If you follow the instructions on the seatpost, they have you adjust your seat a bit forward and post a bit up, so that when you sit on it with a correctly tuned spring the sag puts you in your perfect position. Then it doesn't move much to either side of that, and only when it's actively absorbing a bump. If you're the kind of person that is put off by your position moving a few millimeters then sure it'll be annoying, but it shouldn't be for most people, once set up correctly. Though I've only tried the seatpost, not both at the same time
@@Bendersnatchling that’s the unfortunate nature of proprietary seatposts. Been there. From now on I intend to stay away from non-round seatposts as much as I can.
@@RicardoRocha-lg1xo it's tough though, isn't it? It seems like all road bikes are becoming aero and round tubes are awful in that respect. Teardrop or kammtail is way better, but not round and proprietary ofc....
@@Bendersnatchling that’s why I said “as much as I can” 😅… that’s one of the reasons I intend my next bike to be custom, either steel or Ti. One upside to aero seatpost is saddle alignment, though. That’s always an issue for me with my current bikes if I take the round seatpost out for cleaning/greasing. That never happened with the carbon aero bikes I had in the past
Seeing a roadbiker be amazed at suspension was great. Welcome to the club. This is why the recent gravel/adventure biking trend has been good, it broke a lot of people out of mental boxes
I have had lower back surgery for ruptured discs and have been using a suspension seat post for the last fifteen years. The seat post has allowed me to continue riding, I would definitely recommend one for someone with lower back problems.
That's also the reason why I'm a big fan of e-bikes even though I don't use one. It opens new possibilities for people who wouldn't ride a bicycle otherwise.
@@KNURKonesur Hey thats me :D. Since i got my E-Bike (Bergamont E-Revox 4 - i love it!) im riding almost daily! It's infact so much fun (which i never had with a normal Bike) that im currently planning a 450 km Tour from Niedersachsen to Zandvoort (Netherlands).
@@KNURKonesuryou are so right. I would never buy a road bike but I brought ebike that has top speed of 20mph , close to city limit. I don’t like normal bike because ebike allows me to take off quick at traffic light
I've been using a Redshift stem and seatpost since they first came out, fantastic product, stopped my back ache straight away. The slight change in position as you ride has never been an issue.
For longer rides they're great. I have Canyon's VCLS leaf sprung seatpost which is a brilliant alternative and definitely worth considering. It's quite expensive but they are less than half the weight of the Redshift and look a lot sleeker.
I have an S13 (VCLS 1.0) seatpost on my Inflite and am always amazed how compliant it is despite looking like a regular post. Also a quite a bit cheaper than the S14.
I have a similar one with no set back, I haven't found it much different to the seat post I was running (sadly...) but I'm going to try one with a 20mm setback. I reckon these are a great compromise between wanting a bit more compliance but as much as these offer.
Go on a long bumpy ride without the suspensions and with them for a couple of times. You will feel that how much more gas you save up in the tank by reducing the vibration fatigue. I was able to go twice as much as before thanks to this. You guys said that the saddle position will change, and that is in the manual. It states that you have a 6 mm initial sag so you have to calculate with that. My only issue is with the stem. You have to check the elastomer tension time to time as the bolt that puts the tension on the elastomers tend to loosen after a couple of rough rides. It will feel softer initially, but it hits you on a descent when you are cornering. I almost learned how to fly, when the dam thing loosened up and the characteristics of the steering changed. It felt like hitting a pothole when I put my weight on the front. Other than that, it was my best bike upgrade so far.
@@johnnunn8688 If you follow the pre-load procedure, than the initial sag should be the same for every rider, independent of their weight. Unless they are over the max pre-load capacity.
I put Redshift stem and post on my Winter bike that i do Paris Roubaix on every year, they were a game changer, never been more comfortable on the cobbles, well worth the dosh!
I’ve had the Redshift Shopstop stem + seatpost combo for a few years on my gravel bike and although no lightweight items they make for a super comfy ride without the hassle of “real” suspension.
For 5 months on my solo trip I've been using eeSilk from Cane Creek. I can't imagine riding without it now. It's expensive but no saddle sores after few thousand kilometers. Also I'm a proud owner of Redshift suspension stem which at beginning felt kind of weird. Especially with an Ortlieb Handlebar bag, but I've got used to it. And again I can highly recommend. No wrist pains after 70-80km a day.
@@rickeverett3304 I'd agree with that assessment. Pretty sure the eesilk, especially in the carbon variant, is quite a bit lighter though. If that's actually important to someone
I have both on two of my bikes and love them. Taking the time to experiment and get the setup to your liking is key. I have the seatpost setup so that there is barely no sag (unless I'm carrying extra water or other stuff). That way it keeps the same/normal geometry on smooth roads, and soaks up all the bumps and rough stuff. I have the stem setup so that it is very stiff in the drops, at the brink of sag on the bar tops, and a tiny bit of sag when on the brake hoods (this is possible because drop bars have different leverage at those points). This gives me the best of all worlds for sprinting, control, and comfort.
I had the same issue with the stem moving too much and feeling like you would tip forwarded. However, I just added the firmer elastomer and now it's perfect. When I'm out of saddle or break hard it doesn't move much, but it moves enough to take a long of the road/trail buzz out. Also absorbs and takes the edge off the big bumps. Really love their system.
I’ve got the stem suspension on my Cannondale Topstone 1 gravel bike and the seatpost suspension on my Giant Tallon Zero mtb and after a bit of juggling, now have both of them perfectly adjusted. I ordered a softer spring for the seatpost as at 70 kgs I found that the standard one was too hard. I’m 71 and the difference these two items have made to my riding comfort is immeasurable. Both easy to fit and adjust. Great video from you guys as usual.
I've had the Redshift stem for about year and half now on my steel gravel bike and I absolutely love it. It does take the sting out of some heavier hits and in general makes me feel more confident when descending or when on fast chunky segments. It doesn't bob when out of the saddle either!
I've had the Redshift on for about three years now and going back to a rigid stem just isn't an option. It's soooo much better on rough terrain and takes the buzz out on the road as well. I had the same epiphany as Jimmy a few years ago. I'm faster, but more importantly have more fun, when I'm comfortable. And since we've determined that weight doesn't matter, the slight penalty just isn't relevant.
i have the stem and seatpost on my gravel bikes and was even thinking about adding the stem to my TCR. i guess it may be a little blasphemous to add suspension to a super stiff race bike but the added comfort is worth it.
I've been using the stem and another brand seatpost for a couple of years on my gravel bike. With 650b wheels and bigger tires I can tackle some pretty gnarly conditions. Game changer.
For the stem, I found that when I used recommended elastomers from the instructions it was a little bit too squishy. If you add just a little bit more, to increase the stiffness, may improve the feel. I did this, and I barely notice the stem when riding smooth the road, but as soon as anything gets chunky, it, absorbs it all up.
I have the Redshift Pro Shockstem on both my road bikes (12 months). I ride mainly sealed rural country roads in Australia and they can be quite uneven and rough. The shockstem Pro takes the vibration out of the handlebars going over rough surfaces which then doesn't travel up through your arms, shoulders and neck which can often fatigue. You can adjust the movement of the stem by selecting the correct combination of rubber blocks inserted in the stem to match your weight. 5 Star rating from me.
the specialized terra seatpost that comes stock on the crux is a good medium between this and a rigid post. I put one on my bike and it's added a noticeable amount of smoothness on gravel and rough paved surfaces. It looks just like a normal seatpost as well.
I've had the Redshift stem on my road bike for 4 years. The gravel bike doesn't get out much these days! You get used to the dip pretty quickly and it's worth it for the comfort on the deplorable uk rural road surfaces.
I can relate to the guys in this video so much. Comfort is king. When I started working in a bikeshop I thought I need a racebike. Tested many of them and found out that its not at all what I need. I now ride a Cervelo Caledonia, Zipp 303 Firecrest wheelset with Conti 5000 30mm tires and I have never been this happy on a bike. The hookless design of the wheels in combination with the 30mm tires is even more comfortable than my Specialized Gravelbike with 43mm tires and a carbon flex seatpost. The rides are now a complete joy, plenty fast and I so much more relaxed at the destination. I love it when people discover that riding fast can be comfortable and fun.
I have the Redshift seatpost and stem ,the standard versions... Maybe try changing the elastomers in the stem to firm up the handlebars! Also may suggest trying them on an aluminium or steel gravel bike, might make all the difference.
I have the original post with the springs, and I love it. Honestly, I wouldn't swap to the elastomer version. Sure, you save a few grams. But the springs are really easy to adjust and get things just right. The proof is that I just forget its there most of the time. Btw: I'd consider the stem, but my bike has a Cannondale silk road headshock, so I'm good on that fro nt. Cheers
Yeah you have to add greater resistance to the stem for road bikes because of the added weight to the front vs a gravel/touring bike. I think the weight guidelines in the manual are more for gravel/touring.
ive been using the pro stem on my gravel/winter bike and its a revelation. After doing the King Alfreds way and having numb hands afterwards i thought i would try this in order to reduce hand fatigue, and hay presto, it does what says on the tin. You just have to try various elastomer combinations, i went for a harder elastomer which reduces bob but still gives enough suspension to remove hand fatigue. The seat post is also to be tried but not sure if it will rub on my Tailfin rear aero pack if on a bike packing trip. The conclusion is that it works and definitley worth trying out, especially on gravel rides or rough rough surfaces.
I have both of these and love them. Just set your seatpost about 10/15mm higher to allow for sag and change the polymers in the stem for firmer ones if its too floppy. Simple.
I dunno, I did a bit of research and I came up with the combination of a Cane Creek eeSilk seatpost and a Cirrus Kinekt stem and it all works AMAZING with my aluminum (or: aluminium for you Brits) framed gravel bike (Marin Gestalt - not 1, or X, or whatever - just the base model). The seatpost has little to no "sag", while the stem does have a fair amount if you "lean in" too much (but the handlebar doesn't pitch forward like the one you used, as it uses a parallelogram design to prevent that). The setup is almost unnoticeable UNTIL you get into the "rough stuff". As much damping as possible for as little travel as is necessary. Works... I would suggest you revisit this.
I have the Redshift stem and love it on my gravel bike. I've pondered the seat post for a while but think after your initial thoughts I might just get it and see how I get on. Its certainly an interesting concept.
Go for it. I scored the regular one (springs) second hand but nearly new, and it's one of my best buys ever. I reckon it's still worth it at full price.
The redshifts were on my radar then I forgot about them and now you have reminded me again. Thanks. I'm guessing you need to set the saddle up a bit higher so when you sit on it, the sag takes it to your actual bikefit height. Not sure what you can do about the stem though. Maybe if there is one that has a rubber insert for vibration dampening rather than suspension, so it doesn't move around so much.
I've been using the PNW Coast Suspension & Dropper post on my Gravel bike for almost 2 years now, So as well as the convenience of being a dropper post it has a dual chamber with a hydraulic cartridge with 40mm of tunable air suspension. It comes in various post diameter sizes and also both external or internal routing. It is a total revelation, a great product.
Manon Lloyd from GCN used these products for a UCI gravel worlds qualifier and gave it a thumbs up. Maybe you should set the saddle height up to compensate for the sag or set the spring preload so that It doesn’t sag under your weight just sitting on the saddle. If you have sag you’re reducing the suspension travel. It looks like a cool product. I’d like to try it.
I have Rheumatoid Arthritis in my wrists, bought a stem and I went from max ride of 25K to my usual 50k+. Total game changer for an older rider with arthritis in wrists who still loves to ride. I think everyone should have one.
It might me coincidence but most commenters already have Redshift products. One or both of them stem and seatpost and I'm not exception too. Weird YT algorythm. I feel obligated to give my opinion so, yes, Redshift stem and seatpost are great addition to comfort on your Road, Gravel or CX bike. I have back issue so the seatpost relieves my spine and stem does the same with wrists and shoulders. The stem move the handlebar forward instead of downward but the second option would require to redesing the product to move handlebar downward. And about the seatpost. Instruction clearly says: "Your saddle should be positioned 6 mm higher and 5 mm further forward than your saddle position when using a rigid seatpost.". Following that and setting correct sag gives the best comfort. I really like ShockStop System anyway and the ride is more comfy for me.
Just set the seat height and fore-aft with taking the sag into account (little bit higher than usual and slightly forward). Not sure about the stem though. My guess is that a stem spacer will do a similar thing to set your bar height back to the one recommended during bike fitting. As for the reach, it depends on how do you mount the stem (positive or negative drop), but I'm sure you can also mitigate that by adjusting the position of brake levers / shifters.
I have gone for full comfort on my new gravel bike. Has a 50mm suspension fork. It came with a standard dropper post. Swapped it out for a PNW Coast suspension dropper. Just completed a 200k BWR. Never felt better after a ride that long. It’s a heavy setup but I am not there to race. I am there to enjoy.
I’ve got one of the standard stems which I used on my gravel bike when I was recovering from Elbow, Wrist & Shoulder surgery and it was absolutely game changing!
I have a cane creek suspension seatpost and it is an absolute beauty. You don't notice it at all until you need it. I have done roughly 3000 kms with it and I don't have any issues in regards to bike fit. I think it would be the same for the redshift seat post.
I recently put the non-pro Redshift stem on my aluminium framed city bike, a Trek District 4. The frame is very stiff vertically, and I found going over bumps to be jarring on my hands. I really like the result. I have just the lightest elastomer in, and it doesn't take away the bumps entirely, but I describe it as turning "thud" into "whump." It really does take the edge off and keep my hands more firmly and comfortably on the bars. For me, the stem seems more important than the seatpost. I can always stand up if I see a harsh bump coming, but it's probably not a good idea to let go of the bars for a second to avoid the impact on my hands.
I have the suspension seatpost from Decathlon. The spring it comes with is very hard, and it doesn't provide that much comfort. You can adjust the preload, but even on the lowest possible, it's not doing much. I ended switching it with a Cube RFR Suspension Seatpost. It's more plush and comfortable (they have 2 versions, for riders 60-90 Kg and 80-120 Kg). And it looks much better than the Decathlon one. The only issue with these seatposts is their weight, I think they are well over 500g. But I prefer being comfortable.
I’ve been riding on Redshift gear since it was a startup. It’s awesome for the rough roads of Cambodia and SEA where I now live. I ride a gravel bike and backpack it’s perfect. You should come here for a real brutal adventure
Been on the Canecreek eeSilk Plus model for a while now on my gravel bike, and have one made by BBB that's similar to this but only 25mm of travel on my HT MTB which I use for big gravel events here in Belgium. It's an excellent piece of kit and really make for a much more pleasurable day in the saddle! Absolutely worth the weight cost, and I prefer this over a dropper almost all the time.
You need to remember that the seat post doesn’t just compress in line with the post, it also moves back, which reduces the amount of effective drop in relation to your pedals. You’ll still be closer, but not as much as you think. These sort of things have been around for ages in mountain biking, before rear suspension got good, so some of us old folk have gone through this discovery and figuring out geometry a long time ago. 😊
Yeah, the 10 cm travel CaneCreek posts really did the trick when a suspension frame was too costly or complex. It's funny that roadies now consider 28 mm normal, but they'd gather to shame me if I'd turn up to a club crit with 28s. I did a club crit on 28mm Diamond Tufo cross thingies and they all just shook their "wise" heads. Fat tyres just work for cyclists. It's becoming the norm in city bikes as well, that used to be skinny tyres with crappy suspension forks.
I'm using a Cane Creek eeSilk seatpost for more than a year now, in Montreal and Montreal aera, Canada, where asphalt is pretty warzone-like. Being overweight (90kg+) and getting older (41) this is the solution I found to continue enjoying riding my bike (Scott Speedster 20). The sag is very minimal, it didn't change my position at all, as the "medium" insert is already stiff. However, it saves your backbone when you're surprised by a pothole or a deep joint on the road. I just noticed Cane Creek has now a stem version of it, so maybe a good idea to save my hands/shoulders...
I weigh 100kg but set the elastomers in the stem for an 80kg rider which seems to work better, the other Redshift product I would recommend is the Cruise Control top grips.
i love the redshift stem and seatpost. i have them on both of my gravel bikes. their bar tape is also REALLY good and probably the most comfortable bar tape i have ever used.
Hi guys, love your show and all the gags😅 Anyhow down to business. The trick is on the Redshift or the NCX which I use the latter is you adjust the preload as to make the seatpost virtually rigid. That way it will only flex when you need it to instead of your back doing the flexing and your reach will stay the same. On the NCX you can also grind the back of the seatpost away so that it will fit into a D-shape seat tube which was a must for my well used back The Redshift stem in my opinion should be mandatory for safety Cheers Scott
I added the Redshift to my Specialized Creo (I had an Allez before) and it was amazing. I have a 32 miles round trip commute in Buffalo NY and the roads are rough around here. The handlebars already have some adjustment (added a 25 lbs helper spring) and set my Redshift up with the heavy spring set nearly to heaviest setting. I also replaced the 32mm tires with 38's to soften the ride a hair. Otherwise these riding conditions will break my bike in less than 2000 miles (I've broken frames before). I don't feel a "pogo" effect like you do when you ride a cheap hybrid with their awful seatpost springs. Th advantage of the Redshift over others is that it is metal spring controlled, not elastomer based. I ride year round (weather permitting) and ride from a low of around 20F to a high of around 95F. The springs are minimally affected by temperature, the same can not me said of elastomer based units. Once I had the front springs I could not believe the reduction is upper body fatigue after a normal commute. It really takes the sting out of the never ending pavement irregularities. The rear seat post it setup to have minimal sag when I sit on it. I adjusted the seat settings based on the compression from normal sitting. Like I said earlier, I don't feel uncontrolled "pogo" effect. I do feel it absorbing the bumps. The Redshift was a good investment.
Me too, bought my Roubaix in October 2018-70th birthday present to self-love it and 20mm suspension on the front is plenty. The ‘cobble gobbler’ seatpost looks a bit weird but it works and I don’t even notice it anymore.
I run the EESILK seatpost on my road bike and rthe EESILK gravel seatpost on my gravel bike. Great pieces of kit. Waiting for the 70mm EESILK stem to be sold in the EU. 80mm redshift stem is 10mm too long for me.
I’ve been using the stem for years and can honestly say it’s the best piece of cycling equipment I’ve ever used . Used to have loads of numb hand issues had several bike fits ( James might say I never had a good , could be true 🤷🏻♂️) but the Redshift stem saved my cycling. I completed chase the sun last year in the time limit on my gravel bike and just completed the KAW in 4 days and without that stem , for me that would have been impossible without the stem 🙏🙏
I have the Pro stem, very satisfied so far. I decided not to go for the seat post as my GT Grade has kind of a built in suspension, thanks to those glass-fiber rods having a lot of travel, and feels comfy enough but might still change my mind one day.
I have GT carbon grade. Yes the 25mm of travel works on a frame that's less than a kilo. I have read a flex seat post doesn't really have any benefit. For the bars I went for Bontrager carbon with gel inserts rather than a stem. Also Maxxis 120 tpi 40mm tyres are so subtle!
I have the stem and tht is a gamechanger on long gravel/off road rides and for bikepacking. Way less fatigue. I am going to be getting the seatpost too as it's a no brainer to make it more comfy and create less body fatigue for multi day rides
I’ve ridden a suspension seatpost by Suntour on my road bike from the start. Great experience and especially with how bumpy and rough the roads in my town are. Very comfortable and helps ride faster because it absorbs shock without soaking up power.
@@ВладиславАнтипин-щ4ъ Mine went for £64 or something along those lines. But I’m a heavy cyclist, and at nearly 90 kgs/ 200 lbs, a road bike on hard rough and bumpy roads is very hard on my pelvic floor, and long rides on such hard surfaces is horrible for me. I rode for hours last week comfortably because of my seatpost too.
I did the badger divide last May and couldn’t feel my hands for a month afterwards… got the redshift stem afterwards and game changer…. Cuts a load of the vibrations out. Don’t have the seat post but use a Brooks cambium cut out which has a decent amount of give (although always a worry that a wardrobe malfunction could be v painful 😮). Chur 🤙
I use both the Redshift suspension stem and seatpost. I’m not a fast rider but, oddly, my average speed increased, naturally, using the seatpost, despite the slight additional weight. I now switch the seatpost between bikes it’s that good. You did misrepresent the stem as that squidgy bag contained the inserts that allow for fine tuning of the amount of flex. On my setup you would have to put some weight on the bar to flex it at all, but it’s enough suspension to take out road or trail shock.
I use a Cane Creek eeSilk post on my bike and really like it. I can feel the difference over rough ground, but it’s not distracting when the road is smooth.
Used Redshift stem on Tarmac SL4 (70-84 kg elastomers) - I weigh 60Kg, so fairly firm. 28mm tyres, run 55f/70r psi. Also ride a Roubaix with futureshock, similar tyre pressures End result is very similar - fast, less stress and fatigue transmitted from road buzz, better handling as you're not re-inputting lumps and bumps in the steering, keep pedalling full gas over road humps while everyone around you stops and lifts bums off saddle. Both work for me.
I put the redshift stem with the 30 degree angle on my commuter e-bike, and immediately noticed a huge difference with how the streets of Boston feel. I got the Canecreek thudbuster seat post when I initially got the bike, and with the heavy weight elastomer it only moves about 1 cm, and I'm a fairly heavy rider.
I suspect that the Redshift offerings are excellent. I do have the Suntour seat post and the Cirrus Kinekt handlebar suspension. They both work great. This set up offers a smoother ride, better control and handling. This is most obvious when traveling down a long steep and bumpy hill.
I’ve been looking into these to relieve back pain from a herniated disk. Have a buddy who got it and it relieves a bit of the shock pressure to his spine.
Always had a suspension seat post on my touring bike. New bike, no sus. I miss it and have realised, after hundreds of miles, that's why the comfort has gone. Adds a fair bit of weight but the trade off for touring is worth it.
You can have the XLC or NCX Suntour seatpost that works basically the same way, they're 2x heavy as the Redshift one, but they cost 1/4 of the Redshift.
Ive bought 3 of the Redshift seatpost, theyre that good. Recently rode Trek's rebranded copy of the Decathlon seatpost and its ok. Helps out a fair bit absorbing large bumps but fails at repeated small bumps like gratings or metal bridges. Overall, not even close to Redshift which is in a league of its own but also costs about 1/8 sooooo not bad if you want a bit of comfort for not a lot for money. Get a Redshift though, its 100% worth it
redshift suspension seatpost works well on my gravel bike, stern is ok but it sometimes move the body downward & slightly rotate your hands when it pivots i had seen others recommending the Vecnum Freeqence stern,
I have both for my gravel bike which I use for touring. I bought a separate road bike though because when I do centuries, while super comfortable, I can feel the loss of power when climbing over large distances. I might add the pro stem though, because the dampening might be useful for long rides.
I'd love to see you compare the Redshift seatpost to the Cane Creek Eesilk+ suspension seatpost, which is what I have on 3 bikes (gravel, hardtail, and cargo fatbike). I've been happy with the performance of the Cane Creeks, but am always interested in tangible improvements in comfort. The suspension stems still make me a bit sketchy, not ready to try one yet. Also, you set the saddle height and setback based on the position with sag, then distance to the controls doesn't change as much as it does when you compare completely unloaded vs completely loaded. You'd be looking at a "neutral" position with +/-5mm of reach. Semantics, but it's about half of the actual change from your set point as you think, just in 2 directions. Most people would struggle to feel a 1cm change, let alone +/-5mm from normal.
Have wondered about these type of products for when off road or riding local pot holes (I mean local roads). Agree with Francis about the stem and feeling like my hands would tilting forward. But loving the idea of some mild added cushioning for the rear. Look forward to comparison between the black and red versions.
I’ve tendinitis in my left shoulder and been using the redshift steam for over a year now on my gravel bike. I swear by it. short rides I don’t really notice but anything over 4 hours or if I do some rides on consecutive days it definitely helps without adding the weight and extra care that comes with suspension forks. Having said this I also have a very good full sus XC bike and this stops any pain too
I've got the red shift seat post on my gravel bike specialized comp E5 and pared with a good seat it's really good. I have no discomfort at all after a ride.
I switched to a suspension seat post about 15 years ago, when I got arthritis in my lower back. I just use the suntour, for me it is fantastic. I still ride my 1971 PX10, so there is no need for the suspension stem, the forks have plenty of flex. I would never go back to a straight seat post, the roads are just not smooth enough, pretty beat up in places. I still prefer the tubular tires, much more predictable on how they handle, just need to be very careful with glass and such.
I work at Decathlon in Sheffield and we have a few of those suspension seat posts in stock. I live in Billingham though so could bring you one some day. Would be pretty cool to meet you guys as well.
I had a cheap suspension post on my old commuter bike. It worked a treat and was about £15. I've recently got a road bike after years of not cycling and love the efficiency and low rolling resistance. It ain't comfy though.
I also love the stem on my Topstone. I did adjust which elastomers to get the right feel. Not sure I like the seat post concert although it might make for more comfort on rough terrain.
I use an old Rockshox sus post on my gravel bike definitely eases the vibration on your lower back, I use a PNW suspension dropper on my mountain Bike which gives the best of both worlds. I ride mainly dry hard packed rocky desert trails. Tried various types paralleogram etc, for me the piston type are best. As for set up I am constantly moving while riding so its not much of an issue.
My Trek has the IsoSpeed which is the built-in version of this. I normally don't notice it until I hit some off-road or the cobblestones of Philly and I barely feel the bumps. I suggest a bit of suspension even if you are a roadie.
I'm close to buying the aluminum seatpost. I have chronic back pain but gravel rides is my happy place. Its just expensive but at least free shipping and possible to return it after 90 days, if you don't like it. Also lifetime warranty
I used the stem on my Salsa Fargo gravel bike on the BCepice bikepacking race in Canada and it was the dogs bits ,best upgrade.Gets rid of that buzz on your hands.
Just got the stem myself - only done one ride on it but seems to take some of the harsh buzz out of the terrible roads I ride on in Scotland. Need to have a play around with the different elastomer options. Have had a canyon vcls seatpost for a long time which apparently gives your seat 20mm of flex and that does a similar thing, smoother ride at the rear end on bad surfaces.
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I'm glad to see that you explored the greatness of suspension post & stem. I don't want to ride without it for sure! Their dropbar and grips are also great. I love it! To be fair, I use the widest one on my dropbar mountain bike for more control on trails 😅
A tip! Use the heavy-duty springs on the saddle-stem... it saves ur spine and fatigue during a long run... If you're on the heavy side it's a win-win...
If you follow the instructions on the seatpost, they have you adjust your seat a bit forward and post a bit up, so that when you sit on it with a correctly tuned spring the sag puts you in your perfect position. Then it doesn't move much to either side of that, and only when it's actively absorbing a bump. If you're the kind of person that is put off by your position moving a few millimeters then sure it'll be annoying, but it shouldn't be for most people, once set up correctly. Though I've only tried the seatpost, not both at the same time
I’m one of those people. I tend to ride with a zero offset seatpost and the saddle slightly forward, so I rarely ride my Redshift post
Well f me and my D-shaped proprietary seat post.
(Cervelo R5)
@@Bendersnatchling that’s the unfortunate nature of proprietary seatposts. Been there. From now on I intend to stay away from non-round seatposts as much as I can.
@@RicardoRocha-lg1xo it's tough though, isn't it?
It seems like all road bikes are becoming aero and round tubes are awful in that respect.
Teardrop or kammtail is way better, but not round and proprietary ofc....
@@Bendersnatchling that’s why I said “as much as I can” 😅… that’s one of the reasons I intend my next bike to be custom, either steel or Ti. One upside to aero seatpost is saddle alignment, though. That’s always an issue for me with my current bikes if I take the round seatpost out for cleaning/greasing. That never happened with the carbon aero bikes I had in the past
Seeing a roadbiker be amazed at suspension was great. Welcome to the club. This is why the recent gravel/adventure biking trend has been good, it broke a lot of people out of mental boxes
Mental boxes indeed. I broke out and tried my best to be a sort of Morpheus to my riding buddies, but they’re still stuck in the Matrix 😂😂😂
The boys were so impressed, they forgot to moan about all the extra weight!
Bonus.
I have had lower back surgery for ruptured discs and have been using a suspension seat post for the last fifteen years. The seat post has allowed me to continue riding, I would definitely recommend one for someone with lower back problems.
I think the bigger point might be missed.... With the added comfort, will it get a person to ride more... And is that more important?
That's also the reason why I'm a big fan of e-bikes even though I don't use one. It opens new possibilities for people who wouldn't ride a bicycle otherwise.
It's a very important question... and maybe change the way they ride, or the types of rides they do.
i have a cheaper one on my bike and it's made me ride it more honestly
@@KNURKonesur Hey thats me :D. Since i got my E-Bike (Bergamont E-Revox 4 - i love it!) im riding almost daily! It's infact so much fun (which i never had with a normal Bike) that im currently planning a 450 km Tour from Niedersachsen to Zandvoort (Netherlands).
@@KNURKonesuryou are so right. I would never buy a road bike but I brought ebike that has top speed of 20mph , close to city limit. I don’t like normal bike because ebike allows me to take off quick at traffic light
I've been using a Redshift stem and seatpost since they first came out, fantastic product, stopped my back ache straight away. The slight change in position as you ride has never been an issue.
Use the stem on my gravel bike - huge benefit and removed a lot of shoulder and neck pain which I was having after rides. Bike is fitted by the way.
I am in the same boat and thinking about buying the seatpost too...
@@lomicwind you can get them for boats? Got a link?
@@johnnunn8688 boats ?? no I mean I am in the same situation ^_^
I have a plane do you think I can mount one ?
Can confirm the Pro seatpost and either stem are ideal for 200km+ rides. Excellent products.
For longer rides they're great. I have Canyon's VCLS leaf sprung seatpost which is a brilliant alternative and definitely worth considering. It's quite expensive but they are less than half the weight of the Redshift and look a lot sleeker.
great seatpost, that is actually made by ergon but canyon use it on lots of their bikes
I have an S13 (VCLS 1.0) seatpost on my Inflite and am always amazed how compliant it is despite looking like a regular post. Also a quite a bit cheaper than the S14.
@@billhulley I had the VCLS 2.0 but didn't like so much movement and it was ugly, switched to the older S13 VCLS 1.0 which I love and it looks good.
I have a similar one with no set back, I haven't found it much different to the seat post I was running (sadly...) but I'm going to try one with a 20mm setback. I reckon these are a great compromise between wanting a bit more compliance but as much as these offer.
Problem with these is, if you are a lighter rider, these basically do nothing.
Go on a long bumpy ride without the suspensions and with them for a couple of times. You will feel that how much more gas you save up in the tank by reducing the vibration fatigue. I was able to go twice as much as before thanks to this. You guys said that the saddle position will change, and that is in the manual. It states that you have a 6 mm initial sag so you have to calculate with that. My only issue is with the stem. You have to check the elastomer tension time to time as the bolt that puts the tension on the elastomers tend to loosen after a couple of rough rides. It will feel softer initially, but it hits you on a descent when you are cornering. I almost learned how to fly, when the dam thing loosened up and the characteristics of the steering changed. It felt like hitting a pothole when I put my weight on the front. Other than that, it was my best bike upgrade so far.
The initial sag will depend on the weight of the rider (Leonard M Lee) Shirley?
@@johnnunn8688 If you follow the pre-load procedure, than the initial sag should be the same for every rider, independent of their weight. Unless they are over the max pre-load capacity.
I put Redshift stem and post on my Winter bike that i do Paris Roubaix on every year, they were a game changer, never been more comfortable on the cobbles, well worth the dosh!
I’ve had the Redshift Shopstop stem + seatpost combo for a few years on my gravel bike and although no lightweight items they make for a super comfy ride without the hassle of “real” suspension.
For 5 months on my solo trip I've been using eeSilk from Cane Creek. I can't imagine riding without it now. It's expensive but no saddle sores after few thousand kilometers. Also I'm a proud owner of Redshift suspension stem which at beginning felt kind of weird. Especially with an Ortlieb Handlebar bag, but I've got used to it. And again I can highly recommend. No wrist pains after 70-80km a day.
The eesilk is the top of my wanted list...
@@markjthomson I have an EESilk on one bike and the Redshift on my #2 and wifes bikes, both are good but the Redshift is more comfortable
@@rickeverett3304 I'd agree with that assessment. Pretty sure the eesilk, especially in the carbon variant, is quite a bit lighter though. If that's actually important to someone
I have both on two of my bikes and love them. Taking the time to experiment and get the setup to your liking is key. I have the seatpost setup so that there is barely no sag (unless I'm carrying extra water or other stuff). That way it keeps the same/normal geometry on smooth roads, and soaks up all the bumps and rough stuff. I have the stem setup so that it is very stiff in the drops, at the brink of sag on the bar tops, and a tiny bit of sag when on the brake hoods (this is possible because drop bars have different leverage at those points). This gives me the best of all worlds for sprinting, control, and comfort.
I had the same issue with the stem moving too much and feeling like you would tip forwarded. However, I just added the firmer elastomer and now it's perfect. When I'm out of saddle or break hard it doesn't move much, but it moves enough to take a long of the road/trail buzz out. Also absorbs and takes the edge off the big bumps. Really love their system.
I’ve got the stem suspension on my Cannondale Topstone 1 gravel bike and the seatpost suspension on my Giant Tallon Zero mtb and after a bit of juggling, now have both of them perfectly adjusted. I ordered a softer spring for the seatpost as at 70 kgs I found that the standard one was too hard. I’m 71 and the difference these two items have made to my riding comfort is immeasurable. Both easy to fit and adjust. Great video from you guys as usual.
I've had the Redshift stem for about year and half now on my steel gravel bike and I absolutely love it. It does take the sting out of some heavier hits and in general makes me feel more confident when descending or when on fast chunky segments. It doesn't bob when out of the saddle either!
I've had the Redshift on for about three years now and going back to a rigid stem just isn't an option. It's soooo much better on rough terrain and takes the buzz out on the road as well. I had the same epiphany as Jimmy a few years ago. I'm faster, but more importantly have more fun, when I'm comfortable. And since we've determined that weight doesn't matter, the slight penalty just isn't relevant.
i have the stem and seatpost on my gravel bikes and was even thinking about adding the stem to my TCR. i guess it may be a little blasphemous to add suspension to a super stiff race bike but the added comfort is worth it.
Wife and I really like our Redshift stems, may have to give the seat posts a try as well.
I've been using the stem and another brand seatpost for a couple of years on my gravel bike. With 650b wheels and bigger tires I can tackle some pretty gnarly conditions. Game changer.
For the stem, I found that when I used recommended elastomers from the instructions it was a little bit too squishy. If you add just a little bit more, to increase the stiffness, may improve the feel. I did this, and I barely notice the stem when riding smooth the road, but as soon as anything gets chunky, it, absorbs it all up.
I have the Redshift Pro Shockstem on both my road bikes (12 months). I ride mainly sealed rural country roads in Australia and they can be quite uneven and rough. The shockstem Pro takes the vibration out of the handlebars going over rough surfaces which then doesn't travel up through your arms, shoulders and neck which can often fatigue. You can adjust the movement of the stem by selecting the correct combination of rubber blocks inserted in the stem to match your weight. 5 Star rating from me.
I'm running both stem & seatpost on my gravel bike. Best upgrade ever. The look on the reviewer's face at 4:10 cannot be faked, and I concur with it.
the specialized terra seatpost that comes stock on the crux is a good medium between this and a rigid post. I put one on my bike and it's added a noticeable amount of smoothness on gravel and rough paved surfaces. It looks just like a normal seatpost as well.
I've had the Redshift stem on my road bike for 4 years. The gravel bike doesn't get out much these days! You get used to the dip pretty quickly and it's worth it for the comfort on the deplorable uk rural road surfaces.
I can relate to the guys in this video so much. Comfort is king.
When I started working in a bikeshop I thought I need a racebike. Tested many of them and found out that its not at all what I need. I now ride a Cervelo Caledonia, Zipp 303 Firecrest wheelset with Conti 5000 30mm tires and I have never been this happy on a bike. The hookless design of the wheels in combination with the 30mm tires is even more comfortable than my Specialized Gravelbike with 43mm tires and a carbon flex seatpost.
The rides are now a complete joy, plenty fast and I so much more relaxed at the destination.
I love it when people discover that riding fast can be comfortable and fun.
I swear I've never seen a more genuine testimonial that has made me want to try a product than this in my life!
I have the Redshift seatpost and stem ,the standard versions... Maybe try changing the elastomers in the stem to firm up the handlebars! Also may suggest trying them on an aluminium or steel gravel bike, might make all the difference.
I have the original post with the springs, and I love it.
Honestly, I wouldn't swap to the elastomer version. Sure, you save a few grams. But the springs are really easy to adjust and get things just right.
The proof is that I just forget its there most of the time.
Btw: I'd consider the stem, but my bike has a Cannondale silk road headshock, so I'm good on that fro nt.
Cheers
Yeah you have to add greater resistance to the stem for road bikes because of the added weight to the front vs a gravel/touring bike. I think the weight guidelines in the manual are more for gravel/touring.
ive been using the pro stem on my gravel/winter bike and its a revelation. After doing the King Alfreds way and having numb hands afterwards i thought i would try this in order to reduce hand fatigue, and hay presto, it does what says on the tin. You just have to try various elastomer combinations, i went for a harder elastomer which reduces bob but still gives enough suspension to remove hand fatigue. The seat post is also to be tried but not sure if it will rub on my Tailfin rear aero pack if on a bike packing trip. The conclusion is that it works and definitley worth trying out, especially on gravel rides or rough rough surfaces.
I have both of these and love them. Just set your seatpost about 10/15mm higher to allow for sag and change the polymers in the stem for firmer ones if its too floppy. Simple.
I dunno, I did a bit of research and I came up with the combination of a Cane Creek eeSilk seatpost and a Cirrus Kinekt stem and it all works AMAZING with my aluminum (or: aluminium for you Brits) framed gravel bike (Marin Gestalt - not 1, or X, or whatever - just the base model). The seatpost has little to no "sag", while the stem does have a fair amount if you "lean in" too much (but the handlebar doesn't pitch forward like the one you used, as it uses a parallelogram design to prevent that). The setup is almost unnoticeable UNTIL you get into the "rough stuff". As much damping as possible for as little travel as is necessary.
Works...
I would suggest you revisit this.
I have the Redshift stem and love it on my gravel bike. I've pondered the seat post for a while but think after your initial thoughts I might just get it and see how I get on. Its certainly an interesting concept.
Go for it.
I scored the regular one (springs) second hand but nearly new, and it's one of my best buys ever. I reckon it's still worth it at full price.
The redshifts were on my radar then I forgot about them and now you have reminded me again. Thanks. I'm guessing you need to set the saddle up a bit higher so when you sit on it, the sag takes it to your actual bikefit height. Not sure what you can do about the stem though. Maybe if there is one that has a rubber insert for vibration dampening rather than suspension, so it doesn't move around so much.
i was just thinking about this, and looking for a video of it last night. impecable timing.
It's a life changer. I can't afford to have back problems in the future. This thing should be installed on every bike
I've been using the PNW Coast Suspension & Dropper post on my Gravel bike for almost 2 years now, So as well as the convenience of being a dropper post it has a dual chamber with a hydraulic cartridge with 40mm of tunable air suspension. It comes in various post diameter sizes and also both external or internal routing. It is a total revelation, a great product.
Manon Lloyd from GCN used these products for a UCI gravel worlds qualifier and gave it a thumbs up. Maybe you should set the saddle height up to compensate for the sag or set the spring preload so that It doesn’t sag under your weight just sitting on the saddle. If you have sag you’re reducing the suspension travel. It looks like a cool product. I’d like to try it.
Actually, GCN gets paid to give a thumbs up for the product that is being ‘displayed’ in a video.
I have Rheumatoid Arthritis in my wrists, bought a stem and I went from max ride of 25K to my usual 50k+. Total game changer for an older rider with arthritis in wrists who still loves to ride. I think everyone should have one.
It might me coincidence but most commenters already have Redshift products. One or both of them stem and seatpost and I'm not exception too. Weird YT algorythm. I feel obligated to give my opinion so, yes, Redshift stem and seatpost are great addition to comfort on your Road, Gravel or CX bike. I have back issue so the seatpost relieves my spine and stem does the same with wrists and shoulders. The stem move the handlebar forward instead of downward but the second option would require to redesing the product to move handlebar downward. And about the seatpost. Instruction clearly says: "Your saddle should be positioned 6 mm higher and 5 mm further forward than your saddle position when using a rigid seatpost.". Following that and setting correct sag gives the best comfort. I really like ShockStop System anyway and the ride is more comfy for me.
Just set the seat height and fore-aft with taking the sag into account (little bit higher than usual and slightly forward). Not sure about the stem though. My guess is that a stem spacer will do a similar thing to set your bar height back to the one recommended during bike fitting. As for the reach, it depends on how do you mount the stem (positive or negative drop), but I'm sure you can also mitigate that by adjusting the position of brake levers / shifters.
I have gone for full comfort on my new gravel bike. Has a 50mm suspension fork. It came with a standard dropper post. Swapped it out for a PNW Coast suspension dropper. Just completed a 200k BWR. Never felt better after a ride that long. It’s a heavy setup but I am not there to race. I am there to enjoy.
I’ve got one of the standard stems which I used on my gravel bike when I was recovering from Elbow, Wrist & Shoulder surgery and it was absolutely game changing!
I have a cane creek suspension seatpost and it is an absolute beauty. You don't notice it at all until you need it. I have done roughly 3000 kms with it and I don't have any issues in regards to bike fit.
I think it would be the same for the redshift seat post.
You are spot on. Ive got the regular Redshift post and I don't notice it until I need it.
They're great.
I recently put the non-pro Redshift stem on my aluminium framed city bike, a Trek District 4. The frame is very stiff vertically, and I found going over bumps to be jarring on my hands. I really like the result. I have just the lightest elastomer in, and it doesn't take away the bumps entirely, but I describe it as turning "thud" into "whump." It really does take the edge off and keep my hands more firmly and comfortably on the bars.
For me, the stem seems more important than the seatpost. I can always stand up if I see a harsh bump coming, but it's probably not a good idea to let go of the bars for a second to avoid the impact on my hands.
I have the suspension seatpost from Decathlon. The spring it comes with is very hard, and it doesn't provide that much comfort. You can adjust the preload, but even on the lowest possible, it's not doing much.
I ended switching it with a Cube RFR Suspension Seatpost. It's more plush and comfortable (they have 2 versions, for riders 60-90 Kg and 80-120 Kg). And it looks much better than the Decathlon one.
The only issue with these seatposts is their weight, I think they are well over 500g. But I prefer being comfortable.
Thinking of adding these to my soon-to-be purchased gravel bike. So looking forward to your next video on this topic.
I’ve been riding on Redshift gear since it was a startup. It’s awesome for the rough roads of Cambodia and SEA where I now live.
I ride a gravel bike and backpack it’s perfect.
You should come here for a real brutal adventure
Been on the Canecreek eeSilk Plus model for a while now on my gravel bike, and have one made by BBB that's similar to this but only 25mm of travel on my HT MTB which I use for big gravel events here in Belgium. It's an excellent piece of kit and really make for a much more pleasurable day in the saddle!
Absolutely worth the weight cost, and I prefer this over a dropper almost all the time.
You need to remember that the seat post doesn’t just compress in line with the post, it also moves back, which reduces the amount of effective drop in relation to your pedals. You’ll still be closer, but not as much as you think. These sort of things have been around for ages in mountain biking, before rear suspension got good, so some of us old folk have gone through this discovery and figuring out geometry a long time ago. 😊
Yeah, the 10 cm travel CaneCreek posts really did the trick when a suspension frame was too costly or complex.
It's funny that roadies now consider 28 mm normal, but they'd gather to shame me if I'd turn up to a club crit with 28s. I did a club crit on 28mm Diamond Tufo cross thingies and they all just shook their "wise" heads. Fat tyres just work for cyclists. It's becoming the norm in city bikes as well, that used to be skinny tyres with crappy suspension forks.
I dont have a suspension stem, but i love my Cane Creek ee silk suspension seat post. Phenomenal , especially as more roads are being chip sealed.
I'm using a Cane Creek eeSilk seatpost for more than a year now, in Montreal and Montreal aera, Canada, where asphalt is pretty warzone-like.
Being overweight (90kg+) and getting older (41) this is the solution I found to continue enjoying riding my bike (Scott Speedster 20).
The sag is very minimal, it didn't change my position at all, as the "medium" insert is already stiff.
However, it saves your backbone when you're surprised by a pothole or a deep joint on the road.
I just noticed Cane Creek has now a stem version of it, so maybe a good idea to save my hands/shoulders...
I weigh 100kg but set the elastomers in the stem for an 80kg rider which seems to work better, the other Redshift product I would recommend is the Cruise Control top grips.
I have a Cane Creek eeSilk suspension seatpost on my cyclocross bike. It's great! 👍
i love the redshift stem and seatpost. i have them on both of my gravel bikes. their bar tape is also REALLY good and probably the most comfortable bar tape i have ever used.
Hi guys, love your show and all the gags😅
Anyhow down to business.
The trick is on the Redshift or the NCX which I use the latter is you adjust the preload as to make the seatpost virtually rigid.
That way it will only flex when you need it to instead of your back doing the flexing and your reach will stay the same.
On the NCX you can also grind the back of the seatpost away so that it will fit into a D-shape seat tube which was a must for my well used back
The Redshift stem in my opinion should be mandatory for safety
Cheers Scott
Thanks, what an awesome idea.
I have a D-shape seat tube
More Redshift please! The Kitchen Sink bars for example? With all the pads and grips, they look interesting and comfy.
I added the Redshift to my Specialized Creo (I had an Allez before) and it was amazing. I have a 32 miles round trip commute in Buffalo NY and the roads are rough around here. The handlebars already have some adjustment (added a 25 lbs helper spring) and set my Redshift up with the heavy spring set nearly to heaviest setting. I also replaced the 32mm tires with 38's to soften the ride a hair. Otherwise these riding conditions will break my bike in less than 2000 miles (I've broken frames before). I don't feel a "pogo" effect like you do when you ride a cheap hybrid with their awful seatpost springs. Th advantage of the Redshift over others is that it is metal spring controlled, not elastomer based. I ride year round (weather permitting) and ride from a low of around 20F to a high of around 95F. The springs are minimally affected by temperature, the same can not me said of elastomer based units. Once I had the front springs I could not believe the reduction is upper body fatigue after a normal commute. It really takes the sting out of the never ending pavement irregularities. The rear seat post it setup to have minimal sag when I sit on it. I adjusted the seat settings based on the compression from normal sitting. Like I said earlier, I don't feel uncontrolled "pogo" effect. I do feel it absorbing the bumps. The Redshift was a good investment.
This is what I always loved about my Specialized Roubaix. I think the future stem is a better idea since it doesn't rotate the bars.
Me too, bought my Roubaix in October 2018-70th birthday present to self-love it and 20mm suspension on the front is plenty. The ‘cobble gobbler’ seatpost looks a bit weird but it works and I don’t even notice it anymore.
I run the EESILK seatpost on my road bike and rthe EESILK gravel seatpost on my gravel bike. Great pieces of kit. Waiting for the 70mm EESILK stem to be sold in the EU. 80mm redshift stem is 10mm too long for me.
I’ve been using the stem for years and can honestly say it’s the best piece of cycling equipment I’ve ever used . Used to have loads of numb hand issues had several bike fits ( James might say I never had a good , could be true 🤷🏻♂️) but the Redshift stem saved my cycling. I completed chase the sun last year in the time limit on my gravel bike and just completed the KAW in 4 days and without that stem , for me that would have been impossible without the stem 🙏🙏
I have the Pro stem, very satisfied so far. I decided not to go for the seat post as my GT Grade has kind of a built in suspension, thanks to those glass-fiber rods having a lot of travel, and feels comfy enough but might still change my mind one day.
I have GT carbon grade. Yes the 25mm of travel works on a frame that's less than a kilo. I have read a flex seat post doesn't really have any benefit. For the bars I went for Bontrager carbon with gel inserts rather than a stem. Also Maxxis 120 tpi 40mm tyres are so subtle!
@@SimonCurrey what a great bike we have! 😉
I have the stem and tht is a gamechanger on long gravel/off road rides and for bikepacking. Way less fatigue. I am going to be getting the seatpost too as it's a no brainer to make it more comfy and create less body fatigue for multi day rides
I’ve ridden a suspension seatpost by Suntour on my road bike from the start. Great experience and especially with how bumpy and rough the roads in my town are. Very comfortable and helps ride faster because it absorbs shock without soaking up power.
It is sr suntour ncx. For 60 dollars.
@@ВладиславАнтипин-щ4ъ
Mine went for £64 or something along those lines. But I’m a heavy cyclist, and at nearly 90 kgs/ 200 lbs, a road bike on hard rough and bumpy roads is very hard on my pelvic floor, and long rides on such hard surfaces is horrible for me. I rode for hours last week comfortably because of my seatpost too.
I did the badger divide last May and couldn’t feel my hands for a month afterwards… got the redshift stem afterwards and game changer…. Cuts a load of the vibrations out. Don’t have the seat post but use a Brooks cambium cut out which has a decent amount of give (although always a worry that a wardrobe malfunction could be v painful 😮). Chur 🤙
I use both the Redshift suspension stem and seatpost. I’m not a fast rider but, oddly, my average speed increased, naturally, using the seatpost, despite the slight additional weight. I now switch the seatpost between bikes it’s that good. You did misrepresent the stem as that squidgy bag contained the inserts that allow for fine tuning of the amount of flex. On my setup you would have to put some weight on the bar to flex it at all, but it’s enough suspension to take out road or trail shock.
I use a Cane Creek eeSilk post on my bike and really like it. I can feel the difference over rough ground, but it’s not distracting when the road is smooth.
Used Redshift stem on Tarmac SL4 (70-84 kg elastomers) - I weigh 60Kg, so fairly firm. 28mm tyres, run 55f/70r psi. Also ride a Roubaix with futureshock, similar tyre pressures End result is very similar - fast, less stress and fatigue transmitted from road buzz, better handling as you're not re-inputting lumps and bumps in the steering, keep pedalling full gas over road humps while everyone around you stops and lifts bums off saddle. Both work for me.
Had mine for years. No issues. Comfort is king.
I put the redshift stem with the 30 degree angle on my commuter e-bike, and immediately noticed a huge difference with how the streets of Boston feel. I got the Canecreek thudbuster seat post when I initially got the bike, and with the heavy weight elastomer it only moves about 1 cm, and I'm a fairly heavy rider.
Got front/rear Redshift setup on my commuter ebike and yeah it just glidesss
I suspect that the Redshift offerings are excellent. I do have the Suntour seat post and the Cirrus Kinekt handlebar suspension. They both work great. This set up offers a smoother ride, better control and handling. This is most obvious when traveling down a long steep and bumpy hill.
The seat post analysis is good and welcome. It will blur the lines of bikes and terrain.
Love my redshift stem. Really good on long rides and gravel roads.
I’ve been looking into these to relieve back pain from a herniated disk. Have a buddy who got it and it relieves a bit of the shock pressure to his spine.
I love my Redshift stem on the gravel bike - eats up all the bumps and allows for less fatiguing rides.
Great Video as always! You should try out the Ergon one with the leaf spring design :)
I run the CaneCreek eeSilk carbon seatpost on my road bike. In the UK no roads are perfect enough that it doesn’t provide some benefit. Love it.
Always had a suspension seat post on my touring bike. New bike, no sus. I miss it and have realised, after hundreds of miles, that's why the comfort has gone. Adds a fair bit of weight but the trade off for touring is worth it.
I'm definitely considering this for my bikepacking build.
You can have the XLC or NCX Suntour seatpost that works basically the same way, they're 2x heavy as the Redshift one, but they cost 1/4 of the Redshift.
Didn't Girvin make the flex stem 20 years ago or so? Had one on my proflex MTB. The more things change......
Ive bought 3 of the Redshift seatpost, theyre that good. Recently rode Trek's rebranded copy of the Decathlon seatpost and its ok. Helps out a fair bit absorbing large bumps but fails at repeated small bumps like gratings or metal bridges. Overall, not even close to Redshift which is in a league of its own but also costs about 1/8 sooooo not bad if you want a bit of comfort for not a lot for money. Get a Redshift though, its 100% worth it
redshift suspension seatpost works well on my gravel bike, stern is ok but it sometimes move the body downward & slightly rotate your hands when it pivots
i had seen others recommending the Vecnum Freeqence stern,
I have both for my gravel bike which I use for touring. I bought a separate road bike though because when I do centuries, while super comfortable, I can feel the loss of power when climbing over large distances.
I might add the pro stem though, because the dampening might be useful for long rides.
I'd love to see you compare the Redshift seatpost to the Cane Creek Eesilk+ suspension seatpost, which is what I have on 3 bikes (gravel, hardtail, and cargo fatbike). I've been happy with the performance of the Cane Creeks, but am always interested in tangible improvements in comfort. The suspension stems still make me a bit sketchy, not ready to try one yet.
Also, you set the saddle height and setback based on the position with sag, then distance to the controls doesn't change as much as it does when you compare completely unloaded vs completely loaded. You'd be looking at a "neutral" position with +/-5mm of reach. Semantics, but it's about half of the actual change from your set point as you think, just in 2 directions. Most people would struggle to feel a 1cm change, let alone +/-5mm from normal.
Have wondered about these type of products for when off road or riding local pot holes (I mean local roads). Agree with Francis about the stem and feeling like my hands would tilting forward. But loving the idea of some mild added cushioning for the rear. Look forward to comparison between the black and red versions.
I’ve tendinitis in my left shoulder and been using the redshift steam for over a year now on my gravel bike. I swear by it. short rides I don’t really notice but anything over 4 hours or if I do some rides on consecutive days it definitely helps without adding the weight and extra care that comes with suspension forks.
Having said this I also have a very good full sus XC bike and this stops any pain too
I've got the red shift seat post on my gravel bike specialized comp E5 and pared with a good seat it's really good. I have no discomfort at all after a ride.
I switched to a suspension seat post about 15 years ago, when I got arthritis in my lower back. I just use the suntour, for me it is fantastic. I still ride my 1971 PX10, so there is no need for the suspension stem, the forks have plenty of flex.
I would never go back to a straight seat post, the roads are just not smooth enough, pretty beat up in places.
I still prefer the tubular tires, much more predictable on how they handle, just need to be very careful with glass and such.
I work at Decathlon in Sheffield and we have a few of those suspension seat posts in stock. I live in Billingham though so could bring you one some day. Would be pretty cool to meet you guys as well.
I had a cheap suspension post on my old commuter bike. It worked a treat and was about £15. I've recently got a road bike after years of not cycling and love the efficiency and low rolling resistance.
It ain't comfy though.
I also love the stem on my Topstone. I did adjust which elastomers to get the right feel. Not sure I like the seat post concert although it might make for more comfort on rough terrain.
I use an old Rockshox sus post on my gravel bike definitely eases the vibration on your lower back, I use a PNW suspension dropper on my mountain Bike which gives the best of both worlds. I ride mainly dry hard packed rocky desert trails. Tried various types paralleogram etc, for me the piston type are best. As for set up I am constantly moving while riding so its not much of an issue.
I would love to see anything that comes on to the market to do with comfort....Your doing a great job lads...keep it up..
Suspension seatposts are hardly new though are they. They've been around for decades!
I use a E-Silk on road and on gravel, awesome bit of kit it was lighter than the stock post!
i love the red guys mindblown reaction
My Trek has the IsoSpeed which is the built-in version of this. I normally don't notice it until I hit some off-road or the cobblestones of Philly and I barely feel the bumps. I suggest a bit of suspension even if you are a roadie.
I'm close to buying the aluminum seatpost. I have chronic back pain but gravel rides is my happy place.
Its just expensive but at least free shipping and possible to return it after 90 days, if you don't like it. Also lifetime warranty
I used the stem on my Salsa Fargo gravel bike on the BCepice bikepacking race in Canada and it was the dogs bits ,best upgrade.Gets rid of that buzz on your hands.
Just got the stem myself - only done one ride on it but seems to take some of the harsh buzz out of the terrible roads I ride on in Scotland. Need to have a play around with the different elastomer options. Have had a canyon vcls seatpost for a long time which apparently gives your seat 20mm of flex and that does a similar thing, smoother ride at the rear end on bad surfaces.
I'm glad to see that you explored the greatness of suspension post & stem. I don't want to ride without it for sure!
Their dropbar and grips are also great. I love it! To be fair, I use the widest one on my dropbar mountain bike for more control on trails 😅
A tip! Use the heavy-duty springs on the saddle-stem... it saves ur spine and fatigue during a long run... If you're on the heavy side it's a win-win...