Cyclocross season is winding down in much of the U.S. and that means the holiday season, or Crossmas, is upon us. With Thanksgiving relatively late this year, we got on top of things and put together the first of our 2019 Holiday Gift Guides a bit early this year.
We take a look at some items we have personally used and reviewed during the past year we think could make good gifts for the favorite cyclocross and/or gravel enthusiast in your life. Our first guide has a mix of tech items, bikes, stocking stuffers and clothes.
Use the Next button to scroll through each.
Redshift Sports ShockStop Seatpost
Redshift Sports brought you the ShockStop stem, and we saw the ShockStop seatpost first more than a year ago. The post is finally available and under us as we put it through the paces.
The ShockStop seatpost is now available for ordering. RedShift Sports ShockStop Suspension Seatpost. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine
Certainly our first impressions are positive. There are a few suspension seatposts out there, but this is an elegant design that has user-friendly adjustability and avoids some of the problems we’ve seen with other suspension posts such as stiction, inactive suspension and seat angle change.
The post has a weight chart and instructions to set the spring pre-load. We found it is more accurate to use follow the instructions and take the time to set the pre-load, rather than the short cut of setting by the included chart. There is an extra spring included to insert if you are over a certain weight or want a firmer ride.
The post is quite active without feeling bouncy like a pogo stick, and you get accustomed to it quite quickly. It is a game-changer on and off-road, downhill and up in that you can sit in to apply the power over bumpy track.
The tethered magnetic cover pulled open on the Redshift ShockStop seatpost. RedShift Sports ShockStop Suspension Seatpost. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine
The post weighs 544 grams (23 grams more if you add the extra spring) and comes in a 27.2 diameter with shims readily available. That’s 250 grams more than an average aluminum post, which is not too much for the advantage you may gain in comfort and control. A tandem stoker would surely appreciate it.
The post is available for holiday pre-order with shipping just after the new year and comes in a nice box. It is currently on sale for $190.
Look for our detailed review in the future.
More Info: redshiftsports.com
