Originally Posted by
pavement_nyc
I'm looking for a bike that's fast, but also good for handling NYC potholes. If anyone has any recommendations that would be great.
It ain't the bike so much as the rider. Any bike can handle potholes or any bike can be folded in half depending on what you do as the rider. Avoid them when you can but if you can't use the best suspension that is OEM on you...your legs and arms. Ride the bike 'light', i.e. don't just sit in the saddle like a lump. Don't let the potholes surprise you by looking ahead and when you can't avoid them, go across the pothole with your feet parallel to the ground with your legs and arms flexed. When the impact comes let the bike move under you and let your legs and arms absorb the impact. Your legs and arms have more 'travel' then any bike on the market.
Frame material makes little difference and neither, honestly, does tire width. The difference between a 23mm wide tire and a 37 mm tire is only 14mm (a little over 1/2"). Volume-wise that's nothing.
If you really want to learn how to handle rough rides and rough terrain, learn how to ride a mountain bike
off-road. Mountain biking teaches you bike handling skills that road bike riding will never teach you.