NAILTRAIL96
Senior Retro Guru
Generally I'll ride through, over or round rocks and roots, suspension only really pay when you're in the saddle anyway.Boromedic":ke86b4zp said:
What do you guys think? Suspension a must? Or not?
- Thread starter Boromedic
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dont listen to taz , he's a bit strange , and a luvvy too 
the theeater dahhling .....
he'll thump me next time i see him after that
a bit of bounce on the front of you orange and maybee some skills class
stuff , andy b did one a while ago ,reckoned it was well worth the money
where are you based ? might be summat near to you
the theeater dahhling .....
he'll thump me next time i see him after that
a bit of bounce on the front of you orange and maybee some skills class
stuff , andy b did one a while ago ,reckoned it was well worth the money
where are you based ? might be summat near to you
I enjoy riding my rigid bikes, but they kick the shit out of me on proper rough terrain and I noticeably lose ground to other riders that I'm normally ahead of (on my suspension bikes) when things turn downhill.
Anyone that says that (front) suspension isn't necessary just isn't riding terrain hard enough to appreciate it.
Having said that, one of my favourite rides is the Verderers trail in the FoD, on my rigid singlespeed... more enjoyable than with suspension but the terrain there is hardly technical.
For more technical natural riding or a bigger Welsh trail centre type affair, I'd throw a bike with suspension in the back of the car.
Anyone that says that (front) suspension isn't necessary just isn't riding terrain hard enough to appreciate it.
Having said that, one of my favourite rides is the Verderers trail in the FoD, on my rigid singlespeed... more enjoyable than with suspension but the terrain there is hardly technical.
For more technical natural riding or a bigger Welsh trail centre type affair, I'd throw a bike with suspension in the back of the car.
sylus
Old School Grand Master
Get yourself a good set of paces but keep the original forks.
Ride it with the paces if you like it keep them if you don't sell them on. I'm getting old enough that wahoo momments are giving way to slower but more challenging rides so suspension isn't a must do but if you are still giving it large off road then suspension forks will help
Ride it with the paces if you like it keep them if you don't sell them on. I'm getting old enough that wahoo momments are giving way to slower but more challenging rides so suspension isn't a must do but if you are still giving it large off road then suspension forks will help
i didn't vote but here is my view.
i recently sold my rigid fork bike. this was the last of 3 rigid fork bikes and one that i rode a lot off road, namely because suspension forks were just appearing on the market. i cannot recall it being a problem but i was younger so bounced off the ground easier which made me braver. the only time i recall it being a problem was my eye being shaken out of my skull going down a part near the ridgeway.
i sold it because it would kill my wrists and this was riding on dirt cycle track.
so to answer your question, no suspension forks are not needed if you body can take the blows. if you have suspension forks it makes life easier so you can go faster down lumpy stuff.
for climbs. rigid is better as you generally do not go fast enough for vibration to be an issue, a lot of forks have lock out so you get the best of both worlds
i recently sold my rigid fork bike. this was the last of 3 rigid fork bikes and one that i rode a lot off road, namely because suspension forks were just appearing on the market. i cannot recall it being a problem but i was younger so bounced off the ground easier which made me braver. the only time i recall it being a problem was my eye being shaken out of my skull going down a part near the ridgeway.
i sold it because it would kill my wrists and this was riding on dirt cycle track.
so to answer your question, no suspension forks are not needed if you body can take the blows. if you have suspension forks it makes life easier so you can go faster down lumpy stuff.
for climbs. rigid is better as you generally do not go fast enough for vibration to be an issue, a lot of forks have lock out so you get the best of both worlds
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My opinion.
It's not needed, but it makes life easier.
You can hit rocks, roots and ride differently with some front sus. I like it be they MAGs' bombers or JUDY. For grass riding and bridleways at country speeds then your tires will be doing most the work.
Front sus works out the saddle, so ignore the chap up there
It all depends what you want out of it. You'll most likely be able to ride a bit longer or not feel so battered.
Take a ride I did with a mate for a reccy. Part of it he had to get off and walk on his rigid forks, I rode as I wasn't getting my arms battered so much on the horse/cow churned up path.
Keep your eye out and do it. Really smooth JUDY's are nice, the slightly warn ones not so nice. Often pot luck though.
Bombers are often more reliable in being in smooth working condition though a bit heavier.
You can always switch back.
OR pop along the the Peaks National ride and realise that 80 and 90's bikes of all type can be ridden and arm wrenching chalk paths
It's not needed, but it makes life easier.
You can hit rocks, roots and ride differently with some front sus. I like it be they MAGs' bombers or JUDY. For grass riding and bridleways at country speeds then your tires will be doing most the work.
Front sus works out the saddle, so ignore the chap up there
It all depends what you want out of it. You'll most likely be able to ride a bit longer or not feel so battered.
Take a ride I did with a mate for a reccy. Part of it he had to get off and walk on his rigid forks, I rode as I wasn't getting my arms battered so much on the horse/cow churned up path.
Keep your eye out and do it. Really smooth JUDY's are nice, the slightly warn ones not so nice. Often pot luck though.
Bombers are often more reliable in being in smooth working condition though a bit heavier.
You can always switch back.
OR pop along the the Peaks National ride and realise that 80 and 90's bikes of all type can be ridden and arm wrenching chalk paths
mikee":3hflz5m3 said:
I'm Columbo, didn't yer know?
The human eyes, at least mine, can focus on an object even when the head is moving but there is a point when the head is moving so rapidly the eyes can no longer keep up, this can happen when going downhill fast over a lumpy surface.
