Recreational & Family - Suspension or Rigid

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cwemely
06-06-05, 05:13 PM
Hey! It is the confused one again!

OK...It is now down to a Gary Fisher Zibrano with front suspension or a Trek 7200FX without front suspension. The GF is a about $90 more, but I like it better than the Tiberon.

My question is are shocks better? A couple of LBSs in my area sell 95% shocks. I have briefly ridden a 7300FX w/o shocks and didn't notice anything uncomfortable about the ride. I just test rode the Zibrano and liked it. The problem is I don't have the luxury of a test ride that will give the bike the workout that I can make a decision, so I am asking your experienced opinions.

Also, any thoughts if the Zibrano is worth the $90 more. I really like the LBS that carries the Zibrano (we just purchased two boys bikes there today), but I don't want to make a mistake.

Thank you again for your help.

Chip
:D

climbo
06-06-05, 05:31 PM
for what kind of riding? If it's mostly bike path/road/packed dirt, suspension does nothing bu add weight and complexity to a bike. Front suspension is for mountain bikes, not cruising fun Sunday's with the family bikes. And suspension on cheaper bikes is usually not worth it, to get good front suspension you need to spend a few more $$.
cwemely
06-06-05, 08:20 PM
I will be riding paved and unpaved roads, gravel, dirt, etc. Not just liesure Sunday riding, but not boulder jumping either.

The Zebrano with suspension is $439. The Trek 7300FX does not have suspension and is $339.

climbo
06-06-05, 08:30 PM
at that price tag, suspension is a waste of time, eventually those forks will stop working and you'll have a rigid front end anyway (most good new forks cost over $300 by themselves). Most cyclo-cross/touring bikes come rigid as you don't need suspension for basic off-road duties, only if you plan to really mountain bike (like over rocks, roots, drops etc.).
moxfyre
06-06-05, 08:57 PM
Suspension is probably a waste of money on a bike for those uses and in that price range.

Think about it this way: until maybe 10 years ago, suspension was virtually unavailable, but you didn't hear people complaining about uncomfortable bikes any more than you do now. It's basically just a fad for anything but actual bona fide mountain biking. A well-designed frame and wide tires will add much more comfort than any low-end suspension.