gdlerner

Hi guys,
What do you think about this for a turing bike?
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rinsten/rinsten-spring-the-ultimate-bicycle-shock-absorber

J.Higgins 

Interesting concept. I think it'll fly if they invest lots of cash into marketing. I personally think that its a waste of watts.

leanneg

Meh. To me, this looks like one of those solutions-in-search-of-a-problem inventions. Even on a full suspension bike, the solution to experiencing "shocks" while traveling over rough terrain is to simply unweight your seat and put more of your weight on your legs.

That said, if I were looking to add a spring or suspension device to my touring set-up, I'd choose something a little more time-proven than a Kickstarter project. Plenty of manufacturers produce sprung saddles, and there's also things like the Thudbuster seat post. At least with those you're spending money on a known quality, with pre-existing user experiences and reviews, and a predictable shipping timeframe.

Kickstarter is fun, but it's not where I would buy a piece of equipment I need for touring. YMMV.

alan s 

Looks like an overpriced piece of bent metal. I use my legs as shock absorbers where necessary.

andrewclaus

It may just be me, but I don't understand the need for suspension springs on a touring bike. There must be plenty of people riding much rougher terrain than I do.

But then again, a while ago I got my MTBer friend on a road bike, and it became apparent he had no clue how to use his body to absorb shock. The bike beat the crap out of him, at every little bump in the road that I intuitively flexed for or hopped. He would be the market for this device, I guess.

fietsbob

Its been done before.. you realize.

What do you weigh? did they give a weight limit ? will it have a world wide replacement guarantee?


.... but simplicity is reliable, I never needed suspension on several tours..

though a proven suspension seatpost like Thudbuster is popular

the touring load absorbs some roughness.., due to it's mass..





...

saddlesores

i see many unhappy returns due to bent and/or broken
metal rod.

not to mention the lawsuits for the injuries caused
when riders become impaled on broken ends.

J.Higgins 

I actually have known people who did not know wheat to do when a mosquito landed on their arm or forehead. I suspect that your friend is of this ilk. It's safe to assume then this gizmo may give him some comfort... until it breaks.

BigAura

My arm-chair-engineering -> Hard to believe that has a long term hardiness.

Chuck Naill

Does not look like you can cock the nose up.

sweeks

I've been riding on one of these for about two weeks on my folding commuter bike. I thought it was a bit of a gimmick when I first heard about it (on RoadBikeRider.com newsletter). I'm borrowing it from one of the RBR contributors. I have to say that I'm somewhat surprised. The saddle feels a bit more "plush" than usual, and I can remain seated over moderately rough pavement that I would normally "post" over. There is very little "bounce" even though the spring itself is not damped; the rider acts as the damper. I will post a summary and information after I put it on my road bike and ride it a while.
Steve

veganbikes

I can cut up an old bottle cage and stick it on my seat post as well, would I do it? NO! Would it be a good idea? NO! Would I have wasted a bottle cage doing so? Yes!

I don't see a need for extra metal on my saddle, just a comfortable bike and a good saddle and I have no problems.

Andrew R Stewart 

It is interesting how ideas get recycled every decade or three in our cycling world. The last time I saw this was about 20 + years ago. here's a shot of that version I still have on my shelf. Note this version had elastomers helping to damp the movement. IIRC they were available in different "weights".


In another couple of decades we'll likely see another version... Makes me wonder about patent issues though. Andy.

Ironfish653

For the $25~$30 early backer, it'd be worth a shot, but at $50, I might give it a pass.

Could be a neat add-on to a flat-bar road bike for a folding commuter, where you want to keep everything minimal.

'Solution in search of a problem,' indeed; but then, I own a Softride.

DropBarFan

I don't see any info about saddle tilt adjustment even though that is a necessity. Rinsten also takes up considerable vertical space so it doesn't solve the problem of current suspension seatposts not fitting on some bikes. I admire the intention but many casual bikes already come with cheap susp seatposts that work OK for limited distances & allow tilt adjustment. I use an SQ-Labs Active saddle with elastomer cushion over the saddle rail--helps to smooth out ride a bit.

djb

Im pretty certain that voice actor does other infomercials for similar type stupid-crap-that-we-dont-really-need, and if he doesnt, he certainly sounds like the "awesome Tupperware Freshernator" (©) that will keep your salad fresh for two months, guarenteed, no more wasteful fridege abominations from regular tupperware neglect.

Tourist in MSN

Although I have only seen photos and have not had a chance to try it or hold one in my hand to assess the springiness or weight, my suspicion is that it would function much like a regular suspension seatpost with less weight. And because you could use a shorter seatpost the weight savings could be even greater if you changed posts when you switch to it.

In post 11 above, the user is using it on a small wheeled bike. Such bikes do not handle bumps as wells as larger wheel bikes and the Thud Buster is often used on small wheel bikes for that reason. He also said we would get an updated report after trying it on a regular sized wheel, but no update, which I take as not very positive.

Most of my bikes have sprung Brooks saddles. I suspect the Brooks springs are stiffer, but they are soft enough for me.

djb

I bought a sprung Brooks used last year and at first figured it was just too stiff, but ended up riding it last winter for a month and a half and I get the impression that it softened up slightly with use. It does take the edge off sharp bangs, but boy is it heavy.

After using wider tires, I have the feeling that they have the added bonus of being easier on your wheels and spokes for rough road loaded riding, but maybe if you were to be on corrugated dirt roads, washboard, a lot, it might be worth it. Who knows.

manapua_man

I think this has been tried before and didn't catch on for a reason.

And you're probably better off getting fatter tires or trying a tubeless setup with low pressure.

djb

lerner, you're the fellow who lives in Germany aren't you, and did the Bike Friday trip in CR etc?
What bike were you thinking of using this for, or was it a general question?
If you are who I think you are, I've read your journals, and I would just add again that fatter tires do a pretty good job, the 50mm 2 inch Schwalbe Supremes I used on my 2 mth Central America trip worked really well for rough stuff, at the right pressures.
cheers

Cyclist0094

Same concept as a old tractor seat suspension. There are grades of spring steel rod that will handle the concentrated stress in the bend but they aren't cheap and unlikely to be used as shown for $50. A similar version of this was around briefly in the 1970's that instead of a simple bend had a full loop which would spread the stress over a larger area of the spring.

gdlerner

yes you are right I am the one.I just was asking i am not thinking to get one,I am happy with my thudbuster

djb

thought so, my memory isnt going.
Perhaps 4 or 5 years ago, i noted the bike store in Alajuela where you went in for something (and the owner rode your bike around and thought it was neat) as a backup in case my bike got damaged in theflight when I took my old mtb to CR at that time.
Didnt need it.

Certainly agree with how CR roads are, narrow often and busy as heck. I remember your journal page of it being frustrating for you and your wife.

sweeks

I've had the spring on my bike for 450 mile now. It's pretty much "normal" when I'm riding. I've decided to leave it on, and I've ordered another one for my road bike. This product may or may not become popular, but it works for me.
Steve