WE LOVE SUSPENSION
Suspension is a crucial factor that affects both the bike’s performance and your experience on the trail. The evolution of suspensions in recent years has enabled fast riders to ride even faster bikes. But most importantly, it has opened up mountain biking to a wider audience. You no longer need to be a “pro” to have a fantastic time on the trail. But how much suspension or travel do you really need? Let’s delve into it.
The basic rule is that more suspension smooths out uneven terrain better, handles larger impacts, and makes cycling more comfortable. A greater suspension travel provides better control and stability as the wheels maintain contact with the ground more effectively. This is ideal for downhill riding or when tackling technically challenging trails where you need maximum shock absorption and grip.
BERG 155
- Travel
155mm rear, 160mm front
- Bike category
All-mountain, Enduro
- Application
Bike park, rough trail, enduro trail
STIG 135
- Travel
135mm rear, 140mm front
- Bike category
Trail, all-mountain
- Application
Bike park, trail
As is often the case, there’s a trade-off, and it’s called efficiency. By efficiency, we don’t mean how efficiently you ride downhill, but rather how much power (watts, leg muscles, sweat) is lost as the suspension works up and down instead of propelling the rear wheel forward. The more in a hurry you are on the trail, the more frustrating it is to feel the suspension absorbing energy from you, especially when standing and pedaling.
So, is this all you need to consider? There’s actually one more dimension, and that’s summed up with “poppy”. By poppy, we mean that the suspension gives a bit of momentum back to you as the rider and doesn’t just smooth out the terrain to make the experience as planted as possible. You can harness the force that the suspension generates when it returns to its original form after a compression. You can use this force for jumps or to generate speed from the terrain. In this case, a suspension with more travel doesn’t make it more”poppy,” but rather the opposite, and you can go down a size for a more poppy feel. This also results in a more pedaling-efficient bike.
STIG 115
- Travel
115mm rear, 120mm front
- Bike category
XC, down-county
- Application
XC, marathon, trail
It’s all about finding the right balance for your riding style. For example, if you often ride on varied terrain, a trail or all-mountain bike might be a good choice. (STIG 135 or BERG 155) These bikes offer enough suspension to handle both trails and downhill sections. If you prioritize efficiency and pop, and perhaps are considering participating in some races, we recommend STIG 115. Finally, remember to adjust your suspension settings according to your weight and riding style. A properly set up suspension not only provides a more comfortable ride but also better control and safety. We’re happy to help you understand these aspects and choose the right bike and suspension system for your needs, so don’t hesitate to contact us.