FAQ

The patented BodyFloat Kinekt design works differently and feels different than anything on the market. Though it may look similar to other designs, BodyFloat Kinekt truly combines incredible comfortable with efficient high performance. The BodyFloat Kinekt design contains 3 specific features (see below: Infinite Tuning, Minimal Vertical Travel & No Damping) that allow for an elevated level of cycling experience and separate it from other Suspension Seatposts that have come before.

All suspension systems rely on damping (such as elastomers, fluids or friction) to control resonance and absorb and dissipate energy. Because the BodyFloat Kinekt is an undamped mechanism it is the ONLY system that can truly isolate the rider from the constant inherent vibrational energy of cycling. BodyFloat Kinekt effectively taps into the human bodies incredible capacity as the most controllable, effective and efficient damping system ever created. BodyFloat Kinekt takes full advantage of the body as a perfect system of joints, muscles and fluids, to become an integral part of the comfort + performance solution.

The BodyFloat Kinekt is a Controllable Articulation at the Ideal Location and is unique from all other frame and/or seatpost suspension systems. the BodyFloat Kinekt Design is also more effective and arguably more efficient than others due to several critical, yet simple key factors. The BodyFloat Kinekt mechanism is a controllable articulation located at the most important point of contact between the bike and the body, directly under the saddle. BodyFloat Kinekt System has 3 primary features that other suspension systems either lack or cannot provide…and of these features, nobody else employees all three!

Infinite Tunability = Easily achieve any feel desired

Every human body is different, and we all ride different bikes so a simple and effective adjusting method was engineered: Righty tighty, lefty loosey. BodyFloat Kinekt will achieve any feel desired via a simple combination of spring rate (the color of the springs) and spring tension, controlled by the rider. Smooth as a Cadillac, responsive as a race-car, all terrain like a Subaru and anything in-between, it’s your choice.

Vertical Travel = Minimal travel of the bike, not the body

For the Body to maintain its position and use less energy, the bike must move freely, yet minimally, under the rider effectively isolate from vibrations. Minimizing and controlling bike/saddle vertical movement under the body will optimize both bike’s connection to the terrain and body’s connection to the bike. Road and trails consist of, primarily, high frequency, low amplitude features that are a nearly constant. Bounce is caused by a combination of both terrain features and body movement, otherwise known as pedal induced bounce (see below for more information on Bounce).

Non-Damped = A friction-free mechanism

Damping is an important and critical element of all suspension systems. BodyFloat taps into the best damping system ever – the human body. High frequency isolation is most effectively achieved without mechanical damping, and is why we spec colored steel springs. BodyFloat’s non-damped mechanism truly engages your body’s phenomenal damping capacity, thus saving energy, reducing fatigue and increasing performance. Without damping, the bike is now free to match whatever high frequency/low amplitude features the terrain throws at it. Now you can stay seated and ride through nearly everything! There are 2 small endpoint elastomers located within the spring guides that soften the endpoints, before the springs either bottom or top out. This literally allows for the entire travel range to be as friction free as possible.

No.

Please look at our video of the BodyFloat Kinekt in action…it is easy to see but can be challenging to explain, so an analogy we’ve come up with is: What is the first thing you build under a house? The foundation. A foundation doesn’t move and provides a firm stable base to build upon. Once the proper foundation is established (a simple process on the BodyFloat) the right structure, or feel, can then be achieved by the rider by simply adjusting the tension bolt.

The BodyFloat Kinekt System controls and minimizes fore-aft and vertical movement, reduces body and terrain bounce and keeps the rider connected to the bike, and thus isolated from the terrain. Once connected and isolated, all comfort and performance metrics of both rider and bike can now be both truly controlled and optimized.

Only if you do.

Pedal induced bounce

As you can see on our video, the BodyFloat Kinekt Seatpost does not bounce when properly tuned to the rider. That said, you may wish allow for some movement if you prefer, it’s up to you. If you BodyFloat Kinekt post is moving more than you like, simple tune it to optimize movement and/or the rider can easily control any movement by using his/her arms and legs, as they normally do. On a standard saddle and seatpost, a rider actually bounces quite easily and often, especially at high spin rates, and this transmits your pedal force impact back into your body at the saddle and into your spine. This is no good and creates significant body fatigue. The BodyFloat Kinekt System allows for that negative energy to be isolated and transmitted down and into the bike, thus helping keep your body stable, in contact with the bike and the bike in optimal contact with the ground. A win-win for sure.

Terrain Induced Bounce

Terrain, naturally, forces energy into the system from below as the bike rolls over, or through, whatever terrain features are present. This energy is slightly reduced as it travels through your tires, through your frame and any onboard suspension system and then into your body. At high frequencies (such as pavement, chip seal or gravel paths) for the bike to maintain optimal contact with the ground it must be allowed to match whatever terrain frequency and amplitude it covers without transmitting that energy into the body. As terrain amplitude increases, and frequency decreases (such as going over a speed bump, pot-hole or tree root) the rider should be using his/her legs and arms to help absorb that feature most effectively. BodyFloat Kinekt is a high frequency isolator and is NOT designed to be a replacement for a full-suspension design, BodyFloat Kinekt works as either a stand-alone solution or as a complimentary addition to any on-board suspension system.

Yes, however you like it

The BodyFloat Kinekt System can, and will, improve your riding experience. Comfort is the most requested improvement for most cyclists and the BodyFloat Kinekt post is designed to work with ease: sit, ride, enjoy. If you can be comfortable and sit on the saddle longer, you will ride further, more often and enjoy more miles.

Performance is different for every rider. BodyFloats unique design allows for true optimization of all all performance characteristics between the bike and the body no matter who the rider is. Any cycling discipline will be enhanced, from Road Races to Hill climbs to Downhills. We’ll be posting much more on performance applications in the coming days and months.

Up to 1.5″ (35mm) of true vertical travel, pre-loadable down to less than 1/4″ (6.4mm) if desired. Somewhere in the middle is your ideal sweet spot that works best for you and your needs. Just like fine tuning a car or motorbike suspension, performance and comfort can only be maximized once the suspension is tuned for all the variables.

The sweet spot is the ideal combination of spring rate and pre-load that allows the rider to be most effectively isolated from the terrain below without negative movement or action. Your sweet spot is easy to find and easy to change based on your weight, riding style, bike and selected terrain.

Pre-load refers to the force applied to spring component before external loads, such as rider weight, are applied. For instance: on a comfort based bike you may want less pre-load offering a more plush feel. For performance, add some pre-load to maximize efficiency and minimize travel. Adjusting pre-load can be done on the fly with the simple turn of the pre-load hex bolt located on the rear of the unit.

Yes! Adjustment of the spring is easy. The BodyFloat Kinekt post comes pre-configured based on your weight and riding characteristics. As mentioned above, you adjust the spring with the pre-load screw. This reduces the effective travel of the unit. If you find that you often bottom-out or it’s too stiff, you can change the spring out with a spring of a higher or lower spring rate. This is done by removing the lower spring/spring guide and replacing the spring with one that better suits you.

Swapping different springs allows you to customize your BodyFloat Kinekt seatpost to your needs. You may prefer stiffer springs for a more upright position, carrying a messenger bag/pack or for less isolation. Use a lighter spring for more plushness and/or with more pre-load, for high performance applications like racing or stationary bikes. Springs are available for sale directly through our website and our BikeShore Retailers.

The BodyFloat Kinekt is around 250g heavier than a standard rigid seatpost.

Both models have the same basic mechanism. BodyFLoat Kinekt 2.1 is our base Aluminum model. The BodyFLoat Kinekt 3.1 has either a Carbon Fiber or Titanium shaft and are etched with additional fine-tuning post height and saddle angle indicators as well as a hand control knob.

Most likely, you need two things:

Round Seatpost

If your bike has a round seatpost then it will accept the BodyFloat Kinekt system. We currently build 25.4, 27.2, 30.9 and 31.6mm diameter posts and use shims for accommodating other round sizes. To find your size, remove current post and somewhere below the minimum insertion line your post diameter size is printed. For proprietary and/or unique post sizes please contact us directly.

About 10cm of Stack Height

BodyFloat Kinekt needs about 10cm of space between your seatpost clamp and your saddle rails to allow for proper function. Lighter riders (≤110lbs) can work with it about 8cm.

Any standard two-rail saddle, either 7mm or oversized 9mm rails, will work on the BodyFloat Kinekt seatpost. A saddle is a very individual component and finding the right saddle is made much easier once a BodyFloat is on board, allowing you to find the saddle that best fits your anatomy and your comfort/performance needs.

The BodyFloatKinekt System is designed to work with riders from 50 to 260 lbs. (23 to 118 kg.) While we’ve had heavier riders successfully tune and use our product, we cannot honor the warranty past 260lbs. For heavier riders, please contact us directly for additional suggestions.

The BodyFloat Kinekt is designed and Engineered in Bellingham, Washington in the awesome north/west of the USA. All parts are finished and assembled in Bellingham.