Most people don’t really think about the bike post when looking for a new bike, and yet it’s one of the most important components of your bicycle. That’s why we decided to shine the spotlight on this topic to bring you this resource on the best bike seat post that money can buy.
It affects all types of different aspects of your biking experience, including leg extension, saddle position, and the smoothness of your ride, as well as your ability to adopt different positions while seated on your bike.
Best Bike Seatposts
We did a lot of research to compile the following list. This included testing all the different bikes so that we could deliver a comprehensive guide that’ll help you to make an informed decision.
Without further ado, read on for our selection of the best bicycle seat post on the market.
1. Cane Creek 3G Thudbuster Seatpost
First up, you have the 3G Thudbuster from Cane Creek. There’s a lot to like about this bike, despite it being a bit pricey. For one thing, it offers excellent performance on different kinds of terrain and it comes with a unique shaft with two integrated parallelogram linkages.
The seat automatically shifts backward when you’re in motion and it’s designed to mimic your body’s natural movements. This feature is what makes it the best shock absorbing bike seat post on this list.
The first time you use it you’ll notice a change in the bike post-suspension as though one of your tires has gone soft. But, after some time, you’ll get used to the new feel of your bike and make the most of it.
2. Magura Vyron Seatpost with Elect
The Magura Vyron definitely deserves to be on this list as it’s one of the best bike seat posts on the market. It operates according to wireless technology which makes it ideal for anyone whose bike frame lacks an internal dropper post and anyone who needs to keep their bike packed away regularly.
Another feature of this seat post is an arrow button that’s designed to offer better shock and fork control so you can easily switch your bike’s suspension units with the electronically controlled Magura model.
If you’ve ever tried putting in and removing a routed dropper then you know how much of a life-saver this feature is. Plus, this seat post is so easy to install it’s crazy!
3. SDG Components Tellis Dropper Seatpost
Any experienced biker will tell you that the SDG brand is one of the most popular and long-standing staples in the biking world. They make some of the best bike saddles on the market, especially for mountain bikes. That’s why we had to include the SDG Components on this list.
It comes in two different lengths – 125mm and 150mm which are available in the diameters of 30.9mm and 31.6mm respectively. This seat post has an under-bar level weight of just 36 grams and it comes with its own cables.
You’ll be glad to know that it uses a two-bolt system to secure the saddle which the head features a 50mm depth. The base is where you’ll find the nipple to the cable, which is clamped at the lever.
4. Bike Yoke Revive Dropper Seatpost
The Revive Dropper Seatpost is the best road bike seat post with dimensions of 31.6mm and 30.9mm. Yes, it has a long stroke but it makes up for this with a low-profile collar and head combo which makes it the ideal option for small frame bikes.
Another feature worth mentioning in this seat post is the fact that it doesn’t have an internal floating piston. This means that you have one less thing to worry about then it comes to this dropper.
The Allen key comes with a rotating bolt that allows you to reset the seat post’s system whenever you get an inflow of air that causes it to bounce. This feature is known as a “revive valve” and it contributes to the smoothness of this seat post.
5. REDSHIFT ShockStop Seatpost
First of all, it’s important to address the elephant in the room and that’s the fact that this is one of the weightiest posts on this list, weighing in at 545g. However, this makes sense when you consider the fact that it’s constructed from aluminum, and this includes its internal components.
We’re definitely not mad at this design because it’s incredibly well made, sporting a length of 350mm from the base to the saddle rails, with an extra 170mm round post at your disposal between the beginning of the suspension system and the minimum insertion line. This seat post has a diameter of 27.2mm which means you’ll need a shim in order to fit a 309mm or 31.6mm seat tube..
According to Redshift the highest setting that you can get to without losing any function or comfortability is four. If needed, you should definitely use an innerspring which takes about 5 minutes to incorporate.
6. Crankbrothers Highline 30.9 Dropper Seatpost
The Crankbrothers Highline Dropper is the best bicycle seat post for long-distance travel even though setting it up is no walk in the park.
The issue with installing the best bicycle suspension seatpost for mountain bike is the fact that it doesn’t come with the clearest instructions, plus you have to balance the tension between the inner and outer cable the whole time.
This seat post also comes with a salad cartridge look so that you don’t have to worry about frequent upkeep, save from the odd lubricant here and there. The best part is that this seat post is easy to mount on your saddle thanks to its low-stack height, especially after the first few times of trying it out.
7. RockShox Reverb AXS Dropper Seatpost
The RockShox Reverb is quite impressive, with features like thoughtful design, upgraded construction that includes longer friction-floating piston, and a slow-degrading new grease.
This new oil helps to maintain the seat post nice and smooth for longer while improving the overall service of the seat post. In fact, this seat post has been shown to have a generous lifespan of up to 600 hours!
This seatpost also sports a new and improved head which can now be attached onto the saddle rails using a single bolt. This technique is great for heavy-seated landings and it’s one of the features that make it truly worth the price.
8. Funn Updown Dropper Seatpost
While the Funn Updown Dropper Seatpost is on the heavier side, it’s really easy to work with because it stops whenever necessary. It has a stroke of 125mm which is sufficient for a majority of riders and it comes in two different sizes, namely 30.9mm and 31.6mm.
You’ll love the design of the remote lever which takes pride of place underneath the bar and is large enough to handle the Shimano shifter. There’s also a hinged clamp included with this seat post which makes the installation process that much easier (and faster!)
You’ll enjoy clean routing thanks to the four frame clips and O-rings that this seat post comes with. However, you still have to contend with the debris and dirt that the seat post is exposed to due to its rear-facing mechanism. Still, it’s the best carbon seatpost we’ve seen in a while.
How to Find the Best Bike Seat Post
There are more than just a few considerations that you must consider when looking at the bike seat post types and we’ve put together a list of the most important. While seat posts have pretty much the same function, they come in all types of different sizes with varying features.
However, most people don’t notice all these differences because the seatpost is not the most noticeable part of the 10-speed bike.
Material
The material that your seat post is made from is incredibly important. The most popular materials include alloy, carbon, and titanium.
However, the most important thing to keep in mind when considering the materials that the best suspension seatpost for heavy riders is made from is to utilize the right amount of grease when connecting it to the frame of your affordable cyclocross bike to avoid unnecessary damage and seizing.
Layback
Layback refers to the distance between the middle of the saddle rail cradle and the middle of the post. It has a marked effect on the comfort and reach of your seat post. A post that has a considerable amount of layback typically puts you in a stretched-out position.
If your bike saddle doesn’t feel efficient enough for your needs or you just want efficient time trialing then you should definitely consider a layback-free inline post.
Saddle Attachment
At the topmost part of the seat post is a clamp or cradle where the saddle rails stay and it should be flexible enough to allow for back and forth movement or even place a bike alarm system in there. That way, you can enjoy a more comfortable and stable saddle position.
Some systems feature a sideward bolt system so they are able to keep the saddle rails in place while remaining flexible.
Length
It’s equally important to ensure that the best carbon MTB seatpost has the right length for your needs. Seat posts come in lengths of 280mm to 400mm and the one you pick will depend on the amount of post that’s left showing on the rear when you get on the hybrid bicycle. If you’re unsure then you should measure your old post and use that as a reference.
Diameter
Next you have the seat post diameter. This is another essential feature to consider. Most seat posts have a diameter of 27.2mm, 30.9mm, and 31.6mm. Older frames often feature a thin 26.8mm diameter but you won’t find a lot of them on the market nowadays.
A wide diameter often translates to a stiffer ride but most frames have a post that measures 31.6mm, while 27.2mm is a popular choice for the comfort factor.
Color
Color is another crucial aspect that plays a role in selecting a long bicycle seat post. Ideally, your post should match the stem and bars, but you could always opt for something unique such as a Union Jack flag which is what’s featured on the design of the Thomson Elite Union Jack seat post.
Conclusion
In addition to comprehensive road bike seatpost reviews of the top models on the market, we also gave you an updated list of features and functions to prioritize in order to narrow down your options. If we had to choose the ultimate winner, the very best bike seat post would be the Cane Creek 3G Thudbuster Long Travel Seatpost.
Although pricey, this bike seatpost sports improved flexibility, optimal balance, and the ability to experience a smoother pedaling rhythm.