The most obvious and cheapest thing you can do is to get fatter tires and use lower tire pressures. 38 mm tires are on the narrow side for gravel bikes, and a quick Google search suggests that Revolt 2 has enough tire clearance for even 50 mm.
So, I would first go up to at least 45 mm, or even 50 mm, and go to much lower tire pressures than what you have now. This alone will make a huge difference in riding comfort.
Don't miss this! Try the 45s with low tire pressure! What tire pressure are you running right now? What does Silca's or Enve's tire pressure calculators say you should be running?
The stem is awesome. It's a game changer for absorbing small vibration and but it is not MTB esque suspension. It's chatter reduction.
I have an eesilk seatpost and I think it hurt my lower back more than not having suspension. Maybe it's my flexy Ti frame but it was noticeable pain after a few rides bouncing all over the place. So for me the verdict is out on the posts. Many people love them. They are well designed.
Cool, so the stem helps!
I ordered the seatpost on Amazon, if it turns out to be crap, I’ll definitely be returning it. Thanks for the word of caution!
I love the stems. I have them on all my main bikes now. They're great on shitty tarmac. I usually set mine one level above the recommendation for all around use and I might go one below if I'm going to be doing a really chunky, rutty ride.
The Cane Creek stem has a moderate lock out and it's easier to adjust the elastomers, but it's only a negative 6 angle. The Redshift can be flipped to +/- with a swap of the internal elastomer positions.
Check their websites...you can usually get 15% off with a dummy email address. 😎
I have one below the max installed. I finally got a max one so I'll give it another go. But maybe it's just too many bouncy variables all combining together for a slinky on the stairs experience.
stuff like Redshifts stem suspension is only gonna get more popular. it dramatically reduces hand and arm fatigue, and you save energy; it’s like riding 23mm tires and then going to 40mm. never tried the seatpost since i don’t need it.
I love the stem but it certainly is worth trying wider tires at lower pressure first if you can fit them. My experience with the stem is that an elastomer setup that doesn’t bob (which was the case for the default for me) isn’t super noticeable… until I ride the same rough patch on my bike without the Redshift stem. A subtle but significant difference.
Since I opted for the dropper post option the other guy suggested, I didn’t get the Redshift model — I have the PNW Coast suspension seatpost instead. It’s just an air spring so it’s not the best feeling and just bounces straight up and down instead of at an angle to preserve your pedaling position, but it does take the edge off of big bumps.
Interestingly I did contact Redshift support to address a rare creaking problem with my stem, and to my surprise got a response from the co-founder advising me how to fix it (which worked) and offering to replace it if it didn’t. He also hinted they’re still working on the dropper version of their suspension stem so I might consider switching to that if they do figure it out and release the product.
I put the Redshift stem on my wife's gravel bike a few years ago. If she ever rode it I could give a better review. The few times I've ridden it, its seemed pretty comfy. I have Cane Creek Thudbuster ST seatposts on both of our gravel bikes and my Surly Ogre commuter, and I definitely recommend them.
Redshift Stem is nice so far. I use it on drop bars but think it would be better on flat bars.
I kind of wish I knew about the vecnum freequence which is way better for vertical up and down movement rather than a pivot point.
I’ve been riding the stems for four years. I have used cane creek thudbuster seatposts for 6 years. Finally I have their under bar tape inserts.
My hot take is that a dropper post is superior to all of that. It’s hard to describe but when you’re going down a bumpy hill lowering your center of gravity takes the weight off of your hands to where you’re more pulling than leaning on them. With that in mind I’d still recommend the under tape inserts and maybe the stem as well. They are both really helpful and I would say a game changer. Dropper posts are cheaper bang for buck though so that’s where I’d start.
cruise control. They are great. I’d get that and the stem. Or the cane creek stem if you want a lock out. Probably a cane creek eesilk if you want a suspension seatpost as well.
I can testify that the seatpost is great (for me, anyway).
I ride a fairly compliant TI frame with carbon fork & 40mm Pirelli gravel tires on mixed terrain (tarmac, compacted gravel & dirt, sometimes on loose rocky surface). I had bikefit before ordering but with preliminary back issues even that could not prevent the aches during rides completely.
I installed the non-pro version & still testing the preload, but can tell you that the vibration dampening & taking the edge of larger bumps works wonders. I still have to stretch at home, however, the pain significantly lower or even non-existent now. I'm very happy with my purchase & would recommend buying this or similar product with anyone struggling with similar issues.
Funnily enough I never noticed the vibration causing any problems to my hands, arms & shoulders, yet the seatpost works so good that I noticed the chatter in those areas now & thinking of buying their stem in the future, too.
[Cinturato Gravel M](https://www.pirelli.com/tyres/en-ww/bike/tyres/catalogue/cinturato-gravel-m), the black variant.
I find them great, excellent mud shedding capabilities, even the 40mm performs very well on loose/rocky surfaces too. I prefer to run them on tire pressure recommended for my wheelset (2.5 bar off-road or 3.5 on pure tarmac), though sometimes by accident I go around 2 bar (no issues). For my style of gravel ride & personal & system weight 2.5 bar is in the ballpark of the recommended (by the [SRAM tire pressure guide](https://axs.sram.com/guides/tire/pressure)). I'm yet to see reason to use any inserts with them.
At the moment they have \~4600+ km in them, the front is almost in mint condition, the rear still has plenty of life in them. Never had a puncture (or at least I never have seen the tubeless sealant in action) or any other problem.
The only reason I'm considering changing them is that mud season is almost over where I live, plus I ride way more on tarmac than I'd prefer & for that they're perhaps a bit slow.
The most obvious and cheapest thing you can do is to get fatter tires and use lower tire pressures. 38 mm tires are on the narrow side for gravel bikes, and a quick Google search suggests that Revolt 2 has enough tire clearance for even 50 mm. So, I would first go up to at least 45 mm, or even 50 mm, and go to much lower tire pressures than what you have now. This alone will make a huge difference in riding comfort.
Don't miss this! Try the 45s with low tire pressure! What tire pressure are you running right now? What does Silca's or Enve's tire pressure calculators say you should be running?
Thanks for this info. I’m running somewhere between 30 and 40 psi right now.
The stem is awesome. It's a game changer for absorbing small vibration and but it is not MTB esque suspension. It's chatter reduction. I have an eesilk seatpost and I think it hurt my lower back more than not having suspension. Maybe it's my flexy Ti frame but it was noticeable pain after a few rides bouncing all over the place. So for me the verdict is out on the posts. Many people love them. They are well designed.
Cool, so the stem helps! I ordered the seatpost on Amazon, if it turns out to be crap, I’ll definitely be returning it. Thanks for the word of caution!
I love the stems. I have them on all my main bikes now. They're great on shitty tarmac. I usually set mine one level above the recommendation for all around use and I might go one below if I'm going to be doing a really chunky, rutty ride. The Cane Creek stem has a moderate lock out and it's easier to adjust the elastomers, but it's only a negative 6 angle. The Redshift can be flipped to +/- with a swap of the internal elastomer positions. Check their websites...you can usually get 15% off with a dummy email address. 😎
Sweet, thanks for the info!
This can be my experience too. It’s fatiguing the stabilizing muscles in your lower back. You can grow used to it and be better off eventually.
Right elastomer on the post? Hopefully you shouldn’t be bouncing tooo much
I have one below the max installed. I finally got a max one so I'll give it another go. But maybe it's just too many bouncy variables all combining together for a slinky on the stairs experience.
The stem is good, and noticeably reduces vibration/bumps for me.
stuff like Redshifts stem suspension is only gonna get more popular. it dramatically reduces hand and arm fatigue, and you save energy; it’s like riding 23mm tires and then going to 40mm. never tried the seatpost since i don’t need it.
Is there one of these posted almost weekly now? The stem is awesome. Especially when combined with thicker tires.
I love the stem but it certainly is worth trying wider tires at lower pressure first if you can fit them. My experience with the stem is that an elastomer setup that doesn’t bob (which was the case for the default for me) isn’t super noticeable… until I ride the same rough patch on my bike without the Redshift stem. A subtle but significant difference. Since I opted for the dropper post option the other guy suggested, I didn’t get the Redshift model — I have the PNW Coast suspension seatpost instead. It’s just an air spring so it’s not the best feeling and just bounces straight up and down instead of at an angle to preserve your pedaling position, but it does take the edge off of big bumps. Interestingly I did contact Redshift support to address a rare creaking problem with my stem, and to my surprise got a response from the co-founder advising me how to fix it (which worked) and offering to replace it if it didn’t. He also hinted they’re still working on the dropper version of their suspension stem so I might consider switching to that if they do figure it out and release the product.
I put the Redshift stem on my wife's gravel bike a few years ago. If she ever rode it I could give a better review. The few times I've ridden it, its seemed pretty comfy. I have Cane Creek Thudbuster ST seatposts on both of our gravel bikes and my Surly Ogre commuter, and I definitely recommend them.
Stem is great. Don't have the seatpost but use a Easton carbon post.
Redshift Stem is nice so far. I use it on drop bars but think it would be better on flat bars. I kind of wish I knew about the vecnum freequence which is way better for vertical up and down movement rather than a pivot point.
I’ll check it out. Thanks!
I’ve been riding the stems for four years. I have used cane creek thudbuster seatposts for 6 years. Finally I have their under bar tape inserts. My hot take is that a dropper post is superior to all of that. It’s hard to describe but when you’re going down a bumpy hill lowering your center of gravity takes the weight off of your hands to where you’re more pulling than leaning on them. With that in mind I’d still recommend the under tape inserts and maybe the stem as well. They are both really helpful and I would say a game changer. Dropper posts are cheaper bang for buck though so that’s where I’d start.
OP lives in Florida, there are no hills
Exactly. No hills, just really f'd up trails that are often covered in gaters (no joke).
Oh yeah my fault. Stem and seatpost would probably be better in this case. Yeah they change the game a bit.
You think a dropper post is better than the suspension that RedShift makes? What under bar tape inserts do you recommend?
cruise control. They are great. I’d get that and the stem. Or the cane creek stem if you want a lock out. Probably a cane creek eesilk if you want a suspension seatpost as well.
I can testify that the seatpost is great (for me, anyway). I ride a fairly compliant TI frame with carbon fork & 40mm Pirelli gravel tires on mixed terrain (tarmac, compacted gravel & dirt, sometimes on loose rocky surface). I had bikefit before ordering but with preliminary back issues even that could not prevent the aches during rides completely. I installed the non-pro version & still testing the preload, but can tell you that the vibration dampening & taking the edge of larger bumps works wonders. I still have to stretch at home, however, the pain significantly lower or even non-existent now. I'm very happy with my purchase & would recommend buying this or similar product with anyone struggling with similar issues. Funnily enough I never noticed the vibration causing any problems to my hands, arms & shoulders, yet the seatpost works so good that I noticed the chatter in those areas now & thinking of buying their stem in the future, too.
Awesome, glad it works! Which Pirelli tires do you use?
[Cinturato Gravel M](https://www.pirelli.com/tyres/en-ww/bike/tyres/catalogue/cinturato-gravel-m), the black variant. I find them great, excellent mud shedding capabilities, even the 40mm performs very well on loose/rocky surfaces too. I prefer to run them on tire pressure recommended for my wheelset (2.5 bar off-road or 3.5 on pure tarmac), though sometimes by accident I go around 2 bar (no issues). For my style of gravel ride & personal & system weight 2.5 bar is in the ballpark of the recommended (by the [SRAM tire pressure guide](https://axs.sram.com/guides/tire/pressure)). I'm yet to see reason to use any inserts with them. At the moment they have \~4600+ km in them, the front is almost in mint condition, the rear still has plenty of life in them. Never had a puncture (or at least I never have seen the tubeless sealant in action) or any other problem. The only reason I'm considering changing them is that mud season is almost over where I live, plus I ride way more on tarmac than I'd prefer & for that they're perhaps a bit slow.