Is Suspension The Future Of Gravel Bikes?

Suspension on gravel bikes is a contentious topic, with many people arguing that you should just ride a mountain bike off-road instead. But as technology evolves and more people start to ride gravel, the demand for forms of suspension on gravel bikes has evolved. Si is convinced it's the future, but how do you feel?

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What do you think about suspension on a gravel bike? Will you consider it in the future? Let us know in the comments below.

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[gordoncameron]

As mountain bikes got more suspension had to ride tougher terrain to get the same level of excitement, when I got a CX bike was amazed how much fun it was riding green and blue mtb trails and even the forest roads became enjoyable. I think suspension would make it more comfortable and easier but mean less grins.

[PrzemyslawSliwinski]

Sometimes roadies' opinions are as stiff and unforgiving as their frames and tires...

[rafaelmauricioangaritacerv]

What I like about this is that nowadays we have more options when it comes to choose a bike. Excellent video!

[OuijTube]

We are just re-living mountain bike development. We are now somewhere around 1999

[chadhayag]

Ah, as a citizen from a third world country, I have finally found a road bike fit for my city. Though I might have to work for a year to get enough money to buy this.

[Vermonstered]

My main problem with shocks and other suspension pieces on gravel bikes is simply the service interval of those pieces. The Lefty Ocho rebuild interval is 200 hours. That's fine on a mountain bike as you're not generally going to be riding more than 2-4 hours at a time. Gravel/road? You might be rebuilding 2-3x or more a year if it's your primary/commuter bike.

[jasoncross]

I’m looking forward to these becoming more mainstream, I live in South Somerset and always found the roads uncomfortable on a road bike, have since changed to a gravel bike and couldn’t be happier. Looking at that Cannondale it just gives you so many options on one ride which can only be a good thing in my eyes.

[legrandempereurcosmique]

Remember Simon telling he rode gravel cause mtb had got too easy?😅

[expiredmilk]

For the price of that thing you could get a half decent road bike and a hardtail...

[rg]

One important aspect worth mentioning that suspension provides is compression and rebound damping. Tires do have some suspension but no damping.

[haoss]

At this point just put dropbars on a mtb and call it a day

[Deuteross]

I love GCN's (and Si's for that matter) attitude towards sponsored content.

[TiagoCruz-slkq]

I own both a mtb and a gravel bike (no front suspension), using the gravel bike even on light trails is a pain particularly because of the rigidity but also it’s geometry that puts you above the handle bars, how hard it is to position behind the seat and also very narrow handle bars to deal with rocky terrain. I really like the gravel for tarmac and occasional dirt road short segment but would def not recommend for any trail of any level

[BennyHubba]

Is mountain bikes the future of gravel bikes? ...

Is gravel bikes the future of mountain bikes??

[samhamfast]

Si, you caught me. I had already made up my mind about suspension on gravel bikes (against) before watching the video. After hearing your thoughts I am a bit more open to the idea but will stick with my old tried and true titanium cyclocross bike for my personal gravel adventures.

[swisspaulie]

I bought a couple Cannondale Slates for me and the Mrs a few years back. Absolutely love them. For all the reasons mentioned in the video. Try one. They are amazing. And now I want a Topstone.

[simonpage]

I've just sold my emtb to fund my Gravel Bike. I've just purchased the new Orange X9 Pro complete with 40mm travel Fox AX front 1 month in & my face aches from the constant Great video Si

[vp]

Oh how great. As soon as I start looking for a monster cross bike, gcn uploads this

[higbert]

Si’s so consistently good in these videos but at 4:21 he really surpassed himself 😄👍

[lucitribal]

How does it compare to the Lauf fork you've previously tested?