Gravel bike suspension geometry

6 replies · 630 views

supernova
6 posts
#1Dec 18, 2022, 1:17 AM
I would really like to get some front suspension for my gravel bike because of the terrain I ride. I currently own merida silex 8000 but I am thinking to switch to something else.
For cross country bikes and downcountry bikes you can change front fork and manufacturers specify fork in mm that you can use to not break bike’s geometry.
How about gravel bikes? I can’t find information on this regard. If I want to put rock shox rudy on my merida — will it work? How about other bikes like open wide or any other gravel bike there?
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ljsmith
762 posts
#2Dec 18, 2022, 5:45 AM
The best thing to do is contact Merida and ask them.
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Volsung
878 posts
#3Dec 18, 2022, 11:05 AMedited
It'll work but the Merida fork length is 398, so even at 20% sag a suspension fork will be taller. It'll raise the bars some and cause the head tube angle to slacken out a degree or so. You may notice it the first few rides.

Edit- I dunno about the fork hitting the down tube, but thats not something that happens usually anyway.
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John Z
174 posts
#4Dec 24, 2022, 9:05 AM
Take a look at Lauf forks.
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barrows
29 posts
#5Dec 24, 2022, 9:58 AM
As the front end of the bike rises, you'll want to adjust your position. Maybe a slightly longer stem, plus sliding the saddle a bit forward on the rails (to compensate for the slacker seat tube). All of this will slow down your handling a little, which will probably be welcome if you are riding terrain sporty enough that you want the suspension fork in the first place.
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The Mount Bike
1 posts
#6Mar 12, 2023, 11:00 PM
The suspension is the most valuable part of a bike. Last day I read a blog Needs for Vehicle about the suspension.
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ccand51997
265 posts
#7Mar 16, 2023, 10:54 PM
supernova wrote:
I would really like to get some front suspension for my gravel bike because of the terrain I ride. I currently own merida silex 8000 but I am thinking to switch to something else.
For cross country bikes and downcountry bikes you can change front fork and manufacturers specify fork in mm that you can use to not break bike’s geometry.
How about gravel bikes? I can’t find information on this regard. If I want to put rock shox rudy on my merida — will it work? How about other bikes like open wide or any other gravel bike there?
As gravel has exploded over the last couple of years, I quickly realized this was the kind of riding I do and prefer. I started with a rigid bike with 40mm tires. Then I tried an older bike with front suspension, then another bike with 50 mm tires that was rigid. Eventually I decided that I really wanted suspension and build a gravel bike using an MTB frame and front 100mm suspension fork. I enjoyed that bike so much that I started to wonder about dual suspension. I eventually found a XC racing frame with Fox suspension.

That bike remains my preferred bike to this day. It is super versatile and excels on everything but long, paved climbs. It has aerobars, which I can ride off-road because of the suspension. To combat the raised front end, I built up a 650b front wheel rather than 700. I wanted it to feel like a road bike with bike tires and suspension and for the most part it does. Don't let anyone tell you that gravel doesn't need suspension. If your riding is like my riding, it is essential to enjoy the riding without feeling hammered. .
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