Bike seat post

[jako999]

Hi all
No one probably knows the answer to this but I thought I’d try. My wife has a fully electric bike but she can only manage a couple of miles then her backs gone and has to rest mind you that’s normally far enough to a local pub We’ve tried a gel seat and so on but no good, I’ve seen a sort of seat post with suspension but the problem is due to having spina bifilar she is only4’9” and the seat has to be at its lowest, in order to fit one of these posts I will have to cut some of the bike away which could be an expensive mistake the only bonus is because it fit her in both size and purpose we have a second bike in case we could never get hold of one again.
Just wondering if anyone has ever tried one or knows anyone how has and are they ok for people with spinal problems.
Thanks

 

[pappajohn]

My bike came with a sprung seat post.... Load of rubbish.
No adjustment for load.
I'm 17st and the seat moves about ½inch.

 

[Googlebot]

This won’t be a cheap option, a full suspension bike with a decent shock front and rear will transform the ride.

I got a non electric full suspension that cost me 2k and it is like riding on a cushion of air.

Seats and post suspension systems are generally not great and mostly don’t work. The frame will still transfer the bumps through her legs.

Consider also bigger wheels, the 29 inch bikes tend to roll over bumps much better than the smaller wheels.

 

[jako999]

Unfortunately a full suspension bike with bigger wheels is not an option. She can’t pedal at all and her bike has a very small frame so she can touch the floor without getting off the seat, the only way to achieve this is means the bike only has 20” wheels which causes part of the problem.
Thanks anyway

 

[jumar]

Would a Trike be an option...not easy to transport in a motorhome, but could be worth looking into....

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[funflair]

You won't be able to cut away the top of the frames seat tube as that has the clamp to hold the seat post.

 

[The Coops]

How about picking up an old tandem and converting it to electric? Then only one has to pedal!

 

[SuperMike]

Mine has a suspension seat post. There is an adjusting screw that allows you to adjust from nothing to a very likkle. It does take some of the sting out of a bump, but not much. Overall, in your case I think it would be of no value.

 

[Littlewheels]

Have you considered one of these

 

[glenn2926]

There are seat posts which at the flick of a lever will drop into the frame seat post and then at a further flick of the lever will return to the preset height I do not know if there is a suspension version available. This might be worth having a look at.

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[Jenben]

I can’t help on the seat post but wondered does she ride the bike regularly ? Many people suffer aches and pains after a bike ride (or a walk ) if you don’t ride often.

I know your wife has a medical condition and so this might not be appropriate but gradually building up to riding further by riding shorter distances more regularly might be a solution.

 

[suavecarve]

How about picking up an old tandem and converting it to electric? Then only one has to pedal!

I am just about to sell a foldable electric tandem !

Folding e bike tandem

Reason for starting post is a couple of questions and possibly more about our recent purchase of a folding electric tandem. Firstly neither wife or i are anywhere near cyclists. We can ride bikes, we can do 20 mile on a bike and have a sore bum, she has always wanted an e bike, i have always...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

I have the spokes to put in and its as good as new, only done 2-300 kms. Found that it wasnt suitable for us

 

[dalspa]

Be aware that a suspension seat post will increase the height of the seat. Unless the existing protrusion of the seat tube is very high, the available amount to be able to cut off is unlikely to achieve a lowered seat.

 

[clanjones]

Tandem sounds a good idea or the there are other options. If you want to investigate further have a look at JD Tandems. I know that I keep harping on about them but they are brilliant and you may just find a solution that you hadn't thought about. Even a phone call may give you food for thought.

Tandems.co.uk - The UK Tandem Bike Site from JD Tandems - JD Tandems

 

[RubyOptics]

Suspension seat posts have always been terrible. Don't bother with one. I would maybe look into a full suspension e-bike. There are quite a few with the size that you need, the one here is just an example.

26 inch hidden battery full suspension frame hunting electric bike

Electric System Motor: Bafang Ultra M620 G510 max power output of 1500W If use, 52v max can be 1800w Battery: King Kong integrate hidden frame 52v 20Ah Controller: 35AMP inner controller Display: C18 color LCD display Charger: 52V 4A Applied PAS: 160NM of Torque/ 1800w Peak Wattage Output

www.ouka-ebike.com

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[Kenp]

My wife is 5ft and 1/2inch and always had trouble putting her feet on the floor when stopping. She changed her AS folding bike for Pete's latest creation the folding Trike. Getting on and off is easy. It has a twist and go option. Never any need to put your feet down and the most comfortable saddle she has experienced.
If you are still in the Halesowen area it is easy to go and try one at Pete's in Ryton on Dunsmore 5 miles east of Coventry.
<Broken link removed>
https://www.asbikes.co.uk

 

[Landy Andy]

A suspension seat post will be better than nothing, but they aren’t great (wife has one on her E Raleigh) and the suspension part, obviously, must be above the frame clamp so will add height above the minimum seat height. Mentioned above is a dropper seat post, where you operate a lever and seat post drops to the frame. These don’t add any softness to the ride, just the ability to remove the seat from the groin area.

Have you dropped the tyre pressures right down? Possibly you could go for fatter tyres and you could fit crush cores inside the tyre to stop pinch punctures and aid the squish

I’m sure you know, but seat height is set with the leg length and the pedals. Not the seat set so you can touch the floor. Although this is something my wife struggles to understand even though when ever she goes to put her foot down she comes forward off the seat and puts her foot down, hence not having a cross bar.

I think the best starter for your wife would be a great fitted seat. I would recommend the ergon
They have a seat selector on their website, and are well regarded in cycling.

Products · Ergon Bike

www.ergonbike.com

 

[Pirahna]

Given that you have a very unusual set of criteria for the bike I doubt you'll find a solution off the shelf. My recommendation is to visit someone that can make a bespoke frame.

 

[Vanderek]

Would one of these work , or does it make saddle too high.... cost about £15 ebay.. we have them as could not find a suspension seat post with extra large diameter post

 

[RubyOptics]

Would one of these work , or does it make saddle too high.... cost about £15 ebay.. we have them as could not find a suspension seat post with extra large diameter post
View attachment 481812

That has got to be one of the most terrifying and ill-conceived products I have ever seen.

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[Vipar]

Are you sure that the problem is with the saddle? I suffer with osteoarthritis and found riding my bike was a no no. My Osteopath asked me to come and see him, and bring my bike. He said the problem is the handlebars they are not high enough. And needed to be nearer to the back thereby straightening my back. Having bought a handlebar extention it solved my back ache when riding. Sold the bike so can’t show any pictures. Hope this helps. (It’s not the one in the classified)

 

[Vanderek]

As Vipar says , we have changed stems for short ones and changed handlebars for North/Dutch style bars

 

[Minxy]

Try a 'big bum saddle' instead of the one she has, they are much comfier than a standard sized gel seat as they spread the 'load' more so no pressure points which can often be the cause of the problem, the first one below is what we bought which is brilliant, the second one has the 'breather' centres if that is preferred:

<Broken link removed>

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[Ridgeway]

I would think about a visit to a decent, helpful and friendly bike shop. Rule out the basics like the seat being totally wrong (ladies saddles are very different to one for a fella and can cause one to sit awkwardly) then see if they can look at your wives posture on the bike, it can be quite obvious to someone that knows they're way around a bike as to how someone would sit: arms too stretched, pedals too far away etc etc.

Maybe it will just cost you a hours time, and some bike adjustments.

Most suspension features aren't going to solve this from what i'd reading, seat posts with built in suspension offer very little actual give at all.

As a cheap idea why not run the tyre pressure as low as you dare as that will offer some free cushioning. The risk is an odd puncture and wearing out out of tyres a bit quicker. If you can go up a tyre size (with) and go for the full fat bike experience, after all a fat bike is just a rigid framed (hard tail) with bouncy tyres

 

[jako999]

Thanks everyone I will look into all your suggestions. As some of you have said we may end up replacing it.

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[DumfriesDik]

Would a Trike be an option...not easy to transport in a motorhome, but could be worth looking into....

Check out recumbent trikes. ICE make pretty neat ones

 

[Themselves]

Padded cycling shorts

 

[Viv Danks]

Have you considered a recumbent trike that folds - This is what we got for Anne - has an electric option and has transformed her enjoyment.

https://www.icetrikes.co/products/adventure - not the cheapest but sometimes.........had ours for 7 years now fits in MH and good to go.

 

[SandraL]

SandraL has an Azub recumbent folding trike with motor. You sit on a comfy nylon mesh seat. Main unforeseen niggle is you are looking for a smooth path for 3 wheels, not so easy on canal towpaths and similar, on 2 wheels only need space for 1 wheel. Also heavy, offset by motor when riding, but lifting over obstacles etc a bind.
Traffic seems to give a wider berth to recumbents, but still use a flag.
Bonus is they hold their value second hand, but a very small market . And she does ride in comfort.

 

[sgl5gjr]

Hi all
No one probably knows the answer to this but I thought I’d try. My wife has a fully electric bike but she can only manage a couple of miles then her backs gone and has to rest mind you that’s normally far enough to a local pub We’ve tried a gel seat and so on but no good, I’ve seen a sort of seat post with suspension but the problem is due to having spina bifilar she is only4’9” and the seat has to be at its lowest, in order to fit one of these posts I will have to cut some of the bike away which could be an expensive mistake the only bonus is because it fit her in both size and purpose we have a second bike in case we could never get hold of one again.
Just wondering if anyone has ever tried one or knows anyone how has and are they ok for people with spinal problems.
Thanks

I'm late to the party on this one....... I guess it depends how bad the spina bifida is....if it is mild and your wife can use an electric bike, maybe the bike is too large for her? but I will leave that to you to decide especially as if your wife needs to rest then its what recovery time does she need, again only you know that....also with saddles you need to make sure the one you have fits the sit bones. I forgot to say that I am in the bike trade but won't be trying to sell you anything, just give you some pointers. The other alternative possibility could be a hand bike, I have several customers with them and many can't walk and they come with easily removable wheels for transport. These guys use the lay down types but there are more upright ones out there. I do hope you can find a solution to this as cycling is a great activity and good for the health ........ Safe Motorhoming

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