All You Need to Know About Suspension Seatposts
When we made the GSD, we aimed to strike a balance between heavy-hauling durability and a comfortable everyday ride. If you prefer a softer ride that prioritizes comfort, you may want to add a suspension seatpost to your GSD. In this article, we’ll talk about the benefits of suspension seatposts and introduce our recommended model.
Why choose a suspension seatpost?
Two factors that greatly influence your bike’s comfort by absorbing shock from the road are 1) the tires and 2) the seatpost.
Depending on your riding conditions, you may be able to soften your ride a little by running your GSD’s extra-wide Schwalbe tires at a relatively lower pressure (check out this article for more information on choosing a tire pressure). But if that’s not enough, you may want to consider adding a suspension seatpost.
A suspension seatpost will greatly increase the amount your seatpost can flex. This reduces the transfer of high-frequency road vibrations from your bike to your body and dampens the impacts of big hits from the road (such as bumps and potholes). The result is a smoother ride and (sometimes) less physical fatigue.
Why not choose a suspension seatpost?
Everyone likes comfort, so is there any reason not to install a suspension seatpost on your GSD? Here are a few points to consider:
- Adding a suspension seatpost may increase the minimum height of the saddle, which could be a problem for very short riders.
- Many GSD owners report that with some minor adjustments to their riding technique, a suspension seatpost is unnecessary. If you know there are bumps ahead, try flexing your elbows a little and using the strength of your legs to slightly lift yourself off of your saddle. With some practice, this will become second nature and can make a bumpy ride much more manageable.
- Some folks might find they simply prefer the way their GSD rides with the factory seatpost. This is something you’ll have to discover through trial and error. Your Tern dealer may be able to advise you on what will work best for your situation.
Which suspension seatpost is recommended for the GSD?
Our favorite suspension seatpost for the GSD is the Cane Creek Thudbuster ST (30.9 mm). This suspension seatpost comes in different diameters, so make sure to choose the 30.9 mm model, as this is the diameter of the GSD’s upper seatpost.
The latest version of the Thudbuster allows riders to switch between the soft, medium, and hard elastomers without tools for easy sharing.
Can I use a different suspension seatpost with my GSD?
Yes, there may be other suspension seatposts that will work for you. If you’re considering a different brand of seatpost, make sure to check for compatibility with the manufacturer.