Do You Need Shocks On A Mountain Bike?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Most mountain bikes have suspension to keep you in control over rough ground

, but not all mountain bikers need the same amount and type of suspension. Hardtail mountain bikes do not feature a rear shock, whereas full suspension bikes feature front and rear shocks.

What is a mountain bike without suspension called?


Rigid bikes

are mountain bikes that don’t contain any suspension at all. They were almost seen as antiquated until quite recently, but these old school Cross Country bikes are making something of a comeback. The newer ones are incredibly light, and easy to pedal.

Does a mountain bike need front shocks?


Having shocks on both the front and rear should protect the bike’s frame, wheels, and tires making it far more durable

. You also have the option to go for a ‘hard nose’ or ‘rigid’ bike.

Are bikes with no suspension good?

It depends.

If you are going to ride with your commuter bike on roads where a front suspension benefits your riding or comfort, it is better to have a front suspension

. If, however, you are going to ride on roads where a suspension fork does not bring you any benefits, it is better to have a rigid fork.

Why do road bikes have no suspension?

Road bikes are meant for one thing, to get from point A to point B in a quick manner. So one of the major reasons that road bikes don’t have suspension is

because of the added weight

. Suspension is a heavy component on a bike, and those added pounds just aren’t conducive to what road bikes are meant to do.

Can you go mountain biking without suspension?

While there are many explorable answers to this question, one concise answer is, “

Yes you can

! Rigid bikes with no front or rear suspension could work well especially on less bumpy trails and could be used for mountain biking.”

Can you ride a full suspension mountain bike on the road?

Why do I need a full suspension mountain bike?


Full-suspension bikes will not only absorb the bigger hits when you land a jump or drop-off incorrectly, saving your ankles and hips from strain, they also mute trail buzz

. You’ll know how fatiguing rear-wheel terrain vibration can become after an hour if you have ever ridden on a rutted gravel road.

Can you mountain bike with any bike?


Unless You’re Racing, You’ll Do Fine


Wheels, no matter what size or diameter, are designed to roll over stuff

, even if that means slowing things way down and picking lines carefully. The other thing to keep in mind is that walking is often a part of off-road biking no matter what type of bike you’re riding.

How can I get a free mountain bike?

Can you put suspension on a bike without suspension?


Certainly it can be done

. Rather silly from a financial standpoint, however, since a new bike would almost certainly be cheaper. For the fork see: bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/7472/… Adding a suspension fork, even if all clears, could change the geometry and handling.

Are bikes without suspension faster?

Suspension allows the wheel to move out of the way a lot faster so you keep as much forward momentum as possible. But

without suspension the wheel can not move out of the way as fast so energy is lost through bouncing the bike in the air

.

Do road bikes need shocks?

Rear shocks and suspension forks are the norm on mountain bikes, but

their design is of limited use for road bikes

. A fork (or shock) would negatively affect the weight and the performance of a road bike and it would noticeably change the geometry of the bike during compression.

Which type of suspension is best for bike?

A motorcycle suspension setup primarily consists of two telescopic tubes at the front and a swingarm mounted with twin or single shock absorber at the rear. Now a days,

monoshock or single shock absorber at the rear

is preferred in most of the bikes because of its better performance and sporty looking characteristics.

Why is suspension important?

Specifically, the suspension system

maximizes the friction between the tires and the road to provide steering stability and good handling

. The suspension system also provides comfort for passengers to limiting the impact of particular road conditions to not only the car, but the passengers riding inside.

Do all mountain bikes have suspension?


Most mountain bikes have suspension

to keep you in control over rough ground, but not all mountain bikers need the same amount and type of suspension. Hardtail mountain bikes do not feature a rear shock, whereas full suspension bikes feature front and rear shocks.

Is it OK to ride mountain bike on pavement?


You can ride your mountain bike on pavement

. Just keep in mind that it will be harder to pedal (i.e. slower), and the pavement is hard on traditional knobby mountain bike tires.

Are mountain bikes good for city riding?

Is A Mountain Bike Good For Urban Riding?

If you only have a mountain bike, then yes, they are good for urban riding

. If you do want to use a mountain bike for urban riding it is best if you use a hardtail. You want to avoid having any extra weight on the mountain bike.

How much slower is a mountain bike on the road?

Quick Answer. Mountain bikes can be slower by

15%

than road bikes on super flat terrain when on a 5% grade climb mountain can be slower by 12.7% the main factor is aerodynamic.

Why are Hardtails better?

The hardtail, with its

lower weight and rigid rear end

, is more efficient when your ride consists of road or smoother trails and plenty of pedalling.

What are Hardtails good for?

As a type of mountain bike, hardtail bikes are used for

cycling on many terrains and environments

. Their versatile and resilient nature means they’ll perform well in most places ride. Suitable areas for hardtail mountain biking include mountain trails, fire roads and pump tracks.

Are Hardtails more fun?

Hardtails are a little rougher, but that just adds to the sense of speed, even if you’re not riding as fast.

They can even be more fun on some trails

: the kind of trail that isn’t too rough and needs a bit of pedaling, a sweet jump trail, or a fresh secret trail where you’re surfing loam all the way down.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.