WHICH is BETTER? (Kinekt vs Redshift Sports Suspension Seatpost Shootout) 

Three and a half years ago I went ebike shopping. Being handicapped with spinal problems a good sis seatpost was Crucial!! I wanted BodyFloat but at the time their max weight was 275 I think. Bummer... I'm 300lb! Here's where it gets cool....the owner of Citrus Cycles was talking to them...told them how this old handicapped hippy wanted to ebike...with his doggo!..across Pennsylvania! They were so inspired they used custom parts and built me a one of a kind...meant to handle my big bones!! Lolol. These are the kinds of companies I support!! Btw...Love it!!!!!

You see, what I like about your reviews is that you inform us so that even if we are not looking at these specific products, you have helped us in how to think about other, similar products. That's what makes your reviews so good and helpful.

This is my favorite bike related channel.

Been using the original Kinetic (Bodyfloat) seat post for years. Had a trapped nerve in my neck and it meant I could still ride gravel. Love it.

Thanks for your review; it helped me make my choice: I got the Kinekt seatpost system, and I'm loving it! I had no idea it would make so great a difference. It is pricey, but paired with my Brooks B-17 saddle, the difference in comfort makes it worth it. It is heavy, but still worth it.

I've been waiting for you to do a review of these! Thanks for all your hard work Russ!!

Hi Russ, I've ridden a simpler suspension seatpost for years now. It looks more like the "spring inside the tube" type. I find it really smoothes out road/gravel vibration and it significantly reduces my lower back discomfort. It's really firm and I don't feel any bobbing whatsoever. I'm a big fan.

I've been pretty curious about installing their stem and seatpost on my gravel / touring 920. Thanks for the video!

Good review. I've had a Thudbuster for 10+ years and a Kinekt for about four. using them on a hardtail Niner and a Haibike "e" hardtail. They are both excellent and comparable IMO and excel in absorbing small irregularities in terrain, but don't do much when ascending or descending.

Redshift has awesome customer service. I broke a bolt and they sent a new one next day free.

Helpful review. I'm a Kinekt user and it works very well! Makes a huge difference in how long I can ride and how my lower back feels after ride. I swear by these posts.

As a non native English speaker, all I've got to say is that rolling over baby heads sounds metal AF

I really like elastomer suspension, such as the Cane Creek Thudbuster series. It's not noticeable when pedaling, but does substantially mute bumps.

Great thoughts here Russ! Speaking of SUPPLE, I have been experimenting with Vittoria Airliner inserts front and rear. They do a great job of muting things and smoothing everything out, Try to grab a pair to experiment with yourself!

Hey Russ thanks for the great reviews of the suspension seatposts. I’m a firm believer in them. I’m about 220 and have ridden several BodyFloats, AKA Kinekt seatposts for the last 5 years on 3 different bikes. A vintage steel road touring bike, a 55+ pound commuter/touring ebike and now on a Salsa Fargo TI set up for gravel/adventure and I really appreciate the added comfort and ease of adjustability. I too have noticed at least up and down impact of tensioning the springs though. I also have noticed which saddle I am using really impacts the overall effect of the seat post. I have a range of saddles from a super supple old Brooks Pro to a newer, just softening Brooks leather to a Brooks Cambium. I’ve found the softer saddles do more of the “early absorption” whereas the harder Cambium on the heavier ebike takes more advantage of the seatpost’s suspension. Its all good and thanks again for the great content…

I think if your bike has a quick release for the seat post then the no brained would be the bottom adjust you spoke of. Mostly due to the seat pitching in the others adjustment. I would buy either. Just because they appear to be quality functional products. Thanks for the post. You guys that post informational content like this makes RU-vid worth searching.

Great video and thank you! I see that Randy Rides installed the Redshift on the Ariel Rider Kepler.

Thanks for your review. It was helpful. Im going the kinekt due to my weight

Got a thudbuster lt on my surly 29” surly ecr and LOVE it. I use my ride for both trail and urban commuter and have found the seatpost to suspension to be worth it for unexpected potholes (especially at night), for unseen branches or dips in trails, and just general grocery getting and joy riding. If you have the cash the Thudbuster LT is worth it, tons of travel, supple, and easily adjustable with standard tools without having to remove anything.

I have a Dnm mountain road which is very similar to the red shift. It's cheap one and it came with a wrap around protector with reflective material on it. I love it as I ride a hard tail MTB I've converted to an e bike. I've only adjusted it once to make it slightly firmer as I'm a tall guy and weigh slightly more than is recommended for it, but it's no problem for it. It works great👍

I'm looking at getting the Redshift for the wife. Thanks for the review and your feedback.

I have both the Thudbuster ST and LT on different bikes I ride. I like them but haven't compared them empirically to each other or other designs. I think it depends on the bike on which it's mounted, and on the terrain on which you ride. Nevertheless, very informative and interesting information you have provided. And that's why I subscribed to your channel. Good Job!!!

I love the RedShift seat post. I am not a hardcore rough trekking road rider. I prefer the undamped springy float feeling tuned to just barely deflect at my static sitting weight. Also a larger tire cross-section helps (I use 2.5") as you stated, if you don't mind extra rolling resistance. I have gone to Maxxis Hookworm slicks with a Tannus liner and an additional kevlar shield between the Tannus and the tire. Never get flats anymore and because they are slicks, the rolling resistance is still low at ~45 psi. I avoid mud if possible, slicks + mud = be more careful. I do not care about weight and so my bike is heavy with any tools and spares I need and it would be really heavy on any bike-packing trip, but I am big and it is not a problem.

Used to run a Suntour NCX on my commute bike many years ago and it was great fun, especially with the ever growing supply of potholes that the local councils don't consider to be worth filling in. Nowadays I run a 29er fitted with super supple WTB tyres, but the potholes aren't getting any less so maybe I ought to fish it out of storage and give it another try - bit heavier than these two though at 750 grams as I recall.

I've used the Cane Creek Thudbuster, the original Cirrus BodyFloat and am currently rolling on (and happiest with) the Cane Creek eeSilk. I found 33/35mm of vertical travel on the first two to be a touch too much for my liking (unless the terrain was really rough when it was appreciated). The BodyFloat worked out to be TOO active underneath me, compared to the Thudbuster which rode much more 'muted' (sounds like it'd be similar to the Redshift). When I increased the spring rate to get a firmer ride on both of them I was losing a lot of the small bump sensitivity, so I actually ended up switching them both out to a Cannondale SAVE carbon flex seatpost (which is a pretty damn smooth ride). I've been using the eeSilk the last eight months and it has been awesome! It is only 20mm of vertical travel, but even with a light spring rate, it can dampen shock from the road AND not have that feeling of excessive saddle movement. Plus it is 50% lighter! I think I found my goldilocks seat post. 👌🏼

PLEASE make a video detailling the Kinekt vs. Redshift suspension stem!!!

Suspension seatposts on all my bikes besides my MTB which has a dropper. On my tourer I got a Suntour SP12, 200 grams heavier but also almost $200 cheaper than any of those you tried out (currently the cheapest I find it online is €60). Heavier, but way cheaper and really excellent suspension. It can also be fitted with a neoprene sleeve to protect the works from road gunk. My steel gravel bike, as well as my carbon road bike, got inline suspension posts. Cheap, but does work. You can't really feel the suspension in those, but my herniated discs tells me they work, where a standard seatpost kills me. Those weigh about half of the tested ones, and cost about 10%... Biking is suspended for me.

Where I ride there are lots of indentations in the black top on the cycle lanes. It is where the cherry pickers put down the stabilization feet when they have worked on the street lights. If you don't pay full attention, or if you are in two wheel traffic, it is easy to hit one of these dents. With a normal seat post there would be a sharp jarring sensation right up into my nads. I fitted a suspension seat post, and I don't get the jarring shocks anymore.

Super budget rider here, i just bought a charge spoon saddle and a satori animaris suspension shock seatpost for my retrospec amok v3. In total im about 800 in on my build but it works and gets me outdoors. Keep up the good work Russ, i appreciate what you do.

Thank you for such a detailed and great review. I do like the way the Redshift looks better than the Kinekt. Based on this info I would lean towards the Redshift due to the gravel road friendliness and the looks.

They both sound amazing. I have a cheap suspension post because it's on my commuter bike. Anything better would be removed. I have to say I am a fan

Purchased RedShift two years ago. Only because it was available. I'd say it's about the best purchase I've made in two years. Adjust it right the first time and never remove it again. It's all too easy and overall just plain commonsense on a hardtail. RedShift should come standard with every hardtail. My RedShift? I love it

Thanks for the review!

I have a Specialized CG-R suspension seatpost with 18mm of travel for my De Bernardi Road Bike. It works great because not all of the roads are smooth. My back and my rear end does not hurt from the bumps on the road so it takes away the stress from my body.

I use a ergotech (60-80kg) adjustment, Its very simple to use, you have to remove it to adjust it but with a quick snap its no problem it takes 2seconds, and the saddle is correct. It was 32dollers. I have 4 different suspension seatposts all around 30dollers, they preform the same they are all models that folds toward the crank not the backwheel, Its REALL good for commuting on bumpy roads, fantastic on grass soft trails on the wood, gravel road, I have not tryed in on a MTB trail (I have back problems so I cant do that) but this helps me. put a different saddle on each, takes me 10sec to change them.

I've got a Suntour NCX that's going on the bike I'm building. I was convinced of the merits of a suspension seatpost after riding 14km downhill in my top gear on a rail trail, and I ended up with a stitch after being jiggled at speed! (I thought I was developing appendicitis!) And that was with the back 2.1” tyre at

FYI, if you have an old steel frame your adapting for gravel you might check your seatpost diameter before getting too excited. It seems the Kinekt has more options. My '81 Miyata 912 accepts 26.8 seatposts which rules out the redshift, but Kinekt shows I can order a 25.4 with a shim to get to my odd 26.8 size. So Kinekt seatpost with redshift stem is my plan. Stem should be here tomorrow. Seatpost- maybe for Christmas! Getting ready for gravel in Kansas.

Recently added a Kinekt seatpost to my RAD e bike. What a difference. I ride gravel and paved roads. With this seatpost there is no road vibration getting through. It smooths everything so I call it the "cadillac" ride. There is some bob but I'm not finding it irritating. I highly recommend this seatpost. I have experience with a broad range of suspension seatposts and this is the best I've ridden so far.

Great information, even 3 years later.

Thanks, Russ, for showing us these and I think you answered every question except how do these affect the ride vis-a-vis the party pace?

Have been using a Brooks imperial flyer it has a little squeak I was impressed how it help on back pain. I would like to get one of these for my girlfriend. There should be enough clearance from the bag and (FRONT) tire 🙈

I own and have ridden both and find that they offer a lot of quality to a ride. The Kinect I have on my old HT MTB that I used as a gravel bike initially and I enjoyed the extra comfort it gave. I found it to be a bit bouncy when hitting moderate chunk and to have a little bit of bob when pedaling hard. I was a Kickstarter supporter of the Redshift seatpost and have it on my dedicated gravel bike now (previously I used a static carbon post). At first the RS post felt odd because it felt like I was floating, but in a good way. On my second and later rides I've come to love it. I still feel connected to the bike and terrain but I definitely feel fresher during and after a ride. Even with a good bike fit my lower back would feel tired by the end and this post has lessened it a great deal. I'm mostly riding on groomed gravel roads, FWIW. It doesn't bob when climbing or when going hard. Its just there... and that is where the two posts differ: the Kinect I always knew it was there, but the RS sort of blends in to the bike. I'm about 155 and the post came set where they suggested for my weight and they were right. Its not a post for bigger hits- I don't think any would be and that is where true rear suspension comes in. That is also what you arms and legs are for. I'd go for the RS seatpost again in a heartbeat and coupled with their stem you will be ready for cruising or riding fast (I didn't say racing, I swear!). Cheers.

I run the kinekt and a cloud9 suspension seat on an electric fatbike. It lets you stay in the saddle on uphill loose gravel and baby heads so the rear wheel doesn't spin free.

I've got about 40,000 gravel miles and 20,000 road miles on my 2 Kinekt (Titanium posts that you can't get anymore) seat posts. I'll just say LOVE them! Easy to rebuild and maintain. I've given up trying to explain to other riders why I use them... I just say, "You don't know what you're missing until you try one"! I'm 59 and average about 12,000 miles a year. PS. The Kinekt (which I got first and would give up last) mates well with a Lauf fork.

Thanks, Russ. Good review. I recently installed the RedShift ShockStop suspension stem on my Surly Trucker with dropbars. Very little weight penalty and definitely takes the edge off rough terrain. Not a linear response, but the elastomers get harder the more they compress, so very difficult to bottom out. Main con is when you're pulling upwards on the bars, such as when climbing out of the saddle, then there's some bobbing. Not a big problem though. Very happy overall and really takes the edge off gravel when riding a rigid bike.

Ive used a Cirrus post for a few years now. Ive used lots of older suspension posts as well over 30 years. The Cirrus post action is the most refined (that Ive ridden) in my experience. Its just enough to take the edge off impacts. I use arms and legs for the big impacts. I had a very similar experience to yours. I switch mine between a bikepacking bike, a hardtail and a single speed 'cross bike. I ride in very technical, rocky terrain probably better suited to full suspension, but I love my underbiking, simplicity and reliability. I would buy another Cirrus but I'm not happy about the saddle clamp at all. Its a major pain and I often ride my bikes with a rigid post because Im not willing to spend the time to change it over. To get my saddles dialed perfect takes 10-30 minutes which is intolerable compared to the few minutes with a fore/ aft arrangement. I even have the means to make very accurate saddle position measurements and the Cirrus post is simply too difficult to get repeated results. I dislike things that aren't designed to be adjusted or maintained easily and efficiently. I wrench in a shop. I want to RIDE MORE, wrench less!' A fore/aft 2 bolt design is simple, sufficient, perfect and PROVEN. I just tried a Redshift post on my customer's 'cross bike and thought it very smooth and Cadillac like but mostly rode it on a rough paved road during a short test ride. I might have to check one out!

Great stuff as always, Russ. Would love to see a review of Suntour SP12 NCX, which I believe is about four times cheaper than these, and uses a fabric cover to protect the moving parts.

Good review, thank you.

Got a used bike from pros closet that came with thud buster. I'm 270 lbs riding a hard tail with non shock fork. Love the thudbuster, and am surprised how much I dig it.

Great review. Much appreciated.

Thanks found this useful. Would also like to know about the crane thudbuster st if you ever get the chance.

One thing I noticed when I first started using the redshift is that if you set it up per the instructions, raising your saddle a bit to adjust for the sag when sitting on it... when you brake and your weight moves forwards it can feel like the saddle is throwing you up and forward too much, which I didn’t like. So I now run it lower to allow for this, which I guess isn’t ideal, but it feels more comfortable. Really takes the edge off cobbles as well.

Hey Russ, Thank you for all your wonderful supple reviews! Which Ergon saddle is on the kinekt seat post? did you liked it? Really curious about those ergon saddle. Thank so much

Great video ! Thank You !

Love my Redshift Shock Stop seat post for commuting on my gravel and like Russ mentioned, less technical and more mellow gravel roads. I have been riding on it for nearly 4 months. However, swapping from a dropper, which honestly I didn't have to utilize very often, sent me OTB on steep gnarly single track that was otherwise no problem with the dropper. Pros and cons to everything, luckily Redshift is working on their dropper suspension post and PNW has their option too. Seeing as I don't tackle gnarly steep single track very often on the gravel, the Redshift is my go to.

After using a Suntour one on a hardtail eMTB I'm not sure why these aren't fitted as standard to all bikes without rear suspension. They make ALL the difference even if your'e just on the road. Roads are never perfect where I am and even small dips and bumps can try to slightly launch and jar you. You don't realise how much more enjoyable and probably efficient you can be travelling over imperfect surfaces till you try one of these. You also get to retain the speed benefits of regular tyre pressures as you don't have to deflate them loads to get a softer ride. Reduces impacts to the nether regions too which has got to be a good thing. Cool video. I'm not sure we get both brands here in the UK but I'm looking for a new one to go with a potential new bike. Cheers

Cool review. Hm, It's hard to choose between them both. We need the third choice, which would be the fusion of both suspensions. Or actually a fourth option, a fusion with a dropper. OMG, choices.

Thanks for good info !! I’m 6’2", well over 60, 250. E-bike now. Rickety weaker legs I LOVE e-bike as hill leveler ! I’m torn back and forth Redshift/Kinect. Perhaps do Redshift for less fuss in adjustments once out of tube. Which one is quieter for long haul? Squeaks drive me mad !!!

I've come to like riding on suspension seats that moves around. It's like sitting at a desk on a fixed chair vs a proper office chair with all the articulations. For me, it's like having fenders where you never go without them again once you've had them. I've never tried these particular seatposts, but i'm going to bet that magnetic "fender" shield thing will find itself lsot on the pavement somewhere before long.

I use Satori Harmony($45) for road commuting, probably 30000 km ridden. It is good and reliable except two problems - I have to use shims as they do not produce my size, and second - it is not long enough for me.

I'm leaning towards the new redshift pro which used both springs and elastomer for my road bike.

Hi. Nice review, for a mix terrain? In mountain and streets. Which one is more versatile? In terms of get firm or lock out the bounce?

I have the Kinekt on my e-bike. I use an ABUS NutFix seatpost locking nut to protect my purchase. The Body Float is very Supple. I'm going to get it for my gravel bike and in June when the Kinect stem comes out, I'll get that on my gravel bike too. Adjusting is really easy, the other seat looks like a pain to adjust. The spring travel issues are probably down to wrong springs. But I've never used the Redshift so maybe I don't have reference.

Good review as always, man. Really need something like this for the stoker compartment on our rigid tandem... That being said, I view all suspension seatposts as a sort of "band-aid" substitute for a proper frame with rear suspension.

The redshift looks a little nicer in my opinion. I like it hiding the springs

Hey Russ, could you tell me if either of the seatposts use notches where the clamp interfaces with the seatpost? The part where the clamp adjusts the tilt of the saddle. I'm interested in steel spring suspension seatposts over elastomer like the Cane Creeks, but the Cane Creeks have an amazing infinitely adjustable clamp for the saddle tilt. I've seen some pics of the Kinekt and I believe it has notches. I'm wondering if they changed that. Thanks in advance

Good info. Id like to know if you have tried the specialized cobble gobbler?

I’m using the Suntour NCX on my road bike and it gives me the sensation that the bike is made of rubber and it extends forward each time the suspension is activated. It’s probably because it pivots down and backwards. Do you have the same sensation with the seatposts you’ve tested?

Nice review. I subbed

Please do a review on the Cane Creek eeSilk, both the Aluminium version and the Newer Carbon version.

i have a question i know this is kinda weird but how about trying budget shocks seat posts like zoom or others??? why limit to 2 only?

I wonder how they compare to an elastomere like Cane Creek eeSilk plus.. I ask because the eeSilk has the lowest minimum height of 80mm.. which I need because of an oversized bike frame

Anyone using a Brooks C17 and BxB saddle bag combo with the Redshift and find any interference when the seat compresses regarding the seat post fender?

The pnw coast is pretty solid too, I’ve got it on my hardtail and it saves my taint on every ride

I have the Redshift Pro Seatpost. It definitely makes rides less bumpy when I hit potholes or sidewalks with damage. I suppose I can justify the cost because most full suspension bikes are very heavy.

Not a suspension seat post, but have you tried the saddles from SQ Labs? They're amazing. They have inbuilt suppleness and compliance. I have them on all my bikes. Well worth it.

I am currently injured recovering from a fractured leg and arm happened when a car hit me on my way to a morning group ride. I am considering this post & stem combo on my road bike for when I recover and am ready to bike again. This might take the road sting out when I begin again. What's your take?

If the kinekt is bumby, it's set up too loose (talking from experience). It's made to absorb micro vibrations, not the big bumps. Preload it so far that when you sit on it, it does _not_ compress down. Adjust saddle position and bike fit as you see fit. It's basically a locked suspension at this point. Then, turn it 'loose' a little bit until you find your preferred amount of suspension. Solved all kinds of back pain on my heavy high-speed-electric bike, which I wasn't having on my normal road bike.

Do you know if there is one for the Brompton?

PNW Suspension Coast Dropper ftw!!

Might be worth trying the PNW coast suspension dropper next. I can definitely see the use case for a suspension seat-post but I believe even more in droppers (including for casual, and everyday city riding) just a game changer for all riding scenerios. The PNW lets you have your cake and eat it too, its sub 200 without a lever also.

nice review

Really looking to find out which is the better seatpost, the Kinekt or Redshift

Can you tell me from where do you get spares for Kinekt seatpost in Europe?

What about the pnw Coast? It's a 2 in 1 dropper post and suspension post. It has an adjustable air chamber for suspension and a coil for the rest of the travel. It's available in internal and external routing and my dad and I both enjoy our coasts. Ifs really because when you are getting on and off, you can drop the seat down really easy and adjusting is super easy. Just use a shock pump to change the air pressure with the Schrader valve under the saddle.

I ordered the Redshift from Kickstarter inception. I already had the Redshift stem and think that is wonderful once you get the setting suitable to yourself. Unfortunately I had to wait and wait and wait for the seat post until they were happy to release it. Something close to two years I think. When it arrived I'd lost interest and the eeSilk had already been released that several serious gravel racers use. I reluctantly fitted it to my bike and went through the micro adjustment stage being fussy about saddle position. I put skinny (28mm) road ties on my bike and had a wow moment when I was riding along familiar terrain. As Russ stated, great for dirt roads but also sealed choppy back country farm roads. I had several rides and gloated to my wife about the removal of micro jack hammering my rear end gets and how much more comfortable I am on longer rides. She was curious so I set it up on her bike and, well, I never got it back. So... as much as I might like the eeSilk I know I have to buy another springy post of some sort but I don't have patience to wait like the first one.

thanks Russ, always wondered about these

I have the Ergon CF3 seatpost. It weighs 220g. Works well for me.

Nice review! What about suspension stems?

Great review man. Ive been super curious about the concept of a suspension seat post. PNW Said they engineered the world's first suspension dropper seat post With the Coast dp. If you can somehow find a way to review against these offerings would be awesome

Where can I get a 34 mm suspension seatpost

How do these compare to Specialized CG-R Seatpost (cobble gobbler)?

Any plan to do the shock stems by the same companies? I've been eyeballing them.

Can you run em with a dropper set up?

Good review! I tried a Cane Creek Thudbuster seatpost about 20 years ago and didn't like the compression. It felt like my lumbar spine was contracting and expanding. I didn't like the sensation. YMMV.

I use a Kinekt on a couple of my bikes, an electric 29' hardtail MTB, and with my road bike Roubaix (also added Redshift handlebar post)… At the end of the day, whether road or gravel, if your seat and wrists are trashed your doing well… That said I will be in the market for a true gravel bike soon and will also add the Kinekt to that as well as the Red Shift handlebar post (if I don't go with the Specialized Diverge)… If your worried about the extra weight, skip a few breakfasts during the course of your week and you will be fine ~

Have you tried the Cane Creek suspension seat post?

I don't quite understand the pitch variation on the Kinekt when adjusting its preload? If this happens, then, the saddle will also tilt angle up and down as it compresses and extends, something I've never heard mention, neither in your video. Adjusting the sag only moves it up or down in the same line of motion, nothing differs. Anyway, a good review, nicely done!

I have both and currently use both on two different bikes. First when you are getting suspension seatpost you're NOT worried about weight otherwise you won't get them in the first place. Second, both work amazingly well and are equally effective in dampening road imperfections and potholes etc. Of course adjustment is a bit easier on the Kinekt but I find that I only need one adjustment on the Red Shift so there's no need to take the post in and out to re-adjust. Second, aesthetically there is no contest. The Red Shift is so much stealthier and better looking. I love both. If I had to pick one, it's the RS.

Did the Cambium saddle also suspend you on the Redshift? It's supposed to offer the hammock effect that all Brooks give.