- Suspension makes you slower. Any flex in the frame/fork will reduce the power you're attempting to use to propel yourself forward. I notice this especially when taking off from a stop, presumably because that's when I'm using big efforts to get up to cruising speed. Admittedly, newer high end suspension equipment has come a long way to deal with this problem, but you're not going to see any of that high end equipment on a reasonable commuter or mountain bike.
- Suspension lacks longevity. It is very difficult to find replacement parts for suspension equipment after a few years. Quality Bike Products only stocks suspension replacement parts for the last three years.
- Suspension requires maintenance. Ever ride a suspension fork that just feels like a springy piece of crap? Suspension forks blow seals or wear out and require maintenance. If your suspension fork is nice enough to be serviceable in the first place, and you can find parts for it, it's still going to cost you to maintain it.
- Suspension is expensive. When it comes to suspension you get what you pay for. The bottom of the line serviceable shock fork starts at about $300.00. Anything cheaper is basically garbage.
On Chicago streets you just don't need suspension. People say, "...but I like my shock fork for potholes and curbs and such..." Are you kidding me? How about going around potholes if they are so frigging big as to require suspension? And curbs? What are you, riding straight into curbs at full speed? How about using curb cuts?
...and don't get me started on people who ride full suspension mountain bikes in the city.
3 comments:
i think i'll have do disagree that suspension "sucks" for commuting. i see it two ways here:
if you have a suspension fork but don't have the money to maintain it, chances are you're riding the bike that's available to you. in that case, riding a suspension fork or not isn't usually a choice. at least you're riding a bike!
if you have a suspension fork and have the money to maintain it, good on you. with proper pre-load and damping/rebound characteristics, a suspension fork can be quite quick. the bob you see at the light can be easily corrected by improving one's form.
i often enjoy taking my 100mm forked ss hardtail into work. it's plush. i keep the preload set in the middle. it's a pleasant ride. speed's not my concern on those days.
So long as people are riding - its all good Jim!
as you know, I also very much enjoy my suspension fork for commuting. While you do lose some energy from the fork bobbing, especially if it is not set up right, a good suspension fork will save you a fair bit of rider fatigue, especially if you have a longer commute on shitty streets. I have had rigid forks on my commuter bikes, but I always had less fun that way.
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