Cheap suspension seatpost, yes or no?

[Titiritero]

I have a '97 Trek 730 that came with a suspension seatpost. It's a "Post Modern", seemly from the same age as the bike. I'm in general not in favour of suspension posts, as my experience has always been with cheap ones with loads of lateral play. But this post works fine, and helps with the saddle I have (a Kona from another bike with zero padding) and my use (local forest paths by my in-laws, what the kids would call gravel nowadays). I need to set it up relatively hard so it does not bounce while pedaling, but that's ok.

However, now I have a bike I plan to flip that comes with a rigid post in the same "rare" diameter (26.6mm). So the question is, should I swap posts and go for rigid (lighter and more reliable in the long term), even if the other is working fine?

The suspension seatpost is not even the right diameter, it's 25.4 with a shim, but I've seen it in many other Multitracks of that era, so if not spec, I presume it was often offered as an upgrade.

 

[moonlite]

As a closet weight weenie, I vote 'nay'

 

[79stef]

I've just swapped one out on a rebuild that I did for a friend as the post in question (fitted to a more modern Trek T30) had too much lateral play. For me it was a 'no' as it was a pretty budget build and I feared that fitting a new cheap suspension post might give me the same result.
However, I must admit, riding over a few bumps on a test run it was surprisingly comfortable.
If someone here knows of a budget post that didn't have any lateral play, I'd consider it, especially as my mate has back problems - it definitely softens the blow.

 

[highlandsflyer]

I had a Rockshox one on my work bike, that was working away quietly saving the bike and my back. Keep it!

 

[bikeworkshop]

Suspension post, usually found on entry- level bikes, expecting a high handlebar and relatively level terrain.

If you ride up a steep hill, the saddle will bob, ovalising your pedal stroke.

If you want to remain sit-up seated while riding through potholes, it's good.

If you want efficiency and light weight, it's bad.

Might possibly offer a benefit to a rider with a slipped or crushed disc, although I think they react too slowly to sudden shock.

 

[Titiritero]

If someone here knows of a budget post that didn't have any lateral play, I'd consider it, especially as my mate has back problems - it definitely softens the blow.

I think a saddle with springs would do the same job with less complication and no play, just 200gr extra, but outside Brooks and the extra wide cruiser seats, the market does not seem interested... I want to try an inexpensive model from Velo that comes with springs and doesn't look like a sofa...

This one:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/17580865...Xh5RfcBcpj0RGD4PENYQqqxw==|tkp:Bk9SR7SfjdnHZQ

 

[bikeworkshop]

The speed of reaction of heavy springs under the saddle tends to suit the larger gentleman riding a cargobike around an industrial estate.
A suspension post has the sprung unit more directly under the saddle, and should have progression and damping built in.
The following criticisms of the post still apply though:

Suspension post, usually found on entry- level bikes, expecting a high handlebar and relatively level terrain.

If you ride up a steep hill, the saddle will bob, ovalising your pedal stroke.

If you want to remain sit-up seated while riding through potholes, it's good.

If you want efficiency and light weight, it's bad.

Might possibly offer a benefit to a rider with a slipped or crushed disc, although I think they react too slowly to sudden shock.

Some people find they are just the job. Likewise with a sprung saddle, although I would give the former a greater success rate amongst customers

 

[highlandsflyer]

I would just swap it out and see if it matters. Likely won't.