Originally Posted by
DropBarFan
Have ridden a friend's aluminum-framed Trek city bike & while it's aimed at recreational rider the front polymer-pad suspension with straight fork gave a very comfy ride. Weight of suspension negated by alu frame. Yet suspension is verboten on production tourers. Perhaps minimal front suspension & a sprung saddle/seatpost could help obviate rough road fatigue on tourers yet allow for stiff frame & higher-pressure tires?
Based on my experience the less expensive polymer-sprung suspension forks have a problem with seal stiction and fork flex. The better suspension solution came with Cannondale's Headshok in-headtube suspension system which steers with precision. Some models have the optional lock out for climbing. My wife's ST700 has such suspension and it's a Godsend on rough roads.
Back on the brake theme, her ST700 also has V-brakes with travel agents, which are not very attractive, but are very effective.