Suspension?! We don't NEED no stinking SUSPENSION!

[LI-ghtcycle]

I know out bikes are not this light, but after I learned that the 50MPH Morini powered gas bike had the rear suspension locked out, I looked at some Free Ride Jump vids and found this being done with a HARD TAIL! 8) 8)

[youtube]hZLrNlnHJTA[/youtube]

So my question is, do you REALLY need that rear suspension, or just good tires forks and breaks to get the job done even at higher speeds?

 

[heathyoung]

Google saddle injury (urethral stricture) and get back to me on that one...

 

[evblazer]

Google saddle injury (urethral stricture) and get back to me on that one...

I'd think he wouldn't be on the seat at all.

 

[swbluto]

The guy does too have suspension....


His legs.

Most bikers also have that suspension, but most prefer not to stand up every time there's a bump or depression in the road.

 

[spinningmagnets]

This is an impressive feat, but I often hit irregularities in the road without any warning.

 

[amberwolf]

Fortunately most of Phoenix's potholes aren't quite that deep. :lol: But some of the sinkhole types come up unexpectedly, and the raised "cliffs" at intersections can be several inches high, and invisible until you are on top of them, especially in daylight (moving shadows from headlights can give them away at night).

 

[dogman dan]

I used to ski jumps like that, and I never cared if the snow was cement hard ice or soft pow on the landing because the slope of the landing made the touchdown cush. Overjump it with too much speed and land on a flat spot, and you get to go UHHHGGGHHH. Your friends all laugh while you learn how to breathe again. It all just depends on the hit, the landing, the pothole, etc. Having overjumped those hits enough times when young, and framed too many houses, my destroyed lumbar disks REALLY enjoy suspension now.

So if you are young and rubber, who needs suspension. If you are old and brittle, suspension is real nice.

 

[docnjoj]

Maybe on a regular DF bike you can use your legs but not on a recumbent. At least a rear suspension is necessary there and a front one makes the blows to your back much softer.
otherDoc

 

[torker]

Yep I agree with Dog and Doc I ran heavy equip. about 20 years too long . Now I've only got one out of three recumbents that I ride. The one with rear susp. And I am trying to sell another recumbent so I can get a good full susp. mt. bike. Then I'll have 2 bikes I can ride ..

 

[EVnewbie]

I have three bikes, two with full suspension and the other a hardtail.

My fully suspended recumbent for the street rides and fully suspended MTB for dirt. The Norco hard tail is for my electric bike build (frame durability) My plan is to use one of those Cane Creek Thudbusters with a mix of medium/hard elastomers and the spring saddle already on the bike. This way I can have the bomb proof Norco hard tail frame reliability while not busting my arse on potholes and large bumps. The battery pack will be mounted on elastomers for vibration/shock absorbing duties.

You don't NEED rear suspension, you NEED front suspension and "seat" suspension with the 3 inches of travel on the Thudbuster LT.

 

[torker]

I planned on getting a thudbuster for my Rincon. And I still may get it. I wish it wasn't 115 dollars though. Still can't beat "good" suspension plus it will help protect the bike from potholes, not just your butt. The older I get the more I want a plush suspension under me. I remember when dirt bikes went from the early 70s might as well been hardtail to the early 80s 6+ inches of travel. WHAT a difference !! This could be debated forever but my old bones wants some give :wink: Especially with the extra speed an ebike gives..

 

[johnrobholmes]

Having just built up a 35mph hardtail ebike today, I will say that we don't need suspension! But hot dang does my taint and lower back want it back after that last ride home! :lol:

that morini probably had the rear suspension locked out because it acts up under power. A good suspension will allow one to apply more power through rough sections, and obviously the rider did not feel that was the case.

 

[Doctorbass]

Easy:

hit Potholes at 30mph and above will proove you that you MUST have suspensions!!

My suspensions probably saved my life couples of times from now! almost the rear suspension!

For me it's not a question.. it's a fact!! fast ebike driving on irregular pavement MUST have rear suspension!!!

I remember my first accident with my NO rear suspension TREK 970 two years ao.. that convinced me to NEVER again put powerfull motor on bike that dont have rear suspension!!

my 2 cents

Doc

 

[AussieJester]

Doc...I'd like to see your e-bike do the same drops the bike in the video do and roll out the other side with all batteries and bike parts still in original position. :lol:

KiM

 

[Doctorbass]

Doc...I'd like to see your e-bike do the same drops the bike in the video do and roll out the other side with all batteries and bike parts still in original position. :lol:

KiM

Ah.. i'd like too :lol: .. no sure my 2.3kWh of lithium would stay i place... ah haaa!

What i'm talking about is the most case we do in ebike: Pavement... Drop around the mountain is not exactly the most popular use for ebike i think. For those who ride around mountain, yes probably that no suspension is a must for some..

Doc

 

[LI-ghtcycle]

I hear ya, rear suspension is nice, and I can see on rough roads with a heavy E-Bike that it's important, but I'm hoping to negate that need with a good set of Schwalbe balloon tires.

I'm just young enough to take the bumps still and get away with it maybe. But yes, legs are my rear suspension sometimes too if I see the bump coming! :lol:

 

[swbluto]

I hear ya, rear suspension is nice, and I can see on rough roads with a heavy E-Bike that it's important, but I'm hoping to negate that need with a good set of Schwalbe balloon tires.

Balloon tires help with comfort, but they don't help much with handling - if anything, their bounciness makes you bounce higher . If you hit a bump big enough, your wheel leaves the ground and you have a moment of "I can't steer!".

This is magnified at higher speeds. So, it doesn't really matter much at slower speeds.

 

[incontrol]

Easy:

hit Potholes at 30mph and above will proove you that you MUST have suspensions!!

My suspensions probably saved my life couples of times from now! almost the rear suspension!

For me it's not a question.. it's a fact!! fast ebike driving on irregular pavement MUST have rear suspension!!!

I remember my first accident with my NO rear suspension TREK 970 two years ao.. that convinced me to NEVER again put powerfull motor on bike that dont have rear suspension!!

my 2 cents

Doc

I ride a e-bike w/o suspension and have a regular MTB with rear suspension(wife's). I would agree with DOC. My next bike will have rear suspension.