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).
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.
It doesn’t affect the family jewels
What happens is both springs compress balancing the seat position and leaving the seat angle unaffected.
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.
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.
How many rides it takes to break?
Like the Beam bike, only different:)
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?
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.
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.
never received mine
You can buy off brand ones now for $20.
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.
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.
Rinsten at 50% off how and where ? Tanks a lot
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