Then I’ll begin… Doing a bit of Internet wandering, I stumble upon the YouTube channel of the Dutch cycling phenomenon that is Wheels to Wander, a young couple who are widely travelled across the globe. Indeed they have been recommended by many people as potential guests for The Cycling Europe Podcast. (Watch this space…) Unlike this website – which rarely recommends anything to anyone – the Wheels to Wander couple do write reviews and produce videos extolling the virtues (or lack thereof) of various bits of kit.
Now at this point I would usually embed the relevant video, but Wheels to Wander don’t allow that so a simple link to their video will have to suffice. Here it is. Did you watch it? The Cane Creek Thudbuster ST Suspension Seatpost. It’s the kind of thing that you should purchase on the basis of its name alone. Eric of Wheels to Wander is a fan. In the absence of his video, here is another one from the manufacturers:
The “industry standard in seatpost suspension” according to Cane Creek. Here are more of their words, not mine:
- Comfortable Suspension: 50mm of Travel (1.97in) for exceptional shock absorbing while cycling.
- Reduce Riding Pain & Increase Comfort: Absorb bumps, dips, and drops. This will soften your ride and make biking more comfortable and enjoyable so you can ride longer.
- High Quality & Durable: This suspension seatpost is completely redesigned from the previous model for increased durability and additional suspension travel.
- No Shop Tools Needed: Tool-free elastomer change and a single-bolt seat clamp design for easy seatpost adjustments.
- Works with Many Different Bike Types: This seatpost can be used on road bikes, gravel bikes, e-bikes (electric), commuter bikes, and adventure bikes for maximum comfort and performance.
- Wide Range of Rider Weight: Weight limit of riders up to 150kg/330lbs.
- Patented Parallel-Linkage Technology: Parallel Linkage technology stays in the direct path of the natural travel of the rear wheel. As a bump lifts the back of a bicycle, the rear wheel pushes up and forward into the rider.
- Tuning Customization: Tunable to match your weight and riding preference with a range of elastomer spring rates available.
Back to me. The downside is the price. $199.99. From All Terrain Cycles the cost is £188.99.
I’ve also been toying with trading the B17 (left) for a C17 (right) which looks as though it is a lot less susceptible to the whims of the British weather. Thoughts welcome.
That said, I do recommend this, as posted to Instagram yesterday after a little work on my behalf:
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Categories: Cycling
Hi Andrew. I’ve been following wheels to wonder for many years and I can highly recommend their videos.
What do you think of the infinity seat? I’ve got a Brooks and I’m very curious to see if this unusual seat is more comfortable? https://youtu.be/DYAozduKh3w?si=1t0s1VjqorLEq30r
After writing the post yesterday I headed over to All Terrain Cycles in Bradford. They had some of the Cane Creek seat posts in stock, but not one with a diameter of 27mm. Would I have bought one if they had had one in stock? Not sure… Anyway, what they did have in stock were Brooks saddles. I looked carefully – again(!) – at the C17. They also had some black B17s on the shelf, identical to the one I have on Wanda. I was surprised just how supportive the B17 was compared to my current one (which has, over the years, collapsed somewhat). I also reflected on what I have always thought; that one of the reasons why the B17 is so comfortable is that is allows your backside to move backward and forward on the saddle because of the smooth surface of the leather. I bought a replacement B17…