• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Become a Premium Member
  • About

Road Bike Rider Cycling Site

Expert road cycling advice, since 2001

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Bikes & Gear
  • Training & Health
  • Reviews
  • Cycling Ebooks
    • Ebooks Training
    • Ebooks Skills
    • E-Articles Training
    • E-Articles Nutrition
  • Member Area
  • Newsletter

Rinsten Spring Ultimate Bicycle Shock Absorber Review

By Jim Langley

4 stars

RinstenSpring.WEB

Price: $49.99
Source: Rinsten Spring
Materials: Spring steel, aluminum
Weight: 400 grams
Colors: Gold, Silver, Black
Compatibility: Fits most bicycle seatposts and saddles
Rider weight: Up to 330 pounds (150 kg)
How obtained: Product sample
RBR sponsor: No
Extras: 30-day cash-back guarantee and unconditional lifetime warranty

Innovative Seat Suspension at a Budget Price

Sometimes a new company launches a product, sends a sample, and when I open the box I’m surprised when I see what’s inside. Such was the case with the Rinsten Spring Ultimate Bicycle Shock Absorber that I’m covering here. They just launched it on Kickstarter.

From what Rinsten wrote about the product in their email, I envisioned a typical telescoping seatpost or a post with suspended seat clamp. Over the years there’ve been many designs like this and some are still on the market. For example, Cane Creek’s Thudbuster and Tamer’s posts.

But I wasn’t expecting Rinsten’s simple bent-wire spring suspension. And, because I thought it would be more elaborate, it wasn’t immediately apparent how well it would work.

Road suspension is catching on

Yet, I was intrigued because I think it’s a perfectly timed product that might appeal to some roadies since so many companies are making suspension road bikes now, such as Trek’s Madone with its IsoSpeed decoupler shock absorber and Specialized’s Roubaix with its shock-absorbing Zerts seatpost and Future Shock front end etc. These bikes are proving the concept that with a little suspension to smooth the road, you can ride longer, stronger and even end common pains like numbness in your butt and hands.

Road suspension makes a lot of sense also because roads seem to be only getting rougher, and so many people are heading onto gravel bikes and dirt to explore and escape traffic.

An affordable add-on suspension

The great thing about the Rinsten Spring is that there’s no need to buy a new bike. It fits on most seatposts, is affordable at $50, is super-adjustable and simple to operate. It even comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

How does it work? The Rinsten Spring goes between the seatpost and saddle. You loosen your seatpost’s seat clamp, remove the seat and slip in the Rinsten Spring. Then, just install your saddle onto the Rinsten’s seat clamp.

To find the right amount of suspension for your weight and preferences, you simply loosen the clamp(s) and move the spring along the seatpost’s clamp and/or move the saddle along the spring. By carrying the tools to do this, you can fine-tune the suspension on the road.

Unidirectional comfort

What’s ingenious for such a simple design is that the Rinsten Spring provides three directions of suspension. It travels up and down plus it rocks side to side with each pedal stroke. You can see in the photo how the ends of the springs are directly beneath the seat rails. As your weight shifts from side to side during pedaling, the Rinsten Spring drops from side to side.

I’ve had suspension like this in the past (with an Allsop beam suspension; look for a photo on Google images) and I like it, but if you’re not used to the slight rocking sensation, it will probably take some getting used to. But, if you’re looking for more comfort, I’m pretty sure you’ll appreciate it.

I haven’t logged enough miles on the Rinsten to know how durable it is, yet it appears well made and works well. I like that it can easily be swapped between different bikes and is designed for all types from road to mountain to city bikes and cruisers. I think this clever suspension might be the perfect upgrade for some roadies seeking more of a magic-carpet ride. They didn’t mention it, but it seems like Rinsten could make a titanium version to drop the weight a bit.

If you want to try it, check first to be sure that you can lower the seat and create enough clearance between the top of the seatpost and the saddle to accept the Rinsten (about 8cm/3 inches).

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. J W Haltiwanger says

    March 30, 2017 at 4:11 pm

    I like the concept. The way it is mounted looks correct, but it means that when you hit a bump the back of the saddle will drop putting more pressure on your most sensitive parts. I would love to hear if anyone mounted one the opposite way so that the front would drop rather than the rear.

    Reply
    • j says

      December 3, 2022 at 12:47 pm

      It doesn’t affect the family jewels
      What happens is both springs compress balancing the seat position and leaving the seat angle unaffected.

      Reply
  2. David says

    March 30, 2017 at 4:38 pm

    Years ago an article in Bicycling magazine stated that a rear shock absorber to protect the spine was far more important than the front shock absorber on mountain bikes for protecting arms and shoulders. The front shock may improve control, but it is the rear shock that protects the body.

    Reply
  3. Warren says

    March 30, 2017 at 5:18 pm

    Did you have trouble getting the saddle angle adjusted? I use a level and can get it pretty close first try, but the angle unloaded would appear to pitch forward and you’d have to compensate for how it was when seated.

    Reply
  4. al0 says

    March 31, 2017 at 7:41 am

    How many rides it takes to break?

    Reply
  5. Joe Rouse says

    April 3, 2017 at 3:57 am

    Like the Beam bike, only different:)

    Reply
  6. Bongdu says

    June 19, 2017 at 2:54 am

    Concept It’s just a simple spring no (+/-) up and down motion control worried about how much control if riding a full rigid frames. The return motion of spring is bad hope a hard tail can accommodate the change of +/- wave motions. Any thoughts?

    Reply
  7. Margaret says

    February 6, 2019 at 9:18 pm

    Wow, you actually received the Rinsten Spring?

    Rinsten Spring launched on Kickstarter in May 2017, taking pledges in the amount of $136,501. The backers never received the pledge rewards. It’s bitter sweet to read a review of a product the investors never received.

    Reply
    • Greg says

      August 10, 2019 at 6:27 am

      My friend finally got the three he was due under the Kickstarter near the end of 2018 I think. He gave one to me, and it appears to be working out well. If you didn’t get yours,mhit them up.

      Reply
    • jim says

      December 2, 2019 at 1:37 pm

      never received mine

      Reply
    • j says

      December 3, 2022 at 12:55 pm

      You can buy off brand ones now for $20.

      Reply
  8. bill Berz says

    May 14, 2019 at 11:35 am

    To Margarets comment
    The people who funded through Kickstarter were each entitled to buy the seat for $35 vs $50 retail. So they did get something… I’m not aware of other awards that were offered.

    Reply
  9. John R Willis says

    May 26, 2020 at 5:05 pm

    I received the one I was due …but it took a long time and I wrote several emails before mine arrived. Dont know if the emails made the diff or not, mine was way overdue. I did not like the way it rode either. It is now in my box of parts, along with seats I dont like and handlebars I have replaced.

    Reply
  10. Pino says

    November 30, 2020 at 11:29 am

    Rinsten at 50% off how and where ? Tanks a lot
    5

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search

Recent Articles

  • Too Little Sleep? Exercise Could Be the Key to Longevity
  • High Fitness Levels Mitigate Hypertension Risks
  • “Bike Boxes” Boost Cyclist Safety at Urban Intersections
  • Baseball-Shaped Hearts: A New Indicator for Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Muscle Disease?

Recent Newsletters

Newsletter Issue No. 1062

Newsletter Issue No. 1061

Newsletter Issue No. 1060

Newsletter Issue No. 1059

Newsletter Issue No. 1057

Footer

Affiliate Disclosure

Our cycling expert editors and writers choose every product we review. We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy from one of our product links, at no extra cost to you. This income supports our site.

Follow Us

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook

Privacy Policy

Still Haven’t Found What You’re Looking For?

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in