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Angstrom wrote:
Vermont. :-)
TheSubaruGuru wrote: I don't have experience with full suspension of yore, yet marvel at what has been achieved wrt efficiency and low mass. Yet, with 38c, Redshift stem and Ergon/Canyon clone twin-beam seat post I get a LOT of compliance over poor urban infrastructure as well hard gravel. Not sure I'll join the springier world....
Flyer wrote:So this is NOT a cheap option but road and gravel cyclists (IMO) would prefer very efficient-pedaling suspension bikes. I think DW Link bikes are among the very best at pedaling without excessive movement and efficiency loss. Yetis seems to be next. So IF you guys consider a mountain bike, look at bikes like Ibis Ripley (my current ride), and the short-travel options from Pivot and Yeti. I think they are phenomenal bikes,.
At this point a gravel bike is also my road bike where 40 mm tires are fine for long rides I do. I will ride a hard tail with front suspension or my dual suspension trail/AM/enduro for some gravel stuff. Another matter is my Moots Routt 45 is WAY more comfy than the steel bike it replaced. It's almost magical in how it's firm or rigid and comfy at once.
The not having or wanting suspension for a gravel bike is mostly the overall effectiveness and feel for what have become a lot of 20 - 90 mile rides that are both paved and unpaved as well as being happy replacing my road bike and a gravel bike with the Routt 45.
Angstrom wrote:Timely review of a new suspension fork. The last video has some comparison testing with a rigid fork. Not an independent test -- fork was given to the rider -- but interesting. https://bikerumor.com/fox-32-taper-cast-gravel-bike-suspension-fork/
My experience with the mountain bike was that the suspension fork helped with the occasional big hits but didn’t do much for the washboard and chatter that was more common on the roads I was riding. If these new “gravel” forks are tuned for the small stuff, I can see the benefit.
In other “suspension” news, Ergon is repositioning their flex seatpost for gravel. It’s been out for several years targeted at the road endurance market, and doesn’t have the weight penalty of the spring or elastomer suspension seatposts. https://bikerumor.com/ergon-allroad-ergonomic-road-and-gravel-collection/
I’ve never used one, but I have tried other “flex” seat posts and do think they improve comfort.
Flyer wrote:The newest Cannondale with the Lefty, does look really good. It has me thinking about selling my Stigmata.
John wrote:I have a Cannondale Topstone which has a rear kingpin and leaf suspension providing 30mm of travel. It works quite well to smooth the ride. Years ago, Cannondale offered a "Headshock" front suspension road bike. Too bad Cannondale does not build gravel bikes with type of suspension, which provided the same travel Cannondale's "Lefty" single-stanchion front suspension, but with less of a weight (and aesthetic) penalty.
Angstrom wrote:
How is the Topstone rear suspension when climbing?
For minimum weight penalty, I was thinking that combining something like the Topstone rear with the Specialized Futureshock suspension steerer would be a slick setup.
Angstrom wrote:Timely review of a new suspension fork. The last video has some comparison testing with a rigid fork. Not an independent test -- fork was given to the rider -- but interesting. https://bikerumor.com/fox-32-taper-cast-gravel-bike-suspension-fork/
dangle wrote:
I'm not sure who these forks are for. Most gravel and cyclocross forks are in the axle to crown ranges of 395-405 mm.
ccand51997 wrote:
Honestly, that is about as good of a test as someone can run and much the same idea I would have if given the opportunity. I'm not shocked by his results. The shock was never slower and was much faster the rougher it gets. In my experience, my dual-suspension all-road bike is better for everything but paved long climbs and short steep paved climbs. My dual- is about five pounds heavier than my road-ish all-purpose bike. IMO, cyclists are so obsessed with weight that dual-suspension will never catch on but he mentioned reduced rider fatigue on long gravel rides and I absolutely believe that is true.
John wrote:
Amen. I have a friend who has become an obsessive weight and won't accept that when riding off-road, a suspended bike, over the course of a ride is faster in most conditions.