In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...
Quoted message said:
OK, Trying to buy a new bike and I have some conflicting data regarding rear suspension.
My LBS says rear suspension makes the bike 30% harder to peddle on flat road surface.
My local dept. stor says that rear suspension makes it easier to ride.
Any ideas or opinions would be apreciated.
Actually, they're probably both wrong. Suspension will waste some of your pedaling energy, but I doubt it would reach 30%. Most people see little need for any suspension, especially a rear, if you do all or most of your riding on the roads. Wide tires will give you pretty much all the cushioning you need, though some people like a suspension seat post as well.
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"Steve" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
OK, Trying to buy a new bike and I have some conflicting data regarding rear suspension.
My LBS says rear suspension makes the bike 30% harder to peddle on flat road surface.
My local dept. stor says that rear suspension makes it easier to ride.
Any ideas or opinions would be apreciated.
Who do you think would be better qualified?
Unless you intend to ride offroad, forget suspension. The only thing it adds is weight and complexity. If you intend buying a Moulton, disregard the foregoing but take your heavy duty wallet 🙂
"Steve" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
OK, Trying to buy a new bike and I have some conflicting data regarding rear suspension.
My LBS says rear suspension makes the bike 30% harder to peddle on flat road surface.
Are you sure your LBS didn't say 3%? I find the 30% figure hard to beleive. I've ridden a hardtail and rear suspension bike on the same exact road surface and haven't noticed anything that dramatic. Sounds like salesman BS to me.
Quoted message said:
My local dept. stor says that rear suspension makes it easier to ride.
A rear suspension can make it easier to ride off road, pretty usesless on road.
Quoted message said:
Any ideas or opinions would be apreciated.
Never get a bike at a department store, especially a rear suspension bike .... the rear "shock" is a joke and it's worse than not having one.