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Full Suspension Bikes Overview
Home » Mountain Biking » Full Suspension Bikes » Full Suspension Bikes OverviewThe world of mountain biking has gone through a serious face-lift over the last twenty years or so. The sport began with bikes that a group of California riders modified for the purpose of riding up and down the mountains. The current culture of mountain biking now has a different bike for every occasion. From cross-country riding to dirt jumping to racing downhill there is a bike for everyone.
When the sport began the bikes were all ‘rigid’ bikes. Rigid means that the bike was one solid piece of welded steel. The front fork was steel as well as the rear chainstay. Full suspension bikes are a product of the last decade or so. Suspension was first used on the front forks of mountain bikes. The bikes resembled motocross dirt bikes. Most of the early bikes had between 80-100 millimeters of travel in the suspension. Having a front fork in mountain biking is invaluable. Trail riding demands bikes and riders have equipment that is durable. A suspension fork at the front of the bike enables the rider to be able to ride over objects that would otherwise be a hindrance and impede riding speed. With the forks that are currently used a rider can totally rely on the suspension to swallow up small rocks and roots without much effort. In addition to improving the access of certain trails suspension also enables riders to drop off of objects like felled trees, and rocks.
Full suspension bikes are bikes that have the front fork suspension in addition to a shock absorber mounted somehow in the rear of the bike. The rear suspension fork allows the rider to drop off of obstacles with a plush cushion shock absorber. Before, rigid bikes made it difficult for major jumps or drop-offs because there was no give in the landing. The rigidity made stunts difficult and unsafe. The rear shock has opened up the sport of mountain biking. Now riders are attempting gap jumps of up to 60 feet. In addition, rear suspension engenders confidence in the rider thereby allowing them to ride lines they never thought possible because of steepness or height.
Full suspension bike allow the rider to ride longer more comfortably. Even with a hardtail (a bike with only front suspension) longer rides can take a toll on the rider. Without rear suspension the rider feels every dip, bump, or obstacle in the path. Not only does the rider feel the obstacle but the rider absorbs the obstacle. The constant hammering of bumps can where a rider down quickly. It takes major amounts of energy to not only pedal the bike but to absorb and control the bike and the path being ridden. With rear suspension the bike now begins to take on the obstacles. When this happens the rider is able to conserve energy controlling the bike and expend more energy in pedaling the bike. Thus the rider is able to go further with less wear and tear on his/her body.
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