[this was written on Jan. 22, '24] I'm a road rider, gravel rider, mtn rider, fatbiker, ... and have been for a number of decades now. This is to say, I am beginning to appreciate any additional comfort based items (not sheepskin seat covers, but truly performance and functionality melded together into great durable products). The Thudbuster LT is one such item (i.e., the G4 version, the latest version). My household has 10 bikes. There are now 6 Cane Creek posts on those bikes:
gravel bikes: 2 x eesilk+ (carbon)
back-up road / light gravel: 1 x eesilk
mtn (hardtail): 1 x Thudbuster LT (G4)
fatbikes: 2 x Thudbuster LT (G4)
The single post I wish had more 'squishy-comfort' would be the road bike's eesilk (so I just ordered a softer rubber bumper). A suggestion for a road rider looking for some additional comfort would be the eesilk+ (gravel) post as it delivers in that category.
The other bikes are now better bikes because of these posts. The more squish, the better (it seems). My fatbikes are the latest to be adorned with such squishy goodness. I did go to softer bumpers than is recommended, that may just be me but I read it's very common. My fatbiking is only done in the winter in Ontario (Canada) when the temperatures are well below freezing (i.e., -10C, approx. 14F). While it's true that running 5 inch tires with 5 psi provides significant 'squish', ... that addition of the Thudbuster LT is everything to make the ride more comfortable and non-punishing (except in your muscles, depending on your effort).
These posts do not look 'stupid', they look great. They are also easy enough to swap in different bumpers is so desired. I'm also running the neoprene overboot for the Thudbuster LTs I'm running. They may or may not be worthwhile but I'm willing to buy and install the overboots to protect my equipment. The overboots also have a big strip of reflective tape on the back and that will certainly keep your friends from losing you in the forest in the dark winter while you're out fatbiking in the late evening.
One suggestion I have though is for sizing. Given the transferability of the post to other bikes I suggest buying the 27.2mm size and using a shim for larger seat-tubes. This allows the post to be swapped out when it's time to sell the 31.6mm seat-tubed fatbike (or what-have-you). The reason for this is to allow you to keep the post and use it on different bikes in your stable. I'm currently running two 27.2mm Thudbuster LT seatposts with shims and both are as 'good / sturdy / noise-free' as the others. Shims are cheap, the LT itself is not.
Cheers.
[this was written on Jan. 22, ’24] I’m a road rider, gravel rider, mtn rider, fatbiker, … and have been for a number of decades now. This is to say, I am beginning to appreciate any additional comfort based items (not sheepskin seat covers, but truly performance and functionality melded together into great durable products). The Thudbuster LT is one such item (i.e., the G4 version, the latest version). My household has 10 bikes. There are now 6 Cane Creek posts on those bikes:
gravel bikes: 2 x eesilk+ (carbon)
back-up road / light gravel: 1 x eesilk
mtn (hardtail): 1 x Thudbuster LT (G4)
fatbikes: 2 x Thudbuster LT (G4)
The single post I wish had more ‘squishy-comfort’ would be the road bike’s eesilk (so I just ordered a softer rubber bumper). A suggestion for a road rider looking for some additional comfort would be the eesilk+ (gravel) post as it delivers in that category.
The other bikes are now better bikes because of these posts. The more squish, the better (it seems). My fatbikes are the latest to be adorned with such squishy goodness. I did go to softer bumpers than is recommended, that may just be me but I read it’s very common. My fatbiking is only done in the winter in Ontario (Canada) when the temperatures are well below freezing (i.e., -10C, approx. 14F). While it’s true that running 5 inch tires with 5 psi provides significant ‘squish’, … that addition of the Thudbuster LT is everything to make the ride more comfortable and non-punishing (except in your muscles, depending on your effort).
These posts do not look ‘stupid’, they look great. They are also easy enough to swap in different bumpers is so desired. I’m also running the neoprene overboot for the Thudbuster LTs I’m running. They may or may not be worthwhile but I’m willing to buy and install the overboots to protect my equipment. The overboots also have a big strip of reflective tape on the back and that will certainly keep your friends from losing you in the forest in the dark winter while you’re out fatbiking in the late evening.
One suggestion I have though is for sizing. Given the transferability of the post to other bikes I suggest buying the 27.2mm size and using a shim for larger seat-tubes. This allows the post to be swapped out when it’s time to sell the 31.6mm seat-tubed fatbike (or what-have-you). The reason for this is to allow you to keep the post and use it on different bikes in your stable. I’m currently running two 27.2mm Thudbuster LT seatposts with shims and both are as ‘good / sturdy / noise-free’ as the others. Shims are cheap, the LT itself is not.
Cheers.
I just installed this and rode it a little so far.
Unlike many reviewers online, I had no problems with the installation. I believe their issues are due to user error. Seems to be a great design.
But I think it is a bad marketing decision by Cane Creek to insist on shipping these with no choice for elastomer.
It is not just rider weight that factors in here, but maybe more importantly the type of riding.
E-bikers hitting potholes is a very different issue from a mountain biker on real mountain bike trails, even if they weigh the same.
Forcing me to go through the swap procedure, expense, and hassle, followed by never having a need for my Medium elastomer, puts a needlessly bad end to the purchase and install experience for me.