Anybody run Redshift Shockstop suspension stem and seatpost?

[neilbrew]

I'm in the process of reconfiguring my bike and gear in anticipation of my TransAm attempt in 2024. I am consciously prioritizing comfort with my choices given the length and sheer amount of hours in the saddle.

I have a Surly Long Haul Trucker that serves many purposes. Most of the time, I have it set up in off-road "gravel" mode and also use it for non-technical, flowy single-track. For this purpose, I run a Redshift Shockstop Pro stem and matching Pro seatpost. They are a game-changers for me in this discipline taking away the jolts and constant chatter from the rough surfaces. I won't ride off-road without them.

For the TransAm, which I understand is 99% pavement, they may not be totally necessary especially when fully loaded. However, at this point, I am planning to run the stem for sure since I've had some finger numbness on high mileage rides. I may adjust the elastomer settings to be a litter firmer for pavement than where it's set for gravel. I am a bit more unsettled whether to run the seatpost also for the trip or switch to a normal rigid post. The Pro post is much firmer than the standard model and really isn't perceivable most of the time. I'm wondering if anybody has experience running the Redshift suspension products on a long and loaded road tour and what is your assessment?

Neil

[John Nettles]

I have a RS Stem and a Thudbuster post.  I use them on gravel tours and pavement tours, primarily because I am too lazy to switch them out every few months.  I usually tour in 3 week to 2 month increments a 3-4 times a year.  To me, there really is no negative to using them other than a little added weight.  I don't notice any bouncy feel nor any negative handling characteristics which would really bug me.  I mostly appreciate the stem because as you say it takes the edge of some bumps, cracks, etc. on poor road surfaces. 

When on pavement, I run the "corrected" size elastomer since I use a handlebar bag.  However, on gravel, I like the extra cushion so use the a slightly softer size (not including the bag's weight) so it rides a smidgen softer. I called RS and according to them, I should include the weight of the bag and its contents as part of my boy weight when determining the correct size elastomer so the "corrected" size is body weight + handle bar bag & contents average weight. Hope that is clear. 

Wishing you have a great tour!  Tailwinds, John
 

[neilbrew]

Thanks for the comments. I hadn't considered the effect of a front bag affecting the leverage of the stem and therefore the elastomer choice. However, for the setup I'm considering, I won't have a handlebar bag. Instead I'll be running Brooks Scape top tube and feed bags for a bikepacking-style cockpit. I do have a traditional Arkel handlebar bag, however, I feel like too much weight that high and far out from the bars affects the bike's handling too much for my liking. I'm sure it may work great for someone with a different setup.

[John Nettles]

Agree but your weight on the bars is supposed to be factored in regardless of how it is mounted.  However, I didn't notice much difference when the bag was on or off say when going to a store from camp.  Maybe a bit stiffer but not noticeable.  Of course, the bike handles a lot different without front panniers on too.

Tailwinds, John

[Pat Lamb]

You may come to appreciate the "suspension" aspects of the RS (and perhaps the Thudbuster) as you cross miles of roads with expansion joints from Missouri, through Kansas, to eastern Colorado.  Rough roads everywhere else are just bad pavement.  :/

[froze]

I use both of those on my touring bike, and they work great.  I had to stiffen up the seat post because it bounced too much and felt like I wasn't efficient riding with it like that, so I stiffened up a lot, now it's just right for me, something you'll discover and will have to adjust it to your taste.  And if you really want to stiffen it up it comes with an extra spring that gets added to the main spring, I didn't have to that far, I just had to tighten the adjustment bolt.

The stem was fine for me as it came from the factory, but it does come with more elastomers so you can change it if you want.

The combination of the two did make riding long distances day after day on a loaded bike a bit more comfortable.

My final biggest problem in comfort now is the seat itself, I got a Brooks Cambium seat because of all the glorious reviews other touring folk gave it, it's the worst seat I've ever owned, put over 2,000 miles on it thinking it would get better, nope.  I just bought a Selle Anatomica H2 saddle, but haven't tried it yet due to snow and cold weather.

[John Nettles]

I just bought a Selle Anatomica H2 saddle, but haven't tried it yet due to snow and cold weather.

I really enjoy the comfort of my Selle Anatomica X1.  The life of it is not near as good as a Brooks saddle but it is pretty dang comfortable right out of the box.

[froze]

I just bought a Selle Anatomica H2 saddle, but haven't tried it yet due to snow and cold weather.

I really enjoy the comfort of my Selle Anatomica X1.  The life of it is not near as good as a Brooks saddle but it is pretty dang comfortable right out of the box.

How much do you weigh?

I have a Brooks B17 that got damaged when I totaled out my previous touring bike, but it was not extremely comfortable as they claimed it would become, mostly my junk would fall asleep too quickly, so I'm hoping the cutout will help prevent that like my other saddles that have cutouts do, that is why I didn't go back to a Brooks even though they have a cutout version now, but the B17 cutout weighs more.

[John Nettles]

Around 165 give or take at the start of a tour and usually drop about 3-5 pounds per week BEGINNING the 3rd week of tour to about 150 then I promptly gain it all back until the next tour. 

The numbness you speak of is why I quit the Brooks and have no issues at all with the SA X1.  The issue with the XI is the leather stretches much quicker.  I would guess I have will have to replace after about 15k miles compared to the 50k plus on my Brooks.  But I figure that costs around 1.5 cents per mile so that is worth it to me not go numb multiple times a day.  If the H1 is longer lasting but just as comfortable as an X1, I would go with that assuming you are in the weight limit.  I just called SA and spoke with someone (the owner I think) and got what they recommended. 

[froze]

Around 165 give or take at the start of a tour and usually drop about 3-5 pounds per week BEGINNING the 3rd week of tour to about 150 then I promptly gain it all back until the next tour. 

The numbness you speak of is why I quit the Brooks and have no issues at all with the SA X1.  The issue with the XI is the leather stretches much quicker.  I would guess I have will have to replace after about 15k miles compared to the 50k plus on my Brooks.  But I figure that costs around 1.5 cents per mile so that is worth it to me not go numb multiple times a day.  If the H1 is longer lasting but just as comfortable as an X1, I would go with that assuming you are in the weight limit.  I just called SA and spoke with someone (the owner I think) and got what they recommended.

That's what I did too was call Selle to confirm my thoughts.  I weigh 175 which is why I thought the H2 would last longer, and a lady I spoke to agreed, so that's the one I got.

Finally got the saddle sauce and the rainproof cover today for it.

Did your saddle come with a spanner tool? I didn't get one, Brooks sent theirs with one, which I thought Selle would, I'll have to call them.

[John Nettles]

Mine just uses a standard 6mm(?) hex wrench so I didn't need anything special like a Brooks spanner.

[froze]

Mine just uses a standard 6mm(?) hex wrench so I didn't need anything special like a Brooks spanner.

I know they use a 6mm hex, but I thought they would try to imitate Brooks and include one, nope, but they are less expensive than a Brooks.