To suspend or not to suspend...

[WonderWeasel]

Ok I have been a SS for a number of years and I am full on hard core (check my site (http://www.fearlessgearless.com) ). I even race the pain machine against the geared crew (Senior Expert). And recently I just I picked up a second place in a two man "tag team" 24 hr race (http://www.chicoracing.com/24_hour_03.htm) when I filled in for another rider on 5 days notice.

I am all about pain. I love it. I seek it out. But I can't wrap my feeble mind around rigid forks. They seem wrong. Maybe it was because I grew up out west riding the North shore.

I don’t know…

Please explain. Help me understand!
.

[The Rose]

with a good ridgid fork you get no wash no front end bob and they are rigormortis stiff. they also force you to refine you handling skills because they are very unforgiving. if you like the pain these are the forks for you.

[Xteife]

When I got my SS, I was sure the first thing I'd swap out would be the rigid fork, but after riding it a few times, I liked it. And still do! My other bike's fully suspended too, so I can't explain it either. I suppose if I was huckin' it off of stuff, I'd be getting a new fork.

- G

[JerseyDevil]

Originally posted by WonderWeasel
[B}
I don’t know…

Please explain. Help me understand!
. [/B]

You are mistaken. You DO know! Suspension is for the weak and invented by the Capitalists! Ride on, Enlightened one!

[WonderWeasel]

Blaming capitalism is to easy an explanation. By the same argument we should cast off our bikes as products of a capitalistic society. No this thread goes no further.

Tech arguments completely sidestep the issue. It is like saying a single speed will be faster than a geared bike. No it will not be.

No the issues run deeper. Why do we need to justify our choice in technology only if it some how allows us to reach a goal. This seems to be an all too commonly theme in Western society. In cycling's case we usually justify in terms of 'skills' or ‘speed’. But these are never-ending quests. They can never be attained by their very nature.

Instead riding is a journey. Just as single speeds allow us to cast off the concerns of technology to focus on the journey, I imagine rigid forks are another step in that direction. Or are they?

I have always used a suspension fork; rigid forks used to me horrible headaches. But that was years ago; maybe it is now time. Perhaps I now possess enough 'skills' and 'speed' to go rigid once again...

[GrumpyOldWrench]

Even though I own a fuel90,I have way more fun on my un-suspended single speed bikes-funny,right now as I look around Grumpy Manor,the single speeds out number the bikes with gears 3 to 2. In fact the only bike with any suspension is the fuel and it's layer of dust. there's just something right about the one speed without any bounce besides the tires.