Suspension seat posts

[Jackalope]

Can anyone recommend a suspension seat post for my Great Divide ride?  Do these typically come with a seat attached?  There's such a variety out there, not sure how much I really need to spend

[DaveB]

I can't recommend a specific post but I do know the saddle isn't included.  All you get is the post.  

[ptaylor]

I got a suspension seat post last summer for my Cannondale aluminium touring bike. I wish I had gotten it long ago, as it works quite well in smoothing out the freeze cracks and other rough spots in the road.

While I have never used this post on a mountain bike, I can't see that it would make much difference what kind of bike it is installed on.

I don't remember the brand, but it cost about $29 or $39, including installation by the bike shop. The shop simply removed my old seat and post; then installed my old seat on the new post. The mechanic set the seat about 1 cm higher than before, assuming it would lower itself about that much when I sat on it.

The only advice I have is to avoid carbon fiber. I'm told that the spot where carbon fiber joins metal is frequently a weak spot. I know one rider with a carbon fiber post (non suspension), and it broke at that join last summer.

Paul

[cyclesafe]

IMHO the Cane Creek Thudbuster is the only serious suspension seat post.  Another option is to get a Brooks sprung saddle.

http://www.canecreek.com/thudbuster_lt.html

http://www.wallbike.com/brooks/doubletriplerailsprungsaddles.html

[timber]

I've been using carbon fibre on tour.  The Campy worked ok when it worked but the bolt design is crappy.  I am now on a Ritchey which is all carbon fibre so no carbon to aluminum joint to worry about.
One good alternative might be titanium.
jim