Originally Posted by
BarracksSi
Think about this, though -- on bumpy, lumpy cracked pavement, ice and snow, isn't it nicer to have suspension? I wouldn't want to drive a car that bounced over everything when the route gets rough (actually, sometimes I regret putting a sport-tuned suspension on mine..).
I've tried suspension, and I've tried rigid. I'm happier on rigid. For me, it is more comfortable and easier to manage on bad surfaces. On a bike with suspension, I have a hard time climbing. And sadly, I'm one of those crazy people who pushes harder if you put a hill in front of them... so losing climbing performance really bothers me. And since suspension doesn't help me be more comfortable on bumpy surfaces (and sometimes scares the **** out of me instead of helping), it's really not worth it.
It's a real YMMV situation tho. Clearly a lot of folks don't have trouble with it the way I do. I grew up riding rigid on PA's awful roads (and awful hills), and I guess a lot of the techniques stuck.