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Submitted by
bikefx
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | ***Carbon model reviewed***
* Excellent suspension action. Super smooth, reliable, very durable from warm 30C to -35C stormy Canadian weather. No joke, it still worked equally good in cold as in warm.
*Very light. Probably the lightest suspension seatpost for its travel (2ish inches).
*Very clever and cool head/clamp.
*Adjustable
*Negligible service: tighten ring seldomly and maybe lube it.
*Fact that it's carbon! Very few carbon suspension seatposts. | | Weaknesses: | Head isn't easiest to re-assemble after disassembling for re-installing a new seat or if u accidentally let it fall off while adjusting it. | | Similar Products Used: | Other inexpensive ones. | | Bike Setup: | Norco VFR5 "performance hybrid" | | Bottom Line: | Excellent and rare product. Excellent quality in all respects. Clever and elegant design. Proven and well-reviewed, reputable brand and product. Worth well over $100US. The best of its kind. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hanu
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | It's still stiction free after 5000 miles of bikepath/downhill/x-country.
I've never had to change anything on it. | | Weaknesses: | The clamps system is not easy to set-up. It's not a problem after you finally get it though. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | 1998 Trek 8000 with SRAM X9 drivetrain and Bontrager Race Lite crankset. Marzocchi Z2 fork bought in 1990 (along with the XCR) and still going strong. | | Bottom Line: | This seatpost is still stiction free after over 7 years/5000 miles of use on bikepaths/downhill/x-country.
Highly recommended!!
I actually posted this in the SX review by accident, so disregard that review for the SX.
HOWEVER... We did get my wife a USE SX seatpoost since I'm so happy with my XCR, and it's working very well!
She can't get over the difference between her original setup on her Trek 4500 and the SX seatpost mated to a Specialized Indie seat.
Highly recommended as well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RK
a Cross Country Rider
from Wilmington NC USA
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$139.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | Provides just enough bump and buzz kill to be useful without being a springy annoyance. Lightest on the market and an acceptable weight even for a road bike if it means you keep moving instead of taking a break to sooth you weary bum. | | Weaknesses: | Bolts are one weakness. Need to buy separate spring/elastomer set if you don't happen to weigh just right for the medium spring set that comes with it. You need to add this to the price noted above plus shipping. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Old Trek Hardtail with lots and lots of upgrades | | Bottom Line: | I suppose I am pushing my luck running this post for around five years now, I would guess. It has not seen drastic off road use, but still, this is a long time for any product like this to survive on the root filled trails that I normally ride. I have even used it on my Bianchi road bike and am considering buying another one just for that bike. The only problem, other than pain in the annoying clamp set up, was broken bolts while riding in my yard. I hope USE has taken all of the comments on this review to heart, since most seem to center on only two real issues. I would/will buy this product again, despite the bolt problem and despite the need to turn around ard invest in spring upgrades. Buy it if you need a little extra plush but balk at full suspention; don't buy it if your not willing to spend time making it right for you and your intended use. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
solo rider
a
from san diego
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light | | Weaknesses: | Durability, suspension action, head design | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox post | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is avoid this post. The suspension action is aweful and mine broke after less than 3 months of use. Regardless of tuning options, the post barely moved under my 150lbs. I went with a Rock Shox post after using the USE and it is infintely better.
Don't waste your money on the USE. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ricky
a Cross Country Rider
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Cheap'ish, rear mudguard and pouch can be fitted to post, takes the sting out of bumps. | | Weaknesses: | Seat clamp fiddly to install, nylon keys wear causing sideaways seat movement, | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Trek 930, Judy XC, Use seatpost...yup, all old stuff but still works. | | Bottom Line: | USE telephone Support sent me two free replacement nylon keys under warranty (...they probabaly felt sorry for me since my kit was so old). Anyway, fitted the new nylon keys (used a vice to crush the old keys longways to remove them) and found a) still a lot of sideaways movement b) with a bit of force the seat could be made to fully rotate 360 deg!. Cause...the new keys are 0.025 inch shallower than the old ones. Fix...put a 1/32 inch shim under each new key...problem fixed! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sheila Reiter
a Racer
from Austin, Texas, US
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky Hill Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Sport Shop | | Strengths: | Very comfortable ride | | Weaknesses: | Seat Clamp! Seat Clamp! Seat Clamp! | | Bike Setup: | Serrota CHT | | Bottom Line: | This is my second USE shockpost. The first one was great. Raced a full season and then some. Shop mechanic was able to rebuild the post with out problems but I eventually just wore it out. Bought the new XCR with the lame 2.5m screws and have had nothing but trouble. Seat won't stay clamped. I've had it installed by the shop mechanic since I just knew I would strip those screws. No matter, as soon as I would start a ride the seat would slip back. I'm only 149 lbs.
Now the seat nose is pointed at the sky and the screws are indeed stripped. The shop contacted USE and replacement parts are on the way. USE said a new clamp design would be available in 4-5 months and they would upgrade mine.
| Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
FishMan
a
from Flagstaff, AZ, US
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | anything in sedona | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | can't friggne remembe anymore | | Strengths: | Relatively light, for the most part does it's job, suspension seatpost are a great addition to a hardtail, especially a race bike. | | Weaknesses: | fragile, especailly Alien head clamp, require more maintenance then something this simple really should. | | Similar Products Used: | just rigid posts | | Bike Setup: | Salsa Ala Carte, XTR, King, XT, Avid SD Ti, Paul Love levers, sweet ride | | Bottom Line: | I've owned three of these things and broken two of the three, broke the third one twice. can't remember how I broke the first one, but the most recent two breakages were due to the Alien seat clamp. This thing is just too fragile to have on a mountain bike, period. First one came flying apart because the screws appariently weren't tight enoug (who puts a 2.5mm allen headed screw on a seat clamp!?!?). Second breakage the damn thing just busted up on me in the middle of a race. The pieces of the clamp cracked and broke, and I found another crack lower on the seat mount. I only way 143 lbs, I shouldn't be able to break something like this. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt
a
from Bristol
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$140.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Bristol | | Strengths: | saves my aris, easy to service, fantastic back up from USE (sent me some new screws for free after I rounded the 1st ones with my cack handedness), strong, durable, lightish | | Weaknesses: | A bit pricy but you get what you pay for. Alien clamp is a bit of a pain but easy enough to set up once you've figured out how to | | Similar Products Used: | none, just aris beater rigids | | Bike Setup: | bike | | Bottom Line: | well impressed - pulled it apart 3 times in the last 2 years and found virtually no cack inside, absolute breeze to service. Used it for 1000 mile plus tours, all day rides, winter night riding and a mate used it for a 24h race - all no problem (probably about 3000+ miles) and no detectable play. Pretty much banished my back problems and my mate was so impressed that he's going to buy one himself.
2 points: 1, USE aren't good at replying to emails (like Hope or Orange) but will answer your phone call personally and send you replacement bits FOC. Customer back up is 2nd to none in the UK, but I'd probably get a RS/ WB one if I lived in the States (for patriotism/ anti-terrorism too).
2, yes the clamp is difficult to set right but not impossible. The trick is to get the bits wedged as tight together as possible with the saddle at the right angle BEFORE doing up the bolts. Squeeze the various bits together and then tap them gently with a mallet/ piece of wood, then do up the bolts. The only reason I rounded mine was because I was on a tour trying to get the angle perfect without the right tools. As for the bolts being dinky, well they're not stress bearers so they don't need to be huge. Their job in life is to jam everything together not to keep it in place - you can even take the bolts out and ride around for a good couple of rides before they come loose (should you want to).
Bottom line (I'm getting there) is that this is a good post that works very well and lasts. Don't buy it if you bend posts (you'll wear it out v. quickly/ break it), are mechanically incompetent (you'll wear it out v. quickly) or are in the States (leave that one up to you!). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Willy
a Weekend Warrior
from Nebraska
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Strengths: | It works like I expected it should. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Rigid posts. | | Bike Setup: | Raleigh M800 | | Bottom Line: | The price was fine, and nothing has broken in over 4 years of use. I replaced the elastomer spring guts once due to weight gain from pumping iron (I gained ~40 lb and needed to stiffen up the post guts), but haven't had any failures of any parts at all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
greg
a Cross Country Rider
from chester, ct
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | The product works reasonable well. It takes some of the pounding that trails can dish out. Seens to be the lightest of the seat posts. | | Weaknesses: | No customer service. I Striped the bolts in about 100 miles and can't get any response from either the company or distributor. I have been hearing good things about the White brothers. I think that my next stop. | | Bike Setup: | 02 Stumpjumper rebuilt with xtr. | | Bottom Line: | I would not recogmend this product because of the poor customer service. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Braveheart
a
from UK
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light weight, responsive, multi size fit using shims. | | Weaknesses: | The clamp design is ridiculously poor. Three pices of alloy held together with two very long M3 bolts which have a 2.5mm hex head. I have a carbon USE post on my road bike, and I've broken 2 screws on that already. This flimsy clamp has no place on an off road bike. The screws and clamp won't tolerate any more than 2 or 3 adjustments before either the screws bend or break, or the threads are stripped from the alloy clamp. | | Bike Setup: | Kona Muni Mula frame, full XTR , RS Duke Race, Hope Hubs, ceramic rims. | | Bottom Line: | Nice post.
USE needs to fire the design engineer who dreamed this one up, and revert to a more sensible clamp design.
2 chilis overall, the post itself is OK, but the clamp is USEless.
1 chilli for value, mines has busted again. Easton Carbon this time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Curtis
a Cross Country Rider
from Rockville, MD
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance catalog | | Strengths: | Multiple sizes using included shim. | | Weaknesses: | No way to attach a saddle - very uncomfortable to ride! | | Similar Products Used: | First suspension seatpost tried.
| | Bike Setup: | Hand-built XC hardtail, Jamis Dragon ('98) frame. | | Bottom Line: | The new 2003 seat clamp is a total dog. It relies on 2 very tiny fine-thread screws to pull two machined end-blocks towards the center along a curved ramp. I attempted to mount a Topo ATB saddle with 0.276" diameter rails (it is designed to fit "7mm rails", about 0.27559"). The tolerances are too tight and I couldn't tighten the screws properly. I tried three saddles in all, none would fit. The screws are described as "3 mm" screws, but in fact they have a 2.5mm Allen head and the screw diameter is about 1.5 mm. These screws are better off inside of a watch than on an off-road bicycle. The tiny screw heads face the rear of the saddle where they will quickly foul with crud (if you didn't bugger them up already trying to put a saddle on). The curved support changes the saddle angle as the screws are tightened, making adjustment a guessing game. The tiny threaded holes in the aluminum pillow block will likely not stay threaded for long. This redesign of the seatpost clamp is a finicky "fiddle" that has no place on an off-road bicycle. It is simply too "tight" for all three of the MTB and road saddles that I tried. This is USE's latest and greatest design for 2003, and they have blown it. My queries to their website have not been returned. I've been wrenching for 30 years, I'm as capable as any home mechanic can be expected to be. Trust me and don't buy this seatpost! Even if you manage to get the saddle mounted, adjustments will be difficult in the field and the aluminum threaded blocks are just asking to strip out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gene
a Cross Country Rider
from Fair Oaks, CA USA
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Big Boulder Downieville | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Smoothes out the little bumps, light enough | | Weaknesses: | Developed lateral movement (twisting along the post's axis.) Customer support is a black hole. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | GT Avalanche chopped up to be a Singlespeed, 517s, XT and Deore | | Bottom Line: | Nice at first, goes bad way to quickly. I DO NOT recommend this seatpost, unless you plan on rebuilding or replacing it every month. (Not even sure if you can rebuild it!? Support doesn't call back.)
If USE can work this problem out, however, they will have a winner, until then they've got a looser. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david
a Racer
from USA
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$103.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | light weight, functional | | Weaknesses: | light weight, seat clamp, not enough room on rails to adjust seat to proper position. Top-out thud noise. | | Similar Products Used: | Rigid post only | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Homegrown HT | | Bottom Line: | At first was impressed with the post. On the second ride started to have a top out thud noise. Read reviews below and feel that I have trouble coming. Seat post slipped on the first ride, but has not since I re-tightened.
Biggest problem is not being able to set up my seat correctly. I use a Avocet O2, which is a pretty basis seat. Due to the straight angle of the seat clamp, there is not enough space to adjust the seat as far back as I like.
Setting up the seat clamp was real torture. How can you make anything more difficult.
My brother purchased an XCR at the same time. His is noticably stiffer than mine (suspension wise). I figure that they put the wrong elastomers in his.
Bottom Line: I don't have a good feeling about this product. Looks like I am in for the same fate as others down below. I also e-mailed USE and asked about the seat adjustment problem. NO reply. You would think that a company that sells high priced equipment could at least answer an e-mail, especially, since you have to phone England in order to talk with them. I feel that this maybe a company that pursues weight at the cost of longevity. That's too bad since,I also have a Alien Carbon seat post on my road bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Terry Ash
a Weekend Warrior
from Conyers, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | 1996 Olympic Course | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | I've Forgotten - Web company | | Strengths: | Smooth action. | | Weaknesses: | Need Shims to fit even the common 27.2 size frames.
Spring Kit to adjust for rider weight are expensive.
Alien Seat Clamp is a pain to adjust, and is just plain weak. | | Similar Products Used: | Coda Suspension Post | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F900SX w/lefty. w/XT crank and Monkey lite bar. | | Bottom Line: | The seat clamp failed mid-ride. The saddle dropped off to the rear nearly impaling me on the jagged broken Alien clamp, and nearly causing a major crash.
I had a high opinion of the product once I had it set-up right, but this failure has really caused me concern.
I have also experienced the Customer Service nightmares mentioned here.
The website and product packaging lack any kind of phone numbers, and no one answers the e-mails.
I would like to send it in for warranty, but to where???
If anyone has an address or phone number for the company, please e-mail me!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joel
a Cross Country Rider
from Lancaster, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Cannell Plunge | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$140.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Weighed less than the Cane Creek Thudbuster I replaced it with | | Weaknesses: | flexed up and down more than it absorbed. Personal preference here, but I didn't care for the seat to BB distance changing. It seemed to throw off my rythm... | | Similar Products Used: | Cane Creek Thudbuster | | Bike Setup: | Specialized M2, Marzocchi Atom Z2, XT/XTR, Race Face, Easton, Velomax Climax's | | Bottom Line: | Only used for a short time, as it flexed horribly. I was afraid that it was going to snap...I pulled it off and ordered the cane creek.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Allen E.
a Racer
from Haw Ridge
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Saddle at Haw | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | PricePoint | | Strengths: | Does what it says it will do: eat up the 1-3" bumps. Seems solid enough. Really does help keep your ass down on roots and babyheads. | | Weaknesses: | Comes with medium elastomers for all, though at 170 lbs. I need small elastomers. That means that it's not terribly responsive. | | Similar Products Used: | My bud bought a RockShox post and loves it--for $60. | | Bike Setup: | 1. Schwinn Moab 1 Hardtail with Judy/XT
2. Cannondale CAD3 Hardtail with DD60/XT | | Bottom Line: | Buy the RockShox: same performance for 1/2 price. Break it and buy a new one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SGT. ROCK
a Racer
from Edmonton, AB
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Strengths: | Really takes the edge off
Well made
Fits any bike w/adapters
Leg saver
Decent damping - doesn't pogo | | Weaknesses: | Price | | Bike Setup: | New alum hardtail frame | | Bottom Line: | This is a review for the old version with 2.0" travel and the old style clamp. I bought this post about three years ago, but didn't use it much. Refused to put it on my racing hardtail because it weighs about 100 grams more than a 400mm Thompson, and thought that there couldn't be much benefit for races lasting less than two hours.
Recently, I replaced my Giant hardtail with a new frame, and started thinking about this almost-new USE post. Mostly thinking about how the Giant pounded my a$$ on rough terrain. Put it on the new frame - WHAT AN IDIOT! I should have been using this thing all along! Reduced the need to get off the seat by 90%, saves your leg power for pedaling of standing. The extra weight is insignificant compared to the comfort provided by the squish.
I agree with some of the other users about the durabilty of the post - for XC riding, it's OK. For severe trail riding, dirt jumping or other abuse, don't USE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Feten
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs, CO
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Captain Jacks | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$139.00 | | Purchased At: | Colorado Cyclist | | Strengths: | Lightweight, works well before it breaks. | | Weaknesses: | Short life span, high price. | | Similar Products Used: | Have not used any other suspension seatpost. Now I use a Snycros TI post. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F-1000. Shimano XT and GripShift. | | Bottom Line: | This is a good seatpost for the first year. Then due to the lightweight materials the seatpost will snap. I have broken three to date. The first two were covered under warrantee. I will not use this seatpost again as I was lucky I didn't get seriously injured when number 3 broke. U.S.E. should state the post should be used for only 1 year and then catastrophic failure may occur. Product would rate much higher if its life span was longer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wayne
a Cross Country Rider
from Lebanon, NH
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Gifford Pinchot | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | Pedro's Fest | | Strengths: | Relatively light, good telescoping action, no stiction after many hard trail miles | | Weaknesses: | Slight rotational play, tricky to adjust seat position | | Similar Products Used: | Nashbar suspension seatpost (OK for commuting, useless on trails) | | Bike Setup: | 1998 Stumpjumper M2 hardtail | | Bottom Line: | The M2 is a very stiff bike that is hard on the back and butt. The XCR smooths over all the small bumps, and even prevents the big fast downhill bumps from accidentally knocking me off the seat. Note that I'm a small rider at 135 lbs, so the default springs were perfectly sized.
Good thing I bought it directly from the USE booth at Pedro's Fest. He installed it and saved me countless hours of messing with the seatpost. Only other problem is with the old style seat rail clamp. The clamp is centered over the tube, and I've maxed out the seat rails in trying to move the seat as far back as possible (where the original seat position was). The plastic shim for the seat tube worked a lot better than I expected. I only have to adjust it once every few months, where I'd feared I'd have to adjust it after every ride because it will slowly creep down after a few big hits. Otherwise, the XCR has been completely maintenance-free.
I'm very happy with the product despite its high cost and odd seat clamp mechanism. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anthony Bichler
a Cross Country Rider
from Palisade, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Grand Mesa's Deep Dark Woods | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | Was nice for the first two rides. Seems to be well-respected by the cycling press. | | Weaknesses: | A very annoying top-out clunking. Difficult to reach customer service. | | Similar Products Used: | Will probably be buying a Cane Creek Thudbuster. | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8000, Marzocchi Atom Race, Shimano XT and SRAM 9.0
| | Bottom Line: | I am very dissapointed with this product after six rides. After my first two rides, I was ready to become a walking bilboard for USE and what I felt to be an amazing improvement to my bike and the industry as a whole. I could stay seated on aggressive, rough climbs, and my butt didn't hurt so much after the tough rides, but now--unfortunately--I am contemplating going back to a rigid post and returning my purchase as a DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. The post has developed a very, very annoying top-out clunk when it returns back to its top position. At first, I thought maybe it was normal, and I just needed to stay firmly seated, but it has gotten worse to the point where I am now flung upwards out of the saddle and the post CLUNKS--sometimes several times in a ten-second period while descending. You either have to be pushing down on the seat with all of your weight OR just stand--kinda defeats the purpose, huh? When I took the post apart to examine why it makes this noise, I realized how cheaply made it was and that I needed suspension for my suspension. Not only that, but USE is hard to contact--an international phone number, contact option on website does not work, and they will not respond to my e-mails (after two weeks)--A REAL BUMMER. Sometimes I really think the bicycle industry is going backwards. It seems that the intentions are good, but in the end, the products just turn out like cheaply-made, high-priced toys. I want to see a real push towards durability and function rather than lightweight racing. So few actual bike buyers race and are gram-conscious, but everybody suffers from this trend. I've been riding seriously for a long time now--my last mountain bike was seven years old before I retired it. I am extremely frustrated to see that the expensive parts on my new bike can't even last seven days before developing problems. :(
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John H
a Weekend Warrior
from Brighton
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything! | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$126.00 | | Purchased At: | Leisure Lakes | | Strengths: | It works! | | Weaknesses: | Fiddly clamping mechanism. Need a long T handle hex. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Fisher Xcaliber full XT and spech BG comp saddle. Otherwise standard | | Bottom Line: | I knocked 45min's off of my training loop on my first ride.
A real alternative to going fully sussed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MArtin Brown
a Cross Country Rider
from London
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | 110 | | Strengths: | Didn't really notice much diffierenct until I went back to a rigid post, then I realised what it was doing. | | Weaknesses: | After 1 yr the seat post snapped, I'm not particularly heavy 160lb and only do XC stuff, so it was a bit of a surprise. | | Similar Products Used: | Thompson | | Bike Setup: | Specialised M5, Crossmax, XTR/XT, | | Bottom Line: | Good post until it breaks. At least it didin't snap and remove my nads unlike some other posters reported. It remains to be seen what the USE support is like, judging by other comments I will not expect too much. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J-bay
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Cruz
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Local shop | | Strengths: | The post is working good. I like it better than my rock shox post. Very smooth action. | | Weaknesses: | The post at 25.4 diameter is a cost cutting move to help cutt their cost in production by trying to fit every frame built. I was worried when I read some reviews of this post snapping in two. Their is to much flex in 25.4 diameter tubing. A big 190 pound agressive rider needs more metal around the middle. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is if 25.4 was enough diameter why are all the forks going to 30.mm and 32.mm. I took a old mc mahon ti post stuck the use post inside it fit perfectly. I sawed the head off the ti post and cut a slice up the bottom drilled a small hole above the cut line just like on your seat tube. Bam double wall all the way up to the rubber boot and way deep into the frame. Now my post looks insane matches my ti frame and it rides smoother with a smoothness only a ti guy can feel. I added some weight but now I feel more secure with my double wall post. Also it just looks right. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grant
a Racer
from Johannesburg South Africa
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | The one in the mountains | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$111.00 | | Purchased At: | Westdene Cycles | | Strengths: | really cuts the nasty stuff off the trail. 2 of my ridding buddies ride hard tails, and when they are standing im usuly sitting savin my energy, alien clamp is really complex looking but so adjustable it makes up for it. | | Weaknesses: | the post is really thin. use probably make it so that it fits all bikes , this is cool but a 26 in my giants 30 makes it look wierd., also there is about 1/2 a cm play sideways but this is not apparent when riding. | | Similar Products Used: | Stiff roox | | Bike Setup: | Giant atx 880 , full xt.nuff said | | Bottom Line: | this is a great post, yes an expensive post, but great nonetheless. Buy one now, it weighs the same as your old one if not lighter and has 2.3" of travel.
Highly recomended to all racers and serrious xc riders. Gets 5 chillies 4 overall, but value losses one 4 price | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Perry
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin TX
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | The one's that are left | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Strengths: | Back saver for hardtail riders. | | Weaknesses: | Customer service. Outer tube is too small in diameter. There is a tiny amount of play that lets the seat rotate side to side, but it's never noticeable while riding. I thought the clamp screws would break first. | | Similar Products Used: | Cane Creek Thudbuster (aka: bucking butt launcher) | | Bike Setup: | Stumpjumper w/ XT, XTR | | Bottom Line: | This was a great product before the outer tube snapped in half just above the seat post clamp. I am currently using a Thudbuster that sucks in comparison. I really liked the performance of the XC shokpost and would like to replace the outer tube. Seems like that would be an easy item for USE to sell me, but I haven't gotten a response.
Their website makes it hard as hell to find contact info. There were two places I could find to send messages and I've used both and no reply. Reading other reviews, I guess this is where you get USE to respond. I don't see how that makes for "great" customer service.
So, to USE: If you can't provide a replacement outer tube, then say so. If you can, I'll buy it. If you want the broken one, I'll send it. Just please give me some feedback.
This is an expensive seatpost to only last a couple of years. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don Threadgold
a Weekend Warrior
from Japan
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | USE | | Strengths: | It does the job. Takes the edge off. | | Bottom Line: | It seems that designing the perfect seat post is an impossible task given the parimiters. Riding bikes is never ging to be like riding a Rolls. I got the standard issue and at 70Kg I immediatly felt the benifits. After 1 year I have just ordered a service kit as thereis a small
amount of rotational play. After trying a few other brands
withlittle effect I feel I should give USB the cred they deserve. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J-Bay
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Cruz
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | ABS | | Strengths: | The no sag travel works. | | Weaknesses: | The price is way to high. After buying the shim and the correct spring kit with the post I was shocked at the total.Now I know why it's called a shokpost.They could at least throw in the goofy 2.5 wrench and a small tube of grease. | | Similar Products Used: | Rockshox seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | The post looks to small at 25.0mm dia compared to the rest of the fat tubes on my bike.A post this spendy not offered in 27.2 is lame.With the pre-load plug screwed in with no threads showing the post is to stiff with the only other adjustment being firmer thats with the plug flush with the bottom of the post. I like the post it work's good but it loses a star for all the add ons that add up to a-lot of money. If it holds up as long as my rockshox post did I will be happy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken
a Cross Country Rider
from Philadelphia, PA
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Gus's Bicycles | | Strengths: | Smooth Suspension, very little stiction | | Weaknesses: | Developes lateral play quickly | | Similar Products Used: | CODA Susp. Post | | Bike Setup: | Hartail | | Bottom Line: | This is a very good telescoping seatpost. The travel is smooth and a least 2" or more. My problem with the post is that it developed serious lateral play (quickly). The saddle moves a good 1/2" side to side. I purchased a rebuilt kit and it tighten for a short period. I looked closer and the problem was not with the nylon keys but the slot they slide in was worn away. I also used "suspension" grease instead of regular grease. I replaced the post with a used one and the same problem developed. I love this post and I recommend it for lighter riders (less than 150 lbs.). I'm waiting to hear from USE to see what they recommend or if they will let me replace the worn parts without shelling out a lot of money. This was a very expensive post to fall apart as quick as it did.
One more: The clamp sucks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Lucas
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | I've heaps....... | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | Chain Reaction Cycles | | Strengths: | Works very well indeed, back saving product of the century. | | Weaknesses: | Keys wear too quickly, crap skinny bolts. They work....just, if your a touch more than heavy handed forget it!! Price of repair kit and spares. | | Similar Products Used: | None but will in future | | Bike Setup: | Merlin Malt2, full XT, SID 100's, Avid Speed Dial 7's................. | | Bottom Line: | Keys wear too quickly (rotation of saddle). You don't get offered the option from new what firmness kit you'd like inside. I got sold the product with 120-174lb kit(yellow) and I'm 225lb (should have had purple kit - they could ask).
Replacement elastomer/spring kit is pricey at £15 but the repair kit at £10 is a complete rip off. Its cost me £50 in repair in 6 months......judge for yourself!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jim catterson
a Cross Country Rider
from mt. sinai, ny, usa
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | cathedrall | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | light, stiction free | | Weaknesses: | haven't found any yet | | Similar Products Used: | older model u.s.e post | | Bike Setup: | c'dale CAAD4 hardtail singlespeed w/ avid discs, paul hubs and melvin, wtb ssti saddle | | Bottom Line: | i weigh in at about 190lbs and beat the living snot out of a lot of mtb parts in the NE singletrack. but, the u.s.e posts take a lot of beating. older u.s.e post is still going strong in my bianchi b.u.s.s. but the new one w/ the funky clamp setup is a much better post. set up is easy as long as you use a t-handle allen key to tighten up the two bolts [very fine thread makes for lots of turns]. once tight, mine has shown no signs of coming loose. no stiction whatsoever and no bobbing or bounce. all in all a pretty trouble free suspension post, despite what you read below....thus the max number of flaming dead horses | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
FERNANDO LINARES
a
from PANAMA, REPUBLIC OF PANAMA
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | OLD PIPELINE ROAD, GAMBOA, PANAMA | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$135.00 | | Purchased At: | SOME BIKESHOP IN PITTSBURG | | Strengths: | LETS YOU RIDE LONGER, FASTER.- | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | NONE | | Bike Setup: | MID 90´S 7005 LIGTH ALU HARDTAIL, XT LEVERS/SHIFTER, BB, V-BRAKES AND DERAULIERS, RACE FACE STEM AND CRANK, ROLF WHEELS, TITEC HELLBENT RISER, 2001 JUDY SL, AND OTHER ABSORTED GOODIES | | Bottom Line: | i HAVE USE THIS POST FOR MORE THAT 3 YEARS, AND I HAVE NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEM WHATSOEVER WITH IT.- GREAT PRODUCT.- | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack
a
from Kansas
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Ummm... In a perfect world, it works pretty well.
Shims allow you to use the post on bikes with different sized seatposts. | | Weaknesses: | Over-designed. The clamp mechanism is WAY too technical. Perhaps the new Alien clamp style is better.
Also, the customer service of USE-USA leaves something to be desired.
Very poor directions provided on how to put the stupid thing together. No manual provided to tell you how to care and rebuild the post. I guess that they just assume that you will figure it out. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | post has been used on multiple bikes | | Bottom Line: | Basically, this is one of a handful of products that I wish I never purchased. The post is way too expensive for what you get, which is mainly poor customer service, no manual on how to build and service the post, a totally useless website, a rediculously over-complicated clamping system.
Perhaps they have improved the clamping system with the new alien post has improved the post, everything else still shows that this company does not seem to have it's priorities in order, (I firmly believe that they chose to waste their profits on a flashy website instead of concentrating on proper costomer service.)
Yes, if you can get everything fitted properly, the seat seems to work fine, but IMO, the post does not provide anywhere near enough benefit to merit the crap that I have had to deal with.
Here are a couple of specific example of my frustrations. When I realized that I needed the heavier springs and allastomers, (sp?) I re-greased the internal mechanisms with Park Grease. However, when I called customer service to ask why the plastic pieces inside the fork had deteriorated, I was told that it was my fault for not knowing that I should have used some product that I've never heard of before, and that I can't seem to find anywhere. I pointed out to them that, since I was never provided with a technical manuel on how to rebuild it, and that the single piece of paper specified nothing about recommended grease, then how could it be my fault. After an hour of (sometimes heated) conversation, the customer service guy finally offered to send me the replacement pieces that I needed to rebuild the post, along with a free sample of their recommended grease, (Honey something, I can't remember exactly what it was called, right now.)
Also, the saddle clamping system fell apart once when I was on the trail, due to a loose screw on the seat post, and the darn post nearly gave me a colostomy exam.
1 Chili for values
2 chilies because, when you get everything right, it works well, for about six months. Just pray you don't have any problems with it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Chen
a Weekend Warrior
from Alor Setar,Kedah,Malaysia.
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Mike Chen's VIP | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | ALl of them.High quality,lightweight & no Bull Sh*t!
7075-T6 Al,anodized finish,...
No maintenance for more than 2 years of hard riding!
Comfortable,I've been riding w/this post at speed up to 70.5km/h(DH),it's confidence inspiring!
| | Weaknesses: | None except there's some play in the shaft(Not noticeable when riding!) | | Similar Products Used: | USE SX om my Cannodale F700. | | Bike Setup: | Mongoose Carbon fibre/Al(old one) w/21 speed LX,XTR front brake w/QBP Travel Agent,RS Judy Race 2001,FIzik NIsene TWinTEch,747 pedals,Truvativ FIrex SL Spline w/ISIS Drive Sealex SL BB,THe fender,Oury Grips,MAvic/Araya rims,TIoga tires,WTB headset,Elite holder,..
| | Bottom Line: | Just buy it!Don't even bother about what other people have to say!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keir
a Cross Country Rider
from Ash, UK
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Strengths: | Seemed OK before it broke! | | Weaknesses: | It sheared off after less than 3 weeks use and nearly skewered my 'nads | | Similar Products Used: | none so far | | Bike Setup: | Shimano LX, Avid discs | | Bottom Line: | Try something stronger if you value your meat & veg | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a
from Fairfax, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$140.00 | | Strengths: | Post itself works well | | Weaknesses: | Sizing is off. Measurements may be inaccurate (my 26.8 was actually 26.65 - too small, and my 27.0 was 26.88 - too big). The post worked well, until I noticed I had a crack in my seat tube due to overtightening and some play. | | Bottom Line: | MEASURE BEFORE YOU BUY. IF IT FITS, YOU'VE GOT A GREAT POST, IF NOT, LOOK ELSEWHERE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd Cary
a Cross Country Rider
from Newburyport, Ma, USA
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | WWII, "The Big One" | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | Direct from USE East | | Strengths: | Simple, Smooth, STRONG! Yes, STRONG! (adj. 1. Possessing great phisical strength. 2. Robust...6. Capable of enduring.) | | Weaknesses: | It's just misunderstood. | | Similar Products Used: | Many competing brands of suspension seatposts. | | Bike Setup: | my road, XC, and freeride rigs. | | Bottom Line: | I've had the same post for seven years, and have never broken even a clamp bolt! And I weigh 200 lbs! I use the same post on every bike (3 different shims), even my 34lb freeride hardtail.
-It's light AND strong (see above)
-The action is smoooth.
-The maintenance is EASY!
-Overhauls are cheap.
-Customer service is so good, you feel guilty calling them.
-Set it up, and never touch it again.
-The best "value" because it saved me $100 by allowing me to switch the one post between three bikes!
Thanks to James at USE. The Brit has got it goin' on!
Oh, to those who gave this post bad reviews because it broke should wonder how a bruiser like me hasn't been able to do the same. Hmmm. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Allan
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | waterdown | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Strengths: | Initially worked very well. Nice smooth ride, lots of travel. | | Weaknesses: | Does not stand the test of time. Seat turns left and right. Smooth ride replaced with harshness on and off throughout travel. | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher, Ziggarat | | Bottom Line: | For the weekend warrior this product would be ideal. For the average or die hard rider riding at least 3 times a week, you will be disappointed. For the money spent on this product I execpted it to hold up longer. This is suppose to be one of the best suspension seat posts on the market but it will not last for much more than 6 months. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob Michaels
a Cross Country Rider
from Apopka FL
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | tomorrow's | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | It worked very smoothly and eased hard hits | | Weaknesses: | It snapped in two, but all bike parts break. In a previous review, I commented that USE never responded to my e-mail regarding the failure. Well, they read my review here and got back to me right away. The President of the company called, followed up and assured me this was not their customer service policy. They asked for the broken part for analysis, assuring me this was VERY unusual. they're sending me a new one even though my was out of warranty. (and, I didn't even have to ask for a replacement) | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I will now say their customer service is VERY responsive. They DO have concerns about their products and those who use them. I'm giving them very high marks.
Tip: all bike parts will eventually fail. Everything is a tradeoff between weight / durability / price. What response you get from the manufacturer depends on the reasonableness of your inquiry. You tell them "I was just riding along easy and you brand new piece of sh*t broke" and you'll get no help. Be calm, rational and honest about what happened and you'll get a warranty replacement if one can be justified at all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from Lancaster,PA
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up reveiw to one I sent in previously. After receiving such great customer service I want to retract any negative comments I made about this seat post. I previosly reported that my boot had torn the first time I used my xcr. After posting my reveiw on mtbr I received an email from Andy at U.S.E saying he would gladly send me a new boot at no cost. I was completely shocked that a company would actually back their product like U.S.E does. Most companies would tell you to go pound sand. I would totally recommend this product to anyone. It definetly makes longer rides more enjoyable and with the quality and customer service provided by U.S.E you can't go wrong. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob Michaels
a Cross Country Rider
from Apopka
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | one I'm going to ride next | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | worked OK, till it snapped in two | | Weaknesses: | Snapped into two pieces about 1" above the seat collar. No warning, no bend, just snapped leaving a VERY jagged edge | | Similar Products Used: | the is the only suspension post I've had, won't buy another | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I was displeased that it broke, but I know bike parts break.
I am very unhappy when I contacted USE and offered to return the broken post for analysis. I wasn't looking for a free replacement and told them so. I just thought they'd be interested in analyizing a potentially dangerous failure such as that. They never even bothered responding to me.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from Lancaster,PA
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$139.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Makes life a little easier on your rear end | | Weaknesses: | Saddle mounting and cheap dust boot | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Raleigh M40 (stock) | | Bottom Line: | The seatpost has definetly made riding for longer periods of time more enjoyable. For the money you pay for the thing though you would think they would put a decent dust boot on the thing. Mine tore the first time I tried the thing out. Overall I am pretty happy with it but wish they would have put some more thought into the saddle bracket and boot. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Planet Mud
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Reasonable weight
Quality materials and construction
Neat looking Alien clamp
Weatherproof
Rebuildable | | Weaknesses: | Neat looking Alien clamp can be a pain to setup | | Similar Products Used: | Pre-alien XCR with elastomer springs only | | Bottom Line: | I have only had this post for one month, so I will only comment on the function, although my previous XCR lasted for years, so I don't doubt the durability:
The coil spring/elastomer combo is improved over my previous elastomer-only model, and travel is up, so I do notice a more supple feel over bumps.
Allows you to remain seated for longer over small/medium size terrain irregularities, but is not the same as a suspension frame (in my experience). But I just love the simplicity of a hardtail and the direct-drive power kick.
The layback of the Alien clamp is nice, as it is easier to find the ideal seat position, without resorting to trying to look for the saddle with the longest rail length on the market :)
About that Alien clamp: It may be strong, and it may be light, but it is certainly not easily adjustable. Let me be clear - if you do not mind spending an hour to adjust the saddle angle the first time, and never touch it again, then it is a non-issue. The problem is that in order to adjust the angle, you have to completely undo the two parallel bolts (30 turns each?), tap the bolt heads to release the clamp, slide to the new angle position, and re-tighten those same bolts again (another 30 turns each...), and then retighten after a brief ride (they may loosen a little at first). Repeat previous steps until satisfied. By the way, loosening the bolts is time consuming but easy, but re-tightening requires unreasonable force, which I am amazed that the tiny 2.5mm hex bolts take in stride. I experienced some post-purchase anxiety with every forceful turn of the allen key... waiting for those tiny bolt heads to strip, which they didn't at all.
Not a big problem in my book, but it mars what would otherwise be a near-perfect product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Hamilton
a Cross Country Rider
from Joplin
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Womble | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up review,the post I had devloped side play the guys at USE told me I used the wrong type of grease (Judy butter) in my post.This type of grease breaks down the hard anodize and causes the post to wear out prematurely.They offered me a crash replacement for half the price of a new post,I'm takeing the offer I like the posts perfomance very much,and I'm changing my over all rating for the post because of the excellant customer service. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Antti L
a Cross Country Rider
from Finland
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Backwoods of Sipoo | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | www.freeheels.fi | | Strengths: | It really reduces bouncing and backache.
| | Weaknesses: | Some side play developed as soon as 20 hours of riding.
The rubber boot broke when it was -20 Celsius, so it is obviously not 100% rubber, but some plastic and rubber mixture.
Freezes stiff and stops functioning when it gets cold/winter. | | Similar Products Used: | - | | Bike Setup: | Kona Kilauea -97, XT and DX parts. USE XCR, Selle Flite. Mavic F517, Continental Explorer. | | Bottom Line: | USE XCR Alien suspension seat post works well when its not too cold/freezing :)>
The Alien seat mount is not the easiest nor nicest to adjust your saddle position, but seems to hold well.
Had to make new boot from an old inner tube, it worked fine and is actually better than the original:)
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim Booth
a Cross Country Rider
from Brunei
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Bayou Bikes, New Orleans, LA | | Strengths: | quick rebounding, not too bouncy, easy pre-load adjustment, light. Easy to clean/maintain. | | Weaknesses: | Unknown. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | VooDoo Bizango, RockShox Judy SL, Mavic 517/XTRs, SRAM 9.0 | | Bottom Line: | This thing works way better than I ever though a suspension post would. The adjustable preload allows you to easily dial in the setting you want. Stiff and quick, or a bit slower and cushier (if that's the way you like it). I'm surprised how well it works, yet at the same time is not all that noticable. I appreciate it the most on long, rocky in-the-saddle climbs as it smooths out those nasty little bumps that you sometimes just can't seem to avoid. It's also light and doesn't add an obscene amount of weight to your favorite hardtail.
In addition - I ride in ultra grungy conditions on the island of Borneo. The USE XTR has been easy to clean and maintain. I've read somewhere where water & grunge can get into your seat tube and even injected into your bottom bracket with some suspension posts, but I've had no such problems. This thing RULES! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MARCO RIGHETTI
a Weekend Warrior
from UDDINGSTON,LANARKSIRE,SCOTLAND UK
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | aberfoyle race circuit scotand uk | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | alpine bikes glasgow scotand uk | | Strengths: | 11/2-2 inch of travel,lightweight, this is the pre alien version,good clamp but a bit neat for space when using allen key,definately takes the sting out of the bumps. | | Weaknesses: | after two years it has developed side to side play but it doesnt bother me. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | ti framed hardtail with sid race forks. | | Bottom Line: | it wasnt designed to replace fs,however uses soon to be released parallelogram design will be a contender to fs without the weight penalty of fs,never the less i wouldnt hesitate to recommend the xcr shockpost to soften up the back end and cushion the riders back. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alistair Cook
a Cross Country Rider
from Ayrshire ,Scotland
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Innerleithen | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | COMFORT ADJUSTABILITY & GREAT BACK UP FROM USE, I WAS SUFFERING A LOT OF BACK/ARSE PAIN ON LONGER RIDES UNTIL I PURCHASED THIS POST IT CERTAINLY TAKES THE STING OUT THE TRAILS | | Weaknesses: | 2.5MM BOLTS ARE A BIT FIDDLY | | Bike Setup: | SCOTT RACING COMP MARZOCCHI BOMBERS USE XCR SEATPOST | | Bottom Line: | GREAT POST WELL WORTH THE MONEY, ENABLES YOU TO RIDE HARDER
LONGER & IN MORE COMFORT OR MAYBE THATS JUST THE PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mad cyclist
a Cross Country Rider
from SW Herts, UK
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Dartmoor, Morocco | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlin Cycles, Preston, UK | | Strengths: | Lightness, shock absorbency, versatility via shims,I guess it will be relatively easy to service (haven't had to yet) | | Weaknesses: | Barely any lay up adjustment (old style), and the gaiter could do with being better. Only one colour which for USE is unusual. | | Similar Products Used: | Post Moderne seat post | | Bike Setup: | MTB Hardtail DNA Ti frame, Manitou SXTi forks and a sprinkling of various other bit and pieces that a self builder would have :) | | Bottom Line: | This is fairly pricey but it's a useful but of kit for a hardtailer. I don't know when it's working and when it's not, which is a good bit of kit. It needs servicing every so often and MTBers in wet and muddy conditions may like to tape the bottom of the gaiter to make it a bit more yukk proof.
As you buy shims to swap it between bikes it can go between any bike that's 25.4mm upwards. Handy.
The replacement bits are not expensive and pay for themselves as they mean you can ride in comfort for longer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fritz Man
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | LimeRick Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Used on MTBR marketplace | | Strengths: | Light for a suspension seatpost. Good customer support. Takes edge off of my Zaskar frame. Smooth action. Has preload adjustability. | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | GT Zaskar, Mavic Crossmax UST rims with Hutchinson tires, RST XMO O2 fork, SRAM 9.0SL grip shifts, 9.0 derailleurs, Easton carbon bar | | Bottom Line: | Bought the post for $50 used. Previous owner has said that there was some play - I have yet to notice. The post was sicky however. After a dismantle and relube, the action was much smoother. The springs are too soft for my weight so I have to really preload the suspension to get any decent travel. This unfortunately makes the post a little noisy in that it always tops out so hard. However, its a great way to realise that the post is actually working. I will purchased heavier duty springs over the winter.
The key here is that the post will take the EDGE off the ride. It won't be like a full suspension (obviously). However, with my bike setup (ie: tubeless rims, carbon bar) I've been able to tailor a pretty smooth ride while retaining the weight an stiffness advantages of an alluminum hartail. Overall I would recommend this product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JASON HAMILTON
a Cross Country Rider
from JOPLIN.MO.
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | wommble Arkansas | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | coorado cycelist | | Strengths: | Worked very well,took the edge off the rough trails | | Weaknesses: | week clamp bolts wore out quick | | Similar Products Used: | just standerd ridgid posts | | Bike Setup: | trek 8900 | | Bottom Line: | I liked this post vey much until It started having problems with it.Seat clamp bolt broke early on I replaced them with steel ones the next size larger had no more prolems there. But at aprox 8months side play was to much so I rebuilt it with there rebuild kit did not fix the problem key slots in post seam to have worn out already.I e-mailed them but have not heard back from them yet.This post did its job but should have lasted longer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | love 'em all | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Smooths out the bumps
Strong
| | Weaknesses: | Difficult to adjust rebound (might be me)
tough to adjust seat angle (I gather there is a newer clamp) | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Voodoo Bizango / Superfly / XTR-RF Drivetrain / King wheels & headset | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is I have used this post for two years and the only problem I have had was with the clamp bolts. One sheared in half (Of course at the exact midpoint of local loop). I would probably be singing louder praise if I were to ride a rigid post for a while. My highest praise is for my LBS (Bicycle Planet) when th ebolt sheared the folks @ USE were quite helpful in mailing me out replacements. The USPS was somewhat less than efficient. The guys at the LBS opened a new XCR post and gave me a bolt so I could ride - way cool!! When my second set of replacements arrived I left an extra with LBS so that they could repeat the favor for the next guy/girl. Don't underestimate the value of a quality LBS, I do my own wrenching, but I buy what I can from them. And oh yeah, five flamers for the post. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Jones
a Weekend Warrior
from Tacoma,WA USA
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | One that you can ride on | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Private party | | Strengths: | Light, smooth,simple and subtle. No stiction like the crappy and overpriced coda post that it replaced.Seems to be unaffected by mud and water( a bonus in the Pacific NW!) | | Weaknesses: | The bottom seat mount is not attached,A little pricey, but it performs like it costs | | Similar Products Used: | Coda(Junk), Post Moderne, Tamer, Girvin | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F 4000 CAD 4 | | Bottom Line: | The best post on the market and, I found out today, the most awesome customer service. I lost the bottom seat mount piece so I called USE and the guy was really informative and friendly. No problem to replace the piece. What a refreshing thing in today's world of Mega corporations. Buy this post and have a superb company like USE backing you! You will never regret it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | R&E Cycles | | Strengths: | Light weight, no side-to-side play, pretty smooth, easy and inexpensive to rebuild. | | Weaknesses: | I haven't really had any problems with it that I can think of. I recently needed to buy a rebuild kit to replace the bushings because of the fore-aft play that had developed. It was 10 or 20 bucks and easy to use. Not bad after 2 years or so of use; I wouldn't really call it a weakness. | | Similar Products Used: | Answer Bodyshock | | Bike Setup: | an old Cannondale CAAD3 with a DD60 and a custom, piecemeal parts buildup | | Bottom Line: | This post is great. Another guy here put it just right when he said you won't notice it, but when you ride without it, you will MISS it! I bought it because I wanted something lighter than my Bodyshock, and it is, but it's also stronger. Upon removing my Bodyshock I realized I had bent it a bit over less than a year of use - my USE XCR is still straight after 2 years.
In my opinion, any shock post that will hold a seat and not break under abuse is a no-brainer upgrade to any hardtail, particularly if you like "epic" rides. It's no substitute for a suspension bike (I believe that people who tell you it is are either inexperienced or having trouble letting go of an old, subjective loyalty - my beloved dual sussy is in another class entirely), but put one on your hardtail and you will conserve energy and be able to ride longer, and that doesn't suck. And you're not trying to make it a suspension bike, anyway. It's an entirely different tool; you own a hardtail because they rock.
I give this particular post 5 Chilis overall because it does what it says it will and you don't notice it's there (that means it does it really well). 4 for value because it was kind of pricey. I don't remember how much I paid because it was quite a while ago, but I do remember my sharp intake of breath when I looked at the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Cutler
a Cross Country Rider
from Hingham, MA USA
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | any from MTB America Boston | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$139.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bicycle Link | | Strengths: | It's manufacturer's willingness to help out in set-up, maintenance and evaluation of the product. | | Weaknesses: | It sheared off at the suspension and looks like the Himalayas. ***The guys at USE, Andy and James, told me to send it in for an eval. They looked at it and said it was a small manufacturing defect and replaced it in ONE DAY!!!! AWESOME!!!!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | n/a | | Bike Setup: | 1998 Specialized Stumpjumper M2 with Indy XC fork, Mavic 221 wheels with XT hubs, SRAM 9.0 system and Dia Compe v-brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Can never say enough about customer service. The post was great for two years and now I expect it to be great for at least five more. For more on my post breaking ride, go to www.jeffcutler.com. All in all, the post cost about $20 a year. That's great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg Renna
a Cross Country Rider
from Burlington, VT, USA
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Camp Johnson | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$145.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance online | | Strengths: | Light, and it works well | | Weaknesses: | I broke the seat clamp, other than that no weaknesses so far. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Voodoo biznaga | | Bottom Line: | Great post, but a little pricy. The seat clap needs to be beefed up a little | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adrian Parry
a Cross Country Rider
from Birmingham, UK
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Gooseberry Mesa | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Excellent adjustable clamp system | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Knoa Explosif | | Bottom Line: | Superb addition to any cross-country bike. A must for all cross country riders.
You don't know its there after a while but you sure miss it when its gone.
Superb adjustable clamp system.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon Sharpe
a Racer
from Brighton, UK
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | South Downs | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | I have used the XCR for three years now, and I still haven't wanted to change seat posts. Why?
1: The performance is second to none. With it's silky smooth action and adjustability, the post can be tuned to suit the rider and / or the trail.
2: The post can be serviced. When the 'keys' start to wear, they can be replaced and bingo a good as new suspension post.
3: Looks. The Alien XCR has to be the best looking suspension post on the market. Look for yourself!
| | Weaknesses: | If compared with rigid posts then you could say that the XCR is a bit on the heavy side. But then again suspension post are heavier. | | Bottom Line: | Using this post when trail riding or racing has saved me from back pains. (But don't tell my girlfriend as I still love to get my back massaged)!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sid Hardy
a Cross Country Rider
from Reading
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | I got the XCR post two years ago after a back injury threatened to halt my cycling and I haven't looked back since. I ride Fat Tyres/Trailquests with my tyres at very high pressure and a standard seatpost was just torture after a couple of hours. Thankfully I discovered the USE post - I had a look at several others but none matched the build quality, low weight or plain good value of the XCR.
I'm not the lightest (nor the heaviest !!) of riders but since I fitted this post a decent days riding hasn't caused me any back problems at all and has made the whole thing a far more pleasurable experience. You don't need to have any back problems to use the post, the fact that it delays the onset of fatigue would be reason enough for me to get one.
I had considered a full sus' bike, but as far as I'm concerned this is a better option. | | Bike Setup: | Giant Team MCM, Orange P7 | | Bottom Line: | Top bit of kit. Not only is the product great, it's a synch to service and the backup from USE is excellent too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a
from London
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | 1)Superb suspension action.
2)Looks Sweet
3)Amazing clamp design
4)Great weight for a sus post
5)Very simple to maintain (Though it hardly ever needs it)
| | Weaknesses: | Nah | | Bottom Line: |
I had the old design for a few years, which was an excelent product. The new Alien version came out and I had to have one. It's very similar but has a neater clamp and a bit more travel.
As with my old XCR I ride my new XCR hard and have had no problems at all. I noticed a review where someone had a problem with the clamp.. I have had no trouble whatsoever with the clamp, I love it. I followed the instructions and found it very simple, get it in position, tighten, there you have it.
Some people think they no it all and seem to like to whinge about stuff. Is it because they are jealous or they simply have no life!
Buy one!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy Taylor
a Racer
from London
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Richmond Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Well engineered and excellent after sales service | | Weaknesses: | None so far, except for small fault in manufacture put right by return of post by manufacturer | | Similar Products Used: | 1966 Moulton Continental with rubber rear suspension and front coil spring | | Bike Setup: | USE post on AVC Caribou Skidoo. Complemnts an excellent RMB. | | Bottom Line: | USE XCR seatpost is very fine and only noticed when it doesn't work properly. When it is in action it is so smooth that you don't ntoice it. It absorbs bumps without bouncing you around. Very satisfactory | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Tidmus
a Cross Country Rider
from Bristol, UK
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Smoothes out hardtail ride, increasing comfort and enabling you to keep power down whilst remaining seated. | | Weaknesses: | Weight (possibly) - but I would definitely trade it for the comfort and increased traction. | | Similar Products Used: | Full-sus bikes | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Al hardtail & Orange CroMo hardtail | | Bottom Line: | So smooth and sweet that you don't notice it is there - until you go back to a rigid post and realise how much of a hammering your body gets through the seat! On long rides this makes a huge difference to how tired you feel.
I race using the post, and can keep the power on while others are being bounced off their seats. Copes with all but the biggest hits and very close to full-sus performance on UK terrain.
Servicing was easy, strip down and vary springs/elastomers very quickly. Elastomer/spring combo enables fine tuning to your weight/agressiveness. I was expecting wear and dirt inside, but it was clean and works perfectly even after four years of use.
USE have always been helpful with questions and service bits for this and my forks.
Overall: highly recommended! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris
a Weekend Warrior
from daly city, ca
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Smooth suspension
Durable
Easy to maintain
Lightweight | | Weaknesses: | Seat clamp mechanism | | Similar Products Used: | RockShox | | Bike Setup: | zaskar,atom 80, raceface,xtr, flite gel saddle | | Bottom Line: | I've had this post for over a year and a half and I've had no problems with it. I've only had to break it down and clean/relube twice since I've had it and it only takes a few minutes to maintain it. No probs with slippage as well. The only gripe I have is the seat clamp mechanism: I only wish that there was more room to adust the saddle fore and aft positioning. I've been happy with the positioning of my flite saddle, but I am not able to move the saddle back any further than where it is to see if my positioning and comfort would be improved. Otherwise, I feel that it has been well worth the money paid and has allowed me to ride longer and with more comfort. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dances With Elephants
a
from UK
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light weight for a susp post
Oozes quality
Excellent suspension action
Totally rebuildable
| | Weaknesses: | Wimpy - not very confidence inspiring for gonzo hardtail riders
Only one size – and that a 25mm! Excuse me, we aren’t poncy roadies. If USE is serious about user satisfaction, multiple sizes should take precedence over stocking issues.
Clamp design has problems
| | Similar Products Used: | Lots | | Bike Setup: | Jump bike, XC bike. | | Bottom Line: | Well slap my thighs and call me Betty - Just after I mildly savaged the original USE post design for not changing (now living on as the SX) and for crap design, the Alien suspension post came out - and we got a couple in for evaluation.
On first impression, the post oozes class. It's clean and purposeful. The clamp design is elegant, accessible, simple and light. The action of the post is also very good. We know long-term post action is probably not an issue because all of our old USE posts have been outstanding in this aspect. The fitting instructions (don't hide it at the bottom of the packaging, USE) are a breeze to follow and accurate. The tightening index was particularly helpful.
OK, everything rosy so far - but now for the bad news.
The bolts are a 'non-standard' size: 2.5mm. Not every bike tool has this hex driver. I suppose 4mm hex bolts would have been too large for the design. The re-adjustment of a saddle is one of the other flies in the ointment. After tightening up the post to the recommended torque, re-adjustment requires that you hit - not gently tap - the bolt heads to release the clamps. On the trail, you’ll need to take a stone to your multitool. This makes the post super-fiddly to tweak, not to say slightly worrying as teh bolts are so svelte.
Once again, USE need to clearly state that the clamp system fits only 7mm rails CLEARLY ON THE OUTER PACKAGING. Many people who might be in the market for a suspension post, us included, run jump bikes with 8mm-railed saddles.
Concerns over ultimate durability under 'freeriding' conditions prevail, as in the old post - especially with a single rail design effectively holding up the whole seat. With a canted-back seat as in jumping situations, I would be wary of the ultimate load that can be placed on the rail system. FEA it may be, but FEA still relies on humans to quantify the load levels and direction of load - who frequently get it wrong. Performing FEA then erring seriously on the side of conservatism would have been better for a 'real offroad' post.
So, what's the overall verdict? Well, USE has tried to develop something new with the clamp design - kudos to them. It's elegant, light and works well for holding the seat in place for riders who don't get too radical. But I'd be wary of placing it in 'out of bounds' riding situations and readjustment is a pain in the butt. The post action is very definitely not a pain in the butt however, and should anything break or go wrong, replacements are available.
More of a roadie and XC-racing 'ponce' post, less of an 'everyman offroad' post - Go Cane Creek (although this wears quickly but it won't fall apart) or Rock Shox if you want something that can take a bit of a beating.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rob
a Cross Country Rider
from cincinnati
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | ceasars creek | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | simplicity, shock absorbtion | | Weaknesses: | mounting brackets and screws | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Dean Colonel Ti w/ mostly xt components, mars c shock | | Bottom Line: | this is a great seatpost for the money. it soaks up small bumps well. Mine came with three different elastomers and springs. The main complaint I have is the mounting bracket design. Its very hard to get your seat on right and one of the bolts is a bear to get to. I'm giving it only three flames for the poor bracket design. The performance deserves 5. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Elvin
a Cross Country Rider
from Breckenridge, CO USA
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Colorado Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Strengh. Simplicity. Great Construction. Long length. | | Weaknesses: | Large clamping mechanism makes it very difficult, no impossible to mount a short to mid rail length saddle to it. I can't get the seat even close to where it needs to be. Some vicious designer or a person that is not paying attention made the attachment mechanism very complicated and very difficult to mount a saddle with only 2 hands. Plus, the bolts and the saddle will be at an angle to one another if the saddle is lever and the seatpost is angled, which it will be. The rear bolt is not long enough to hold more than 2 or 3 threads within the clamp and this seems easy to remedy by providing longer bolts. I would suggest they modify the clamp to make it easier to mount. The suspension action seems good, but not great. | | Similar Products Used: | Thudbuster, Synchos | | Bike Setup: | Titus Ti and full XTR. | | Bottom Line: | I was excited about buying this post rather than buying a full suspension bike. I thought it was expensive, but well made, didn't rotate like others, and found the clamping mechanism way to wide to have any fore and aft rail distance available after mounting. It is so important to get all the distances right before you ride. I must ride with the seat farther back than normal with this post. The bolts are also not long enough and it seems a bit cheap to not include another set of elastomers with purchase. They also include some bizarre verbal instructions for re-building, just use simplified decent visual exploded parts or drawing instead of verbal instructions. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Piers Newland
a Cross Country Rider
from West Yorkshire, England
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ladybower/Rushup Edge, Peaks | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Soaks up the bumps, light, simple | | Bike Setup: | Custom steel hard tail (Hardisty Columbus Genius) with Pace RC30 forks (0.0001mm travel) | | Bottom Line: | The post is excellent. It saves my bum, my back and my legs. It is light and it doesn't affect the geometry of the bike when it compresses. I ride technical rooty and rocky trails and I sit as much as possible to keep traction and speed (I'm also lazy).
If I'd had this post 2 1/2 years ago I would't have bothered with my Santa Cruz Heckler (a lovely bike).
Obviously the travel is in a different league, but I can still keep up with/pass my suspended friends on most trails as long as the rocks are less than head sized on the downs, and that is more to do with my return to the world of rigid forks.
I've had no problems with play yet, but in any moving system there will be wear - my Heckler needs new bushings every 6 months & they aren't user servisable.
As far as snapping goes, I hope that it is as durable as my previous USE rigid posts (425mm long); the first had 5 or 6 years of thrice weekly hammer before being retired, the second was replaced by the boingy post. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | I purchased the USE RX which is the shorter version (300mm) of the USE XCR. Great results so far. I was looking into purchasing a full suspension bike, but now I am thinking that it would be a total waste of money. If you have a hardtail and am considering purchase of a full suspension bike, try this product first. I think you would be pleasantly surprised. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Big Sur | | Bottom Line: | Get it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris
a Cross Country Rider
from bowmanville
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Bike Setup: | '00 f-2000 | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up to my other posting a few down from here. I am still loving it... the other day i noticed it wasnt as stiction free as it could be, so i greased it up. yeah, you dont need any tools to work on this. NO TOOLS! its great! just unscrew the thing under the boot, and pull off the top section. grease, and put it back on. its plush and stiction free again. That play is obviously still there, but it hasnt gotten any worse, kind of a releif. I have since bougten a new bike, and trasnfered it from my old ride, to my new one. Just to re-cap, it doesnt make your bike ride like a full suspension, it takes the edge of hits. you will appreciate it, guaranteed.
peace,
chris | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BJ
a Racer
from Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Pemberton, McDowell Mountain Park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Very low weight for a suspension post. Excellent shock absorption. Very durable. Does not slip in the frame. No sideways movement. Very low maintenance. | | Weaknesses: | Seat clamp somewhat difficult to adjust. Looks like this has been completely redesigned and improved on the latest model. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox. USE is by far much better. | | Bike Setup: | DEAN Colonel Titanium. Marzocchi Super Fly 2. Koobe seat. | | Bottom Line: | I ride trails in Arizona that are at times quite rough. I like my titanium frame, and decided to stick with a suspension seat post instead of investing in a full suspension frame. I find myself sitting down a lot more now than before. Without this post I would raise my butt off the seat when hitting bumbs. This post gives close to 2" of travel which is great for 95% of my riding. The USE makes the bike feel like a full suspension bike, but without the weight and cost of a full suspension. This is the best seatpost on the market. It is also very light. Just compare the numbers yourself. When I find something good, like my frame, I stick with it. I am very pleased with the USE XCR seat post. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Duncan
a Cross Country Rider
from Bradford
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | baildon moor | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Weight, considerably lighter than a full sus bike. | | Weaknesses: | Bit pricey, lateral movement | | Similar Products Used: | The only post I would use. Other friends have chucked lesser post in the bin after a month! | | Bike Setup: | Klein Attitude, PACE RC36 EVII | | Bottom Line: | On my 2nd post now, read my previous review. This post is substantialy better in that it hasn't seezed at all, however the lateral play problem still exsists. The saddle will move up to 5mm left or right, not brilliant for a product costing approx £85.00. Does anyone know how to stop this?
I would still recomend you buy one though, because it will save not only your arse, but your legs as well! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian Hasegawa
a Weekend Warrior
from Glendale, AZ, US
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | McDowell Mtn State Park, AZ | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | relatively light, soaks up the small bumps and chatter, adjustability, reduces lower back and butt pain, lets me stay longer in the saddle!! | | Weaknesses: | It is difficult to tighten, either it is just far more slippery than my old post, or the shim is the wrong size. I replaced my Specialized seat post clamp, which has helped, but I have to tighten it with way too much force than should be necessary. | | Similar Products Used: | none, this is my 1st suspended seatpost | | Bike Setup: | 99 Stumpjumper comp, mostly stock | | Bottom Line: | It definately does what it's supposed to do, if not for the slippage, I could give it a flawless review. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Neon McConnell
a Cross Country Rider
from Helensburgh, Scotland
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Supreme build quality, and it works. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Coda, Rockshox | | Bike Setup: | Bikeless at the moment, will be getting Klein Attitude Race | | Bottom Line: | I was lucky enough to have won this, all thanks to the now defunct British Bike mag Maximum Mountain Bike (good mag, shame it's gone). Very, very good post, lightweight, it works, no problems. Do try different shim sizes, as the one you think should fit doesn't always work. I would have no problem recommending this post to anyone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig Tangner
a Cross Country Rider
from Thousand Oaks, CA
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | depends on my mood | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Takes the edge off, light. Allows you to stay in the saddle longer. Better control on rough uphills. | | Weaknesses: | Seat post tends to slip on me. USE sending me another shim to see if this takes care of it. | | Bike Setup: | '99 Stumpjumper Comp, Mavic 517 CD Ceramic rims, XTR hubs,True VAtiv TEam cranks, Speedplay Frog pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Great post. Really takes the edge off. I noticed it immediately while riding over stutter bumps-the post sucked it all up. Allows you to ride w/ greater comfort and control. You also maintain all the benefits of a hardtail such as pedaling efficiency and light weight. Unless you're a downhiller type, there's no need to go full susp if you get one of these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike chen wei han
a Weekend Warrior
from alor setar,kedah,malaysia
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | too many | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Excellent performance.Great suspension!Light weight!!
7075 Al!!! | | Weaknesses: | None.Maybe a liitle bit expsensive!!! | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Mongoose carbon fiber/aluminium hardtail | | Bottom Line: | Great products!!!
Been torturing it for 8 months already!!
No maintainance at all!!!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from bowmanville
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Hardwood Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | value, light, doesnt stand out too much (unlike thudbuster etc) | | Weaknesses: | slight play (you can grip the saddle and twist kinda) but you dont notice it at all when you ride, so i am not worried at all. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox, Coda | | Bike Setup: | doesnt matter | | Bottom Line: | This is the best upgrade i have ever made. I've bought Sun RPM lite wheels, SID SL, XTR almost everything, Hayes hydro, and some race face. the cheapest thing i have ever upgraded was probably tires... but for a sweet set of tires, your looking at 80 bucks a pair, minimum. If you own a hardtail, and are looking to go faster, ride longer, and feel better afterwards.... forget X-max wheels, and ti cranks etc... buy this post. you can get them for around 110 bucks, i got mine from jensonusa. gave me a good price, and your usually talking to someone who knows his stuff. buy it, ride it, enjoy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charly
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbia, SC
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Isaquena Clemson, SC | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Seat clamp! Tube strength | | Weaknesses: | none at the moment......... knock knock (on wood) | | Similar Products Used: | moxey | | Bike Setup: | Fisher hardtail | | Bottom Line: | Ever since I upgraded my seatpost, I noticed the different immediately. Now I'm able to complete the trail with out the pain and the numbness! At first, I thought the seat clamps design looks kind of weak, but after I did a downhill, dual slalom, and cross country race all in one weekend-not to mention all the crashes that almost cracked my chest when I land it flat on the seat- it's still in one piece. Now that's a piece quality craftmenship that deserves 5 flamin chilis! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Maple Lake, Minnesota
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Very adjustable for any weight. Shim system fits any bike. Very cool! 1 post works for all your ATB bikes! Feels like a rigid post, but soaks up all the trail clatter. Great for bumpy flat sections! Great if you get stuck on some duo use horse trail! This post is great for climbing. No bob, just consistent support if you set it up for your weight. | | Weaknesses: | My post broke about 2 weeks after the warranty expired. My bike shop said I was out of luck. USE read my review posted on 3-13-00 and contacted me. They contacted me!!! I don't think I have ever been contacted by a company first! Bravo to USE! They covered me under their warranty! So, as of now, NO weaknesses! | | Bottom Line: | USE read my review, contacted me, and covered me under their warranty. I think that says a lot about how much they care about their product! I like purchasing products made in the UK, Canada and United States. We need to support companies like USE! The bottom line: A great performing seatpost made by a great UK company! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Racer
from Greenfield, IN
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I'm riding | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Takes the edge off without adding much weight or cost. Low maintenance, durable. Light. Sleek. | | Weaknesses: | Saddle angle adjustment is difficult. Looks like they have a new clamp model that's better though. Mine is 3+ years old. | | Similar Products Used: | Full Suspension bike | | Bike Setup: | '99 C'dale F2000 | | Bottom Line: | Great for XC racing. Takes the edge off the rough stuff and makes long rides less painful. Does it's intended task perfectly. I put one on my wife's hardtail mountain bike and she noticed the difference immediately. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dr Tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Beeding, West Sussex, Uk
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | QE park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | It works! | | Weaknesses: | Seat clamp looks fragile | | Similar Products Used: | None. Heavier than claimed. | | Bike Setup: | Klein Adroit | | Bottom Line: | I didn't really notice it, but when I tried the bike without it you immediately know it has gone. Very impressive. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Donger
a Cross Country Rider
from SF Bay Area
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light, plush | | Weaknesses: | Saddle mount not the easiest, could use tilt degree marks. Comes in one color | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox | | Bike Setup: | Ibis, Z2, XT, Race Face, Kore, 517s | | Bottom Line: | Surprisingly good job of smoothing out small to mid-size bumps. Don't know yet how cold weather would affect the elastomers though. Saddle mount was a pain. Had to use an individual 4mm key rather than an all-in-one tool due to the angle of the post. I hope mine doesn't snap like the previous review and give me a new 'hole... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam Schwartz
a Cross Country Rider
from Pleasant Ridge, MI
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Holdridge Lakes, Mt. Holy | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Good suspension | | Weaknesses: | Rotational play, snapped post in half on ride | | Similar Products Used: | no suspension posts | | Bike Setup: | Homegrown Factory, Full XTR, Titec Berserkr | | Bottom Line: | This seat was comfy until I was riding the other night and it snapped in half with a loud crack. The classic metal post 45 degree angle fracture. This presented me with a dangerous situation as I did not want a knife sharp metal post going up my ass. The guts were still plenty lubed, and the post was still shock absorbing, so I don't think it was a maintenance issue. Perhaps their metallurgy has improved, but this 2 year old post could've done some very serious damage. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy Orr
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Collins, Colorado
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Serenity. Winter Park, CO | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Does what it's supposed to do, light, sturdy, easy to maintain. | | Weaknesses: | Spring / Elastomer stack wears out kind of quick - but I am not complaining. It still works very well. | | Similar Products Used: | Answer Body Shok, GT I-drive w/ SID rear | | Bike Setup: | This one is a 19 inch Stumpjumper M2, full XT w/ 100mm Englund Air up front, riser bars and Body Geometry saddle. | | Bottom Line: | I have put approximately 1200 hard, Rocky Mountain miles on this post and besides changing the elastomers (yellow / heavy) every few hundred miles (I'm 6'2, 210). It has performed flawlessly. The ability to stay seated really added a whole new element of balance and control to the faster, rockier downhills. My AL hardtail tracks so much better now that I can stay in the saddle. The biggest plus has got to be that the wear and tear on my quads is about half of what it used to be since they are not soaking up every single hit anymore. That really means something after one of those 30 mile days in the hot Colorado sun.
Installation, setup and maintenance are a cinch. If you can use an allen wrench you can attain the proper setup for this post. as you becmoe used to riding this post, it takes about 90 seconds to dial in the proper preload for your weight and riding conditions. I looked around pretty extensively before buying this one and when you compare price(I paid $119.00), weight and performance - this is one of my favorite upgrades on my beloved Stumpy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Maple Lake
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Light, smooth action. Easy to adjust with spring kits. Easy to work on. | | Weaknesses: | Broke in half in one year, about 2 weeks after the warranty expired. | | Bottom Line: | Great post. Smooth action. Bike will still feel like a hardtail when you climb. Can set it up for any weight. I am 200lbs and 6'2". I used the heavy spring and elastomer setup with Judy Butter. Great post until it broke in 1 year right after warranty expired. Well, I am a big guy, so I will stop complaining. It really feels like a rigid post, but you can climb and ride all day and feel great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don
a Weekend Warrior
from Japan
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | light,adjustable, constantly active, good damping | | Similar Products Used: | Kalloy | | Bike Setup: | Rigid frame, Manitou SXR forks | | Bottom Line: | I like the rigid frame but after fitting the forks I thought it would be nice to get a bit more insulation for my back and ass. This post is really great on the small and medium stuff
and adds a lot of comfort no the rides. Lets face it though you still should be standing an the big hits. Got to give it full marks as I it has put me off getting a full suspension frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a
from Alabama
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Oak Mountain State Park | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | The XCR post is light...damn light. The design is simple AND tested...not a rip off of what is out there or dated...useless designs. Durability...I have all but blown upthe post in crashes and letting it be used as a demo from my shop...still smooth and true. The service from USE was awesome...parts are always in stock and on time...and the voice on the phone is a real rider. | | Weaknesses: | honestly...none....maybe a sticker with the post would be cool. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock-Shox post. Coda friction and needle bearing post. Tamer both carbon and aluminum. Body Shok post. Thudbuster. Moxey. | | Bike Setup: | 2000 CAAD5 hardtail. Disc's, XTR/Sram, Mavic wheels, Easton controls. | | Bottom Line: | The post is THE ticket for hardtail riders....no other post can touch the ride and durability of the USE....and those who try to match how smooth it is....suffer heavy expensive posts in the end. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg Ames
a
from Fort Collins CO
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Old FLowers Road | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Light, reliable, rebuildible | | Weaknesses: | eventually develops some play, clamp kinda rough on saddle rails | | Bottom Line: | This post is a must for AL hardtails. My Klein rides like a rocket because it is so stiff, but it left my better half a little sore. This post gives enough travel to get rid of the small hits and soften the larger ones. After a few years I need the rebuild kit, 9 bones I think, and that is it. The clamp is a nice design but it ate my TI railed seat up a little. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben-Jammin
a Racer
from Virginia, USA
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Design, design, design. | | Weaknesses: | Only one color to choose from! | | Similar Products Used: | Full suspension, no suspension. | | Bike Setup: | Bontrager Race Lite, XT/XTR blahblahblah | | Bottom Line: | This seatpost has lasted through over 3 years of abuse and two frames. I have pulled the guts out and regreased twice though it was showing no signs of contamination.
It is quiet, light, and well worth the $.
I'll buy another for my wife this Spring. I haven't even had to replace the elastomers this thing is so well built.
Easy to tune to your riding style too. Who needs full suspension on a XC bike with this post? My back (and backside)love it.
The design is simple and yet effective, no wasted material, no bobbing, just shock absorbtion. This thing works. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Racer boy
a Racer
from USA
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | any thing fast | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | weight, smooth travel | | Weaknesses: | clamp is a little tricky, no big deal | | Bike Setup: | trek 8000 | | Bottom Line: | this is a good all around post, go buy one | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Duncan
a Cross Country Rider
from Bradford, England
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light, simple design | | Weaknesses: | Seizes up too easily, seals and bushes wear too quickly | | Bike Setup: | Klein Attitude PACE RC36 forks (the best!) | | Bottom Line: | A superb bit of kit when it works, you can stay in the saddle for longer, and therefore use less energy. Nearly as good as a full sus bike on XC riding withoutthe weight.
However I've had it for 5 months, it has needed re-greasing after every muddy ride (not designed for UK mud conditions). The saddle now moves left to right quite considerably even when clamped up tightly. However the UK distributor has just replaced the whole post for free.
Good post, bit pricey, not particularly well sealed for muddy UK conditions. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Meeks
a Racer
from Clearwater, FL
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Renaissance-Charlotte, NC | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | sickly light weight for suspension post
smooth travel-NO stiction,even after a year
solid guarantee and support from U.S.E. | | Weaknesses: | difficult to adjust saddle to perfect position | | Similar Products Used: | tried Moxey,Post Moderne and Thudbuster | | Bike Setup: | AL7005 frame, GShift, LX, Sun Rhyno Lite, XTR brakes
set up for Clydesdale (204lbs) Class | | Bottom Line: | Been riding hard for six years-racing for two.
Other than adding front suspension to my hard nose and replacing my old canti's with V brakes, this seatpost has been my most significant upgrade/modification.
Tried a few other susp. posts and could tell the difference they made with their weight-made the bike top heavy. Not the U.S.E. It really is an XTR type of product-virtually bombproof yet lighter than the rest.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
travis bickle
a Cross Country Rider
from Shilo, MB, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ganaraska, ON | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | light, strong, works well, easy to take apart to lube. | | Weaknesses: | pricey, seat clamp is tricky to set up | | Similar Products Used: | full suspension, rigid | | Bike Setup: | Kona Explosif, Z2, Titic Berzerker | | Bottom Line: | While this is not full suspension but it does a good job of taking the edge of small to medium sized hits. Big hits won't hurt as much but you should get off the saddle for them. It allows you to spend more time pedaling through rough sections and you won't feels as beat at the end of the ride. I got this post at Nashbar NIB for $60 US but the full retail price of $120-$140 seems like a lot. The seat clamp has lots of loose parts and is a pain to setup compared to other two bolt posts ala Thompson and Syncros. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Orange County, CA
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | all of them | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Bottom Line: | I used this post on a Cannondale CAAD3 and can only give it the highest recommendation. Takes the sting out and did not bob much. Also, when I bought this post, USE apparently sent out posts that had been machined incorrectly. I had one. I contacted USE and they rectified the problem immediately. Awesome customer service. BUY ONE! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Diamond
a Racer
from Baton Rouge, La
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: |
The Womble Trail | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Comparatively lightweight, easy to overhaul, smooth action | | Weaknesses: |
No weaknesses, so far. None expected | | Similar Products Used: |
None | | Bike Setup: |
C'dale F2000 w/HeadShok | | Bottom Line: | This is a great upgrade for any hardtail. I was skeptical about the benefit vs weight, but it is a more than equitable trade. The post takes the edge off and allows me to sit more often. It also keeps me from getting launched when I'm tired and shouldn't have been sitting in the first place. Graet product, but the real star of the show is a guy named Andy, who works for USE/Ibex. I had some problems with my post, so I called him. He asked me a few questions and was able to nail down the cause of my problems. It was my fault, but he took care of it for me. Needless to say, I am pleased with the outcome. This is a great company. Give them a try. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BEn
a cross-country rider
from Alaska
Date Reviewed: October 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I had gone to the store to buy a susp. seatpost because i was killing my back riding on my favorite technical trail. I would have gotten a full suspension had i lived here at the time. This was the only seatpost that they had there and they said it was one of the best so i bought it. No complaints whatsoever. I can definitaly tell that it's working great. Any little bumps that i go over are magically whisked away and the seatpost has enough travel left in it for the larger hits. I reccomend this to anyone looking for a great seatpost who is still conscious about weight. | | Overall Rating: |
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$ 159.95
