to work. Despite the difference in suspension travel, the difference between an elastomer and a spring seatpost narrows on the gravel road with fast repeating bumps. Because the bump force is lower on gravel roads, the spring post is likely only using half of its travel in any case. The air seat post resembled a standard carbon seat post in appearance.

How do you choose the best Suspension seatposts for travel ? they are best chair for piriformis syndrome available with road cycling shoes with composite, fiberglass or carbon sole anything from 20 to 90mm of travel !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1e3g8uqrJU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1e3g8uqrJU

More suspension travel is required on rougher routes. More suspension travel will assist you if you’re cycling on rougher roads with increased forces applied on the back tire, like we just witnessed in the test. It can absorb more vibrations. Most tough roads may be pleasantly rode with just 35mm, but if you’re hitting bumps at greater speeds, 50mm or more may be required.

Longer suspension travel is also more suited to more upright riding positions. This is owing to the fact that your saddle carries a bigger amount of your weight. You can get away with less suspension travel if you have more weight on your hands because you ride in a more athletic position.

Best suspension seatposts review

Finally, let’s review now the major best suspension seatpost products on the market.

However, unlike a carbon post, the spring rate is not governed by the amount of exposed seat post, allowing you to fine-tune it to your body weight using the five various elastomers available. Dropper posts with telescoping designs have very little vertical flex, which is an undesirable consequence of their design. There are two suspension options available if you want dropper posts but also want to improve your ride comfort (and a third in the works).

The Byschulz D.2 is the best-performing suspension seatpost. This coil-sprung alternative is pricey, but it will stay highly active on uneven surfaces. There are numerous spring rates to choose from and 30mm of travel, much like the ordinary Byschulz post.

The PNW Coast, which has 40mm of suspension and is by far the greatest value dropper, is the alternative dropper option. Gravel bikes have found that this air spring technology is significantly less active than other suspension seatposts, but it nevertheless absorbs the shock of larger impacts and performs well on gravel roads.

In conclusion, a suspension seat post is an excellent comfort addition because it absorbs larger impacts as well as dampens road vibrations. This essentially means that at the end of a long ride, you’ll feel more energized.

A spring-damped seatpost is unbeatable for anything sluggish and off-road. These posts are extremely active underneath you, allowing you to sit for considerably longer on rough surfaces. If you ride a lot on smoother ground or are sensitive to suspension bob, elastomer seatposts are a better choice because they are less noticeable underneath you. I personally use and recommend the Cane Creek eeSilk. It’s ideal for those who prefer a dynamic riding position or want to ride on smoother roads. You’ll have to compromise on the harder roads because it only has 20mm of travel, but I still think it’s a substantial improvement over a standard post. Furthermore it won’t bounce, it’s light weight and it’s esthetic looking.

Video about the best suspension seatposts Opinion