UDC CF Seat Base vs. KH 2009 w/Stiffener

Unicycles and Equipment
1

Previously I rode on 2007-08 KH Fusion Freerides on my 24 and 26" munis. I also have a KH Fusion Street on my son’s KH 20 and a couple UDC Gel seats on my spare unis.

When the 2009 KH Fusion Freeride came out, I bought one to see if I could get some increased seat base stiffness. I was initially disappointed with the new KH seat as it was not appreciabley stiffer than my older Freerides. Then I added the seat base stiffener and voila’ it was done, nice and stiff with just a little flex in the seat base at the seat post. The down side was total cost and weight :astonished:

So, after reading many reviews on Carbon Fiber seat bases, I sprung for a UDC CF base. I would have gone for a complete base with Thompson seat post, etc… but that mfd is not making seat bases right now :frowning:

To use a UDC CF seat base, you more or less have to gut an existing seat, stealing hardware, foam, and seat cover. Once you have all the parts, then the real work starts! Now that I have done one, I don’t see that it’s a big deal, but it does take some skill with tools. Be forewarned, it is very easy to misalign the holes when drilling because the holes tend to drift as you drill :roll_eyes:

After a couple hours of measuring, drilling, and finally mounting, I have my CF base installed on my lovely Nimbus 26 muni. Sadly, it isn’t even as stiff as the new KH Freeride with stiffener :o

So next I install the KH brake bracket, just to see if that will stiffen up the grab handle area, which it does, yeah! So now, it’s better for sure, but I wouldn’t say that it is any stiffer than my new KH :thinking:

In short, it was a fun exercise, but I won’t do it again, not considering all the work it took and the monetary cost.

One area of the seat that really needs some work is the development of a stiffer grab handle, cuz they are all really flexy!

2

I didn’t take the time to read this, and I’ve never had a CF base.

But I do have the 09 seat with a stiffener.

Rock solid. I’ve landed on the handle several times. No bending of the seatpost. No cracking of the base. The reinforcment plate is still a rock. It’s perfect.

3

I took the time to read:D

also i also have the street 09 with stiffener. (hehe stiffener):stuck_out_tongue:

I have also landed badly heaps and its stiff like new:D

4

The stiffener plate doesn’t add much weight, and cost wise - a new KH09 saddle plus plate is cheaper vs a UDC CF base plus a KH saddle needed for foam etc to complete the CF based saddle, separate to the hassle of setting up the CF base.

My XC handlebar mounts to the underside of the saddle. If there’s too much flex you soon know about it. I had been using the CF base with the handlebars but changed the bar design to suit the KH09 saddle, as with the stiffener plate fitted it’s an all around better solution vs the CF base and comparable stiffness through the handle.

6

I think even KH himself said that the stiffner plate is no substitute (as in not as good) for a CF base.

7

+1

8

it might be good enough though. I dont know. Dont care really i have a CF base allready. You also probably save alot of weight. Not just because of that plate but generally.

9

Yeah you must have drilled it wrong :thinking: Everything as tight as possible? CF has 0.00% flex.

10

maybe his handle is flexy, because I think mine is a bit flexy. It’s not my CF base for sure.

11

CF = really good 0 flex looks cool we have so much in common… except udc Aussie dont stock em, thanks Un Zud.

12

Sorry guys, but the CF base flexes, though clearly less than a nylon base. If you look close enough, you’ll see flex at the seat post mount. Of course the majority of the flex is in the grab handle, which is probably why the KH seat base with stiffeners is just as stiff overall as the CF base.

I will say that the profile of the seat seems to fit me better, so I do prefer it over the 2009 KH. So the CF base will be on my all Ti uni when the frame is done next week :astonished:

14

this info is kinda hard to take in. I broke a bunch of seats before i got my cf base. I had a new seat on my muni and i couldnt stand the flex soo bad that i bought a cf base for that too.

this is kinda strange to hear about seat flex. i mean of course a cf base flexs a bit… but it cant flex as much as a regular cf base.

A perfect example is jackie… he has broken some where in the number of 35 kh seat bases. some a week after a new purchase. He got a cf base for christmas and has had it for 7 months now no problems.

I guess what i am rambling about is, i have had a cf base for years and have never had a problem with flex. i bought a cf for my muni to reduce flex. and i dont thing that the hadle flexes that much… especially on a cf base…

so i wonder what is going on with your uni…

15

Although I don’t know anything about cf bases, I would assume that the weight of the rider plays a significant role when it comes to flexing. While Nurse Ben is 43 years old and something around 80kg you guys are probably all around 60 - 70kg. I’m pretty sure that makes quite a difference.

16

Me, 200 pounds, cf doesnt flex. Phil is also a big guy.

17

Whatever. So maybe it’s a faulty cf base then.

18

Neither of my CF bases (UDC and Scott Wallis) flex whatsoever, they couldn’t possibly be any stiffer. If anything, your base is faulty or theres something wrong with your handle.

19

I’m with brian.

I’ve got my cf for a long time. Landed on it hard a lot, and it’s completely still. No feelable flex at all.

20

I just got my CF base about a week ago and have to say that I haven’t felt it flex at all. Of course its brand new and I haven’t had a chance to ride it extensively.

22

They already made a stiffer handle. It’s called a Reeder but you can’t get them anymore. I wish KH would produce a version. They finally have a good version of the old GB4 stiffener plate (originally made for miyata air seats) - which produced a super stiff seat years ago. And 40mm OD bearings!!!

I hope one day they produce a Reeder style handle - they truly are superior to everything else for Muni.

23

Ohhh I got a good ride on it the other day and it is insanely stiff! To bad I’m having intertube problems right now.:frowning: