Originally Posted by
chasm54
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.
Well said!!!
Originally Posted by
no1mad
Looks good. For a long ride I do like the multiple hand positions of drop bars, but short of that I think this is much more of a fit. The bikes in the OP were too upright for that much riding.
Great advice throughout this thread. At least until this vagary, though in theory I agree with that too:
Originally Posted by
Road MTB
Get a cyclocross bike. Perfect for what you're describing and versatile bikes in general.