Bike Reviews

5 Responses

1. badbadle says:

   December 5, 2009 at 1:12 pm

   The amount of energy wasted in a dual suspension bike depends on two things only… The suspension design and the damper being used.
   Some designs like single pivots and horst links do nothing to counteract energy loss from the pedal stroke and would rely entirely on the damper to provide a pedaling ‘platform’, this is what refered to as platform damping. In this setup, the shock can be tuned to a specific application and has a permanent ‘hard’ spot in it’s damping range which coincides with the suspensions sag point, or the point in the suspension the damper would sit when you put your weight on the bike. Alternatively, dampers will incorporate variable platforms such as FOX’s popular ‘ProPedal’ or Marzocchi’s ‘TST’… both accomplish essentially the same thing by allowing you to set the stiffness of the platform via a switch with positions varying from a minimal damping platform to full lock-out.
   Other suspensions block energy loss by design. Designs like the VPP system used by Santa Cruz and Intense, the DW-Link found on Iron Horse, Turner, Pivot, and Ibis, Felt EquiLink, and Giant’s Maestro, among others, utilize different aspects of the suspension such as chain growth, instant center, variances in force input to counteract the potential for energy loss without the need for additional damping. Take, for example, the VPP system… it uses a very specific rate of chain growth to balance out pedaling forces and provide and active suspension that doenst waste energy when pedaling. As you mash the pedals, the downward motion of your weight wants to compress the suspension and grow the chain but your pedaling motion largely prevents this and the energy is directed into driving you forward. When terrain is encountered, there is nothing locking the suspension and the chain growth is designed to occur at a very specific point so that larger hits dont kick back into the cranks, keeping things active, plush, and efficient.
   In general, a suspension designed to combat pedaling forces is always preferable. In downhill it makes the least amount of difference but it still holds true; there’s a reason the VPP bikes dominate right now and a reason that Sam Hill was killing it on a DW-Link bike last year but floundering this year on an FSR. A platform damping system solves the problems by throwing extra damping at it… which means it basically limits your suspensions performance. A systems designed with those forces in mind can therefore remain more plush by using less damping.
   No matter what you choose, you will notice a difference from riding a hardtail. How much of a difference is debateable and will depend on what bike you get but you will notice some difference no matter what. All in all, full suspension bikes are far superior in my opinion… just way more fun to ride and way more forgiving on the rider.
2. Bob A says:

   December 5, 2009 at 1:12 pm

   It will depend on the quality of the bike. I have ridden cheap full suspension bikes and going up a hill it can be as much as 25% or at least it left like it. The more pedal bob you get the more energy is wasted in the shocks. I have seen big strong guys on $300 full suspension Mongoose bikes from Walmart struggle to keep up with their skinny girl friend on a shop quality hard tail bike after a few miles. Unless you have $900 or more to spend a hard tail bike is the way to go.
3. chuck wheels says:

   December 5, 2009 at 1:12 pm

   depends on the quality of the suspension design/set up and the smoothness of your pedaling.
4. edward w says:

   December 5, 2009 at 1:12 pm

   I dont think anyone could top Badbadles answer on this one! Perfect
5. jp says:

   December 5, 2009 at 1:12 pm

   None if your rear sus has lock!!!