Review: Use Components Vybe Suspension

Every year, my resolution to commit to a stretching routine lasts about three days. I’m reminded of this broken vow a few hours into a strenuous bike ride, when the cumulative toll of vibrations radiating through the bike has me struggling to stand upright. Like many aging riders, my back, neck, and hands pay the price—especially on longer rides over mixed terrain.

And while I’ve always enjoyed the performance of a road bike, sharing pavement with distracted drivers gets riskier each season. Enter the gravel bike: my whip of choice for its ability to unlock safer, more interesting routes. Alas, the rigid frame and fork that make dropped-bar bikes so responsive are also their curse when the going gets rough. Larger-volume gravel tires help, but there’s a limit—eventually, the endless micro-shocks reaching your contact points wear you down.

So, in pursuit of a more forgiving ride, I’ve spent this season using the Vybe Suspension Stem ($205) and Vybe GR Suspension Seatpost ($205) from USE Components. The combination has added suspended relief without compromising the bike’s efficient, race-oriented feel.

The Vybe Stem offers 20mm of travel in a pivot-based system. It includes four elastomer options to match rider weight and feel, plus twin preload adjusters for tuning firmness. Weighing around 205 grams, it’s lightweight yet sturdy, effectively reducing chatter and harsh impacts.

The Vybe GR Seatpost offers 50mm of tuneable travel, softening those in-the-saddle hits to one’s backside. It features interchangeable elastomer springs (soft, medium, hard) and a preload adjuster for personalized tuning.

While no piece of gear is a substitute for doing the actual bodywork—New Year’s resolutions notwithstanding—the Vybe stem and seatpost combo has unquestionably made my bike more fun and more comfortable to ride.

Parts are available at use-components.com.