If comfort is your "primary factor, " cut the bobblehead seat post and ride a fully suspended bike. Why throw a gimmicky component on a sub-standard frame?
Did you... just delete the original comment thread wherein you talked trash about my bike and products I reviewed because someone called your bike a "fully suspended boat anchor"? Ha!
@@overbikedrandonneuring You thought I was talking trash about your bike? Your bike is your bike regardless of what I think about it. If you want to go low-rent on the frame and then try to negate the problems inherent in that thinking with a cheap bobblehead seat post then you do you. As far as "recommending" crap to others on YT so you can profit... again, you do you. But that doesn't mean I won't call out that type of thinking for what it really is... average. To answer your question whenever an ALT is used to back-up bargain basement thinking I will reset the board so that others don't end up making mistakes that end up requiring something like a bobblehead seat post. Oh, I forgot... stay safe now.,
The seat post isn't really comparable to a full suspension bike, since if you ever wanted to stand and put down power on a full suspension you would lose a lot of efficiency. These Shockstop components are not comparable or a replacement to suspension. They're a very simple solution using elastomers to reduce vibrations and the sting of large hits. I personally don't think the seat post is necessary, but the stem is incredible at reducing fatigue on rigid bikes.
@@thesupernad I agree with you Mr. Brett with the stipulation that saying "a lot" is meaningless. Yes, some rider input will be absorbed into the suspension *IF* you can't lock it out, just as it is in a front suspension fork *if* it can't be locked out. That's not something that 90% of bike riders will even notice. And I think I said the same thing you are in my original post... when referring to a low-end frame "if comfort is your "primary factor" as stated in the video. I think one of the dozens of sprung bike seats available is a better option for riders on hardtail bikes. The thing is that's not what this little infomercial is all about... scoring spare change. Stay safe.
@@brianbassett4379 I think you're missing the title of this video, which states "Endurance road cycling". There's no such thing as a full suspension road bike, and if there is it most likely flopped, because yes, a lot of power is lost with suspension. On a fully rigid bike, some people like myself have nerve sensitivities and need something to take the sting out of the touch points (saddle/stem). Suspension is designed to keep the tires in contact with the ground, while these components are designed to reduce rider fatigue. Furthermore, there's plenty of high end fully rigid and hardtail bikes. A bike with full suspension does not instantly make it a higher end frame than one without.
Thank you David, from the bottom of my bottom for covering these products. I bought both and LOVE them. No more sore hands or rug burns on my sit bones! A miracle for me.Did 300k, 400k, and 360k with them and LOVE.
Thanks Kitty! I'm off on a 400km tomorrow and have high hopes to stay somewhat comfortable. Rain is in the forecast, so my soft office worker hands will have more to overcome than usual. Still loving the setup after about 12000km.
Good review. I use the redshift stem and seatpost for my AUDAX rides. To me it made a huge difference. All the small bumps get taken out. I have Rim brakes so am restricted to 25cc tyres. I found that once I installed the redshift gear I no longer needed/desired bigger tyres.
Rim brake road bikes are a great platform for the Redshift system. Glad to hear it worked well for you. Thanks for sharing. My wife is on 23c tires for now and loved to use the seatpost for a while. When I put it back on my bike, we debated if it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. My brother rides 25c tires/rim and noted the smoothness of my bike when he rode it for the first time earlier this week. Sadly can't justify the cost to gift them each a set.
Very useful. Building up a Seven Axiom (older frame with travel couplers) and a 28mm (maybe the right 30mm) tire is really all that I can fit in the rear. I was already looking at redshift and cane creek options and this was very helpful. I am a larger rider, currently running 37 mm tires on a gravel bike when I rando, but am looking for something a bit zippier for the dedicated road riding of rando...so this seems a decent system way to get that float I very much need in a more dedicated road bike set up.
Great review - thanks very helpful I am 68 enjoy using the Shockstop seatpost and stem on my trail / gravel bike. The comfort and avoidance of "shock" to and older back is appreciated and still allows me to mostly keep up with the younger dudes!
Awesome! I am still loving the system over a year later. I took it off to do a video for a rigid stem system last week, and can't wait to get the Shockstop back on.
Thanks for the video! Much appreciated. My buddy has a Redshift Stem on his gravel bike (not an eBike, lol). He loves the stems ability to lessen hard impacts on gravel roads. I imagine it works work great for touring as well! You now have me thinking about putting this on my Defy. P.S. love the videos of South Korea. I taught at Hankuk University during summers. Great country. 감사합니다! 🤗
Thank Alex! These parts continue to grow on me as I use them more, but 'I love the feedback from the road this bike gives' is not a sentence I will ever utter. I made sure my new bike could use them when shopping around. If you decide on the stem, they do offer the larger diameter clamps to fit Giant OD2 steerers. Korea has been a great place to live and to ride around. Cycling infrastructure in Seoul was great, but easier access to the countryside in smaller cities the past two years has been nice too. I should make it a point to do some club ride with HRR or do a Seoul brevet this summer. Cheers!
I trust your opinion.Cerebral and reasoned. I was considering Redshift Pro Seatpost. Your commentary convinced me to try. Results were very worthwhile. Perfect to take the edge off sidewalk transitions and the numerous small road bumps. Thank you for the balanced presentation.
Great review. I also run redshift stems on my long distance bikes. For such a small increase in weight over a normal stem - they make an incredible difference: I have a redshift spring seat tube too - but I haven't felt the need to fit it yet.
Great kit! Considering the small impact weight has on speed, it's a good investment in a few grams. Do you have the standard or pro seatpost? I'd be curious how the standard seatpost performs in road riding.
@@overbikedrandonneuring I've got the standard seat post - I didn't realise Reshift did an elastomer because I would definitely have bought that instead. I'm intending to try it on my 28mm bike - I can't fit bigger tyres and keep mudguards so that really needs some help to get more comfort. But my 35mm bike is immensely comfortable with the standard seat post.
@@trundle_bliss That's a great use for the shockstop system. 28mm tires offer all the grip needed for road riding in a fast package, but can lack comfort for long rides. Please share your opinions after you get it installed and put some miles on it.
@@overbikedrandonneuring I've run this setup for a year now. I love it so much, I've put it on all the bikes, even the fixed gear 28mm tyre audax bike. The normal sprung seat post felt weird for a couple of weeks and I almost took it off for that reason alone. But I rode along washboard lanes and the experience was a revelation. You don't feel any of it through the seat. I wouldn't go back now. It's very little weight for a massive increase in comfort, which is especially valuable on long brevet's.
Cool video, I have the redshift stem on my gravel bike with the canyon seatpost, they feel great together as well I wanted to thank you for your other video mentioning these. I was really thinking about buying a dedicated brevet bike as I’m doing my first one this year and think it will be something I will stick with but looking at geometry charts and all that fit is the same and this bike is just as light and had better quality components, I will be buying a specific set of Rene H tires for this function and know I can set them up tubeless as well on my rims and I dig the fit as well. ❤
Thanks! A typical gravel bike makes for a good brevet bike. Low gearing, often relaxed geometry, stable handling, good tire clearance. Having a second wheelset really makes it easy to swap duties. I did some testing on the Redshift seatpost recently and the results were fantastic. I'll put out a video on it soon, but suffice to say your gravel bike set up but with road tires will make an excellent system. Are there any issues or questions you have about entering your first brevet? Good luck with it! I hope you have success and enjoy it.
I've got this very same setup on my gravel bike and have been using it for over two years. I started off with the standard version of the stem and seatpost. On the rocky "gravel" trails around San Diego, it made an immediate and noticeable difference. Better control, more comfort, able to stay seated longer, and felt less beat up. Despite the weight penalty, I was able to go faster than with the rigid components. Basically, I had the confidence to send it harder. Swapped to the pro version of the seatpost and it felt firmer and didn't seem to absorb the larger hits like the standard version but there's no noticeable seat bob while pedaling. It's still good but different. As for on the road, I suppose it makes a difference on rough roads but the 40mm tires absorb most of the little stuff. Pro stem is functionally the same as the standard stem, just a bit lighter. All in all, it's a great choice for offroad IMHO. However, I've never used it extensively on the road like you. If I was clearance limited to 25mm tires, I could see it being more useful on the road. I use my aero Trek Madone for the long rides. It's surprisingly comfortable with 28mm tires and rear IsoSpeed decoupler. Even over 300km, I don't feel beat up. Couldn't use those parts on it anyway as they wouldn't fit.
Do you ride out by the PCT? I remember staying in SD before starting the hike in '11 and enjoying the vibe of the town. Some MTB guys joked PCT stood for Perfect Cycling Trail, but they weren't allowed to ride on it. The mountain ecology near Big Bear was a nice surprise. I haven't used the non-pro seatpost, but your assessment sounds agreeable. The non-pro would be my choice if I did gravelly things, but the potential of bobbing isn't suitable for road riding. The pro seatpost and either stem version can be considered competition for Isospeed bikes. On 28c tires, I imagine the damping of the two systems would be similar, with Shockstop slightly more active. You could maybe swap your road wheels to the gravel bike if you were inclined to test I guess. I've continued using the Shockstop system since this video was published and have been very happy with the performance on long road rides. Whether its Shockstop, Isospeed, Canecreek, or Ergon, I recommend long distance cyclists get a bit of damping on their bikes outside of just tires. It's a nice way to ride.
@@overbikedrandonneuring Never been on the PCT. Would be nice to swap wheels but the roar bike is rim brake and the gravel bike disc. Funny thing is that the gravel bike is an aluminum Trek Checkpoint, so there's no Isospeed, unlike the carbon Madone. That's why I opted for the Redshift seatpost. Thinking of getting a carbon framed Checkpoint with Isospeed. Wonder how that and the suspension seatpost (Pro version) would work together.
@@matthewnormand2041 Interesting idea. I wonder if they would work similar to springs-in-series. The Isospeed moves for-aft like a cantilever while the Redshift moves more perpendicular to the ground. I can't really imagine what that might feel like in practice.
I don't know if that's your graphic at 3:00 or if it's marketing material, but it's wrong. In the example spring the softer part would be on the bottom and the stiffer on the top.
I don't have that, but it looks like it is a single computer mount with no gopro option. That said, if you want to mount multiple devices, I recommend not using a stem bolt solution. I was riding next to a friend last year when their stem bolt mounted computer/light mount from another brand snapped after hitting a small pothole. He nearly crashed and had to abandon the event. The force bent the stem bolt and damaged the threads of the stem. I was using a similar system at the time and threw it in the trash when I got home. It is inherently a compromised design that adds leveraged force to the bolt and stem, which were not designed for that type of load. Newer, heavier GPS computers and powerful lights probably add way more load than when these designed first gained popularity. Classical style handlebar mounts are the way to go for multiple devices on round bars. There are mounts that clamp on round aero bars too.
Hi and thanks for the info. I just bought my first dedicated rando bike and, after watching your video, I am seriously considering investing in the Redshift stem first as most of my pain during/after long rides is felt in the upper back. Did you perceive any negative effects on steering with the combined use of a loaded handlebar bag?
Hi Angelon30, what bike did you choose? I don't typically run handlebar bags. I use aero bars with a water bottle mounted between them. I keep stuff in my frame bag, with large clothes in a seatpost bag if conditions merit. If your bag is heavy, you may want a stiffer spring setup. The bag shouldn't affect handling due to the shockstop stem any more than it would with a rigid stem. That said, my past experience with loaded handlebar bags is that the steering feels a bit heavy and needs more effort to return to center. I would try to keep any handle bar bag as light as possible, despite that traditionally styled rando bikes feature large front bags prominently.
@@overbikedrandonneuring Seven Evergreen. I am new to the sport and have also been torn about whether to use a randonneur-type handlebar bag. I have been able to carry all my needs with a long toptube bag and a seatpost bag, though I haven't tested this configuration for a long 600k event. I see that your experience with loaded handlebar bags is in line with what I thought and will steer clear of that option (NPI) for the time being. I enjoy a lot your videos. Keep it up and thanks.
@@angelon30 Thank you, and great choice in bike, that should serve you well. As long as you don't plan to bivouac on the 600km you should be fine without much handlebar mounted stuff in reasonable weather. The Shockstop stem should be a fine choice for you. Will you get the titanium bolt Pro version to match your frame?
small price to pay for the added comfort and control (stem). haven't tried the seatpost yet adds a little weight and saves money up for wanting to buy an entirely new bike
Why did you pick the elastomer version over the non-pro spring version? I've been looking at both and also the eesilk elastomer seatpost, which also comes in a 35mm version. Currently leaning towards the 35mm eesilk - what are your thoughts?
Good question. In short, I want road bike suspension to feel invisible in use. 35mm is a lot of travel for road riding, but is appropriate for gravel. Steel springs are more active than elastomers but tend to feel bouncy when just pedaling on tarmac. Best suited for gravel again. The Pro is heavier than the 20mm eeSilk, but in theory the progressive suspension design of the Pro should give better damping than the linear design of the eeSilk. In practice, that may or may not be noticeable. What's best for you depends on your conditions more than anything. The 35mm eeSilk would be ideal for road/gravel mixed riding, while the non-Pro Redshift would offer the cushiest dedicated gravel suspension of these options IMO. Report back when you make your choice!
@@overbikedrandonneuring Thanks for your reply. Hmm, currently I think I am leaning towards either the non-pro Redshift or a canyon style leafspring seatpost. I would be using it for long distance riding (150km+ a day for 1-2weeks) and in my experience so far I have had some pain in the lower region with a regular carbon seatpost, so that makes me lean towards the most extreme option: the non-pro redshift.. Concerning the pro version, I gather that a 20mm elastomer seatpost has a level of compliance comparable to the canyon style seatpost - which is both lighter, cheaper and better look - so why not get that instead?
@@TheRune3400 I will be buying on in the near future to compare. I expect it to offer some extra comfort and hope when setup for my height, the damping characteristics are suitable. As a leaf spring, it is neither progressive like the Redshift, nor tuneable like the eeSilk. The tuning of the Canyon comes from it's exposed length above the seatpost clamp and rider weight. A light rider with little exposed seatpost may find little benefit, while a heavy rider with lots of exposed seatpost may find it floppy. It would work differently for the same rider on different bikes. Even though the design has many drawbacks in theory, in practice it may perform well enough that the weight savings are worth it. Time will tell. I will still lean towards 20mm elastomer for endurance road riding for now.
I see you still ride the Merida Silex. But is this your future randonneur bike ? Or just a bike for training and preparation for randonneur events coming up ? Many thanks for interesting videos !!
Hi Martin, the Silex was the only locally available bike that suited my fit at the time of purchase. It will be replaced, but I am having trouble sourcing a suitable replacement frame/bike. In the meantime, the Silex is perfectly serviceable and has outperformed my expectations. It's a very good bike, but it is not an Overbiked bike. There is an easy KG to shave and more sleek aerodynamics to be had with other bikes on my radar. That said, it's been good enough that I won't jump to replace it until either the perfect replacement gets back in stock or my work schedule adjusts to allow me to travel to events better. Thanks for asking!
I just purchased my first Redshift stem and waiting for it to arrive. I'm a bit hesitant on the Redshift seatpost though as I'm concerned I might not be able to attach my saddle bag due to its movement. Did you face a problem too or do you stuff the spares in your Jersey pocket and live with it?
I did a short tour with a 9 liter saddle pack with no problem. The fender piece on the back keeps the bag and mechanism separate. The seatpost strap on the bag didn't move or rub, but it's possible the finish would rub off over time where the bag touches the seatpost. Helicopter tape can prevent that if you care about it. I could see a rigid frame saddle bag that connects to the seat and seatpost similar to some from Ortlieb or Arkel being incompatible. Maybe even some smaller Ortlieb bags with plastic fittings could be incompatible too. What bags do you use?
@@overbikedrandonneuring I’m concerned about this issue as well. I have a pretty rigid Bontrager saddle bag and I’d like to keep it on since because it holds my tubes, keys, etc. Would you have another suspension stem recommendation for this?
@@Burrito_AM Which model of saddle bag do you have? Is it touring or one for day rides? I would only avoid saddle packs that have plastic or metal stiffening construction that connects to both the saddle and bottom section of seat post.
@@overbikedrandonneuring It’s the Bontrager Elite Seat Pack. It does connect on both the saddle and seat post but it contacts the higher to mid section of the seat post.
@@Burrito_AM Does it have a stiff plastic sheet between those connecting points? If it is a bit flexy or has no plastic sheet, you should have no cause for concern.
My favorite seat these days is the 'Syncros Belcarra V 1.0 TRI Cut Out Saddle' when I equip aero bars, which is most of the time. I like the Selle Italia SLR Boost with no aero bars, but would probably be better off with a more padded saddle from them. I'll sometimes use an ISM PN 3.1 to change it up a bit.
The price isn't for everyone, but the benefit for an endurance cyclist is very real. I'd take the Shockstop system and a cheaper tier groupset on my bike to balance the cost. If you're interested, check out my video on why comfort is important. It better explains why I splurged on the Redshift stuff: ua-cam.com/video/YqPXdcoDJpQ/v-deo.html
If comfort is your "primary factor, " cut the bobblehead seat post and ride a fully suspended bike. Why throw a gimmicky component on a sub-standard frame?
Did you... just delete the original comment thread wherein you talked trash about my bike and products I reviewed because someone called your bike a "fully suspended boat anchor"? Ha!
@@overbikedrandonneuring You thought I was talking trash about your bike? Your bike is your bike regardless of what I think about it. If you want to go low-rent on the frame and then try to negate the problems inherent in that thinking with a cheap bobblehead seat post then you do you. As far as "recommending" crap to others on YT so you can profit... again, you do you. But that doesn't mean I won't call out that type of thinking for what it really is... average. To answer your question whenever an ALT is used to back-up bargain basement thinking I will reset the board so that others don't end up making mistakes that end up requiring something like a bobblehead seat post.
Oh, I forgot... stay safe now.,
The seat post isn't really comparable to a full suspension bike, since if you ever wanted to stand and put down power on a full suspension you would lose a lot of efficiency. These Shockstop components are not comparable or a replacement to suspension. They're a very simple solution using elastomers to reduce vibrations and the sting of large hits. I personally don't think the seat post is necessary, but the stem is incredible at reducing fatigue on rigid bikes.
@@thesupernad I agree with you Mr. Brett with the stipulation that saying "a lot" is meaningless. Yes, some rider input will be absorbed into the suspension *IF* you can't lock it out, just as it is in a front suspension fork *if* it can't be locked out. That's not something that 90% of bike riders will even notice. And I think I said the same thing you are in my original post... when referring to a low-end frame "if comfort is your "primary factor" as stated in the video. I think one of the dozens of sprung bike seats available is a better option for riders on hardtail bikes. The thing is that's not what this little infomercial is all about... scoring spare change. Stay safe.
@@brianbassett4379 I think you're missing the title of this video, which states "Endurance road cycling". There's no such thing as a full suspension road bike, and if there is it most likely flopped, because yes, a lot of power is lost with suspension. On a fully rigid bike, some people like myself have nerve sensitivities and need something to take the sting out of the touch points (saddle/stem). Suspension is designed to keep the tires in contact with the ground, while these components are designed to reduce rider fatigue.
Furthermore, there's plenty of high end fully rigid and hardtail bikes. A bike with full suspension does not instantly make it a higher end frame than one without.
Thank you David, from the bottom of my bottom for covering these products. I bought both and LOVE them. No more sore hands or rug burns on my sit bones! A miracle for me.Did 300k, 400k, and 360k with them and LOVE.
Thanks Kitty! I'm off on a 400km tomorrow and have high hopes to stay somewhat comfortable. Rain is in the forecast, so my soft office worker hands will have more to overcome than usual. Still loving the setup after about 12000km.
Would you mind stating the width of your tires?
@@scartinojoseph1407 I have been running 28c tires for a few years. They are 30mm wide on my rims.
Thank you
Thank you for such a thoughtful detail oriented review. I look forward to learning more from you.
Good review. I use the redshift stem and seatpost for my AUDAX rides. To me it made a huge difference. All the small bumps get taken out. I have Rim brakes so am restricted to 25cc tyres. I found that once I installed the redshift gear I no longer needed/desired bigger tyres.
Rim brake road bikes are a great platform for the Redshift system. Glad to hear it worked well for you. Thanks for sharing.
My wife is on 23c tires for now and loved to use the seatpost for a while. When I put it back on my bike, we debated if it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. My brother rides 25c tires/rim and noted the smoothness of my bike when he rode it for the first time earlier this week. Sadly can't justify the cost to gift them each a set.
so happy someone did a review on road ! what i was looking for . thank you
Very useful. Building up a Seven Axiom (older frame with travel couplers) and a 28mm (maybe the right 30mm) tire is really all that I can fit in the rear. I was already looking at redshift and cane creek options and this was very helpful. I am a larger rider, currently running 37 mm tires on a gravel bike when I rando, but am looking for something a bit zippier for the dedicated road riding of rando...so this seems a decent system way to get that float I very much need in a more dedicated road bike set up.
Great review - thanks very helpful I am 68 enjoy using the Shockstop seatpost and stem on my trail / gravel bike. The comfort and avoidance of "shock" to and older back is appreciated and still allows me to mostly keep up with the younger dudes!
Awesome! I am still loving the system over a year later. I took it off to do a video for a rigid stem system last week, and can't wait to get the Shockstop back on.
great review, and I agree it helps a lot in the rough urban mixture of surfaces
Thanks for the video! Much appreciated. My buddy has a Redshift Stem on his gravel bike (not an eBike, lol). He loves the stems ability to lessen hard impacts on gravel roads. I imagine it works work great for touring as well! You now have me thinking about putting this on my Defy. P.S. love the videos of South Korea. I taught at Hankuk University during summers. Great country. 감사합니다! 🤗
Thank Alex! These parts continue to grow on me as I use them more, but 'I love the feedback from the road this bike gives' is not a sentence I will ever utter. I made sure my new bike could use them when shopping around. If you decide on the stem, they do offer the larger diameter clamps to fit Giant OD2 steerers. Korea has been a great place to live and to ride around. Cycling infrastructure in Seoul was great, but easier access to the countryside in smaller cities the past two years has been nice too. I should make it a point to do some club ride with HRR or do a Seoul brevet this summer. Cheers!
I trust your opinion.Cerebral and reasoned. I was considering Redshift Pro Seatpost. Your commentary convinced me to try. Results were very worthwhile. Perfect to take the edge off sidewalk transitions and the numerous small road bumps. Thank you for the balanced presentation.
Thanks for the feedback Horsham. Glad you enjoy the product and my video.
Thanks for the video mate, stunning scenery and legit my exact questions answered.
Cheers, glad you enjoyed. Still enjoying the setup a lot. It's really hard to go back to rigid stems now.
Great review. I also run redshift stems on my long distance bikes. For such a small increase in weight over a normal stem - they make an incredible difference: I have a redshift spring seat tube too - but I haven't felt the need to fit it yet.
Great kit! Considering the small impact weight has on speed, it's a good investment in a few grams. Do you have the standard or pro seatpost? I'd be curious how the standard seatpost performs in road riding.
@@overbikedrandonneuring I've got the standard seat post - I didn't realise Reshift did an elastomer because I would definitely have bought that instead. I'm intending to try it on my 28mm bike - I can't fit bigger tyres and keep mudguards so that really needs some help to get more comfort. But my 35mm bike is immensely comfortable with the standard seat post.
@@trundle_bliss That's a great use for the shockstop system. 28mm tires offer all the grip needed for road riding in a fast package, but can lack comfort for long rides. Please share your opinions after you get it installed and put some miles on it.
@@overbikedrandonneuring I've run this setup for a year now. I love it so much, I've put it on all the bikes, even the fixed gear 28mm tyre audax bike. The normal sprung seat post felt weird for a couple of weeks and I almost took it off for that reason alone. But I rode along washboard lanes and the experience was a revelation. You don't feel any of it through the seat. I wouldn't go back now. It's very little weight for a massive increase in comfort, which is especially valuable on long brevet's.
Cool video, I have the redshift stem on my gravel bike with the canyon seatpost, they feel great together as well I wanted to thank you for your other video mentioning these. I was really thinking about buying a dedicated brevet bike as I’m doing my first one this year and think it will be something I will stick with but looking at geometry charts and all that fit is the same and this bike is just as light and had better quality components, I will be buying a specific set of Rene H tires for this function and know I can set them up tubeless as well on my rims and I dig the fit as well. ❤
Thanks! A typical gravel bike makes for a good brevet bike. Low gearing, often relaxed geometry, stable handling, good tire clearance. Having a second wheelset really makes it easy to swap duties. I did some testing on the Redshift seatpost recently and the results were fantastic. I'll put out a video on it soon, but suffice to say your gravel bike set up but with road tires will make an excellent system.
Are there any issues or questions you have about entering your first brevet? Good luck with it! I hope you have success and enjoy it.
I've got this very same setup on my gravel bike and have been using it for over two years. I started off with the standard version of the stem and seatpost. On the rocky "gravel" trails around San Diego, it made an immediate and noticeable difference. Better control, more comfort, able to stay seated longer, and felt less beat up. Despite the weight penalty, I was able to go faster than with the rigid components. Basically, I had the confidence to send it harder. Swapped to the pro version of the seatpost and it felt firmer and didn't seem to absorb the larger hits like the standard version but there's no noticeable seat bob while pedaling. It's still good but different. As for on the road, I suppose it makes a difference on rough roads but the 40mm tires absorb most of the little stuff. Pro stem is functionally the same as the standard stem, just a bit lighter. All in all, it's a great choice for offroad IMHO. However, I've never used it extensively on the road like you. If I was clearance limited to 25mm tires, I could see it being more useful on the road. I use my aero Trek Madone for the long rides. It's surprisingly comfortable with 28mm tires and rear IsoSpeed decoupler. Even over 300km, I don't feel beat up. Couldn't use those parts on it anyway as they wouldn't fit.
Do you ride out by the PCT? I remember staying in SD before starting the hike in '11 and enjoying the vibe of the town. Some MTB guys joked PCT stood for Perfect Cycling Trail, but they weren't allowed to ride on it. The mountain ecology near Big Bear was a nice surprise.
I haven't used the non-pro seatpost, but your assessment sounds agreeable. The non-pro would be my choice if I did gravelly things, but the potential of bobbing isn't suitable for road riding. The pro seatpost and either stem version can be considered competition for Isospeed bikes. On 28c tires, I imagine the damping of the two systems would be similar, with Shockstop slightly more active. You could maybe swap your road wheels to the gravel bike if you were inclined to test I guess. I've continued using the Shockstop system since this video was published and have been very happy with the performance on long road rides. Whether its Shockstop, Isospeed, Canecreek, or Ergon, I recommend long distance cyclists get a bit of damping on their bikes outside of just tires. It's a nice way to ride.
@@overbikedrandonneuring Never been on the PCT. Would be nice to swap wheels but the roar bike is rim brake and the gravel bike disc. Funny thing is that the gravel bike is an aluminum Trek Checkpoint, so there's no Isospeed, unlike the carbon Madone. That's why I opted for the Redshift seatpost. Thinking of getting a carbon framed Checkpoint with Isospeed. Wonder how that and the suspension seatpost (Pro version) would work together.
@@matthewnormand2041 Interesting idea. I wonder if they would work similar to springs-in-series. The Isospeed moves for-aft like a cantilever while the Redshift moves more perpendicular to the ground. I can't really imagine what that might feel like in practice.
Thanks for the info. Look like you are somewhere around in Jeju. Have a lot of fun!
Yeah, it was a nice place to live for a while. On the mainland now. Less tropical, but much better access to brevets.
thanks for such a detailed review
I don't know if that's your graphic at 3:00 or if it's marketing material, but it's wrong. In the example spring the softer part would be on the bottom and the stiffer on the top.
Does the redshift stem computer mount have an option to include a gopro mount below?
I don't have that, but it looks like it is a single computer mount with no gopro option.
That said, if you want to mount multiple devices, I recommend not using a stem bolt solution. I was riding next to a friend last year when their stem bolt mounted computer/light mount from another brand snapped after hitting a small pothole. He nearly crashed and had to abandon the event. The force bent the stem bolt and damaged the threads of the stem. I was using a similar system at the time and threw it in the trash when I got home. It is inherently a compromised design that adds leveraged force to the bolt and stem, which were not designed for that type of load. Newer, heavier GPS computers and powerful lights probably add way more load than when these designed first gained popularity.
Classical style handlebar mounts are the way to go for multiple devices on round bars. There are mounts that clamp on round aero bars too.
Hi and thanks for the info. I just bought my first dedicated rando bike and, after watching your video, I am seriously considering investing in the Redshift stem first as most of my pain during/after long rides is felt in the upper back. Did you perceive any negative effects on steering with the combined use of a loaded handlebar bag?
Hi Angelon30, what bike did you choose? I don't typically run handlebar bags. I use aero bars with a water bottle mounted between them. I keep stuff in my frame bag, with large clothes in a seatpost bag if conditions merit. If your bag is heavy, you may want a stiffer spring setup. The bag shouldn't affect handling due to the shockstop stem any more than it would with a rigid stem. That said, my past experience with loaded handlebar bags is that the steering feels a bit heavy and needs more effort to return to center. I would try to keep any handle bar bag as light as possible, despite that traditionally styled rando bikes feature large front bags prominently.
@@overbikedrandonneuring Seven Evergreen. I am new to the sport and have also been torn about whether to use a randonneur-type handlebar bag. I have been able to carry all my needs with a long toptube bag and a seatpost bag, though I haven't tested this configuration for a long 600k event. I see that your experience with loaded handlebar bags is in line with what I thought and will steer clear of that option (NPI) for the time being. I enjoy a lot your videos. Keep it up and thanks.
@@angelon30 Thank you, and great choice in bike, that should serve you well. As long as you don't plan to bivouac on the 600km you should be fine without much handlebar mounted stuff in reasonable weather. The Shockstop stem should be a fine choice for you. Will you get the titanium bolt Pro version to match your frame?
small price to pay for the added comfort and control (stem). haven't tried the seatpost yet
adds a little weight and saves money up for wanting to buy an entirely new bike
Why did you pick the elastomer version over the non-pro spring version? I've been looking at both and also the eesilk elastomer seatpost, which also comes in a 35mm version. Currently leaning towards the 35mm eesilk - what are your thoughts?
Good question. In short, I want road bike suspension to feel invisible in use. 35mm is a lot of travel for road riding, but is appropriate for gravel. Steel springs are more active than elastomers but tend to feel bouncy when just pedaling on tarmac. Best suited for gravel again. The Pro is heavier than the 20mm eeSilk, but in theory the progressive suspension design of the Pro should give better damping than the linear design of the eeSilk. In practice, that may or may not be noticeable. What's best for you depends on your conditions more than anything. The 35mm eeSilk would be ideal for road/gravel mixed riding, while the non-Pro Redshift would offer the cushiest dedicated gravel suspension of these options IMO. Report back when you make your choice!
@@overbikedrandonneuring Thanks for your reply. Hmm, currently I think I am leaning towards either the non-pro Redshift or a canyon style leafspring seatpost.
I would be using it for long distance riding (150km+ a day for 1-2weeks) and in my experience so far I have had some pain in the lower region with a regular carbon seatpost, so that makes me lean towards the most extreme option: the non-pro redshift..
Concerning the pro version, I gather that a 20mm elastomer seatpost has a level of compliance comparable to the canyon style seatpost - which is both lighter, cheaper and better look - so why not get that instead?
@@TheRune3400 I will be buying on in the near future to compare. I expect it to offer some extra comfort and hope when setup for my height, the damping characteristics are suitable. As a leaf spring, it is neither progressive like the Redshift, nor tuneable like the eeSilk. The tuning of the Canyon comes from it's exposed length above the seatpost clamp and rider weight. A light rider with little exposed seatpost may find little benefit, while a heavy rider with lots of exposed seatpost may find it floppy. It would work differently for the same rider on different bikes. Even though the design has many drawbacks in theory, in practice it may perform well enough that the weight savings are worth it. Time will tell. I will still lean towards 20mm elastomer for endurance road riding for now.
I see you still ride the Merida Silex. But is this your future randonneur bike ? Or just a bike for training and preparation for randonneur events coming up ?
Many thanks for interesting videos !!
Hi Martin, the Silex was the only locally available bike that suited my fit at the time of purchase. It will be replaced, but I am having trouble sourcing a suitable replacement frame/bike. In the meantime, the Silex is perfectly serviceable and has outperformed my expectations. It's a very good bike, but it is not an Overbiked bike. There is an easy KG to shave and more sleek aerodynamics to be had with other bikes on my radar. That said, it's been good enough that I won't jump to replace it until either the perfect replacement gets back in stock or my work schedule adjusts to allow me to travel to events better. Thanks for asking!
great video, thanks :-)
I just purchased my first Redshift stem and waiting for it to arrive. I'm a bit hesitant on the Redshift seatpost though as I'm concerned I might not be able to attach my saddle bag due to its movement. Did you face a problem too or do you stuff the spares in your Jersey pocket and live with it?
I did a short tour with a 9 liter saddle pack with no problem. The fender piece on the back keeps the bag and mechanism separate. The seatpost strap on the bag didn't move or rub, but it's possible the finish would rub off over time where the bag touches the seatpost. Helicopter tape can prevent that if you care about it. I could see a rigid frame saddle bag that connects to the seat and seatpost similar to some from Ortlieb or Arkel being incompatible. Maybe even some smaller Ortlieb bags with plastic fittings could be incompatible too. What bags do you use?
@@overbikedrandonneuring I’m concerned about this issue as well. I have a pretty rigid Bontrager saddle bag and I’d like to keep it on since because it holds my tubes, keys, etc. Would you have another suspension stem recommendation for this?
@@Burrito_AM Which model of saddle bag do you have? Is it touring or one for day rides? I would only avoid saddle packs that have plastic or metal stiffening construction that connects to both the saddle and bottom section of seat post.
@@overbikedrandonneuring It’s the Bontrager Elite Seat Pack. It does connect on both the saddle and seat post but it contacts the higher to mid section of the seat post.
@@Burrito_AM Does it have a stiff plastic sheet between those connecting points? If it is a bit flexy or has no plastic sheet, you should have no cause for concern.
What seat do you use?
My favorite seat these days is the 'Syncros Belcarra V 1.0 TRI Cut Out Saddle' when I equip aero bars, which is most of the time. I like the Selle Italia SLR Boost with no aero bars, but would probably be better off with a more padded saddle from them. I'll sometimes use an ISM PN 3.1 to change it up a bit.
way to expensive
The price isn't for everyone, but the benefit for an endurance cyclist is very real. I'd take the Shockstop system and a cheaper tier groupset on my bike to balance the cost. If you're interested, check out my video on why comfort is important. It better explains why I splurged on the Redshift stuff: ua-cam.com/video/YqPXdcoDJpQ/v-deo.html