Suspension is a waste of time and money if you don't ride off-road. It is heavy, it costs money to service, and unless it is locked out it absorbs energy that should be propelling you forward. Bunny hopping curbs is perfectly possible on road bikes without suspension, it just takes an hour or two's practice.

And I'm surprised at your preference for a 10lb backpack. Carrying the weight on your back, rather than on the bike, makes one sweaty and tends to give one a bad back on longer journeys. You might like to give panniers or a rack bag a try.