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What were your experiences?
Is there anything available in the more "budget" range that wont fall apart immediately with my fat arse on it?
Or would using a quality, springy 27.2 x 400 fixed seatpost be better for me. (my vile 350mm one is currently up at max )
Pain in lower back is my issue on the hardtail
Thudbusters are good but not cheap - with the parallelogram linkage you don't get bob in the same way nor stiction compared to telescopic posts
My experience and it is just my experience and opinion, I have used both a USE suspension seat post (for a very short time) and a thudbuster (longer), I didn't like either.
I found the thudbuster horrible and the worst thing I have ever bought (and before anyone tells me I had it set up wrong, I did have the right elastomer's and tried it set up with more and less preload). I just really hated the way it moved, it made the bike feel horrible. Plus didn't like having the extra weight there. Not that I noticed the extra weight as in adding grams but when you were climbing out of the saddle, it just felt a bit funny waving about at the top of the seat pin, although that is me being a bit fussy! But it's not an ideal place to add weight. That's not to say you wouldn't like it.
For me a good quality (supple) big volume tyre and a good carbon seat post worked a lot better. Plus strength exercises and getting positioning correct.
I used a USE XCR for ages.
As long as your saddle is centrally positioned on its rails and your seattube angle isn't very slack, which would mean your weight wasn't working right down the telescopic bit, they work very well.
In fact they might even work better than many FS bikes as they react to small bumps very quickly - try wrapping your hand around the telescopic bit whilst riding over rough terrain and it is surprising how much movement is happening.
Plus you keep the direct feel of pedaling a HT, which you can lose on many FS.
I don't know where the mention of bob came from, my XCR never bobbed. Sounds like too squishy a saddle.
Just spent 7 days on my Thudbuster on a Fargo in Scottishland.
Excellent for comfort. Not for trail centres but yes for hours in the saddle
USE XCR +1
I really like mine.
Not much weight gain ,and nice for taking the edge of things on big days out.
Like Turner guy,never had any bob,but the side to side play in the internal key way annoys me a bit.
The sumo clamp is way better than the original slider on the early models,but could still be a better design.
I am saving up for a Thudbuster ST next 🙂
I am a BIG thudbuster fan !!
They are awesome on a hardtail if your type of riding is many hours in the saddle riding long distance real xc trails - they are reliable and really do take the sting out of a hardtail be it steel or ti...
I have a full sus which is much faster on techy trails at speed BUT my hardtail with a thudbuster is my pref bike for when lugging a bob trailer or doing a multi day yha / boethie trip carrying kit.
try one - they work well when you get used to them - I find a hardtail without one very unfriendly now... they take the small bumps out and make make the big ones tolerable. I would happily tour on one - I wouldnt tour my full suss
paul
Poste moderne Bracer is the best one that I have tried. Not sure if they make them anymore.
USE xcr has the seat post mount of death. Why USE persist in using 2 mm Allen bolts I dont know. Give me a 5mm I can crank up.
Got two USE posts on my single speeds. They let me sit n spin for longer, stop jarring on my back which means I ride for longer and help maintain weight on the rear wheel for traction. Strip, clean n grease every couple of months means no problems over six years with either.
Are you sure you need one? Lower back pain is generally caused by a poor bike fit/riding position.
As above. Look at saddle. They can be too soft. Some WTB's are. Ti railed are better, I like Charge Spoon. Works for me. Try different saddle positions, & angles. 27.2 Thomson post flexes nicely. Carbon a bit more. Bigger rear tyre, if its a bit draggy try one bit less aggressive, 2.4 Ardent for eg. And play with pressures, tubeless if necessary. And the frame makes a big difference. Niner SIR9 here, its comfiest HT I've ever tried.
Try this stretch - I used to get a stiff and aching lower back when cycling and this sorted it:
Keep your legs straight and try and touch your toes whilst keeping your back straight - you will feel the pull in your glutes.
Women touch their toes like this whereas most blokes seem to bend their spine.