LP Composites SSP Suspension Seatpost: 1990's, Carbon, 25.8mm, Bizarre & RARE!

This is one for the retro mountain bike museum crowd!  This post came out in the lmid to late 1990's, by LP Composites of White Salmon, Washington.  It's extremely obscure and rare, and there's just a few references to it anywhere on the web.  One user on a couple forums seems particularly fond of it, claiming it performs even better than the Cane Creek Thudbuster or the Moxey.  It was reportedly very expensive new, and is a high quality build.  The shaft, main body, and even stanchion are carbon fiber.  The clamp, coil spring caps and adjusting knob are nicely finished alloy.  The action of the post is VERY smooth, and the firmness adjustment knob actually seems to adjust the firmness (see early Rockshox forks with the "useless knobs" for examples of firmness adjustment knobs that do absolutely nothing).

The post uses a telescopic and adjustable coil-over spring offset at an angle to move the saddle down and back towards the rear hub.  This offset angle reduces the binding that most telescopic posts suffer from, and also minimizes the shortening of the saddle to pedal distance while still giving 1.3 inches of travel.

This is a 25.8mm seatpost.  There's some evidence online that these were meant to be used with a shim for 26.8mm seat tubes.  You may have to get creative to make this one fit your frame.

This would be a great show piece and conversation starter!  Hang it in your bike shop, put it on your mantle, frame it in a glass case. Or put it in your show bike!

Condition

Excellent or better lightly used condition!  The suspension action is super smooth.  Carbon is in great shape, with hardly a mark in the carbon or decals.  The adjustment knob has some scratches.  *The bottom cradle for the saddle clamp does not appear to be the original one, as it doesn't fit perfectly in the curve of the post.  It looks nice, if you intend to use this as display.  If you intend to ride it, you may want to find a better fitting one.

Details

• 25.8mm
• Length: 370mm