Trails

Reviews

Community

Tips

Latest Articles Podcast Deals

Support Singletracks Sign in Create an account Merch About us Newsletter signup

Home / Mountain Bike Podcast / Podcast

Mountain Bike Suspension Explained [Podcast #36]

On this Episode In this podcast episode we try to answer the question: How much suspension travel is necessary? We talk about how suspension can affect a bike’s geometry and how to choose the right amount of suspension travel for your bike.

By Jeff Barber
February 8, 2016 Last Updated: February 3, 2021

4 comments

Singletracks may receive compensation for purchases made through any affiliate links in this article.

On this Episode

In this podcast episode we try to answer the question: How much suspension travel is necessary? We talk about how suspension can affect a bike’s geometry and how to choose the right amount of suspension travel for your bike.

Support this Podcast

Review the Singletracks podcast on Apple Podcasts for the chance to win a free hat. Or drop your feedback in the comments below!
Make a donation to help sustain future episodes.
Become a Singletracks Pro Supporter.

Never Miss an Episode

Listen on Spotify
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Listen on Google Podcasts
Listen on Stitcher
Listen on Overcast
Get the RSS Feed
View all Podcast Episodes

Rear Shocks

How To Use Mountain Bike Rebound Damping [Video]

Mountain Bikes and Gear

Keep Your MTB Running Smoothly: 5 Things a Pro Mechanic Thinks You Should Know

Mountain Bikes and Gear

Devinci Marshall 27.5+ Test Ride Review

Trail Bikes

Revamped Surly Krampus 29+ Test Ride Review

Jeff Barber

Jeff Barber has been mountain biking since 1992 and has tested hundreds of mountain bikes and components. He is the co-founder of Singletracks and serves as Editor in Chief. Contact him at [email protected].

Featured Articles

Mountain Bikes and Gear

Trek Slashes bike prices by thousands including SRAM Transmission builds

Mountain Bikes and Gear

These Are the Gifts Mountain Bikers Actually Want

Mountain Bikes and Gear

40+ Amazon Black Friday deals for mountain bikers, on NOW

Mountain Bikes and Gear

Updated Cane Creek shocks plus Atherton S.150 enduro bikes now available to order

4 Comments

Please log in or create a free account to join the discussion.

mongwolf Mongolia // 2011
Feb 6, 2017

IMO Greg had it right at least for me. I ride to have fun, and to a large degree more travel equals more fun because it allows one to travel DH at insane speeds. =) When I bought my Ibis Mojo HD, it had 140mm of travel in the rear and 150mm in front (with 32mm diameter stanchions). It climbed like a goat, but it was not stable enough on the steep long DHs in Mongolia. I increased the front to a two step 160mm, 36mm stanchions and also added a couple of extra spacers under the handlebars. That made a huge difference on the big DHs, and yet it still climbs really well. For my riding I think the bike was overly biased towards climbing. Now it is much more balanced.

0 reply

jaron7 Michigan // 2015
Feb 8, 2016

It would have been cool if you guys could have talked about the different rear suspension designs, and what are the pros and cons of them.

Great work on the podcasts otherwise, keep up the good work!

0 reply

AUTHOR

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Feb 8, 2016

Good idea, we'll see about doing a separate episode on suspension designs in the future!

0 reply

mongwolf Mongolia // 2011
Feb 6, 2017

Sometimes it is difficult to decide between full suspension and hardtail. When I was buying my first mtb, I read and read and read about the advantages and disadvantages of both. I was pretty uncertain. Then one day I was reading another article about the pros and cons of both. After listing a whole bunch of so pros and cons, the writer said, "And if you are over 45 years old, just forget everything I have said, and buy yourself a full suspension bike. Your knees and back will thank you. Being 50 years old at the time and with a bad back for years, that was the best advice anyone could have ever given me. Decision made. Rear suspensions and shocks are worth their weight in gold to me.

0 reply

Tagged: about, front suspension, full-suspension, podcast, rear suspension, suspension, suspension travel, mountain bike podcast

First published February 8, 2016 @ 11:00:17