Suspension seatpost gravel bike???

I do a ton of cycling on the canals which can result in a sore back after a couple of hours.

thinking about trying a suspension seatpost.

but which one?

The cane creek eesilk, redshift and USE Vybe all look good.

Anyone got one? Do they work?

No issues with my Vybes at all

The vybe is about £100 cheaper!

I wonder if the other two would work better as they flex backwards as opposed to straight down and up like the USE

Redshift I found more tuneable, vybe a close second. Only tried the EEsilk stem.Steer clear of Kinekt though

I’ve a Vybe – it’s a Ronseal product (does what it says on the tin…).

I’ve done 5 hr z2 on towpaths & it’s been fine.

I have had a Vybe on mine for well over a year and it made a big difference for me. Seems much better than an early use post that I had years ago

Got an eeSilk on my gravel bike, and an eeSilk+ on the rigid 29er…i really rate them, and think theyre a worthwhile upgrade.

Can I suggest a bike fit and some core strengthening exercises?

I have a brooks flyer saddle on my road and gravel bike. Basically a b17 with massive springs at the back.

Wee bit of suspension+ saddle shapes that suit me.

Thanks guys.

more core strength is needed for sure 👍

last year I was doing some big days on the canals (Cheshire ring 140miles door to door)

id like the cane creek but at £100 more than the USE it’s hard to justify.

Watched a new GCN video yesterday, they were on the cobbles with Redshift stem/seatpost – maybe worth a watch.

If I was unsure about suspension posts I’d grab a cheap USE one off ebay.

USE still do service kits and elastomer/spring kits for them.

Thanks.
the redshift look good but very expensive

think I’ll try the USE

Got a cheap USE from my lbs (they had had it in stock for about a decade). Does just what I need it for, takes the sting out of my gravel rides

I have had the Redshift stem and post for 2 years, really good, reliable and comfortable.

I’ve got an eeSilk in the parts box that I don’t use any more I might consider shifting if you’re interested?

27.5?

how much you want for it?

Second dibs on the eeSilk. If 27.2.

Thanks

Had a USE XCR on my Kona for many a year. Don’t really ride it much now, but always thought it did a decent enough job

I’ve got an S-Works carbon post on my Diverge that flexes quite significantly under load. There’s also the Ergon CF/ Canyon VCLS

I’ve got 2 different XLC posts (£30ish) from Tredz. Both my hardtail and gravel bike have them. I’ve been using them for several years now. They work at taking the sting out of the trail when you aren’t out the saddle in attack mode. You can get different springs and adjust the preload so after a few rides you should get things dialed in.

At some point I’ll upgrade as I really like them. I think I’ll go Redshift and PNW Coast next.

Yesterday I figured the vybe and did a 70miler on the Rochdale canal.

I ride single speed

On the road I noticed the post bobbing as my cadence increased. So I tightened the preload

On the canal the high preload was throwing the saddle back up with force and making a clunking noise each time.

I slackened it back off and all was good

Is describe it as primitive however it definitely works. In fact it was working on stop.

It’s not the smoothest but still, I was impressed.

Made me realize just how much punishment our spines are taking. (I was out for almost 7 hours)

I can’t help but think the cane creek would work a little better with its backwards action. But these where over twice the price.

I was able to stay seated for considerably longer. It really helped over cobbled surfaces and tree roots.

For off road it’s a no brainer.

I wish there was a lockout for the road sections

Like someone said above. It does what it says on the tin

I think it will get a bit smoother quite quickly as it wears in. It maybe has already after seven hours.

The std Redshift post has two springs so lots of adjustment to compromise between bob and travel. The pro post, although lighter doesn’t have this option other than a wind in preload