Best Suspension Seatpost for Touring and Bikepacking 2024

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suspension seat post

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This is a gear review about the best suspension seatpost for cycling, bike touring, and Bikepacking 2024.

Suspension seatposts have been around for a long time. In recent years the design has improved significantly. They are now more reliable and offer a very smooth ride while you are cycling on uneven terrain such as gravel.

Without a suspension seatpost, the ride can become uncomfortable even if you do have a comfortable bike seat.

In this article, I have put together the best suspension seatposts that you will be able to find right now.


How We Tested

All the Suspension Seat Posts in this review have been extensively evaluated and researched by the expert author who has many years of experience in Bike Touring and Bikepacking. The research and experience of the author have combined to come up with the Best Suspension Seatposts for 2024. Read the Review Policy for further details.

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Best Suspension Seatpost 2024

The Best Suspension Seatpost in 2024 are:

Best Suspension Seatpost 2024 – Overall

Cane Creek Thudbuster LT

Cane Creek Thudbuster LT Suspension Seat Post

Pros:
> Very smooth ride
> Easy Installation
> Durable
Cons:
> Quite heavy
> Price
> Can be squeaky

The Cane Creek Thudbuster Lt has a unique design that will help give you a smooth performance. The Thudbuster uses two parallelogram linkages, rather than the typical telescopic shaft.

As a result, this seat post moves up and down along the same path as the seat position. This helps make motions feel a lot more natural.

Made from aluminum, and the elastomers can be easily switched to suit a softer and firmer action, depending on where you cycle.

The Thudbuster LT by Cane Creek is easy to fit, with a single bolt saddle clamp that makes adjustments easy.

Overall, this is the best suspension seatpost on the market. Due to the long travel on this suspension seatpost, it is best suited to hard tail mountain biking, bikepacking, or cyclists spending a lot of time on rough dirt roads. For road cycling this seat post might be overkill.

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Best MTB Suspension Seatpost

Cane Creek Thudbuster ST

Cane Creek Thudbuster ST Suspension seat post

Pros:
> Easy Installation
> Incredibly Comfortable
> Reliable
Cons:
> Not Cheap
> Can be squeaky

The Cane Creek Thudbuster ST works in the same way as the LT above but offers a little bit less suspension travel. And like the LT model, this one is also well suited to Mountain Biking, Bikepacking, cycle touring, and road riding. This is just a super comfortable suspension seat post.

Like most Cane Creek seat posts, the ST supports a parallel linkage, yet this one has a square elastomer, which handles damping and spring duties. It comes with a choice of elastomer compounds which will depend on your weight and whether you want a softer or harder ride.

Their design has always been known to be effective as the parallel linkage compresses and absorbs any shocks of the bumps in any road. The linkage also dampens any ripples without affecting your pedaling efficiency.

Overall, this is one of the most comfortable suspension seatposts and is very well suited as an MTB suspension seatpost.

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Best Shock Seat Post

Cirrus Cycles Kinekt Bike Seat Post

Cirrus Cycles Kinekt Bike Seat Post

Pros:
> Mix and match springs to suit
> Adjustable Spring rates
> Easy to install
Cons:
> Can be a little bouncy

The KINEKT Bike Seat Post with Suspension has been designed with two springs that are placed into a sliding mechanism, this then gives you 35mm of friction free vertical travel. You can adjust the suspension to your liking.

You choose the springs according to your weight and then you can manually tighten the lower spring, which will affect the cushioning.

There is a little bit of bounce with this suspension seatpost, but the tighter you tighten the lower spring, the bounciness will decrease. This product will help you have a comfortable ride, especially when cycling through very uneven terrain such as off-road trails.

Made with aluminum, this seat post is strong and will help isolate your body from surface impacts or vibrations, which gives you more confidence and control while out cycling.

Overall, this is yet another super comfortable suspension seatpost

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Most Comfortable Suspension Seat Post

Cane Creek eeSilk

Cane Creek eeSilk suspension seat post

Pros:
> Very Comfortable
> Adjustable
> Easy to install
> Durable
Cons:
> Can be Squeaky
> Not Cheap

The Cane Creek eeSilk is one of the lightest suspension seatposts on the market right now and arguably the most comfortable seat post on the market. This seat post has interchangeable elastomers, which accommodate riders of all different weights, up to 330 pounds. This is very simple and easy to use and adjust to your liking. Cane Creek has always been known for their unique designs and the eeSilk doesn’t differ. It is made from forged aluminum, with machined aluminum linkage arms and anodized aluminum axles.

Alongside titanium mounting hardware. The eeSilk also includes a tapered seat tube end and a thumb wheel on the seat clamp for easy adjustments without any tools.

Overall, this seatpost may have a little bit less travel than some of the others but the design is such that this is one of the most comfortable suspension seatposts on the market. It is suited to almost everyone but best suited to roads and gravel riding with occasional off road use. If only it was cheaper!

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More Seat Suspension Options

REDSHIFT Shockstop Seat Suspension Seatpost

REDSHIFT Shockstop Seat Suspension Seatpost

Pros:
> Swappable springs
> Very comfortable soft ride
> Universal fit
Cons:
> This suspension seatpost is not cheap

The REDSHIFT Shockstop Suspension Seatpost consists of an internal coil spring that uses a four bar linkage system. This product promises to upgrade your bike and give you more comfort in the saddle, which means you’ll be able to ride for much longer before your rear end gets sore.

This bike seat suspension seatpost can be easily fitted onto any type of bike whether it is an e-bike, road bike, mountain bike, or hybrid. There is a swappable spring that can be swapped out depending on the rider’s weight.

You can now stay in the saddle while the seat post absorbs all the impacts and vibrations along the way. There is 35mm of suspension travel which is very plush when it comes to comfort.

Overall, this is yet another incredibly comfortable suspension seatpost that has top quality everything included. But the price is not the cheapest. Looking for the best? Maybe this is for you.

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SR Suntour NCX Suspension Seatpost

SR Suntour NCX Suspension Seatpost

Pros:
> Comfortable
> Budget Price
> Adjustable spring rates
Cons:
> Can be a bit bouncy

The SR Suntour NCX Suspension Seatpost has been built using a parallelogram design, which will give you a smooth ride against big and small bumps.

This seatpost provides you with 50mm of travel and comes with a standard spring, but this can be swapped out for another spring that is more suited for your weight requirements.

The SR Suntour NCX Suspension Seatpost gives a very smooth ride but can give a bit of a bouncy ride at times.

Overall, this is one of the best budget suspension seatposts.

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by.Schulz Unisex Adult G.2 Spring Seatpost

by.Schulz Unisex Adult G.2 Spring Seatpost

Pros:
> Comfortable, responsive ride
> Five spring hardnesses to choose from
Cons:
> Saddle Clamps are an issue for some riders

The Unisex Adult G.2 Spring Seat Post from by.Schulz is ideal for when you are touring or cycling over rocky paths and bumpy roads. The G.2 is matched to the rider’s weight, which will give you as much comfort as possible.

Alongside this, you can choose between different steel springs of different hardness. This then means you can adjust your suspension and comfort, depending on your personal preferences.

This seat post uses a parallelogram design, which is suitable for all kinds of bicycles. There is a shock-absorbing spring that absorbs all impacts and shocks giving you a more enjoyable ride.

This suspension seatpost is simple to install and well-made but the seat post sizes are a little confusing when ordering. While the seat post is good there are simpler options available from other brands.

Overall, this is another top quality suspension seatpost.

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Satori Harmony Bicycle Suspension Seat post

Satori Harmony Bicycle Suspension Seat post

Pros:
> Very affordable suspension seat post
> Easy to install
> Lightweight
> This suspension seat post can be used by anyone of any weight
Cons:
> Not as smooth a ride as some other suspension seatposts

The Satori Harmony Bike Suspension Seatpost can suit any bicycle and is perfect for anyone who is on a tight budget. This is a light suspension seat post, that with its very simple design can feel a bit stiff but will smooth out any bumps in the road or any lumps on uneven surfaces.

This product is very easy to install and can be adjusted to suit the rider’s weight. This suspension seat post is more ideal for someone who enjoys short cycling distances, however it may not be suitable for touring or longer cycling distances.

Overall, this is one of the best budget lightweight suspension seat posts on the market. But this budget model will not offer as smooth a ride as some of the others in this review.

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Suspension Seatpost Comparison Table

BrandTravelPost Sizes (mm)Weight
Cane Creek Thudbuster LT90 mm27.2, 30.9, 31.61 lb. 10.4 oz
Cane Creek Thudbuster ST 50 mm27.2, 30.9, 31.61 lb. 4.3 oz
Cirrus Cycles Kinekt Bike Suspension Seatpost35 mm25.4, 27.2, 30.9, 31.61 lb. 3.7 oz
Cane Creek eeSilk20 mm31.612.2 oz
Redshift Shockstop Suspension Seatpost35 mm27.2, 30.4, 30.9, 31.61 lb. 3 oz
SR Suntour NCX Suspension Seatpost50 mm27.2, 30.9, 31.61 lb. 12 oz
by.Schulz Unisex Adult G.2 Spring Seatpost50 mm27.2, 33.91 lb. 10 oz
Satori Animaris Bicycle Suspension Seatpost43 mm30.91 lb. 8 oz
Satori Harmony Bicycle Suspension Seat postNot Specified31.61 lb. 3 oz
Source: Manufacturers


Types of Suspension Seatposts

At the moment, you will find that there are three different types of suspension seat posts that you will constantly come across. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Elastomer Suspension Seatposts

A elastomer suspension seat post uses a solid rubber bumper that cushions you against any lumps and bumps that you come across in the roads.

There is normally some sort of hinged linkage system, which reduces any chance of rebound, which essentially then gives you a more comfortable and stable ride.

The rubber cushion can wear out over time, but it is very easy to replace. Also each rubber cushion has a different amount of give, so you need to make sure that the rubber cushion you have will give you enough give for your weight.

They can make a squeaky sound when dirt and dust get into the moving parts. Adding some lubrication or even soap can reduce or stop this annoying sound.

Air Dropper Suspension Seatposts

This is the newest kind and design of suspension seat posts on the market right now. This type offers you the chance of dropping your seat post when you need to. As these are still very new, they can seem scary or complicated.

However, they are a great alternative if you are experienced on riding on gravel roads and want to be able to change your seat’s height quickly, without having to stop and get any tools out. However a downside is that they don’t always provide the smoothest ride.

Coil Spring Suspension Seatposts

The coil spring suspension seat posts are also quite new to the market. Yet they are very similar to an elastomer suspension seat post.

This type of seat post uses a hinged linkage, but instead of rubber they use a coiled metal spring which helps with absorbing and dampening impact and bumps while cycling. With this option, you can increase and decrease the tension depending on the terrain and surfaces you are facing.

However, you don’t want to decrease the tension too much otherwise you will have to put more effort into the pedals. Also as the spring is metal, there is a chance of squeaking so you might have to grease the spring now and then to avoid this.


Rider’s Weight

All suspension seat posts offer different levels of support and resistance. You want to choose a suspension seat post that can handle your weight, otherwise you will buy a seat post that doesn’t provide you with any real benefits.

Most suspension seat posts can handle a wide range of weights, but it is important to check this. You want to feel the benefits from the seat post, otherwise what is the point of buying one that doesn’t give you a better riding experience.


Fit

You need to make sure that the suspension seat post will fit your frame. There are several seatpost widths available which are always measured in millimeters, being 25.4, 27.2, 30.9, 31.6, 33.9. The most common size is 27.2 mm. Some manufacturers offer multiple sizes and some offer the option to use a shim to ensure the correct fit.


Price

Let’s get one thing clear, the best suspension seatposts are not cheap. The good ones cost well over $100 and the top ones on this list will be over $200. While the price is very high the quality and comfort level increases with price. Having used the cheapest suspension seatpost many years ago, I cannot add it to this review as the quality and comfort was simply not good enough for it to be recommended in this review.


Conclusion

In this article, we have given you the best suspension seat posts that you can buy right now. A suspension seat post helps make cycling on uneven or bumpy surfaces a lot more comfortable and enjoyable.

Once you get a suspension seat post, you’ll never look back and wonder how you managed to live without one beforehand.

Now you know what to look out for, you can buy your perfect suspension seat post and you can start enjoying the most comfortable cycling experience you have ever had.

Best Suspension Seatpost for Touring and Bikepacking in 2024:

Read more Bike Touring and Bikepacking Gear Reviews from BikeHikeSafari

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is A Suspension Seat Post Worth It?

A suspension seat post can help you conserve energy, as it allows you to sit down for longer while on rocky paths. The suspension seat post will absorb a lot of the bumps and vibration which makes sitting down a lot more enjoyable, so you don’t have to work as hard to pedal.

Do Suspension Seat Posts really work?

Yes, suspension seat posts do a great job of absorbing the shock and vibration when riding. A suspension seat post is one of the easiest ways to make your bicycle more comfortable.

What Is A Suspension Seat Post For?

A suspension seat post features a suspension system between the top part of the seat that connects the post to the saddle.

The suspension is ideal for any rider who cycles on rough and uneven surfaces. The suspension gives you comfort, which then allows you to have a more enjoyable cycling experience.

Is It Ok To Cut The Seatpost?

As long as the minimum insertion length has been met, then you can cut the seatpost. However, you must always have the minimum insertion length factored in.

Once you have cut the seat post you must file down the end, to make it safe handling and to make sure it doesn’t cause any injury to you while out cycling.

What Are Suspension Seat Posts Made From?

You will find that there are a few materials that a suspension seat post can be made from. All of the materials you find are very durable and strong. They can be made from aluminium, steel, titanium and carbon fibre.

Sometimes you may notice a mixture of a couple of these materials used in one seat post. All of these materials are reliable for a suspension seat post.


Best Suspension Seat Post for Bikepacking and Bike Touring

BikeHikeSafari Gear Review Process

The author, Brad McCartney from BikeHikeSafari is a small independent adventurer and outdoor gear tester who owns and runs BikeHikeSafari.com.

BikeHikeSafari is not part of a large blog network and is proudly independent. All reviews on this site are independent and honest gear reviews of outdoor products by the author.

The author, Brad McCartney is a very experienced triple crown thru-hiker, adventurer, and bike tourer having spent 1000s of nights sleeping in a tent and sleeping bag (Read more). He was a manager of an outdoor retail store and is very experienced in what is important when using and testing gear for reviews like this.

BikeHikeSafari will never receive any money for reviews and they do not accept sponsored reviews on this website. All the comments about the gear reviews are from the author based on his years of experience. Hope this independent review was helpful for you.

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About the Author:
Brad is an Australian who has completed the hiking Triple Crown after he hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail and Appalachian Trail. He has hiked on every continent (except Antarctica) and has cycled from Alaska to Ecuador. He is an expert on outdoor gear currently living in Chile.

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