Trekking bike Suspension or no Suspension

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Location
Shropshire
Hello all,
I have nearly finished the conversion of my 8 speed commuter to a trekking bike ie: two racks 24 speed (MTB gearing) and light grade off road tyres (I thought about buying another bike for this purpose but as my commute is only 2.5 miles and I don't really have anymore room + my trekking is limited to a few times a year I thought I would use the one I have) The bike other than commuting will be used for forestry trails and canal routes/wild camping so I don't really need suspension. My question is if you were to build your ideal trekking bike would it have front suspension ?
 

young Ed

Veteran
depends on distances you are aiming for per day and what are these 'forestry trails' like?
Cheers Ed
 

young Ed

Veteran
if you have ever been to bedgebury pinetum then both me and my bros have done the red tracks several times on completely rigid cheap bikes although some bits walked or done at very slow speeds (eg:drop-offs), not ideal but possible
Cheers Ed
 
OP
OP
BADGER.BRAD
Location
Shropshire
I have no need for for suspension forks myself the distances aren't great but just wondered what others use. As most of my camping is done in winter a lot of gear needs to be carried and some times
I will carry coal into a bothie or extra gear for my lad,
 

Cycleops

Legendary Member
Location
Accra, Ghana
I have a Marin hybrid with sus forks and wish I didn't! IMO just not worth the extra weight.
 
we toured without suspension forks and as a result I frequently lock the suspension out on my mtb as well. I don't miss it at all and my road bike (obviously) does not have it. I guess once or twice over the 12 months we spent on tour, it may have been very slightly useful, but I'm glad I didn't have it overall. We have expedition bikes, off road tourers, designed for a round the world attempt, btw.
 

steveindenmark

Legendary Member
No, I don't think it is necessary and it adds a lot of weight and it is something else to fix if it goes wrong.

I have a Koga World Traveller and it does not have front suspension.

Steve
 

Globalti

Legendary Member
I sold my suspension forks because they were heavy and kept going wrong. I don't miss them at all.
 
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