Front supension fork

A suspension fork can smooth out bumps nicely, but just buying a fork will often cost as much as buying a whole new bike that comes with a suspension fork, depending on the level of performance you want and your budget.

I recently bought my wife (who is not a serious rider) a decent aluminum frame bike with suspension fork and seatpost for <$250 at REI Coop. I have tried riding it a bit and it is pretty nice. It doesn't match my Cannondale in performance, of course, but it didn't cost nearly as much.

TD

It's all about control. A properly setup fork with even basic functionality can improve anyones ride. That said it is IMO better to learn to ride on a fully rigid bike. Nothing will improve line selection and teach you to ride light then a fully rigid bike. But as your riding progresses you will be able to fully appreciate the improvments in handling, control, comfort, and endurance you will gain from adding a decent suspension fork. Do you feel that your basic bike handling skills will benefit from one? How can I say? Are others you ride suggesting you upgrade? Well then maybe they are on to something.....jdcamb

jdcamb said:

It's all about control. A properly setup fork with even basic functionality can improve anyones ride. That said it is IMO better to learn to ride on a fully rigid bike. Nothing will improve line selection and teach you to ride light then a fully rigid bike. But as your riding progresses you will be able to fully appreciate the improvments in handling, control, comfort, and endurance you will gain from adding a decent suspension fork. Do you feel that your basic bike handling skills will benefit from one? How can I say? Are others you ride suggesting you upgrade? Well then maybe they are on to something.....jdcamb

obviously my bike is fully rigid ! why do you think im asking!!!!!!