ultrazenith wrote:
I did read it (and several other posts by the same writer) and I largely agree. Some of his (or her?) points are things I've thought myself (...)
It's a "he". He posts nearly daily in a blog of the same name (bikesnobnyc) plus occasional collaborations in magazines like Outside, Bicycling, etc.
He's particularly popular because he doesn't give a sh*t if he offends someone, so his reviews are particularly refreshing as he will call bullsh*t whenever he sees it. Carbon wheels at 2000 EUR per wheel, chains "professionally lubed" for 150 EUR, etc. Everything falls in his radar and gets trashed.
I think the main point of his article is that, unfortunately, the suspension has taken over the whole cycling world, not only mountain bikes where it could be often justified. Most hybrids and urban bikes also have now suspension forks (super-sh*tty short travel ones). Even Cannondale has tried repeatedly (and unsuccessfully) to push a Lefty on some of their cross/gravel models. And many beginners that buy a 400 EUR bike will get a crap suspension fork instead of decent wheels and components for the same price. Forks that have 60mm travel, rust in 2 days, and make it impossible to add mudguards or a rack for those using the bike to commute...
But sure, YOU NEED suspension. First comment from my mother in-law when I got a beautiful Trek 950 ('91) for my wife was "what, no suspension?". And that is from someone that doesn't leave the asphalt ever.