adlai

I'm building up a folding bike. Its main use would be for exploration. Not a big mountain biker, so it would likely mostly stay in car trunks and city streets.

Am searching for a fork right now. It looks like most rigid forks that are halfway decent are in the lower $100's.

Thinking maybe a suspension fork because weight might not be as big a difference and it might be useful.

So first of all, is a suspension fork worth it if you are mainly touring around

and secondly, what to look for in a suspension fork and what are some good low-cost options?

jbphilly

If you're touring on asphalt roads? Not at all.

If you're riding mostly/all off pavement then it makes sense, but a suspension fork for an all-on-asphalt ride is worse than useless - it's extra dead weight and contributes nothing.

indyfabz

I would say seriously off pavement. You don't need a suspension fork to ride your average limestone MUP or many U.S.F.S. roads.

cplager

In addition to what they said, having a suspension fork that you can't lock out can be a huge source of energy loss.

jbphilly

Yeah, this is accurate. Even dirt road touring probably doesn't merit suspension, unless you're finding that riding on those kinds of surfaces really beats you up.

Cyclebum

Except for rough trails, no. Instead, select tires/pressure to match the surface and your riding experience preference.

sstorkel

No. Suspension forks are useful on technical single-track.

Lock-out and preload adjustment are must-have features on suspension forks. All of the low-cost suspension forks that I've tried have been awful at best. If you're buying new, $350-400 will get you a mediocre suspension fork. If you want something that works well, plan to spend $600+.

fietsbob

I only have a suspension fork on my Koga WTR, because it , a used bike came that way , was selected & modified at the OEM level .

the travel is short 35mm travel, and stiff, so only moves on a good sized hit.

good and low cost in suspension forks are opposites ..

there was a fork well designed for loaded unpaved tracks the pannier mounts on the top, wheel motion un restricted,

But the company website where I saw it , seems to not use that one anymore.. even as an option..

Panamericana


so if low cost is a concern, then say No to a suspension fork , a thudbuster seatpost under your Butt, may help ..

the mass of having gear in panniers on your front wheel , absorbs a fair amount of buzz, just as a result of inertia.

Tim_Iowa

Suspension is great when you're jumping obstacles off road. That shock absorption keeps me from biffing each time I land in my usual clumsy manner.

Suspension isn't much use on the road, except for landing from curb jumps.

The type of forks you see on hybrids are almost worse than useless, because they don't have the travel or rebound to handle jolts well, yet they're still plenty heavy.

The best suspension for the road is wider tires. I jump curbs on 2" tires comfortably, with a little technique.