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Topic starter
Thought I'd take it easy on my lower back on the gravel bike and get a Thudbuster ST.
It's much as I expected, a nice looking piece of kit and works well, there's a subtle feeling of forgiveness when pedalling over bumps etc.
Problem is, when the bumps get too big and I want to stand up, it rattles! It seems there's play in the bushings. I've tried filling in the gaps between the elastomer and linkages with bits of handlebar tape but it still persists, you can rock the saddle back and forth a couple of millimetres.
Is this normal? I could live with some free play if it didn't make the bike sound slightly broken over the bumps, I guess I could wrap a rubber band around it to try and take up the slack but that seems a bit agricultural...
Have emailed the importers to see what they think also. Ta
Posted : 05/05/2020 9:19 am
I had one tears ago, lent it a friend and never got it back.
I don't remember it rattling. I serviced it once abd replaced all the bushings/bearings and it felt much better.
What polymer are you using? Soft, medium or hard?
Posted : 05/05/2020 10:06 am
Topic starter
The stock one right now, medium I think. I'm at the upper end of the weight limit but figured that while my back heals I might as well enjoy a softer ride, and I've got a few kg to lose over the next couple of months anyway.
Am thinking I should be able to stuff some more bar tape into the gaps to at least apply some outward pressure to the linkage and stop it rattling, will have another look, maybe the piece I have in there just isn't doing anything useful..
Posted : 05/05/2020 10:14 am
Do you have some preload on it?
Posted : 05/05/2020 10:21 am
Topic starter
The ST doesn't have preload adjust, I think I am effectively achieving the same with my bits of bar tape!
Posted : 05/05/2020 10:23 am
NO big screw running thru the elasmomers? Mine is an old one and without preload it will rattle and become too soft.
Edit - thats a completely different design to mine - sorry
Posted : 05/05/2020 10:24 am
Topic starter
No worries, suggests I'm on the right track at least, will persist with my budget preload adjust for now.
Posted : 05/05/2020 10:36 am
