When it comes to gravel suspension seatposts, there are different approaches and the best option for you will likely depend on the type of riding you have in mind.
Redshift has opted to use a parallelogram-style pivoting head for its ShockStop Pro Endurance post, with an internal spring and tuneable elastomer dampers to provide its bump-squashing smoothness.
Meanwhile, USE has kept things simpler with the Vybe GR, employing a telescopic design that, like the Redshift, combines an internal spring balanced with damping elastomers.
Which approach is best for you and where should you invest your cash? Read on to find out.
Redshift ShockStop Pro Endurance
SQUIRREL_TEXT_13203274
- Actual weight: 503.7g
- Diameter: 27.2mm
- Lengths: 280mm, 350mm
- Travel: 35mm
- Price: £280
- Pros: Smooth action; progressive travel; plenty of adjustment
- Cons: Weighty; post requires removal to adjust the preload
- Verdict: Vibration-smoothing post with a very clever design
Redshift’s latest ShockStop seatpost comes in three versions – the Endurance (£229.99) with 35mm of travel adjustable via a dual spring, the Pro Race (£299.99) with 20mm travel, and this Pro Endurance model.
What elevates this version above the Endurance is the two elastomers – one hard (red) and one soft (green) – to control the travel and provide tuneable preload.
The green elastomer comes pre-installed when you buy the post, with the red elastomer stiffening up the movement – a good option for heavier riders or when on rougher terrain.
Setup is relatively simple, with the preload adjustment dial located at the post’s base. Using the markers as a guide, you can adjust the dial either by hand or with a 4mm hex key.
This means there is some experimentation involved to get the right setting, and you’ll need to remove the post every time you want to make an adjustment.
The ShockStop Pro’s parallelogram linkage design compresses the coil spring and elastomers, moving on maintenance-free, dry-lube bushings.
The parallelogram shape ensures the saddle falls backwards when you hit something big, and the spring rate is stiff enough so the saddle doesn’t bob when you're seated and pedalling hard.
It's particularly effective when riding choppy washboard surfaces, giving a more floating feeling akin to running a larger rear tyre at a lower pressure. Compared to USE's big-hit squashing approach, the Redshift certainly wins out on providing more in the way of continuous comfort on a variety of surfaces.
The initial response from the coil spring is quick with speedy rebound, too, making the ShockStop feel superbly active on rough surfaces.
SQUIRREL_1320327
USE Vybe GR
SQUIRREL_TEXT_13203277
- Actual weight: 428.9g
- Diameter: 27.2mm
- Length: 400mm
- Travel: 50mm
- Price: £180
- Pros: Lightweight; simple; easy to set up; good value
- Cons: Single length and diameter; no elastomer options included
- Verdict: A simple suspension post that’s easy to set up with plenty of travel
USE’s Vybe GR post gets its 50mm of travel from the combination of an elastomer and a coil spring. That's a full 15mm more than the Redshift post. More isn't necessarily better, however, because the Vybe GR can feel odd when it takes up more of its travel.
The Redshift's more arc-like drop feels more natural when pedalling, not seeming quite so much as if it's bobbing – as the Vybe can on rougher terrain.
Unlike the Redshift, you don’t get different elastomer options – you need to decide which of the three you want when purchasing.
You can choose between soft (green), medium (yellow) and hard (purple) elastomers, with your weight dictating the choice. The post is only available in a 27.2mm diameter and a 400mm length.
The zero-offset seat clamp and telescopic shaft design should make the post active all the time.
The Evo seat clamp is a development from the minimal clamp found on USE’s original Alien post. It’s now more user-friendly and easy to adjust the saddle position and tilt.
The minimal design helps keep the weight down, trumping the Redshift by more than 70g despite its increased length and travel.
Setting up the Vybe GR post is a simple process, with only a single preload adjustment at the base of the post. I found a couple of turns of the preload gave just the right amount of stiffening.
The Vybe GR post is very active – much more so than the Redshift's subtle smoothing, and most of that is down to the increased travel. Once set correctly, the post does a great job of cushioning seriously bumpy surfaces.
On a doubletrack section of my usual test loop, that’s rutted and choppy from tractor treads, the Vybe GR excelled.
On buzzy, vibration-heavy, gritty surfaces, however, it’s no match for the Redshift’s fast responses.
The progressive ramping up of the spring takes the sting out of seated drops without reaching the limits of the post, and exposed roots are cushioned with ease.
SQUIRREL_13203277
Redshift ShockStop Pro Endurance vs USE Vybe GR bottom line
The Vybe GR is best suited to rougher surfaces – it doesn’t have the subtle smoothing and buzz-killing nature of the Redshift and is your best bet if your gravel riding is of a more technical nature.
The Pro Endurance is very well put together and I would say the extra mass (roughly double the weight of a rigid post) is worth it for the increase in comfort.
I prefer Redshift’s overall approach and it’s superior on all but the roughest surfaces. The USE better damps surprise impacts and unexpected drops.
