SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING

Kinekt also offer a waterproof, post hugging design, which doubles as a protectant for the moving components. They also offer a “sock”; to do this latter job, say if you were running panniers, or frame mounted luggage.

 

Performance 4.25/5

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Overall, I’ve been very impressed. Hopping aboard, there’s some very gentle sag but otherwise, I’ve only noticed its movements in the most positive sense. It reacts very progressively, taming washboard tarmac without robbing power. It has improved traction, when grinding along steeper, slippery climbs - especially riding the fixed.

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Bigger bumps along pitch black rural backwaters proved similarly predictable and progressive (although I avoid these, or at least take my weight off the saddle, wherever possible. Suspension posts relieve the rider, but wheels still get a spanking). Talking of which, my lower back has felt much fresher after several hours mixed terrain riding on my beloved tubby tourer.  

Like the Redshift Sports Suspension Seatpost, travel is more responsive than the Cane Creek Thudbuster ST (generation 3 and 4) but most movement is noticed at the top of the stroke. No issues with bottoming out, or unwelcome, distracting bounce.

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Given the mechanical similarities with its Suspension stem, I was surprised to find ours completely silent and maintenance-free in 500 very wet, filthy miles on my fixed. Mind you, bigger wedge packs shielded components from the lion’s share of mucky stuff.

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I’ve never needed to adjust ours either but given everything’s accessible road/trailside fine tuning is more convenient compared with the Redshift, and arguably the elastomer damped Thud Busters, too.

 

In common with the competitors discussed the finish has proven very durable, with no hint of marking, or scratching despite being passed between bikes and potential tan lines, resultant from wet, gritty luggage straps.

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Value 3/5

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At £239, it’s a tenner steeper and 92g heavier than the Redshift Shockstop Suspension Post and the Cane Creek Thudbuster ST G4, which both tip the scales at 545g.  In terms of specification and performance, there is little separating the Kinekt and Redshift Sports Shockstop Post. Arguably the latter has a slightly less obviously industrial aesthetic. The Cane Creek Thudbuster is slightly different but gives 50mm of travel and enough change for a nice saddle/finishing kit (if you’re feeling thrifty or needing to watch the budget on a complete bike build).

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Summary

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I’ve been wowed by the Kinekt 2.1’s performance first, aesthetic second. Its super-refined, well-made and very precise. I also love the fact it’s friendly to older framesets, such as my beloved rough stuff tourer. Needing to save cash and grams, I’d plump for the Cane Creek Thudbuster G4 (although I’m not completely sold on its single cradle bolt).