SaddleSoar

Not available yet, but looks interesting...
https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/...ype-first-look
-Stuart

Chris_W

Specialized also has something similar coming out soon, the Cobl Goblr - 18mm of vertical compliance in an all-carbon post. Apparently, these aren't any available aftermarket yet (only on complete S-Works Roubaix bikes), but once the supply is up then they will start making them more widely available. We have one on back-order with the local Spec' dealer - we'll report back once we get it, but don't hold your breath.

twocicle

More on the gobbler... https://www.cxmagazine.com/specialize...yclocross-road

I can't see the Ergon working that well for a road tandem, as that post is meant to help with rear wheel pitching hits. Hmmm, I'm sure we could think up something funny about that last part

rdtompki

Chris, that looks very interesting, but looking at the picture I'd guess isn't one size fits all. I wonder what range of rider weight it's really designed for. Still, nothing quite as ugly seat post wise as a Thudbuster. I'd give one of those serious consideration..

cplager

Looks interesting. Thanks for the link.

One question though. Why "stoker" post?

Cheers,
Charles

SaddleSoar

Well, the captain could certainly use one if desired, but it is generally the stoker that bears the brunt of rough roads and is most appreciative of a little extra comfort. That's the only reason I called it that.

cplager

I've got very little experience with proper tandems, so maybe this is understood and I just don't know, but why would the stoker take the brunt of bad roads compared to the captain?

Cheers,
Charles

reburns

A few reasons I can think of: 1) the stoker is mounted almost directly over the rear wheel, so bumps travel very directly up the stoker's seat stays from wheel to saddle, whereas the captain is mounted near the center of the frame and benefits from any flex in the long tandem frame. 2) the stoker can't see bumps coming and so isn't as prepared unless the bump is large enough for the captain to call out. 3) more often than not, the stoker is a lady who deserves a smooth ride! The looks of a LT Thudbuster may not be for everybody, but my stoker sure loves the ride it gives her. Bob

cplager

(2) I see. I don't know how much I buy (1), but I could be convinced. As far as (3), I'll just leave that one alone.

Cheers,
Charles

Sprout97 

Interesting. I'd installed a Specialized post with the zertz insert (her old Specialized Ruby also had one) that she likes. On the other hand, anything that makes the stoker happy is ALWAYS a plus. That, and the current post is a pain to adjust w/ her Brooks saddle.

B. Carfree

My wife and I trade places just enough that I am convinced that (1) is the right answer. By the way, she rides captain 99% of the time, so (2) and (3) don't really apply to us very often.

To amplify on what reburns said, when the rear wheel hits a bump and rises up an inch, the stoker's saddle will also rise about an inch, but the captain's saddle will only go up a fraction of that because it is nearer the fulcrum (front axle). So, a minor vibration for the captain is a bone-jarring experience for a stoker, especially if the stoker didn't know it was coming.

Chris_W

Point 1 is definitely important - The captain's post being a long way from either wheel means that it is EXTREMELY well damped. None of my single bikes (which are steel, alu', and carbon), give anything close to the smooth ride that I get in the captain's seat of the tandem. There is definitely no need for any kind of comfort seatpost when you have all of that frame to flex. OTOH, the stoker is basically in the same position as on a single bike, so has the regular amount of road shock that would be experienced on a single bike, but maybe a little more because of how stiff the seatstays must be to handle all the weight of a tandem team. Combine that with Point 2, the stoker's inability to see many shocks coming, then seatpost comfort becomes more important for a stoker than on any single bike.

I agree that Point 3 is pretty lame - women can choose to be just as tough as guys, it's just that many choose not to be (which may be wise or weak depending on your perspective).

Tom Spohn

I have heard that it is not a good idea to use carbon for the Captain's post since it has an aluminum clamp on it for the Stoker's stem.

Sprout97 

I've had no problems with my Wound-Up post. I probably have upwards of 6500 miles (a conservative figure, but I don't remember when I swapped over) with no problems.

Chris_W

Every manufacturer of carbon posts recommends against clamping anything to their carbon posts, and most people on web forums echo these warnings. However, I have clamped a stoker stem to a carbon post of the tandem for a few thousand kms and have clamped seatpost mounted racks to a carbon post on my single bike with 5+ kg of weight on the rack for several hundred kms. Like Sprout97, I've never had an issue with any of these posts.

If I had an uber-lightweight carbon post (like one from one of those German weightweenie manufacturers, or something similar) then I would probably not clamp anything to it. With most other carbon posts, I would not be too worried. Having said that, we now have a Thomson seatpost for the captain's seat on the tandem (which I basically got for free because I grabbed it off of another bike that I flipped) and I have no desire to switch it back to a carbon model now. A lightweight aluminum model like a Thomson is about the same weight as most carbon models and you don't have any worries about going against manufacturer's warnings.

tandem rider

The Wound-Up probably has an aluminum sleeve in it. I had one a few years ago and it had the Al sleeve.

bgross

We fossils have found that there are several "low tech" options which help.

Our C'dale (see sig.) has an older "damping" seat post which, combined with my bride's Selle Anatomica saddle, works just fine.
Our vintage Santana has a solid stoker post. We fitted a Brooks B67s (sprung saddle) and my bride is quite happy with the result. (The B67s is not as... firm as the B17!)

The Santana that we rode for a week in Europe had a Thudbuster stoker post. However, we packed the Selle Anatomica and she said it seemed no different in comfort than either of our own bikes.

YMMV

Clarabelle

There would be a war if I tried to replace my wife's Thudbuster. It may not be pretty, but it works. She claims it rides better than her single.

bikeinxs

I've been trying to source a cobl gobl seat post - anyone have luck finding one yet? Also curious as to if more people have feedback on the use of carbon fiber captains seat posts? I'm also concerned about clamping the stoker stem to it.