I have both on my gravel bike. Definitively an improvement on comfort taking a lot of the road buzz out of rides. As I suffer from back pain the suspension seat post really helped reduce it especially on long rides.
I’ve used the Redshift stem for a couple of years - made a noticeable difference to the amount of numbness in my hands at the end of ultra races or multi day riding. One of the best things I’ve bought
I was in the middle of a race when a fellow competitor noticed my struggles with an arthritic wrist with a bandage on it. He suggested a suspension stem and, long story short, I now have two of them. At first I thought they were great, and I was happy to suffer the weight penalty to be able to keep training and racing. Then I discovered 28mm tyres and 65lb pressure! That made enough difference for me to remove the stems, although I did have to pack out the drop outs with a metal and "knead-it" spacer to get enough clearance, and the stems now sit in my shed. Like David, I expected some issues with sprinting and out of the saddle efforts but, honestly, if they're set up right then it's a non-issue! Even on a softer than recommended setting it was fine. One day I may have to put them back on, but until then I'll get by with a couple of pre-ride Ibuprofens and a bandage. One thing I will say though, is that the people at Redshift are simply unbelievable to deal with! I'm in Australia and the first order was taking ages to arrive, due to the Covid delays. Redshift just sent me a second stem via courier so it would arrive from the USA in a week and just asked me to post the other one back when it arrives. You cant get better service than that! In the end, I just paid for the second one and put it on my training bike.
I ride both the stem and the seat post. They are incredible!!!! It takes the kick out of those jarring bumps and it helps you maintain power over washboard roads.
What's your impression so far? I was looking at the TG and doing this seatpost as well to add balance to the front. THe other option to to buy the Anywhere and just do both the stem and seatpost since the fork has rack mounts for bikepacking.
@@Motorep146 The front leaf suspension really doesn't move that much (that I can see). It seems to be most effective with what they call 'chatter' or small vibrations and it does seem to make the bike a little more comfortable. It's def. not for going over big rocks and such. I really like the Red shift seat post; it doesn't bob that much for me (I'm 5'6" - ~160 lbs) at level 3 (single spring). The leaf and seatpost combo really makes the TG comfortable, especially for longer distances-IMHO. I haven't tried the Red Shift stem; I know it has 20mm of travel compared to 30mm for the TG leaf suspension.
Living in Seattle where there's many less-than-amazing roads, adding a suspension seat post and stem has been a gamechanger! They legitimately make riding even predominantly "road" conditions better.
I've had the Redshift stem on my gravel bike for around a month now....It really does make a difference in comfort on your hands and doesn't do too bad on rough rocky terrain.....That 20mm does make a difference. As for Girvin flexi stem.....I remember them back in the '90's but didn't own one. I did, however, have a USE suspension seatpost that seemed to work at the time (1995) and that was with some truly awful (compared to modern forks) RockShox Quadra's on an old Kona I was running.....it worked at the time.....
I owned a quill Girvin Flex Stem. That green elastomer eventually cracked and the pivot bolt would always loosen. It worked, but not for hard mountain biking. I was just a kid and really wanted to be like Thomas Frischknecht and run the Softride stem.
Just fitted a suspension seatpost on my E mtb/gravel bike , i cant stop laughing as i bounce down the road, at 55 i appreciate the magic carpet ride, totally AWESOME 🇬🇧🤟🙏
Excellent review as always. I have exactly your set up, bars and add-ons, on my Fairlight Secan too! Been running the stem and seatpost for 12 months, recently changed to the lighter version of the stem and moved original to my Kona Explosif gravel conversion. Ride gravel and also bikepacking. No issues. Can't rate these products highly enough. I'm a hefty chap and in my 50's as well and these work so well. Even tempted to add to my road bike, a Fairlight Strael. Redshift have nailed it with all of their products and I'm a big big fan. Super friendly to talk to as well.
I got so used to the big tires on my gravel bike that I was getting tired of my aero road bike. I put a Redshift stem on that bike and I fell in love with it again. I set it up firmer than recommended but for road-only purposes that works just fine
@@peterho3299 not so much which hand numbness, which I do get sometimes, but I think it has more to do with my hands themselves, or the lever position. I play around with that way too much. What I DO appreciate is the way it softens up the hits from road imperfections. My town is notorious for bad roads and that stem truly makes the bike more comfortable, even when set up stiffer than recommended for my weight.
@@RicardoRocha-lg1xo - thank you for your feedback. Our area also has rough roads (from both harsh winters, heavy use, and suboptimal maintenance) so I feel your pain, even if lessened now. 😊
You're right, I just got a SR Suntour SP12 for my mounting bike, and it's made all the difference with the new seat I have ... Yes it's a bit heavier but as you say the comfort out ways the weight...love it now
I've had the stem on my road bike for over a year now and love it.\, so much so that one will be a part of any bike I may own. Takes out the buzz and minimizes the shocks. I opted for the Specialized CG-R seat-post which also takes the buzz out. It too will be a part of any bike I may own.
Another comprehensive review! And especially useful to me. I've got alloy Cannondale CAAD4 XS800 cross bike with 25mm of Headshok suspension on the front. Its great at smoothing out the lumps. The back wheel is fully rigid. But I reckon the Redshift Pro post will be ideal. I..E. Not too soft or noticeable on the climbs. But compliant enough to take the edge off the nastier stuff. The best of all possible worlds? Almost. Now my only gripe is that I can't run discs! Cheers
By coincidence, a regular Redshift Shockstop Post -- the one with the two springs -- popped up on a second hand bike stuff forum on Facebook. It was 60 quid, so I grabbed it. It's 125 grams heavier than the pro model, but a quarter of the price, not counting shipping! Plus, the two springs and preload adjuster make tuning it for my weight and riding preferences a doddle. The original owner didn't like it for some reason, and bought a Cane Creek suspension post. But I'm a happy and very comfy camper. Cheers
I have the Redshift stem along with a Cane Creek eesilk seat post on my aluminum Topstone. Amazing how smooth the bike is now on the rough stuff. Much less expensive than upgrading to carbon or titanium.
Having tested the Shockstop Stem to see whether it would work for larger riders (I weigh 318lbs) I love this product! Like you I've combined it with the Kitchen Sink handlebars and cycling joy was a fact! One might think that 20mm suspension doesn't really make a difference, but let me reassure everyone that this thing works - specially after long rides through washboard gravel, single track, light MTB tracks and such. It is so good I didn't even have to use the firmest combination of elastomers despite my weight! I was able to ride longer and more comfortably, again: mind my weight! Another thing was the improved level of control!
Just found this video. Good info. Recently I also got the Redshift suspension stem for my gravel, it is fantastic. Clearly there is a lot les vibrations and the ride is more enjoyable. Yes, it adds some weight, but this is no adding weight for no reason, it is worth it. Seat post, I have to try that. Now I have the Specialized sworks CG-R seat post. It is noticeable compared to the stock alluminium post, takes away some vibrations, but its no suspension. I will consider.
II’ve been riding the ShockStop stem for several years and love it. Thanks for your review of both the stem and seatpost. This review solidified my decision to purchase the seatpost. Your reviews are well done and I appreciate the details and your opinions.
Cheers David, been eyeing up the Redshift stuff for a while. Replaced a written off gravel bike recently and need to swap out the finishing kit on the new bike.... might have to take the leap.
This is pure comfort on the tops of the bars for long climbs and flats. Eases out numbness due to a wider surface area for pressure. Will also go for the stem and seat post eeal soon.
I think I'm still a fan of frame-based suspension on the rear like the BMC or the Cannondale models. The frame stiffness = pedal efficiency argument makes sense on smoother surfaces, but frame suspension at the rear should soak up bigger bumps and keep more power to the ground. At this point a dream setup would be something like a BMC (keep the rear wheel on the ground) + Specialized Future Shock or Cannondale Lefty fork (upper-body comfort) + Canyon split post (keep my bum on the saddle for longer).
I remember original Girvin FlexStem from way back.. my friend had one of those, always carried extra elastomers in his bag. Redshift is nice and subtle looks doesn't make gravel bike look chunky in the seat post area. I wanted to get one but instead went for by.schulz g.2, mid-price but really good as well and easy to disassemble/maintain.
I put a redshift stem on my specialized base model gravel bike that did not have the future shock. spending $160 in my opinion is well worth it. noticeable reduction in the vibrations on your hands and arms can definitely feel the difference on rough terrain and feels much smoother on paved roads. I will most likely purchase the redshift seatpost.
I've had the head shock on my one of my road bike for years, back when we had 23mm tyres at 110psi, and it just took the road buzz out I still have it in use. Worth a try if you have rough roads or doing all-day rides.
I am waiting for lightweight full suspension road bikes. They are the future, but its not here yet. Something like ers on the back, futureshock on the front. with a light aero frame... Take my money!
I think these simple elastomer/spring devices are also the future. For most touring/gravel riders, they offer 80% of the benefit of full suspension but are cheaper, lighter and practically zero maintenance.
I take my Wilier Jena to gravel, road, and also rocky real mtb XC terrain on a single trip. I wasn't able to ride thru all of them but with the Redshift I can actually stay on the saddle all the way till the end. Also virtually got rid of the pain on the hands when going down on the rocky downhills. I simply would not set up my gravel bikes without a suspension stem anymore. The con is obviously the 300gr weight of the Redshift but the total bike still came out to be 8.1kg which is average for a gravel bike.
I have lots of bike and love cycling. I have 3 disc's that have gone in my lower spine . It's almost made cycling impossible unless it's a slow ride on a tarmac Road . I'm going to look in to this as it looks a good system.
Full suspension gravel plus stem and seatpost suspension is dream come true for me. I need speed and comfort as well to explore the wild because we have limited time cycling (2hours) that we wanna as far as we can and return home on time. In this COVID era the world start loving cycling mostly for exercise and touring from downtown to rural area. It’s refreshing when you exercise while seeing the greenery. Feel recharge you life battery 🔋. #gravelbike #fullsuspension. And I don’t need e-bike and e-groupset
What I like on the suspension seatpost is that the whole frame keeps rigid, so it doesn't have any impact on the pedaling efficiency compared to full-sus bikes. But as an owner of quite good gravel bike (Focus Atlas), I still can't decide whether I shouldn't exchange it for XC full-sus, because for only little higher price you can get a bike that is still very fast and weights only 1-2kg more than an average gravel bike... but they offer way higher comfort. If I invest into these suspensions, I could really get XC full for the same total price. Honestly I found gravel bikes to be much less versatile than advertised, the missing suspension require you to plan your routes and adapt your driving style (and speed), otherwise the ride on these isn't enjoyable at all. Great for climbing, touring, underbiking masochism and some very specific conditions (long smooth roads), but MTB does better job everywhere else. The help of the suspension and easier braking makes MTB safer as well, especially for beginners. Thus I still find MTB still the only universal category.
Have both on my Giant ToughRoads GX E....amazing....just amazing...really. Only complaint is that I wish they offered more variety in rise/length. A 90mm in +10 or 15 would have been nice...the +30 they offer would most likely require re-cabling, and I'm not willing to do that. they told me they are working on it...but that's all I have to whine about. Great customer service, arrived within days, installed in minutes...easy peasy and my rides are sooooo much smoother without sacrificing energy or stability at any speed or condition...actually improves those dynamics, so ya, I'm happy :^ }
At first I thought it was expensive, but decided to get the seat post suspension anyway. No regrets! Best bike upgrade EVER 😊. Now I can ride for longer periods without hurting my back and but.
I can imagine how they must help. For some, and in some conditions. But I can’t help but feel if you have right tyres, at the right pressure, wear the right gloves and the right shorts, you shouldn’t ‘need’ any more mechanical suspension to be comfortable 🤷♂️ it’s not as if either of these will help with traction off road, but of course, I haven’t tried them either
I've got both and they are getting replaced. The seat went in favour of a PNW Coast dropper because it can do the same and obviously be dropped, the seat post also shifts back and forth as it works so that's kind of a negative. The stem is going in favour of the Rockshox Rudy fork. I personally feel the stem doesn't do much compared to larger tyres with lower pressures.
I have to say the fun element of gravel is been on the edge and th ability to go most places! Simple, pure and fun.. marketing teams working overload pushing stuff I definitely do not want on my G bike!
Yes; personally, anything like the RedShift, FutureShock, even Isospeed et al on gravel bikes are fine for gravel (and even potholed UK roads). The weight penalty isn't really an issue; 200-300g isn't really anything, especially off road when comfort is the priority. When you start needing proper suspension, you're probably into MTB territory.
Redshift is on my wishlist now. it sounds exactly like what I want to, a bit more added comfort, without bouncing the speed, fast handling and fun away. ….I just wish the seatpost would be a little lighter. …maybe I ll try this split Canyon seatpost first. …many thanks for the vid 😃👍✌️
The seatpost really works amazingly well, I've put one on my hardtail mountain bike and it smooths the general trails better than my fork. It's definitely worth its weight and a different league compared to flexible posts - feels almost like I have a full suspension XC bike until it becomes so rough I have to get out the saddle.
Dropper or suspended post is a good question, I guess it depends on your priorities which probably depends on what your local riding is like. A shame we can't have both!
I have the Specialized Diverge - I'd remove the future shock if I could. Reason being I love to sprint occasionally when riding. My other bike with out suspension feels much better. I rode a mates Gravel bike with out suspension and it also felt much better than mine. I would be interested in the seat post, but it's more than twice the weight 🤔. Don't know that I could sleep at night knowing that 🙂.
I was interested in the Diverge Comp Carbon but I also like to sprint so now I'm leaning towards an Elite E5. It's also half the price of the Comp and I like the colors available on the E5.
I love sprinting as well, and leave a lot of my club mates behind with my aero ProRoubaix w F.S. On descents, I’m very planted, versus my colleague who bounces on his Tarmac.
My big question is: Would a fatter tire at comfortably low pressure and thicker handlebar tape replace the benefit of suspension in majority of situations?
I guess it depends on the terrain. This kinda suspension disappears when you stand up and it will never really help with grip... only helps with rider comfort
AT 3:28 you are flexing the stem easily. Is the set up all right? It seems to soft. I bought a Shockstop stem and I can't flex it by pushing the hoods as I see in the review. It is barely moving. Even in the softer setup.
Thanks and yes in my opinion they are, because they add to the suspension you get from the fat tyres at low pressures. More suspension = faster/smoother right?
I've got the stem (the older version) and the seat post on my road bike. I just get fed up with the pot holes and bumps of my local roads. I wouldn't want to be without them now. I've had the seat post over a year and the stem just over a month. Setting up the stem seems tricky to get a balance of no bobbing and it being too stiff, offering no movement. But it's easy to adjust. I've also got that same saddle. But that lives in the drawer, as it's s***e 😉
Great review !!! I just got the redshift stem and seat set up . On my specialized Crux ( and yes god forbid I put comfort on a cross bike - already got a heavy A.. S lock on it ) I THINK ITS AWESOME . I actually was thinking about getting a diverge or another gravel bike . Not anymore
Hey Arthur, i have an Alloy entry level road bike with hybrid disc brakes. My friend said (and experimented) that it could take 32c slick tyres or 30c knobby ones at max, can it do gravel ride with this clearance (and such narrow tyres for todays gravel standard) ?
I have two road bikes and wanted as more compliance as possible. So, one bike is equipped with an elastomer seat post and a suspension fork and the other, hitch is very new, with a classic but very long seat post and a carbon drop bar. Both bikes are similar in comfort but the first bike does the job slightly better, of course. However, I definitely prefer the carbon solutions because of the simplicity and maintenance. If I would have to increase the comfort further, I would go for bigger tires instead of active suspension systems. Simplicity is key. Everything else is not gravel riding any more, at least for my opinion.
Of all the suspension seatposts I have used over the years, the RedShift ShockStop is about the best (save for its 110kg rider weight limit). The ShockStop stem, which I used to have as well, is good, too, but I'm more curious of the Cane Creek Eesilm stem.
I bought the seatpost after being impressed with the stem. The stem weight penalty is minimal, the suspension play is highly tunable, and it removes all irritating & harmful vibration from the hands. I would get the stem first.
@@bmwofboganville456 Thanks. The main worry I have over the bumps is the first few harsh impacts hitting the front tire. I can react and manage bumps to the rear tire like on a hardtail.
I'd argue the post is the one to get if you can only get one - it lets me sit and pedal through rough sections and get out of the saddle less, and it's easier to use your arms to let the front wheel bounce over bumps
@@davidarthur I'm more tempted by the post for my XC hardtail because I use that for rougher terrain so it'll allow more pedaling while seated. I can manage on the trails I go on the gravel bike, but my hands get beat up...I could end up with both eventually 🙂.
Only suspension that i consider that still fits "gravel" is the specialized future shock U will not even know if u look at it that is has a 20mm travel shocks
Good question. The extra weight didn't adversely impact its performance, it was maybe a little more active but I managed to keep the weight of the bag really low. Just need to remember to ensure enough space between the bag and tyre
@@davidarthur PS. love your content. Keep it up 🙂 I was throwing up between the Bokeh and Secan. You inspired me to build up the latter. Looking forward to getting it on the road down the track and once I lock in the right bar width/stem combo invest in one of these Redshift numbers
Both me and my better half have been using the Redshift seatpost for over a year now and it's fantastic. Really helps with fatigue over long rides
I have both on my gravel bike. Definitively an improvement on comfort taking a lot of the road buzz out of rides. As I suffer from back pain the suspension seat post really helped reduce it especially on long rides.
I’ve used the Redshift stem for a couple of years - made a noticeable difference to the amount of numbness in my hands at the end of ultra races or multi day riding. One of the best things I’ve bought
same for me. almost no real problems (thumb fingers) even on the big races >1000km. back in 2016 during a 1100km race in
Really professional video.. getting some super smooth animations and gloss on this channel now!!
I was in the middle of a race when a fellow competitor noticed my struggles with an arthritic wrist with a bandage on it. He suggested a suspension stem and, long story short, I now have two of them. At first I thought they were great, and I was happy to suffer the weight penalty to be able to keep training and racing. Then I discovered 28mm tyres and 65lb pressure! That made enough difference for me to remove the stems, although I did have to pack out the drop outs with a metal and "knead-it" spacer to get enough clearance, and the stems now sit in my shed. Like David, I expected some issues with sprinting and out of the saddle efforts but, honestly, if they're set up right then it's a non-issue! Even on a softer than recommended setting it was fine. One day I may have to put them back on, but until then I'll get by with a couple of pre-ride Ibuprofens and a bandage. One thing I will say though, is that the people at Redshift are simply unbelievable to deal with! I'm in Australia and the first order was taking ages to arrive, due to the Covid delays. Redshift just sent me a second stem via courier so it would arrive from the USA in a week and just asked me to post the other one back when it arrives. You cant get better service than that! In the end, I just paid for the second one and put it on my training bike.
Why would you remove the suspension stem if you need to take ibuprofen without it despite the increase in tyre width? That sounds absolutely silly.
I ride both the stem and the seat post. They are incredible!!!! It takes the kick out of those jarring bumps and it helps you maintain power over washboard roads.
the most articulate and succinct reviews on the web. Glad it’s relevant to my purchases! Cheers David
Got the Red Shift Seat Post for my Lauf TG: front leaf suspension and rear Red Shift seat post. Hopefully, this will be a dream gravel bike for me.
What's your impression so far? I was looking at the TG and doing this seatpost as well to add balance to the front. THe other option to to buy the Anywhere and just do both the stem and seatpost since the fork has rack mounts for bikepacking.
@@Motorep146 The front leaf suspension really doesn't move that much (that I can see). It seems to be most effective with what they call 'chatter' or small vibrations and it does seem to make the bike a little more comfortable. It's def. not for going over big rocks and such. I really like the Red shift seat post; it doesn't bob that much for me (I'm 5'6" - ~160 lbs) at level 3 (single spring). The leaf and seatpost combo really makes the TG comfortable, especially for longer distances-IMHO. I haven't tried the Red Shift stem; I know it has 20mm of travel compared to 30mm for the TG leaf suspension.
Living in Seattle where there's many less-than-amazing roads, adding a suspension seat post and stem has been a gamechanger! They legitimately make riding even predominantly "road" conditions better.
Not sure about the seat post because I’ve never tried it but the stem is an absolute game-changer for gravel and for bike packing in my experience.
Nice focus pull at 11:05 🙌🎥👌
I've had the Redshift stem on my gravel bike for around a month now....It really does make a difference in comfort on your hands and doesn't do too bad on rough rocky terrain.....That 20mm does make a difference.
As for Girvin flexi stem.....I remember them back in the '90's but didn't own one. I did, however, have a USE suspension seatpost that seemed to work at the time (1995) and that was with some truly awful (compared to modern forks) RockShox Quadra's on an old Kona I was running.....it worked at the time.....
I owned a quill Girvin Flex Stem. That green elastomer eventually cracked and the pivot bolt would always loosen. It worked, but not for hard mountain biking. I was just a kid and really wanted to be like Thomas Frischknecht and run the Softride stem.
Just fitted a suspension seatpost on my E mtb/gravel bike , i cant stop laughing as i bounce down the road, at 55 i appreciate the magic carpet ride, totally AWESOME 🇬🇧🤟🙏
Excellent review as always.
I have exactly your set up, bars and add-ons, on my Fairlight Secan too! Been running the stem and seatpost for 12 months, recently changed to the lighter version of the stem and moved original to my Kona Explosif gravel conversion.
Ride gravel and also bikepacking. No issues.
Can't rate these products highly enough. I'm a hefty chap and in my 50's as well and these work so well. Even tempted to add to my road bike, a Fairlight Strael.
Redshift have nailed it with all of their products and I'm a big big fan. Super friendly to talk to as well.
What are the bars?
What are the handlebars do you know ?
I got so used to the big tires on my gravel bike that I was getting tired of my aero road bike. I put a Redshift stem on that bike and I fell in love with it again. I set it up firmer than recommended but for road-only purposes that works just fine
I’m consider the stem for road cycling as you have. Do you find that it helps with hand numbness on longer or harder rides?
@@peterho3299 not so much which hand numbness, which I do get sometimes, but I think it has more to do with my hands themselves, or the lever position. I play around with that way too much.
What I DO appreciate is the way it softens up the hits from road imperfections. My town is notorious for bad roads and that stem truly makes the bike more comfortable, even when set up stiffer than recommended for my weight.
@@RicardoRocha-lg1xo - thank you for your feedback. Our area also has rough roads (from both harsh winters, heavy use, and suboptimal maintenance) so I feel your pain, even if lessened now. 😊
You're right, I just got a SR Suntour SP12 for my mounting bike, and it's made all the difference with the new seat I have ... Yes it's a bit heavier but as you say the comfort out ways the weight...love it now
I've had the stem on my road bike for over a year now and love it.\, so much so that one will be a part of any bike I may own. Takes out the buzz and minimizes the shocks. I opted for the Specialized CG-R seat-post which also takes the buzz out. It too will be a part of any bike I may own.
I have the redshift stem. Using it for a few months now and I’m liking it. Just followed the suggestion. It smooths out the chatter.
Another comprehensive review! And especially useful to me.
I've got alloy Cannondale CAAD4 XS800 cross bike with 25mm of Headshok suspension on the front. Its great at smoothing out the lumps.
The back wheel is fully rigid. But I reckon the Redshift Pro post will be ideal.
I..E. Not too soft or noticeable on the climbs. But compliant enough to take the edge off the nastier stuff.
The best of all possible worlds?
Almost.
Now my only gripe is that I can't run discs!
Cheers
By coincidence, a regular Redshift Shockstop Post -- the one with the two springs -- popped up on a second hand bike stuff forum on Facebook. It was 60 quid, so I grabbed it.
It's 125 grams heavier than the pro model, but a quarter of the price, not counting shipping!
Plus, the two springs and preload adjuster make tuning it for my weight and riding preferences a doddle.
The original owner didn't like it for some reason, and bought a Cane Creek suspension post. But I'm a happy and very comfy camper.
Cheers
Excellent review Dave have been waiting for your opinion
The one thing I love about JRB's is that David tests his gear for MONTHS before he proffers an impression.
I have the Redshift stem along with a Cane Creek eesilk seat post on my aluminum Topstone. Amazing how smooth the bike is now on the rough stuff. Much less expensive than upgrading to carbon or titanium.
Having tested the Shockstop Stem to see whether it would work for larger riders (I weigh 318lbs) I love this product! Like you I've combined it with the Kitchen Sink handlebars and cycling joy was a fact! One might think that 20mm suspension doesn't really make a difference, but let me reassure everyone that this thing works - specially after long rides through washboard gravel, single track, light MTB tracks and such. It is so good I didn't even have to use the firmest combination of elastomers despite my weight! I was able to ride longer and more comfortably, again: mind my weight! Another thing was the improved level of control!
How does it feel now?
I have both too! I got 2 weeks ago. Haven't used yet, but I'm very excited to use it.
Just found this video. Good info. Recently I also got the Redshift suspension stem for my gravel, it is fantastic. Clearly there is a lot les vibrations and the ride is more enjoyable. Yes, it adds some weight, but this is no adding weight for no reason, it is worth it. Seat post, I have to try that. Now I have the Specialized sworks CG-R seat post. It is noticeable compared to the stock alluminium post, takes away some vibrations, but its no suspension. I will consider.
Thanks David for an excellent review. This seems like a better way forward than splashing out on a new bike/fork etc.
II’ve been riding the ShockStop stem for several years and love it. Thanks for your review of both the stem and seatpost. This review solidified my decision to purchase the seatpost. Your reviews are well done and I appreciate the details and your opinions.
Cheers David, been eyeing up the Redshift stuff for a while. Replaced a written off gravel bike recently and need to swap out the finishing kit on the new bike.... might have to take the leap.
Do it Nick.
I run this set up on two bikes. You won't regret it!
I love my Cane Creek esilk suspension saddle on my gravel bike
I’ve got the Redshift stem, works well on Salisbury Plain. (Niche I know.)
I like the wide palm pads on the handlebars, very very comfortable looking
This is pure comfort on the tops of the bars for long climbs and flats. Eases out numbness due to a wider surface area for pressure.
Will also go for the stem and seat post eeal soon.
I think I'm still a fan of frame-based suspension on the rear like the BMC or the Cannondale models. The frame stiffness = pedal efficiency argument makes sense on smoother surfaces, but frame suspension at the rear should soak up bigger bumps and keep more power to the ground. At this point a dream setup would be something like a BMC (keep the rear wheel on the ground) + Specialized Future Shock or Cannondale Lefty fork (upper-body comfort) + Canyon split post (keep my bum on the saddle for longer).
Had the Redshift stem on my Trek Checkpoint for about 3 years now, good combination with the Iso Speed Decoupler.
I remember original Girvin FlexStem from way back.. my friend had one of those, always carried extra elastomers in his bag. Redshift is nice and subtle looks doesn't make gravel bike look chunky in the seat post area. I wanted to get one but instead went for by.schulz g.2, mid-price but really good as well and easy to disassemble/maintain.
I put a redshift stem on my specialized base model gravel bike that did not have the future shock. spending $160 in my opinion is well worth it. noticeable reduction in the vibrations on your hands and arms can definitely feel the difference on rough terrain and feels much smoother on paved roads. I will most likely purchase the redshift seatpost.
Another excellent review, just what I was looking for, thanks!
I've had the head shock on my one of my road bike for years, back when we had 23mm tyres at 110psi, and it just took the road buzz out I still have it in use. Worth a try if you have rough roads or doing all-day rides.
I am waiting for lightweight full suspension road bikes. They are the future, but its not here yet. Something like ers on the back, futureshock on the front. with a light aero frame... Take my money!
I think these simple elastomer/spring devices are also the future. For most touring/gravel riders, they offer 80% of the benefit of full suspension but are cheaper, lighter and practically zero maintenance.
By then it'll be so expensive instead of saying take my money, it'll be take my house 😬
I take my Wilier Jena to gravel, road, and also rocky real mtb XC terrain on a single trip. I wasn't able to ride thru all of them but with the Redshift I can actually stay on the saddle all the way till the end. Also virtually got rid of the pain on the hands when going down on the rocky downhills. I simply would not set up my gravel bikes without a suspension stem anymore. The con is obviously the 300gr weight of the Redshift but the total bike still came out to be 8.1kg which is average for a gravel bike.
I have lots of bike and love cycling.
I have 3 disc's that have gone in my lower spine .
It's almost made cycling impossible unless it's a slow ride on a tarmac Road .
I'm going to look in to this as it looks a good system.
Full suspension gravel plus stem and seatpost suspension is dream come true for me. I need speed and comfort as well to explore the wild because we have limited time cycling (2hours) that we wanna as far as we can and return home on time. In this COVID era the world start loving cycling mostly for exercise and touring from downtown to rural area. It’s refreshing when you exercise while seeing the greenery. Feel recharge you life battery 🔋. #gravelbike #fullsuspension. And I don’t need e-bike and e-groupset
What I like on the suspension seatpost is that the whole frame keeps rigid, so it doesn't have any impact on the pedaling efficiency compared to full-sus bikes. But as an owner of quite good gravel bike (Focus Atlas), I still can't decide whether I shouldn't exchange it for XC full-sus, because for only little higher price you can get a bike that is still very fast and weights only 1-2kg more than an average gravel bike... but they offer way higher comfort. If I invest into these suspensions, I could really get XC full for the same total price.
Honestly I found gravel bikes to be much less versatile than advertised, the missing suspension require you to plan your routes and adapt your driving style (and speed), otherwise the ride on these isn't enjoyable at all. Great for climbing, touring, underbiking masochism and some very specific conditions (long smooth roads), but MTB does better job everywhere else. The help of the suspension and easier braking makes MTB safer as well, especially for beginners. Thus I still find MTB still the only universal category.
Really helpful review, thanks
Have both on my Giant ToughRoads GX E....amazing....just amazing...really.
Only complaint is that I wish they offered more variety in rise/length. A 90mm in +10 or 15 would have been nice...the +30 they offer would most likely require re-cabling, and I'm not willing to do that. they told me they are working on it...but that's all I have to whine about. Great customer service, arrived within days, installed in minutes...easy peasy and my rides are sooooo much smoother without sacrificing energy or stability at any speed or condition...actually improves those dynamics, so ya, I'm happy :^ }
Thank you!
Great review. A bit surprised your choice if only one was the seat post.
Thanks. I like how the post lets me pedal through rough sections and takes the strain off my back
love the stem, don't have the post...yet, maybe next season...
At first I thought it was expensive, but decided to get the seat post suspension anyway. No regrets! Best bike upgrade EVER 😊. Now I can ride for longer periods without hurting my back and but.
I can imagine how they must help. For some, and in some conditions. But I can’t help but feel if you have right tyres, at the right pressure, wear the right gloves and the right shorts, you shouldn’t ‘need’ any more mechanical suspension to be comfortable 🤷♂️ it’s not as if either of these will help with traction off road, but of course, I haven’t tried them either
I agree, 40c tyres right pressure there is your 20mm suspension! My Steel Surly on 40c is a magic carpet of a ride.
@@osh241 What pressure do you suggest on tires around this size? I've been running 50 psi (165lbs) and it's a bit stiff.
I've got both and they are getting replaced. The seat went in favour of a PNW Coast dropper because it can do the same and obviously be dropped, the seat post also shifts back and forth as it works so that's kind of a negative. The stem is going in favour of the Rockshox Rudy fork. I personally feel the stem doesn't do much compared to larger tyres with lower pressures.
damn david you can't get a better resolution pic for the Trek checkpoint?
I have to say the fun element of gravel is been on the edge and th ability to go most places! Simple, pure and fun.. marketing teams working overload pushing stuff I definitely do not want on my G bike!
Thanks for the helpful review, btw since I'm consdiering to deal with hand numbness, I'm very interested in that handlebar you've mounted.
Great review, definitely pricey but I think I need both for my commute to work. 😊
That might not be true. You likely need bikefit before buying theese products ;P
Yes; personally, anything like the RedShift, FutureShock, even Isospeed et al on gravel bikes are fine for gravel (and even potholed UK roads). The weight penalty isn't really an issue; 200-300g isn't really anything, especially off road when comfort is the priority.
When you start needing proper suspension, you're probably into MTB territory.
Redshift is on my wishlist now. it sounds exactly like what I want to, a bit more added comfort, without bouncing the speed, fast handling and fun away. ….I just wish the seatpost would be a little lighter. …maybe I ll try this split Canyon seatpost first. …many thanks for the vid 😃👍✌️
The seatpost really works amazingly well, I've put one on my hardtail mountain bike and it smooths the general trails better than my fork. It's definitely worth its weight and a different league compared to flexible posts - feels almost like I have a full suspension XC bike until it becomes so rough I have to get out the saddle.
What with losing energy? I suppose that front amor is shaking up and down when you what to accelerate and use a bit strength
I prefer a dropper post to a suspension post on my Nukeproof Digger. It makes rocky rooty single track descents far easier to ride.
Dropper or suspended post is a good question, I guess it depends on your priorities which probably depends on what your local riding is like. A shame we can't have both!
In other gravel news, Specialized said to release brand new full suspension flat bar "Gravel" bike, it's just like a mountain bike but for gravel. 😭
I would think stem n post suspension to take the 1 inch chatter out would be good on gravel
I have the Specialized Diverge - I'd remove the future shock if I could. Reason being I love to sprint occasionally when riding. My other bike with out suspension feels much better. I rode a mates Gravel bike with out suspension and it also felt much better than mine. I would be interested in the seat post, but it's more than twice the weight 🤔. Don't know that I could sleep at night knowing that 🙂.
Are you using the stiffest spring/setting?
@@justinseau I have recently fitted the harder spring. It made no difference that I could tell.
I was interested in the Diverge Comp Carbon but I also like to sprint so now I'm leaning towards an Elite E5. It's also half the price of the Comp and I like the colors available on the E5.
@@norcalchrismeister just had a look at the Elite E5 - looks good, and no future shock 👍🏻
I love sprinting as well, and leave a lot of my club mates behind with my aero ProRoubaix w F.S. On descents, I’m very planted, versus my colleague who bounces on his Tarmac.
My big question is:
Would a fatter tire at comfortably low pressure and thicker handlebar tape replace the benefit of suspension in majority of situations?
Yes and no
I guess it depends on the terrain. This kinda suspension disappears when you stand up and it will never really help with grip... only helps with rider comfort
AT 3:28 you are flexing the stem easily. Is the set up all right? It seems to soft. I bought a Shockstop stem and I can't flex it by pushing the hoods as I see in the review. It is barely moving. Even in the softer setup.
Hi Sir. Thanks for the review. Can u advise your drop bar, what is the plam rest on the flat area of your bar? Thx
I want both. Thanks for selling them to me 👍😂
Sold!
Great review. Are these products relevant when using 40+ tires at 20psi?
Thanks and yes in my opinion they are, because they add to the suspension you get from the fat tyres at low pressures. More suspension = faster/smoother right?
Nice looking dropbars. Would anyone know what brand and model would that be? Appreciate it. Thanks
They are Redshift Kitchen Sink bars
Do you remember which elastomers you put into the stem? and why did you choose the combo that you did?
'Twating' it into rocks! Im sold
I have an allez but want a roubaix, would this be a cheaper way to get there?? Im tempted to try it!
Greg lemond rode paris roubaix with a suspension fork
I've got the stem (the older version) and the seat post on my road bike. I just get fed up with the pot holes and bumps of my local roads.
I wouldn't want to be without them now. I've had the seat post over a year and the stem just over a month.
Setting up the stem seems tricky to get a balance of no bobbing and it being too stiff, offering no movement. But it's easy to adjust.
I've also got that same saddle. But that lives in the drawer, as it's s***e 😉
That bike is beautiful!!!! Man.
I have to ask David, what handlebars are those, they look an interesting shape?
They look like RedShift’s other offering: the Kitchensink gravel handlebars.
Hi, I have both on my gravel bike. I have spine issues and redshift is a great solution for me. You've got a cool bike bell what's that?
That’s great to hear! It’s a Spurcycle bell
Its great on road bikes too!
I wondered about that since I plan to have second wheelset for my Giant Revolt and make it my do-it-all bike.
With seat suspension there is no cushioning on the legs. Wouldn't that be an issue? That said I have seat suspension on my commuter bike.
The cushioning for your legs is called knees. Shockingly similar to a shock. Lots more travel.
How do we get the blacked out version like you have? All the listings I see have white lettering on the product.
Great review !!! I just got the redshift stem and seat set up . On my specialized Crux ( and yes god forbid I put comfort on a cross bike - already got a heavy A..
S lock on it ) I THINK ITS AWESOME . I actually was thinking about getting a diverge or another gravel bike . Not anymore
Hey Arthur, i have an Alloy entry level road bike with hybrid disc brakes. My friend said (and experimented) that it could take 32c slick tyres or 30c knobby ones at max, can it do gravel ride with this clearance (and such narrow tyres for todays gravel standard) ?
I have two road bikes and wanted as more compliance as possible. So, one bike is equipped with an elastomer seat post and a suspension fork and the other, hitch is very new, with a classic but very long seat post and a carbon drop bar. Both bikes are similar in comfort but the first bike does the job slightly better, of course. However, I definitely prefer the carbon solutions because of the simplicity and maintenance. If I would have to increase the comfort further, I would go for bigger tires instead of active suspension systems. Simplicity is key. Everything else is not gravel riding any more, at least for my opinion.
What is the weight penalty between Redshift vs the added weight on a full suspension gravel bike like the future shock or niner?
That screenshot of the Trek will probably give me nightmares
Of all the suspension seatposts I have used over the years, the RedShift ShockStop is about the best (save for its 110kg rider weight limit).
The ShockStop stem, which I used to have as well, is good, too, but I'm more curious of the Cane Creek Eesilm stem.
Hi, I'm curious. What is your Dropbar?
I'd only realistically get one of the two - which makes the most difference? I'm siding with the stem for control.
I bought the seatpost after being impressed with the stem. The stem weight penalty is minimal, the suspension play is highly tunable, and it removes all irritating & harmful vibration from the hands. I would get the stem first.
@@bmwofboganville456 Thanks. The main worry I have over the bumps is the first few harsh impacts hitting the front tire. I can react and manage bumps to the rear tire like on a hardtail.
I'd argue the post is the one to get if you can only get one - it lets me sit and pedal through rough sections and get out of the saddle less, and it's easier to use your arms to let the front wheel bounce over bumps
@@davidarthur I'm more tempted by the post for my XC hardtail because I use that for rougher terrain so it'll allow more pedaling while seated. I can manage on the trails I go on the gravel bike, but my hands get beat up...I could end up with both eventually 🙂.
What is your Bell?
I like to mount aero bars for longer distances and on short distances, o just don’t need this stem
My back doesn’t care what the internet thinks.
Are there some gravel bikes that already have this Redshift suspension installed?
Only suspension that i consider that still fits "gravel" is the specialized future shock
U will not even know if u look at it that is has a 20mm travel shocks
How should you angle your hoods / bar with that?
I love suspension, All Day.
Thats the comfiest look racer style bike i ever did see 👀 😅🤟🤠🙏🇬🇧👍
Why not just a hard tail with proper front suspension?
I've noticed that you've tested these with the bike packing setup. How did the load on the handlebars effect the performance of the stem?
Good question. The extra weight didn't adversely impact its performance, it was maybe a little more active but I managed to keep the weight of the bag really low. Just need to remember to ensure enough space between the bag and tyre
@@davidarthur PS. love your content. Keep it up 🙂
I was throwing up between the Bokeh and Secan. You inspired me to build up the latter. Looking forward to getting it on the road down the track and once I lock in the right bar width/stem combo invest in one of these Redshift numbers
Glad to hear it and thanks for sharing, hope the Secan works out as well for you as it has for me :)
Where is your di2 batter hidden?
It's in the seat post!
Just a question: is there a reason the trek checkpoint image is in like 144p?
I was thinking the same thing, was gonna get one but now for 400 bucks I can save practically 3 grand and just get these two.