Riding your bike with an uncomfortable seat can make you stop and adjust every 10 minutes, leaving you frustrated, uncomfortable, and not a mile away from when you first started.
You don’t want to stop riding, but if you don’t change up your sitting arrangement soon your bike will be stuck in your garage until you try again next season. The best type of adaptation for cyclists who ride long distances or who ride really often, is a suspension seatpost. These posts give you that extra bit of stability to make those long distances comfortable, so you can focus on the journey and not on your buttock.
Most new high-end bikes have suspension seatposts already attached to them, but you don’t need to buy a whole new bike to get one installed. Bike posts are normally interchangeable, so there is no need to throw out your bike just to get something more comfortable for your tushy. So what are Suspension Seatposts and what makes them so comfortable?
3 Best Suspension Seatposts to Keep You Comfortable
OUR TOP PICK
Most Adjustable Seatpost – DJC
EDITORS CHOICE
Most Comfortable Seatpost Suspension – Redshift
BEST VALUE
Biggest Capacity – Cane Creek Thudbuster
OUR TOP PICK
Most Adjustable Seatpost – DJC
Making sure the seatpost suits you is the most important thing to think about when you are buying the product.
The DJC can be adjusted to match your size, so if you plan on going with a heavy backpack one day, and speeding up a hill another day, you can adjust the seatpost accordingly.
If you are a lightweight rider (50 kg / 110 lbs) then you can screw the bottom anticlockwise to keep it light, and if you are a heavy weight rider (100 kg / 220 lbs) then you can screw the bottom clockwise to keep it steady for you. This is the perfect seatpost for someone who changes their weight often, either due to items or due to a weight loss plan.The DJC also has 5 different diameter sizes, so it is most likely to match your current bike’s seatpost. The sizes are 27.2 mm, 30.4 mm, 30.9 mm, 31.6 mm, and 33.93 mm.
In terms of height and weight of the product, it is 2.244 inches tall, which translates to 35 centimeters and it weighs 0.49 kilograms. So the DJC is small and lightweight.
Pros
- Very Adjustable for a rider with changing weight
- 5 Different Sized diameters to choose from
- Lightweight Seatpost
Cons
- Short Seatpost
EDITORS CHOICE
Most Comfortable Seatpost Suspension – Redshift
The name of the game is comfort! The Redshift has a 35 mm suspension and an ultra-responsive reaction.
This reaction means that the shocks and vibrations will be reduced by up to 60% in comparison to a traditional seatpost.
That is a massive percentage, and you will feel the change as your cycling becomes smooth and more comfortable.When asking Redshift customers how comfortable they found the seatpost, there were no complaints. Everyone said the comfort rating was through the roof, and that is why it is the most comfortable seatpost on our list!When it comes to the rider’s weight limit, it can hold more than the DJC. The maximum weight that the rider should be is 242 lb or 110 kg. The post itself is 35 cm long and weighs 547 g. That’s 14 inches and 5.47 kg.
In comparison to the DJC, the Redshift is longer, and so in turn it is heavier. The height makes it great for tall riders, and the weight is expected for that extra bit of metal.
Pros
- Most Comfortable
- Tallest Seatpost
- Can hold 242 lb in weight
Cons
- Heaviest Seatpost
BEST VALUE
Biggest Capacity – Cane Creek Thudbuster
The Cane Creek Thudbuster can hold a rider with a weight of 250 lb. That translates to 113 kg and is the largest weight that any of the three can handle.
This is great for mountain bike riders, heavy set people, and those who like to camp and ride. The diameter of the seat post is 27.2 mm which is the average size for any bike, and the weight is 0.98 kg which is surprising for the amount of weight it can carry.
The height is average for a seatpost with a measurement of 3.15 inches which suggests that the overall price of the Cane Creek Thudbuster should be just as average, but unfortunately it is the most expensive seatpost on the list!This is because it is super easy to install and adjust. The whole post has markers on the side that show you where to clamp and screw for the correct height that you need.
Pros
- Biggest Capacity
- Easiest to Install
- Super User Friendly
Cons
- Expensive
The Most Comfortable Suspension Seatposts Buying Guide
What are Suspension Seatposts and What Makes them Comfortable?
Suspension seatposts are just like any other type of bike post apart from one extra feature. They have a special suspension mechanism that sits between the pole and the saddle.
The suspension smooths out the rough, bumpy and dramatic terrain that you might be riding through. This makes them great for cyclists who cycle on long distances, on bumpy roads, or even through the unexpected terrains of a forest.
Because the post absorbs all of these impacts, your body should feel less force from the road and less chaffing from the constant bumps of a normal seatpost. This makes your ride smooth and so you can handle the rougher and longer journeys.
What to look for when buying a Suspension Seatpost?
When it comes to buying seatposts in general, you want to look out for some particular features. This is regardless of if you are using a suspension post or not. The first thing you want to look for is the weight of the post itself. If you like to ride uphill, then you want a light bike to help you with the climb.
Suspension seatposts can be heavy, so you would need a carbon seatpost to stop the weight affecting your speed whilst cycling uphill.The next thing you want to look for is the amount of weight the post can take.
If you are a heavy set person, or if you carry a lot of items on your back whilst riding, like an adventure or long distance cyclist for example, then you need to make sure the post can carry your weight. Another thing you need to keep an eye out for, is the height in which the post can be extended to. If you are a tall person, you are going to need that extra leg room so that you don’t feel cramped.The last thing you need to be aware of is the size of the diameter of the post. To figure this out, you just need to take out your current seatpost and note what the diameter is on the lower part of the rod.
When you buy your next seatpost, you need to buy the same size, otherwise the seatpost won’t fit in the bike’s frame. Of course, seatposts may come with other features, but those four points are things you need to know about to make sure the post is right for you before you buy it.
The Most Comfortable Suspension Seatposts – FAQ’s
How to make my current bike seat more comfortable
If you are feeling uncomfortable after a bike ride, it’s because most of your weight is on the very small bones at the bottom of your pelvis. There are a couple of ways to get your bike comfortable before heading to the shops.
The first is to adjust your bike so that the seat is at the same height as your hip bones when you are standing. This should put your body in an easy sitting position. The next thing you can do is adjust your sitting position. If you are sitting too far forward, then your seat isn’t cupping you the way it should do.
If you sit further back on the seat, then your butt will be on the padded seat area, which is designed to make the experience less painful.
How to Prevent Saddle Soreness
There are different reasons for soreness and it might not even be the bike’s fault. One of the main reasons for sores after riding is the excess moisture that you create from sweating. If you make sure to wear clean bike shorts (proper bike shorts that let you breath) and take them off after you have cycled, then the excess moisture and the germs that come with the shorts shouldn’t be able to settle into the pores of your skin.
It is often this sweat that creates the friction which can be so painful.
What Helps A Sore Bum After Cycling?
The best thing to apply to your skin before (and after if you are particularly sensitive) is a chamois cream. Chamois cream is a thick cream that minimizes friction between clothing and skin. Basically, it is an anti-chafing cream.It might feel a little odd having the squishy cream between your clothes, but it is super effective. Not only do chamois creams reduce friction, but they also hydrate the skin and prevent your skin from cracking.If you’re feeling sore not because of chafing or “saddle soreness”, but instead because of the seat you are sitting on, it might be time to adjust your seat back to the right height or to buy a memory foam seat.
Does Cycling Reduce Belly Fat?
Cycling is a cardio workout, and like all cardio workouts, they are great at burning fats, including belly fat.
Low intensity and high duration workouts, like riding a bike for a long time or going on a long jog, is better for fat burning than short intense workouts which are better for muscle gaining. Cycling at a slow and steady rate is all you need to start losing weight. You don’t have to be speedy to see results.
Conclusion
So there you have it, three of the best suspension seatpost on the market, all of which are sure to make your cycling more comfortable.
Now you know what you should be looking for in a seatpost, you can navigate our list and other products online to find the best seatpost for you!