Suspension seatpost

[STEVEMANFA]

Yep they are cheap on a lot of stuff

 

[LeighPing]

Got my suntour seat post from www.bike-discount.de
Best price and a great service.

Cheers Steve. Got one on the way now. Great price, even with a fiver for postage.

 

[anotherkiwi]

Rose is slightly more expensive and you have to pay for port (free for orders over 100€ at bike discount) but they have some exotic things that bikediscount don't stock, that is where I go if I can't find it at bikediscount. Their service is just as good.

 

[STEVEMANFA]

Happy days

 

[danielrlee]

I just went to purchase a Suntour SP12-NCX and discovered that there are three variations available - soft, medium and hard. Being 9 and a half stone (60kg), I am at the threshold between the soft and medium seatposts, which is 60-65kg.

I have always struggled with my weight and was a little under 8 and a half stone a couple of years ago. As I get older though, I have found it a bit easier to gain some mass and am now approaching my target weight of 10 stone (63kg). Back to the seatpost though....

The soft post is rated for under 65kg and the medium for 60-100kg, so I really am right in the middle. Is anybody else a similar weight to me and what was your experience with the NCX seatpost variant that you purchased?

Thanks

 

[LeighPing]

I measured incorrectly and have just sent the one they sent me back for exchange. I didn't know about the 3 variants until I did that. I'm 67kg. I'll let you know more when the new one arrives.

 

[Tomtomato]

You can buy the various springs (soft, medium, hard) separately for the NCX-SP12 seatpost, and change those easily. You can also adjust the tension of the spring.

Example: http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/suntour-spring-element-sp12-ncx-soft-411755

 

[Gringo]

I would go for the middle Spring, your within its range and as your looking at a higher target weight, medium is probably wise
If you do lose some weight you could always put a few rocks in your pockets

 

[danielrlee]

You can buy the various springs (soft, medium, hard) separately for the NCX-SP12 seatpost, and change those easily. You can also adjust the tension of the spring.

Example: http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/suntour-spring-element-sp12-ncx-soft-411755

That's great to know. At least it'll only cost a tenner to rectify a bad decision. Thanks.

 

[danielrlee]

I would go for the middle Spring, your within its range and as your looking at a higher target weight, medium is probably wise
If you do lose some weight you could always put a few rocks in your pockets

My instinct originally was to go for the soft spring, but having now watched a few videos of the seatpost in action, I'll probably go for the medium. Most riders said they had to tighten up the tension (even for 68kg), so I expect it will be good for my 60kg.

EDIT: I went ahead and made the purchase of the medium seatpost and bought the soft spring and neoprene cover at the same time. Life's too short to dick about over a few quid.

 

[acm2000]

i have a NCX on my bike and its great, didnt realise you can adjust it tho! will have to take a gander at that

 

[Tomtomato]

I went ahead and made the purchase of the medium seatpost and bought the soft spring and neoprene cover at the same time.

When I ordered mine a few months ago from Bike Discount.de, the neoprene cover came in the parcel (included) although it was not stated on the product page/description at that time.

The neoprene cover is indeed very useful to keep the mechanism free of dirt, dust and humidity.

 

[STEVEMANFA]

I had the cover with my one, it was just in the box, so happy days

 

[LeighPing]

I had the cover with my one, it was just in the box, so happy days

I also received a free cover, twice. I ordered the wrong sized post and the turnaround in sending it back and getting the correct one was about a week and without hassle.

It's simple to fit and I got the medium spring suspension seat post for my 68 kilos, which I've since turned down a bit and adjusted it for a very soft ride indeed.

 

[D C]

I also received a free cover, twice. I ordered the wrong sized post and the turnaround in sending it back and getting the correct one was about a week and without hassle.

It's simple to fit and I got the medium spring suspension seat post for my 68 kilos, which I've since turned down a bit and adjusted it for a very soft ride indeed.

View attachment 14300

If you've ended up with two covers would you want to sell one of them, maybe you are keeping as a spare.
I like to keep the moving parts well lubricated and though the oil doesn't get on my clothes I sometimes get it on my hands when pushing the bike around.
Anyone know where the covers can be bought as a separate item?
Dave.

 

[LeighPing]

I'd love too, but I had to send one back. Otherwise you could have had it for free.

Inexpensive Suntour Neoprene Protector for SP12-NCX Suspension Seatpost.

 

[Fordulike]

Are the elastomer type seatposts rubbish?

Seen this one on sale and am hovering over the 'Add to Basket' button.

http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/cube-rfr-suspension-seatpost-27.2x300mm-501489

Even if it adds a smidgen of bum bum comfort, I'll be happy.

 

[LeighPing]

Are the elastomer type seatposts rubbish?

Seen this one on sale and am hovering over the 'Add to Basket' button.

http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/cube-rfr-suspension-seatpost-27.2x300mm-501489

Even if it adds a smidgen of bum bum comfort, I'll be happy.

Like I said, the £6 one I used for 3 months was fine by me. I've no experience of the one in the link. Cheap enough to be either a fail or a Godsend though.

 

[D C]

Are the elastomer type seatposts rubbish?

Seen this one on sale and am hovering over the 'Add to Basket' button.

http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/cube-rfr-suspension-seatpost-27.2x300mm-501489

Even if it adds a smidgen of bum bum comfort, I'll be happy.

I have used a similar one and it gave me a bad back, also gave a bad back to a friend of mine, maybe I should have bought a better quality one.
I think the vertical/down motion doesn't suit me whereas the backwards/down of the NCX doesn't give me any problems and is super smooth.
As Leigh says, cheap enough to give it a try. (Thanks for the offer and link Leigh)
Dave.

 

[Gringo]

Are the elastomer type seatposts rubbish

Chalk and cheese.
In my limited experience (3x conventional suspension posts) they do a reasonable job but can suffer from premature wear and quite often stick.
While pedalling, natural movement of the buttocks puts a twisting force on the seat, left then right with each pedal stroke. This is transferred to the nylon bushing that the post slides against, add a little dirt/grit = worn bush.

The big difference between the two posts is how they actualy work.
NCX & thud buster type posts move back & down as they compress and this is a smooth natural movement for the body. On the other hand, the conventional post compress down the frame seat tube, giving the saddle a small forwards movement and slightly fighting against the way your body wants to move.
Bottom line,
If you buy a cheaper post you'll probably be happy, just don't try a NCX post afterwards.
You can't miss what you never had