I did a ride last Wednesday with the front suspension fork locked. I have 38c tires on my Roam. They were not filled up to max psi. I rode over rough pavement and I could feel the bumps, more than I wanted to. With the front fork unlocked, I would just roll through and keep pedaling. I don't know why, but the suspension fork on my Roam doesn't seem to get in the way. I'm as fast on my Roam as I am on a Trek FX, with the benefit that I'm not sore after my rides with the Roam. As suggested, it is best to test ride bikes with both a rigid and suspension fork.