How much suspension for a hybrid?
Discussion
You can chalk me up as another one of the 'has a mountain bike but wants a hybrid for the road' crew...
So I'm in the market for a hybrid with a budget of about £300 and I see I have 3 options when it comes to suspension:
1) no suspension
2) suspension on the seat post
3) suspension on the front forks
So what advantages does front suspension give on a bike that won't be taking too much abuse off road? It will be going on rough tracks, but nothing that would really make me miss chunky tyres on a MTB.
I assume a suspended seat post (is that the right term? A seat post with suspension in) just keeps my bum from getting smacked about over the bumps?
So I'm in the market for a hybrid with a budget of about £300 and I see I have 3 options when it comes to suspension:
1) no suspension
2) suspension on the seat post
3) suspension on the front forks
So what advantages does front suspension give on a bike that won't be taking too much abuse off road? It will be going on rough tracks, but nothing that would really make me miss chunky tyres on a MTB.
I assume a suspended seat post (is that the right term? A seat post with suspension in) just keeps my bum from getting smacked about over the bumps?
well.... From the bikes i have ridden. a hybrid bike with front sus (no matter how little) is a LOT more comfortable to ride than a no sus bike. I wouldn't especially bother with a suspension seat post as it doesn't really make that much difference, and you can always buy one afterwards as you can get them from about £30. I have found that riding my brothers carerra subway1, it was a very harsh ride and you really notice potholes and curbs. Whereas on my dads Marin hybrid (with front forks, only about 40mm) it just seems such a more comfortable ride. I would be much happier taking this on a slightly bumpy/hardcore track than the subway any day.
HTH
HTH
Look for a front shock with a lock- out. This will mean you aren't using some of your pedal power to work the suspension when pedalling on good roads.
If you can't find one that comes with LO, Decathalon sell a respectable front shock for under £100. I forget who makes it for them but I had one on an old non suss hybrid and it worked really well.
If you can't find one that comes with LO, Decathalon sell a respectable front shock for under £100. I forget who makes it for them but I had one on an old non suss hybrid and it worked really well.
None.
Fit a carbon seatpost and carbon bars. Then fit a set of 32c sized tyres. Nice, efficient and most of the road buzz is taken out by the tyres, post and bars. Pay attention whilst riding and avoid the pot holes or position the body to absorb any 'bangs'.
Any suspension on a hybrid will be cheap, poorly made, flexible in a bad way, poor compression control, poor rebound control, poor spring rate and lots more.
Learn to ride better and you'll not need the whooping 40mm of travel!!!
ETA: Expanded my answer.
Fit a carbon seatpost and carbon bars. Then fit a set of 32c sized tyres. Nice, efficient and most of the road buzz is taken out by the tyres, post and bars. Pay attention whilst riding and avoid the pot holes or position the body to absorb any 'bangs'.
Any suspension on a hybrid will be cheap, poorly made, flexible in a bad way, poor compression control, poor rebound control, poor spring rate and lots more.
Learn to ride better and you'll not need the whooping 40mm of travel!!!
ETA: Expanded my answer.
Edited by mk1fan on Saturday 24th July 20:22
At more than three times the OP's budget I tried the Specialized Crosstrail Pro last week. It's bloody awesome. I am sorely tempted - I just need to convince myself that my recently-renewed interest in cycling isn't just a flash in the pan before presenting this "plan" to my wife.
The 75mm travel in the forks seemed to take out the worst that our roads can throw at you. Not the buzz though. You need a certain size tyre for that. The Crosstrail comes with 45mm tyres which I think are too wide for my liking - they soak up the buzz but they don't roll as well as a decent thin semi-slick. The wheels are something like 32mm wide so I'd prefer them shod with something like a 33mm tyre or slightly less (if that's possible). I predominantly ride on the road but enjoy trails and towpaths (when I can find them). That said, I'm not hard enough to use a road bike - I prefer the hybrid seating position and flat handlebars - however you don't need fat tyres to negotiate trails, and they're really counter productive on the road.
The 75mm travel in the forks seemed to take out the worst that our roads can throw at you. Not the buzz though. You need a certain size tyre for that. The Crosstrail comes with 45mm tyres which I think are too wide for my liking - they soak up the buzz but they don't roll as well as a decent thin semi-slick. The wheels are something like 32mm wide so I'd prefer them shod with something like a 33mm tyre or slightly less (if that's possible). I predominantly ride on the road but enjoy trails and towpaths (when I can find them). That said, I'm not hard enough to use a road bike - I prefer the hybrid seating position and flat handlebars - however you don't need fat tyres to negotiate trails, and they're really counter productive on the road.
At that price point no suspension at all is the best option - it will get you better quality bits on the rest of the bike. Cheap suspension forks are total s
te anyway. If you want a suspension seatpost it is easy and relatively cheap to upgrade later (suntour do a reasonable one for about £25).
te anyway. If you want a suspension seatpost it is easy and relatively cheap to upgrade later (suntour do a reasonable one for about £25).Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff