Bicycle Suspension

[flecc]

There were two reasons really. The first was, as noted in the review, that I had the fork suspension adjustment set hard, so there was in fact only suspension action over the worst shocks, and then a very short movement.

The second was that the forks are substantially built with no slack in the sliders, this being the most common fault in bike forks.

So most of the time they were doing a very good imitation of being rigid forks, just acting as worst case shock absorbers.

For those who like a softer setting, I've no doubt they'd be amongst the better forks still, given the lack of slop in the sliders, but I personally don't like to cycle like that.
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[Caph]

I just thought I'd add my experience to this thread. I've moved from a lightweight hybrid with no suspension and 700C tyres, to a heavier mountain bike again with no suspension but with 1.75" tyres. That really opened my eyes to how much comfier the wide tyres made the journey, but also how much more effort was required.

That led me to my recent decision to opt for a full suspension MTB pedelec with 2.1" tyres. I now get the smoothest ride I've ever experienced (I feel like I've moved from a Morris Minor to a Cadillac!) but without having to pay the price in increased effort - in fact my average speed is now about 1MPH more than on my non-suspension lightweight thin tyred hybrid!

Someone else was asking about suspension for the battery. With rear air suspension that is effectively what you are getting. I hit speed bumps now without even giving them a second thought and have no worries about my battery.

Another unforseen advantage I've noticed recently is the fact that when I go round bumpy corners, the suspension keeps my tyres in contact with the road all the time making cornering much easier/safer. There are some nasty corners on my way in to work that I would previously have to concentrate on with no suspension and thin tyres, but now I cruise round them at much faster speeds without a care in the world.

I for one will never go back to no suspension, or even part suspension for that matter.

[flecc]

Comfort certainly Caph, but more cycling efficient, never, due to the vertical cyclic thrust of the effort input.

Thats why suspension is never seen in any form in racing on road or track, since it wastes energy. Only a very limited form of front suspension is seen in top level off road competition, and rear suspension never.

On motorbikes where the drive is a constant force without a vertical component suspension is best is the ways you accurately described, and of course that's where e-bikes are a compound case. A rider who only uses minimal pedal input and relies on the motor a lot can find suspension a good all round option, but with high pedal input suspension is an effort losing disadvantage, rear suspension especially so.
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[Caph]

I think I might have caused confusion. When I said I didn't have to pay for it with increased effort, I meant with the motor assistance! Without the assistance the full suspension and fat tyres just wouldn't have been an option for me. I'd be far too sweaty when I turned up to work. I still feel a bit guilty when I turn up to work after a comfortable effortless ride even quicker than I would have on my uncomfortable hybrid, but then that's the beauty of the electric bike I suppose.

[flecc]

Originally Posted by Caph

I think I might have caused confusion. When I said I didn't have to pay for it with increased effort, I meant with the motor assistance! Without the assistance the full suspension and fat tyres just wouldn't have been an option for me. I'd be far too sweaty when I turned up to work. I still feel a bit guilty when I turn up to work after a comfortable effortless ride even quicker than I would have on my uncomfortable hybrid, but then that's the beauty of the electric bike I suppose.

I understand Caph. The comfort and lack of perspiration is the big bonus with our biking, and even the club types permit themselves the odd jealous comment to me on the longer climbs around here.
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