Road Cycling - Suspension on road

Hi

I'm looking for a fairly comfy bike that can suit my every day needs: Commuting, riding around time, and a longer trip every now and then. I've been searching for a light city bike/hybrid, and presently I'm considering buying a Giant Central Park with thinner wheels (32mm). However, I'm a bit worried about the suspension; will it get too annoying on longer trips, or can it be tightened enough for road use? It's a threadless Suntour suspension fork as far as I can tell.

Thanks in advance :)

Suspension on a general purpose road bike is a complete waste of money. You can get good quality steel forks which are quite comfortable, esp with a 32mm tyre. I use this setup for riding on roads, pot-holed lanes and off-road tracks, with and without luggage.
Kona do an very good steel fork, which can be found on the Dew commuter bike..

Hi

I'm looking for a fairly comfy bike that can suit my every day needs: Commuting, riding around time, and a longer trip every now and then. I've been searching for a light city bike/hybrid, and presently I'm considering buying a Giant Central Park with thinner wheels (32mm). However, I'm a bit worried about the suspension; will it get too annoying on longer trips, or can it be tightened enough for road use? It's a threadless Suntour suspension fork as far as I can tell.

Thanks in advance :)

The hyrids from Giant are made of hard Alu which is why they have suspension. If the bike were made of a low level Chromoly, no suspension would be needed. Look for a steel bike and forget the suspension.

If you want suspension in a road bike, check out a SoftRide (http://www.softride.com). The beam absorbs everything!

The hyrids from Giant are made of hard Alu which is why they have suspension. If the bike were made of a low level Chromoly, no suspension would be needed. Look for a steel bike and forget the suspension.

Thanks. The only problem is that more or less every bike I look for is sold out, and I'm getting desperate here. I can more or less get this one or sit back and wait for the new models. I doubt it'll be cheaper to have the dealer put in a fork without suspension than to use the original suspended fork, so I'm more worried about whether the suspended fork will be as enjoyable as an unsuspended one :)

If you want suspension in a road bike, check out a SoftRide (http://www.softride.com). The beam absorbs everything!Noooooooo! SoftRides are EVIL

Never tried one but Brooks makes a sprung saddle. I use a B-17N.

Noooooooo! SoftRides are EVIL

I think those Softrides look real cool. I would love to test ride one to see if that suspension creates an inefficient peddal stroke. I wonder if you can lock out the bob or minimalize it to a degree.

Never tried one but Brooks makes a sprung saddle. I use a B-17N.

That's what I was thinking. A cheaper alternative would be a Brooks Champion flyer. But then again, I still would like to give that beam a try!

Keep the suspension fork, Alu rides hard, IMO the shocks keep the metal from fatiquing, and will really inprove comfort.

A bit dumb if your 'lightweight' Alu bike with seat sus and front fork suspension goes 30 lbs. This makes sense if it's a downhill fs mountainbike (40lbs) but road bikes? I'd much rather find an old steel Bianchi and forget the suspension.(20lbs).

>jef.

I think those Softrides look real cool. I would love to test ride one to see if that suspension creates an inefficient peddal stroke. I wonder if you can lock out the bob or minimalize it to a degree.

My understanding is that the suspension reveals the inefficient pedal stroke, not creates it. You minimalize the bob by improving your peadaling efficiency. I looked at Softride, but I know my pedal stroke is inefficient, so I decided not to go for it.

My understanding is that the suspension reveals the inefficient pedal stroke, not creates it. You minimalize the bob by improving your peadaling efficiency. I looked at Softride, but I know my pedal stroke is inefficient, so I decided not to go for it.
Softrides will bounce if you mash while you are seated. Just like anything, after about a week or even a few days, you will improve your stroke. I bounced a little when I first started riding it, and even sometimes still bounce, its just a reminder to turn the crank circular rather than push/pull. You don't bounce if your pedaling is correct.

The suspension improves riding by letting you stay seated and absorb the bumps in the bike. I don't think the bike is inefficient at all. You actually get a better aerodynamic advantage. Although, they are a little heavier. I think mine is 19lbs.




Noooooooo! SoftRides are EVIL
Why would you say that? I like mine. And, they are cool looking!