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Submitted by
vic_brodie
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$113.00 | | Purchased At: | www.jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | Works as advertised. Quality construction. Ease of use. | | Weaknesses: | None found so far | | Similar Products Used: | Laid back Ti seatpost | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed Pisgah Ti hardtail with Fox Terralogic fork and tubeless wheels. ST version of Thudbuster. | | Bottom Line: | I mostly use this bike for hilly training rides in the city that are under 2 hours and the combo Terralogic, Thudbuster ST and tubeless tires make for a very efficient/ fast and plush enough ride. Prior to the Thudbuster I generally favoured my full suspension bike, which was really overkill for XC rides within the city limits. The Thudbuster really takes the edge off the bumps and jams and my back is much better off. Highly recommend it - its brought new life to a bike that otherwise was rotting away in the garage. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
stevemtu
a Cross Country Rider
from Houghton UP Michigan
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Churning Rapids | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$135.00 | | Purchased At: | Cane Creek | | Strengths: | performs as advertised. Really makes riding a hardtail fast on single track over long distances possible, even for an old guy. | | Weaknesses: | Really had to tighten down the seat clamp bolts--I broke the plastic washer on the front clamp bolt and replaced it with a metal one. All good now. | | Similar Products Used: | Full suspension bike, soft tail bike | | Bike Setup: | Al hardtail, all xtr with stans wheels, 2008 SID team. I use the blue+black elastomer on the LT thudbuster with three threads showing on the preload. I weigh in at 170 lbs | | Bottom Line: | If you like the snappiness and pedaling efficiency of a hardtail, but the cush of a full suspension, the LT thudbuster is a pretty good compromise. Of course, the back wheel still behaves like a hardtail on square edge hits and bumpy descents, so you still have to pick your lines.
At first you will notice the seat moves back and forth when absorbing multiple big bumps, especially if you like to ride with the seat way back to begin with. After moving my seat forward, I really don't notice this 'seat jack' anymore.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nelson
a Weekend Warrior
from New Bedford, MA
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Virginia | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$135.00 | | Purchased At: | Local MTB Shop | | Strengths: | Very well made - great quality | | Weaknesses: | none! | | Similar Products Used: | USE Sumo seatpost | | Bike Setup: | Soctt Aspect 20, Rock Shox Recon 351 pop-lock, Shimano Deore Discs, Alex rims... etc | | Bottom Line: | If you like hard tails - this is one of the BEST upgrades. I could not believe how much longer i can stay in the saddle! worth every penny! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Road Hand
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Taylor Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | High Quality Materials and Machining | | Weaknesses: | None Yet, I can live with weight penalty | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shock Suspension Post | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Jamis Dakota Elite Hardtail
Full XT Drivetrain, Race Face Cockpit, Zocchi Fork, Formula K18 Discs, Mavic CrossRide Wheels | | Bottom Line: | I rode a 1999 Fisher X-Caliber Hardtail for 8 years with one of the now extinct Rock Shock Elastamer Suspension Posts. The post was trouble free and highly effective at taking the sting out of small hits on the street and trail.
I just built up a 2006 Jamis Dakota Elite frame for daily riding and initially had a Race Face Evolve Seatpost(which had an annoying creaking sound). I was tired of both the creaking sound and the stinging sensation in my butt every time I hit a bump. I found myself wishing that I had kept the Rock Shock post when I sold my old Fish.
After doing a lot of Internet searching, I realized that there are not many quality choices for suspension posts available. The Cane Creek line of Thudbusters interested me because they use the same Elastamer technology as the old Rock Shock posts. The LT model with it's 3 1/2" of travel
seemed like a bit much to me. I have a Santa Cruz Heckler so I was not looking to duplicate a dual suspension feel on a hardtail frame. All I was looking for was a subtle amount of travel. The Cane Creek ST seemed to fit that description so I ordered one from Jenson USA ( a great internet vendor).
When I took the post out of the box two thoughts came to mind: 1. Wow this thing looks really high quality and 2. Wow this thing looks really big. I figured that if the post did the task I was looking for then I could get used to the bulky look.
You get 3 elastamer inserts with the post to match your weight. The blue elastamer comes installed and proved to be just right for my 175lbs. Mounting the seat is easy but you have to keep in mind that the post moves rearward under load. I learned that after my first ride and made the adjustment by moving the seat forward in the clamp. The quality of this post is apparent from every angle. The machine work and finish are on a par with the Thompson post on my Heckler.
The bottom line for me is that this product just plain works. The difference it makes in the ride quality is apparent the minute you hit the first bump. It works without a lot of noticeable movement which is exactly what I was hoping for. I was not trying to turn my hardtail into a pseudo suspension bike. To me, the best components do their job without a lot of flash. The Cane Creek ST seatpost does its work in a subtle way. It does add weight to your bike and it does take some getting used to visually, but its functionality will put those two items out of your mind quickly. In fact, I'm starting to really like the way this post looks on my bike.
If you're looking for a way to get a smoother ride out of your hardtail, this is a good choice. If you're a weight freak then you probably are not reading this review anyway. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed.
I will hold back one Chili on the overall rating until I see how this product holds up over a longer period of time.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
boostjuice
a Cross Country Rider
from Canberra, ACT, Australia
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Majura | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Australia, the land | | Strengths: | Comes close to my freeride dualie in terms of ass comfort. Much better than telescopic Suspension seat posts for the following reasons.
-No initial stiction to overcome
-Longer travel
-Tunability to riders weight
-Cant rotate with wear
-Makes no noise when kept lubricated
It's quality CNC machined with quite scratch resistant anodizing. Seems very strongly engineered. | | Weaknesses: | It can launch you out of your seat when going over big bumps. However if this happens you should be standing up anyway! All suspension seatposts have reasonably fast rebound so this is not a downfall compared to other designs. These other idiots need to know when to stand up. It doesnt turn your bike saddle into a sofa.
Like any pivot jointed object, the teflon bearings will wear out with time, however the 'Crudbuster' neoprene bag keeps the dirt out hence extending its life. It also keeps theives eyes averted from its attractive workings. Maybe a cylindrical roller bearing revision would make it bulletproof?
The main weakness is it is quite an obvious object of theft. You really have to purchase a securty bolt for your seat clamp to feel secure about leaving the bike locked up around town. Otherwise some thief would probably come along with an allen key/spanner and steal it.
| | Similar Products Used: | Cheap $hitty telescopic seat (no travel)
solid post + hartail + unmaintained roads = Sore Ass | | Bike Setup: | Avanti Ventura 2002 Hartail | | Bottom Line: | If you get a sore ass like me from a hartail MTB on crappy road surfaces and cross country trails, then one of these combined with a squishy saddle will keep your peach unbruised.
You US guys get them for half the price us Aussies have to pay which makes them good value.
I wouldnt bother with the ST version, even for a road bike. I think the small amount of extra wieght for the longer travel would justify the LT version regardless of the bike and road surface. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
wasso67
a Cross Country Rider
from Pueblo, CO
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Strengths: | Attractive, easy to set up, works as advertised. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. | | Bike Setup: | Mooto-X 29er, yada, yada, yada. | | Bottom Line: | I was blown away on the first ride. I got the ST version and put in the blue insert. Totally transformed my hardtail. With the 29er platform you only need a little cush, and this product delivers. Was thinking about trading for a full suspension bike, but no need now. As long as the durability is there I think this is the greatest piece of equipment on my bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zed
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Emma / Barton Creek GB | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$107.00 | | Purchased At: | Performancebike.com | | Strengths: | Quality construction, easy to adjust, love the measurement numbers on the post | | Weaknesses: | None noted | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | GF Cobia 2008, Acid2 pedals, replaced handlebars with carbon riser bar. | | Bottom Line: | Thudbuster is a game changer! I could not believe the difference it makes in technical climbs and overall speed! It's everything it was hyped to be. I price-matched at Performance's website and shipped free to store. I recommend that if you have one nearby. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sbmac
a Weekend Warrior
from Long Island NY
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle planet Syoss | | Strengths: | Solid, well made and designed. Smooth movement, fully adjustable for weight and pre-load | | Weaknesses: | None really...you may need to be creative to fit your seat wedge on, but I was able to do it pretty easily. Not as heavy as I thought it would be. You need 5" minimum clearance under your saddle to the seat clamp for the assembly to fit. If you're on the right frame for your body, it won't be a problem. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Rockhopper Disc with following upgrades: Rockshox Reba Team forks, Specialized Phenom saddle. Mutano raptor tires, Crank Bros 5050xx
pedals, Ritchey carbon riser bars. | | Bottom Line: | Without losing the edginess and weight of a hardtail, this REALLY takes the bite out of small and medium bumps. Anything bigger and you're up off the saddle anyway! I was able to stay in the seat about 50% more on the trail. Not the same as full suspension, but damn close. Barely notice small rootds and stones. It doesn't bob up and down like most suspension seatposts, but rather back and forth to absorb shocks in a very natural arc. up to 3" travel...perfect for my needs. I tried the Thudbuster ST first, but it was not plush enough for hard biking styles. If you're all mountain or XC, this is for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
flyfsnbrad
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, UT
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | flying dog | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | comfort, reliability, simplicity, quality | | Weaknesses: | little extra weight, slight bouncing sensation | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mtn Hammer | | Bottom Line: | I really love this seatpost. It makes climbs over rocky stuff so much more comfortable and helps that back tire stick by keeping some weight on it. There is a slight bounce sensation when going over bigger stuff that lets you know to get out of the seat next time, after all it's still a hardtail. This seatpost transformed my hardtail! A small price to pay for such a HUGE ride improvement. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
smokey422
a Cross Country Rider
from MO
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Landahl, Rock Bridge State Park | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$49.00 | | Purchased At: | Exchange from Cane C | | Strengths: | Makes hardtails MUCH more tolerable for us old fat guys with bad backs. I think it helps traction by allowing me to remain seated on sections where I would have to stand with a solid post. | | Weaknesses: | I could say weight but I'm the big weight problem on my bike. Makes it a bit harder to attach a seat pack. Occasionally squeaks but a quick shot of spray lube silences it. | | Similar Products Used: | Moxey suspension post (also very good but out of production). | | Bike Setup: | Fisher HT, Thudbuster, Selle Italia saddle, SRAM 9.0 drivetrain, Panaracer XC Pros. | | Bottom Line: | I originally had a Moxey suspension post for this bike and broke it on a loopout. Cane Creek had bought out Moxey and had no parts for it. They offered to exchange my post for $49 (IIRC) and I took the deal. IMHO this is one of the best things you can do for a hardtail bike if you ride rough and technical trails. It doesn't replace full suspension (doesn't work while out of the saddle) but makes the bumps, rocks, roots, ditches, and washboard MUCH more tolerable than with a solid post. You do have to use the correct elastomers (follow the instructions, they work well). I couldn't ride my HT without it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dorandan
a Weekend Warrior
from Boulder, CO USA
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$149.00 | | Purchased At: | Cane Creek Thudbuste | | Strengths: | Really eats up washboard, small potholes & rocks amazingly well - I found myself not looking out for the small bumps on the dirt road anymore to save my aging posterior which made for a more relaxing ride. Decent softtail performance for the cost of $149 (inc. shipping & cover), and 14 extra ounces. I may be able to reclaim an ounce or three by going to a lighter saddle now that Thudbuster is taking the bumps. Very little pogoing during climbs. | | Weaknesses: | Have to rework my under-saddle bag to attach to the saddle because of the width of the unit and its cover. | | Bike Setup: | 1996 Klein Attitude Aluminum Frame Hardtail with a small frame and extended steering post and seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | If you have an old hardtail you like but are thinking of a softtail for a less punishing ride, you should really try a thudbuster. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Baltazar
a Cross Country Rider
from SAN JOSE, CA USA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Montebello | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | PIVOT MOTION | | Weaknesses: | SLIGHTLY HEAVY WEIGHT | | Similar Products Used: | ROCK SHOX TELESCOPIC SUSPENSION POST | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Moab, XTR Rapid Rise rear derailer, XTR index shifter & remote bar-end shifters, XT front derailer, Cane Creek Cronos wheels, Race Face cranks, Richtey clipless pedals, Rock Shox T2 fork with Englund Air dampers, Schwinn Stingray MTB saddle with TI rails, Kore stem, Panaracer Fire XC Pro 2.1 & 1.8 tires. | | Bottom Line: | Suspension seat-posts has always been a popular upgrade for riders with hard-tail MTB’s. After trying a couple of telescopic, suspension seat-posts including the Rock Shox post, I finally found a permanent post for my hard-tail which is the Cane Creek Thudbuster. The natural, pivot motion of the post simply made my most rugged trails more bearable and comfortable on trail sections where I would normally stand through. My only concern about the post is the single, slender steel bolt that holds the whole thing together. So far, it is still holding, but I’m going to get a similar style & size brass bolt a precautionary back-up because the replacement bolts from Cane Creek costs about $8 without shipping. Otherwise this is a great, suspension seat-post that easily outperforms any telescopic posts for any hard-tail riders. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rainman
a Cross Country Rider
from AU
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Local | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Cane Creek | | Strengths: |
Well made, great design, rebuildable, reliable. | | Weaknesses: |
None. | | Similar Products Used: |
Lots of different types of suspension posts. | | Bike Setup: |
HT MCR Niner. | | Bottom Line: |
I traded in my old Thuddy with the Cane Creek trade deal. They sent me a brand new 2008 model LT Thudbuster for cheap. A great deal, even though it took a while to get to me.
If you ride a hard tail bike and the bumps jolt your spine, the Thuddy is the ducks guts for taking the shocks out of the trails.
I've been using these for a long time, and have never had one break or not work correctly. They are an excellent product.
You can dial in the pre-load and change the elastomers to suit your riding weight and style. I love the way they just disappear on the bike after a couple of rides, the Thuddy just does it's job quietly and efficiently without fuss.
This is one product that I have NO hesitation recommending to any HT rider.
5 x 5 for a great invention.
Rainman.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fyrfytr310
a Cross Country Rider
from Hamilton, OH USA
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Harbin Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Campus Cyclery (Gift | | Strengths: | Ease of installation, simplicity of design and instantaneous results! | | Weaknesses: | Saddle bold was a little tough to get on but it wasn't the worst thing I have ever had to install on a bike. | | Similar Products Used: | N/A | | Bike Setup: | Felt Q-620: Juicy Three's w/8" Front and 6" Rear, X.7's, Dart 3 w/Poploc | | Bottom Line: | Having never even heard of a suspension seat post I was skeptacle of course but after researching the product and reading through a multitude of the review here(I must admit I did not read them all) I decided to go for it. One of the best decisions I have made for my bike to date. Once installed I took my bike to a local single track and rode the heck out of it and really put the post to the test by sitting sections I really should have stood and the feel was penominal. I only got jarred around when I hit something really big but even some of the jumps I could sit just fine. I'm a bigger guy (double black elastomers) and I thought for sure I was going to have a red rump after riding that hard but nope the seat performed beautifully. I recommend this post to anyone even considering the option. Kudos Cane Creek my ride now feels complete... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
webrocker
a Weekend Warrior
from Bend, Oregon, USA
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Phil's Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Easy to install immediate results | | Weaknesses: | It was a bit tricky getting my seat into the rails without taking one of the screws all the way off. Then I had to get the screw back in. Overall not bad though. | | Bike Setup: | Very Easy, just get your seat post diameter and your in. | | Bottom Line: | After reading some of the reviews I was wondering??? Then I sat on the thing and I fell in love. I was a bit hesitant after the first test ride on the road, but in the bumps and lava rocks of Bend, it is awesome!! I can't wait to take it for a major ride. It even seems to help with climbing which was such a chore. Thanks!!! I think this product is a must for hardtailer's who won't or can't spend tons on a full suspension model. I was even thinking of putting them on my kids bikes when they get a littler older. Would sure make their hardtail experience that much more enjoyable.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremiah
a Cross Country Rider
from West Richland, WA
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Friend | | Strengths: | Better than some suspension seatposts I have tried, you don't have the pogo stick feel. | | Weaknesses: | Like most other suspension seatposts, it doesn't really elminate the bumps just dampens them slightly. | | Similar Products Used: | NitroPro | | Bike Setup: | Litech magnesium frame, Rock Shox Duke SL, Sram XO | | Bottom Line: | Recieved from a friend who bought a full suspension bike and didn't need it anymore. I wanted to try it out to see what the hype was about and must admit it does a decent job, but not as good as the NitroPro that I'm switching back to. I would definitely recommend spending a bit more and getting the NitroPro, as long as you don't keep your seat pushed all the way back on your seatpost. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas Coffin, Sr.
a Weekend Warrior
from Manquin, VA.
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Buttermilk in Richmond, VA. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Does what it is advertised to do. Well made. Saves my back on long rides. | | Weaknesses: | Weight. Although this is really not an issue due to less wear and tear on my body. | | Similar Products Used: | Performance bikes telescoping suspension post. | | Bike Setup: | '05 Specialized Rockhopper Comp. Vuelta starlight wheels. Wellgo clipless pedals. WTB Weirwolf 2.3 tires. Hayes Hydraulic disk brakes. Shimano Deore LX components. Self build bike. | | Bottom Line: | This is well worth the 100 bucks I paid for it. I am 200 pounds, so drop offs hurt, especially at 37 years old. I like my hardtail as it climbs better than an F/S bike, and it is much easier to maintain. In Richmond, VA. not many downhill trails, so I thought it was a waste of money to by an F/S bike. I thught I made a mistake, since my body is not like it used to be, but after I installed the Thudbuster, it helped with my aches and pains. It will not replace the suspension of an F/S bike, but it will improve on a Hardtail bike's overall performance. It will spring forward on hard drops, but I stand in the saddle anyway. What it does do is help with climbing. I can get more torque from the real wheel than I could before. I find myself climbing hills that challenged me before. Buy this post if you want a suspension post. Other posts just move up and down, not giving you a more natural motion. You get what you pay for. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas Coffin, Sr.
a Weekend Warrior
from Manquin, VA.
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Buttermilk in Richmond, VA. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Does what it is advertised to do. Well made. Saves my back on long rides. | | Weaknesses: | Weight. Although this is really not an issue due to less wear and tear on my body. | | Similar Products Used: | Performance bikes telescoping suspension post. | | Bike Setup: | '05 Specialized Rockhopper Comp. Vuelta starlight wheels. Wellgo clipless pedals. WTB Weirwolf 2.3 tires. Hayes Hydraulic disk brakes. Shimano Deore LX components. Self build bike. | | Bottom Line: | This is well worth the 100 bucks I paid for it. I am 200 pounds, so drop offs hurt, especially at 37 years old. I like my hardtail as it climbs better than an F/S bike, and it is much easier to maintain. In Richmond, VA. not many downhill trails, so I thought it was a waste of money to by an F/S bike. I thught I made a mistake, since my body is not like it used to be, but after I installed the Thudbuster, it helped with my aches and pains. It will not replace the suspension of an F/S bike, but it will improve on a Hardtail bike's overall performance. It will spring forward on hard drops, but I stand in the saddle anyway. What it does do is help with climbing. I can get more torque from the real wheel than I could before. I find myself climbing hills that challenged me before. Buy this post if you want a suspension post. Other posts just move up and down, not giving you a more natural motion. You get what you pay for. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charlie Carrington
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO USA
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | White Rim | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$105.00 | | Purchased At: | Tree Fort Bikes | | Strengths: | Well designed, well executed product that does what it says it will do | | Weaknesses: | None worth mentioning. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Old steel Marin hardtail with new Rockshox Dart 3 fork | | Bottom Line: | Adding this seatpost (and the new fork) was like getting a brand new bike for less than $250.
My first ride on this setup was 100 miles on the White Rim trail in Utah's Canyonlands. The difference was amazing. I couldn't believe how fast I could go through the rough stuff. I was grinning instead of grimacing.
The motion feels very natural and plush. You can stay seated for all but the roughest terrain. You ride with far less energy expended.
Bottom line: If you have an old hardtail that you want to keep, do yourself a big favor and get one of these things. You won't regret it. It will make your bike fun to ride again.
(And get a modern fork, too :-) | | Value Rating: |
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$ 159.00
