Suspension or No Suspension?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Detroit
Posts: 82
Bikes: 2009 Specialized Tarmac, 2008 Cannondale Quick 4, 2009 Jamis Coda Comp
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Suspension or No Suspension?
I must be a speed demon (even though I'm not that fast). Bikes with suspension take away way too much forward motion for me to accept. As I don't ride dirt paths or trails or hills or grass or mountains, the hardtail/hardfork seems the only sensible choice to me.
Yet I see suspension bikes everywhere, seemingly spending their entire existence on paths/roads/sidewalks that seem not to justify suspension. What are your thoughts? Am I too preoccupied with speed? Or do I not know what I'm missing?
(PS my wife has a Trek 7100 comfort hybrid with suspension. Its a comfortable ride but I like a quicker bike.)
Yet I see suspension bikes everywhere, seemingly spending their entire existence on paths/roads/sidewalks that seem not to justify suspension. What are your thoughts? Am I too preoccupied with speed? Or do I not know what I'm missing?
(PS my wife has a Trek 7100 comfort hybrid with suspension. Its a comfortable ride but I like a quicker bike.)
Last edited by Bravin Neff; 06-13-13 at 02:52 PM. Reason: Wanted to portray a greater flair of writing style with subtle changes to punctuation and other grammatical elements.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 87
Bikes: Fuji Absolute 3.0
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
So as a total noob to biking this can be taken with a huge grain of salt. I say, like most things it boils down to personal preference. My wife and I are just getting into biking, mostly for fitness and fun, I doubt either of us will commute or join any teams or such. I bought her a Fuji Absolute 3.0, she wanted a light bike, no suspension as 99.9% of our riding will be on pavement. For myself, I also went with a hybrid, just got it today so the verdict is still out, but it does have a front fork with suspension, I had the pre load as stiff as possible (no lock out) and took it for a short ride and I had no issues, even though I am a bit overweight, not alot of bobing, even when I stood up and pumped to go up a hill. The ride seemed very smooth so I guess for me it does not make a big difference, maybe it will when I drop 40 lbs or so and start to think I can go fast. But I do like the fact that if I hit any pot holes or big cracks I have a little relief, again as a noob this may help where as an experienced rider will probably have better reflexes and can avoid these issues all together.
JImbo
JImbo
#3
___________
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 216
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Suspension for commuting is useless or worse. I had it for years. If you run into a pothole or curb hard enough to make you lose control, I don't think a front shock is gonna make any difference. If your ride is too jarring, you can lower your front tire pressure. In addition to the loss of efficiency that you noticed, I found that I had less control during braking because my front end would dive. Getting a bike with a rigid fork made a huge difference, especially for all day rides.
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Detroit
Posts: 82
Bikes: 2009 Specialized Tarmac, 2008 Cannondale Quick 4, 2009 Jamis Coda Comp
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I find even worse than suspension fork is suspension ass. Just saying.
#5
aka Phil Jungels
I happen to have suspension on the front of my Crosstrail, because I need it due to physical problems. It makes a huge difference in the jarring that is not transmitted to my spine/shoulders. Without it, I'd probably have to give up bicycling.
Lowering tire pressure did nothing to alleviate my suffering, but the front suspension is a lifesaver.
I especially like the ability to lock it out when straining uphill...... the rest of the time, it's doing it's dampening. I'd rather have the extra weight, than give up my bicycle.
I gave up my drop bar road bike, and never looked back.......................... And, I can't even remember the last time I was on a road bike.
If you don't like it, don't get it. But please stop badmouthing something that is very usefullllllllll.
Lowering tire pressure did nothing to alleviate my suffering, but the front suspension is a lifesaver.
I especially like the ability to lock it out when straining uphill...... the rest of the time, it's doing it's dampening. I'd rather have the extra weight, than give up my bicycle.
I gave up my drop bar road bike, and never looked back.......................... And, I can't even remember the last time I was on a road bike.
If you don't like it, don't get it. But please stop badmouthing something that is very usefullllllllll.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Milpitas, CA
Posts: 981
Bikes: 2007 Specialized Rockhopper Disc; Trek 7.5 FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The vast majority of my riding is on paved roads. There are a few routes where there is some dirt & gravel, but it's still smooth enough for a road bike to get by. My Hybrid, riding on 32's does just fine, except for the very loose and/or steep sections of the trail...although I have yet to lose control.
Some of my riding friends are convinced that they need dual-suspension mountain bikes - 3 of them own various bikes from Santa Cruz (SuperLight, Nomad, Blur), which they paid quite a bit of money for, and none of them has ever seen anything but roads & MUP's.
Some of my riding friends are convinced that they need dual-suspension mountain bikes - 3 of them own various bikes from Santa Cruz (SuperLight, Nomad, Blur), which they paid quite a bit of money for, and none of them has ever seen anything but roads & MUP's.
#7
___________
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 216
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I happen to have suspension on the front of my Crosstrail, because I need it due to physical problems. It makes a huge difference in the jarring that is not transmitted to my spine/shoulders. Without it, I'd probably have to give up bicycling.
Lowering tire pressure did nothing to alleviate my suffering, but the front suspension is a lifesaver.
I especially like the ability to lock it out when straining uphill...... the rest of the time, it's doing it's dampening. I'd rather have the extra weight, than give up my bicycle.
I gave up my drop bar road bike, and never looked back.......................... And, I can't even remember the last time I was on a road bike.
If you don't like it, don't get it. But please stop badmouthing something that is very usefullllllllll.
Lowering tire pressure did nothing to alleviate my suffering, but the front suspension is a lifesaver.
I especially like the ability to lock it out when straining uphill...... the rest of the time, it's doing it's dampening. I'd rather have the extra weight, than give up my bicycle.
I gave up my drop bar road bike, and never looked back.......................... And, I can't even remember the last time I was on a road bike.
If you don't like it, don't get it. But please stop badmouthing something that is very usefullllllllll.
In the absence of that need, I find that the efficiency I've gained with a rigid fork has translated to an increase in speed, control, and overall comfort, which has been significant both for in-city transportation and for longer rides. I noticed the same energy loss as the OP, and I agree with his opinion. Maybe I've been too quick to discount the benefits that suspension offers, but for myself I'm well rid of it. Certainly not trying to offend. YMMV.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Posts: 254
Bikes: my bikes: Old: 1965 Schwinn 10 speed, 72 Monshee 12 speed, 77 Norco 12 speed, 95 Trek 850, two Specialized Crosstrails, 2016 Specialized carbon Sirrus. New 2020 Trek FX1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 36 Times
in
14 Posts
...based on my experience on other bike forums and my brief time here, this question will always generate polarized replies, with regards to suspension forks it seems you either love them or hate them. It's the old Ford vs Chevy thing, nobody ever wins they just stick with what works best for them. Personally I like them and have them on my Crosstrail, I found that with a hard fork my wrists and forearm would get sore and my fingers go numb, after switching to a suspension fork these issues disappeared...
#9
Ha ha ha ha ha
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Gold Coast; Australia
Posts: 4,554
Bikes: 2004 ORBEA Mitis2 Plus Carbon, 2007 Cannondale Bad Boy Si Disc, 2012 Trek Gary Fisher Collection Marlin WSD 29er Aldi Big Box (Polygon) 650b
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
6 Posts
Mine has rigid forks but I prefer the looks of a suspension hybrid. I'm thinking of it seriously for my badboy for looks alone.
#10
Full Member
Although I would probably like front suspension on my mountain bike, I agree with you. I've been looking for a hybrid and everything has front suspension. I don't get it. Maybe after taking a beating on the trails, I can't see the need for it in a road or path situation. I don't think its worth the weight and any movement that isn't forward is a waste. Just my opinion.
#11
Newbie
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Princeton BC Canada
Posts: 4
Bikes: 2006 Norco Mountaineer, 2012 Norco Indie 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a 2012 Norco Indie 3 hybrid,triple 9 speed with 6061 frame and moly solid fork, mech. disc brakes. Most my riding is on paved road with some rough patches. I went from an entry level mountain bike with a suntour fork to this bike, riding mostly for fitness. I like the handling of this new bike a lot and switched out the Kenda 700x38c to Schwalbe 700x35c Marathon plus which has improved the ride and feel to the road. I enjoy going over rough patches now. And hello everyone! good success with your choice.
Also breaking in a Brooks b17.

Last edited by WindsAndHills; 06-13-13 at 07:11 PM.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 176
Bikes: CAAD 8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I like my front suspension. Of course My bike is a mtb made more road worthy. I don't see front suspension affecting braking, but maybe I'm used to the dive from riding on the track with my motorcycle. Slowing from 140mph to 80 your front tends to dive, so i'm comfortable with it on my bicycle.
#14
Senior Member
If you ride the really rough stuff a good suspension fork is a must. If not you're better off without one.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Jacksonville FL
Posts: 2,275
Bikes: 2013 TREK 7.6 FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
8 Posts
I wouldn't really ride a Hybrid without suspension, but the 7.6 with all its damping, plus 32's, with a comfort saddle makes it "awesome" but I only ride paved roads though.. " lock-out" is the bomb
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Detroit
Posts: 82
Bikes: 2009 Specialized Tarmac, 2008 Cannondale Quick 4, 2009 Jamis Coda Comp
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If I have any criticism it would be this: it seems to me that utilitarian considerations are not the primary motivation behind suspensions. Rather, some combination of trendiness/fashion/keeping-up-with-the-joneses seems to drive the suspension purchases, and absent those factors I think far more people would buy hardtail-hardforks.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 87
Bikes: Fuji Absolute 3.0
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I really had a hard time finding a hybrid I liked that didn't have a suspension fork. I also struggle because I have very short legs but a long torso so some of the bikes I tried just weren't comfortable. But the GT I settled on had a suspension fork, but I got it as a 2012 close out, I figure if I need to I could swap the fork and still be with in my budget. But heck, I'm gonna ride it a bunch first, then decide. I can always swap it for a different model if it doesn't work also.
pJimbo
pJimbo
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Central PA
Posts: 76
Bikes: NONE
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
2 Posts
For my first hybrid bike I picked up a trek DS 8.2. I got a bike with suspension because I never know where I am gonna go, or when I will decide to explore a park and want the suspension. I keep it pretty stiff. The DS will become my family bike/park bike when a light trail ride may be called for.
I plan on purchasing a road bike in a few months which will take care of all my road riding, and I am hoping for christmas to get a MTB which will take care of the crazier trails in the area. It honestly is all personal preference. If I was going to buy just one bike to rule them all for me I would have suspension because I like riding trails. If all you do is riding on the road or paved trails, then I would probably look the other way on a bike like the DS and go for something like the FX by trek.
I plan on purchasing a road bike in a few months which will take care of all my road riding, and I am hoping for christmas to get a MTB which will take care of the crazier trails in the area. It honestly is all personal preference. If I was going to buy just one bike to rule them all for me I would have suspension because I like riding trails. If all you do is riding on the road or paved trails, then I would probably look the other way on a bike like the DS and go for something like the FX by trek.
#19
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Auburn, WA
Posts: 17
Bikes: Gt Transeo 2.0 hybrid
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a front suspension on my GT Transeo 2.0. It's a lockout ( with a remote LO on the handle bar which is really cool BTW) which I keep it locked out nearly all the time. I would have gotten a solid fork but I do go on some moderate off road trails every once in awhile.
#20
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Allentown, Pa
Posts: 33
Bikes: Trek Emonda S4, GT Tachyon 4.0, GT Zum
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My Diamondback Trace Sport has a front suspension which has added 10 minutes to my commute. I'm right with you as I'm quickly disliking this.
#21
Ha ha ha ha ha
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Gold Coast; Australia
Posts: 4,554
Bikes: 2004 ORBEA Mitis2 Plus Carbon, 2007 Cannondale Bad Boy Si Disc, 2012 Trek Gary Fisher Collection Marlin WSD 29er Aldi Big Box (Polygon) 650b
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
6 Posts
Sadly my frame won't accept a headshock. The old badboys came in two different frames with one having the bigger head tube to accomodate the headshock. Mine didn't. (-.-) My friend has a standard set of suspension forks in black and I'll be testing my 700mm rims on them over the weekend. Also he has some gun mavic 26" disc wheels he doesn't want so I've got some thinking to do.
#22
Avoid trauma
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Dirty old town
Posts: 158
Bikes: 2001 Bianchi Eros (my baby), 1994 Trek 930, Raleigh Twenty Folding Bike (For Sale)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
"If your wrists hurt, you need to train your core more!" The late, great Sheldon Brown noted that early in a ride, one is up on the pedals, but as we fatigue, we set down upon the saddle and put more weight on the handlebars without even noticing it. You could do abdominal workouts zealously, or just cycle more often to build up your overall strength so that you are up on your legs and using your core to keep upright with your weight off the handlebars.
Ok, that is a bit simplistic, but there is some truth in there. Brown even had advice to do quite short workouts at the beginning of the season. His advice was to ride like five minutes and then park the bike.
As for suspension, a rigid bike with a springy steel or carbon fork and balloon tires is my advice. My road bike has 700x32 tires.
I took the suspension fork off of my mountain bike, replaced it with a rigid fork and put 26x 35mm tires on it. It works great on everything except loose sand. I wear padded gloves.
Ok, that is a bit simplistic, but there is some truth in there. Brown even had advice to do quite short workouts at the beginning of the season. His advice was to ride like five minutes and then park the bike.
As for suspension, a rigid bike with a springy steel or carbon fork and balloon tires is my advice. My road bike has 700x32 tires.
I took the suspension fork off of my mountain bike, replaced it with a rigid fork and put 26x 35mm tires on it. It works great on everything except loose sand. I wear padded gloves.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Jacksonville FL
Posts: 2,275
Bikes: 2013 TREK 7.6 FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
8 Posts
Sadly my frame won't accept a headshock. The old badboys came in two different frames with one having the bigger head tube to accomodate the headshock. Mine didn't. (-.-) My friend has a standard set of suspension forks in black and I'll be testing my 700mm rims on them over the weekend. Also he has some gun mavic 26" disc wheels he doesn't want so I've got some thinking to do.

#25
Certified Bike Brat
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 4,251
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
For anyone on the fence regarding the benifits of a front suspension and considering using it in lock-out mode in the city - here's a direct quote from one of the tech reps at DT Swiss:
I go with the idea that a rigid front fork and oversized tires are the best choice for the city and can do just about every trail as well as long as you are willing to use a little finesse and reduce your speed.
... using the fork in prolonged lock out mode is excessively hard on a fork's internal damper. It is best to limit the lock out to smooth climbing only.