Zoom Suspension Seat post
Zoom Suspension Seat post
I have a Raleigh Motus Grand Tour ebike fitted with one of these. The bike which was very badly assembled when I bought it new two years ago came with no instructions as to the set up or maintenance of this component and I had to work it out for myself. It was solid as a rock at purchase and to be quite honest I've not bothered with it until recently but I've now adjusted the preload, applied lots of grease and it does work, but I have nothing I can compare it with.
Has anyone had one of these and experience with the more expensive ones such as a Thudbuster? I'm loathe to spend the thick end of two hundred quid then find it isn't that much better!
Thanks, Dave
Has anyone had one of these and experience with the more expensive ones such as a Thudbuster? I'm loathe to spend the thick end of two hundred quid then find it isn't that much better!
Thanks, Dave
Re: Zoom Suspension Seat post
Mrs Rjb had one on the back of the tandem, it had too much bounce in it and despite winding the preload to maximum it was still too soft. I dismantled it and added an extra elastomer (known as an artificial cork from a wine bottle) before reassembling it. I can now adjust the preload so it only moves on the occasional bump.
I couldn't get the whole cork in, about 1/2 from memory but if you cut it to the wrong size you will soon get another. Hic! You may need a washer as well to stop the spring biting into the cork.
I couldn't get the whole cork in, about 1/2 from memory but if you cut it to the wrong size you will soon get another. Hic! You may need a washer as well to stop the spring biting into the cork.
At the last count:- Peugeot 531 pro, Dawes Discovery Tandem, Dawes Kingpin X3, Raleigh 20 stowaway X2, 1965 Moulton deluxe, Falcon K2 MTB dropped bar tourer, Rudge Bi frame folder, Longstaff trike conversion on a Giant XTC 840
Re: Zoom Suspension Seat post
Thanks for the response. After a lot of fettling and lots of lube, mine does actually move now so I suspect my problem was the opposite of yours to some degree. My problem was and still is, do the more complex designs that cost lots more money work more efficiently than what amounts to an inverted pogo stick? Only the experience of someone who has tried both designs will be able to cast some light on that.
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Re: Zoom Suspension Seat post
I think the thudbuster is said to work much better than the cheap and cheerful ones. There are also cheaper versions of the cane creek design that might be worth a try, also plenty of second hand on eBay.
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.XLC-Comp-Link- ... a0QAvD_BwE
I'd also consider a sprung saddle like the brooks flyer.
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.XLC-Comp-Link- ... a0QAvD_BwE
I'd also consider a sprung saddle like the brooks flyer.
Re: Zoom Suspension Seat post
Thank you for responding. I'm loathe to buy an imitation of a classic as it were but also mindful that they are often just as good as the original! I've decided to watch a load of you tube vids extolling the virtues of the available possibilities and take it from there, however ......................
there is nothing like the voice of experience. Surely there is someone on this forum who has tried several models and can provide an opinion based upon use of the differing designs available out there? rather than hearsay?
there is nothing like the voice of experience. Surely there is someone on this forum who has tried several models and can provide an opinion based upon use of the differing designs available out there? rather than hearsay?
Re: Zoom Suspension Seat post
Having researched this subject extensively I’ve concluded that the Thudbuster is probably the optimum choice. They are around £180 for a long travel or £150 for the short version, however absolutely mint, boxed examples appear to be around £80 on eBay so that is my preferred route as I can resell at minimum loss if I’m not liking them.
I’m currently stalking them on eBay
I’m currently stalking them on eBay
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Re: Zoom Suspension Seat post
saudidave wrote:Thank you for responding. I'm loathe to buy an imitation of a classic as it were but also mindful that they are often just as good as the original! I've decided to watch a load of you tube vids extolling the virtues of the available possibilities and take it from there, however ......................
there is nothing like the voice of experience. Surely there is someone on this forum who has tried several models and can provide an opinion based upon use of the differing designs available out there? rather than hearsay?
Mrs Tuesday used to have a cheapo one (I forget the make) on the back of the tandem.
Having swapped for a thudbuster, according to her, its night and day. Got ours from bikester, was considerably cheaper than elsewhere, might be worth a look.
Mrs Tuesday is never wrong!
Re: Zoom Suspension Seat post
Suntour sp12ncx is a parallelogram sus seat post and currently some on ebay for about £50, very good for the money.
Re: Zoom Suspension Seat post
Thanks for the responses. I was very tempted by the Suntour NCX until I saw a review that showed that when installed with a Brooks B17, the saddle rails foul the parallelogram assembly and grind alloy off it. since I ride a B17, it’s put me off that one. I think therefore that I will go with a Thudbuster ST G4 since it’s very easy to change the elastomer on them and the reviews appear to be pretty good.
I’ll track eBay for a couple of weeks but shall go for a new one if I can’t get a mint 2nd hand one before Christmas.
dDave
I’ll track eBay for a couple of weeks but shall go for a new one if I can’t get a mint 2nd hand one before Christmas.
dDave
Re: Zoom Suspension Seat post
Well, stalk ebay as I might, no Thudbuster ST's in the correct diameter appeared on ebay, so after a couple of weeks of looking and a good months income (I'm self employed), I bit the bullet and bought one new.
The verdict: It didn't appear any better than the Zoom pogo stick at first but then I sussed that it works far better on cobbles or other nasty road surfaces so i'm keeping it.
Dave
The verdict: It didn't appear any better than the Zoom pogo stick at first but then I sussed that it works far better on cobbles or other nasty road surfaces so i'm keeping it.
Dave
Re: Zoom Suspension Seat post
Most won't actually feel the damping of a parallelogram type seat suspension as it doesn't bob up and down.