Is A Gravel Bike With Full Suspension Faster?

We saw the first version of the Niner MCR full-suspension gravel bike last year and we've been dying to have a go ever since. And now thanks to Niner, we not only got to ride it, we also got to have a go on their brand new RLT rigid gravel bike as well!

In association with Niner

Thanks to our friends at Niner, we were able to test how a full-suspension gravel bike measures up to a more 'standard' gravel bike over standard gravel roads, rough sections, and even a nice bit of singletrack.

Do you think a full-suspension bike is the future of gravel riding?

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Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound:
ES_Light Utopia - FormantX.mp3

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[gcn]

Do you think a full-suspension bike is the future of gravel riding?

[Toastybear]

I put drop handlebars on my mtb once too!! Didn’t realise I was so ahead of the times... 😂

[tiagomendes]

Soon we'll have full susp gravel bikes with flat bars. It's gona be a paradigm shift.

[graememackenzie]

Hey, whatever it takes to get roadies to realise that mountain biking is more fun...baby steps and all that 😃

[steveco]

At this point I might as well put TT bars on my XC bike and be done with it 😜

[AnvilAirsoftTV]

Probably should have put in a cross country MTB for comparison.

[johnm]

Image where you could ride with a full suspension gravel bike that had flat bars and slacker geometry. If only such a bike existed.

[chris_noswe]

"and it probably _can't_ do this"

I bet Blake Sampson looks at that a little different than you do Si.

[Tonybeanfarm]

This would be great for commuting. No worrying about potholes, and you can hop curbs but not have to lug a massive mountain bike around town.

[TheTonicro]

if you need suspension on your gravel bike, its time for you to get a mountain bike
maybe just something like lauf fork or suspension stem i can understand for long stins

[neochrome]

How long until the GGBN ? (Global gravel bike network)

[denisdrc]

Ok, nice, so the headache of maintaining suspensions finally comes to roadies!!!

[vannick]

That’s just a 90’s full suspension mtb with drop bars

[craigbrockway]

Essentially this is the same scenario we encountered way back when mountain bikes first introduced suspension. In the early days I prefered a rigid mountain bike then as suspensions evolved I much prefered the suspended bikes.
From the perspective of a recreational rider I definitely see the benefits of the MCR now and into the future.

[brentmip]

Hell yeah! Fort Collins! Great to see you guys come out here.

[keptinjack]

Full suss looks great, more choice is always better.

The extra comfort will probably be more attractive to those of us carrying a bit more wear and tear, with less of a desire for KoMs and looking towards more fun.

[IronKnok]

Sir Si.
You really must be the best reviewer/commentator of cycling . Well spoken, clear, informative with just the right amount of personality.
Very appreciated .

[macaocan]

my idea of perfect gravel bike is: steel frame, 700/650bX40-50, if needed suspension seatpost and / or stem (cane creek or red shift) . Simplicity, effectiveness, durability, fun...less is more

[Ron_Boy]

Finally, a gravel bike that makes sense. Nice cinematography too! And not too much Chatter. Really enjoy Si's vdeos.

[tylermoser]

This was a nice surprise when jumping on my trainer this morning. You see I bought this full suspension gravel bike used, and unseen halfway across the USA in Arizona. I thought I would give it a try instead of renting on an upcoming vacation. Three vacations not renting pays for it is how I justified it. Thank you for flying all the way to Colorado for this fine review!