[ETC-Discussion] Tamer Seatpost Failure

[Michael Corn]

Stephen-

I have heard mixed reviews on Tamer seatposts.  Tamer's top of the line
Pivot Plus is a kind of hybrid of a piston and parallelogram design (the
latter feature being like the Thudbuster).  The nice thing about the
parallelogram design is that unlike a piston seatpost, it maintains a
constant distance to the pedal.  I have used both the standard Thudbuster LT
and the ST (we use the ST for our tandems) and have never had any problems,
including with the elastomers.  We use much stiffer than recommended
elastomers, which basically takes out the big bumps without creating a mushy
ride or diving board effect.  We also carry a spare ST elastomer in our tool
kit in case.  I think the Thudbuster, which has a very good micro tilt
adjustment, is Thomson-grade quality, and its simple design and high-quality
manufacturing make it a very good piece of equipment.  After using it, I
would never go back to any kind of piston design.


Michael A. Corn


-----Original Message-----
From: discussion-list-bounces at evergreentandemclub.org
[mailto:discussion-list-bounces at evergreentandemclub.org] On Behalf Of
Stephen Crawford
Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 8:11 AM
To: discussion-list at evergreentandemclub.org
Subject: Re: [ETC-Discussion] Tamer Seatpost Failure

This was a Tamer PivotPlus.  We got it with our Rodriguez tandem in
September of 2007 and it has about 2,500 miles on it.  I took the post back
to R+E and since they didn't have another Tamer in 25.4mm, Scott gave me a
Crane ThudBuster to try.  I hope that Karen likes the ThudBuster because it
looks more trouble-free to me:  The base of the head is a machined part of
the post - it is not pressed on - and there are fewer moving parts.  I have
heard of cases where the elastomer insert ruptured, but I hope that sort of
failure would not be catastrophic.  The Tamer design is always under spring
tension and depends on a friction fit to keep top on.