Are Long Travel Bikes Efficient? | GMBN Does Science!

You would assume a hardtail MTB would be more efficient compared to a big enduro beast right? Surely the rear suspension of a big travel bike would soak up some of your hill-climbing efforts? Join Neil Donoghue as he runs a series of MTB tests to see whether or not this is true, and if so, just how much of a difference it makes to you when out riding!

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What type of bike do you ride for maximum efficiency? Let us know down below! 👇

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[MTBEAST]

Now do the same test in reverse order and present the averages of both days...so you're not comparing your tired run on a slower climber to a fresh run on the fast climber....otherwise the data mainly shows fatigue in time.

[glennward]

Interesting stuff. Lately the difference in climb times between bikes seems to come down to the tires. Love to see the 170mm Canyon in control test with different tires.

[blurglide]

It'd be interesting to see how much is suspension and how much is weight by weighting down the hardtail. I'd also like to see a technical climb. On a lot of tech climbs I'll actually open up my shock. Letting the bike absorb the bumps is less work than doing it with my body

[blindspotclinic]

You should do this again, using the same wheel/tire combo. Just for science sake.

[markyp]

I ride a carbon Transition Patrol, 170mm up front, 160mm rear with a coil shock. I never bother using the lock out and I don’t worry too much about how quickly I can climb. The Patrol pedals well, and as a steady climber, I’m happy to stick it in a comfortable gear and just spin my way up the hill. All about the fun of descents for me, with some chilled pedalling in between.

[condek]

I find that " Rough fire road" really smooth
It would be interesting comparing them in a more technical climb, with steps, big inclination slopes, roots, wet... Places where traction and smooth power transmission are important.

[JAvellino]

Fantastic video! Honestly wish I saw this before getting my second hardtail. I do some road to get to the trails, so I went hardtail for the efficiency. Turns out I'm not gaining much of that, while also losing the comfort and traction that comes with full sus. Lesson learned!

[thebikehub]

I have to say long travel bikes plus how long they sit at a slack point really makes them harder to point around flat corners - I’ve found I can go fast on my short travel bikes in certain spots cause of how much energy it takes to get around obstacles on the extra long bikes / the shorter travel just snaps through corners like a champ - yes they’re efficient but I think the sweet spot is 140-150 to keep that snappy feel if you go any higher you better hit the big stuff!

[PiloMegaTron]

Nice work! But more of a casual comparison with some stats involved, then real science ;)
Interesting though. Thanks for the upload! :)
I run my BMC TE01 (hardtail) for max efficiency on xc type surface/distance, and my Santacruz 5010 for technical stuff (up AND down). Used to do it all on the BMC before i had the SC though; also crazy fun, maybe even a bit more adrenalin (= less confidence/comfort?) on the same 'downhills'! :D

[jeskli]

If the bikes weighed the same, had the same tires and drivetrains, the position was set the same, he would achieve exactly same times regardless of suspension settings as long as he kept the same power output. The difference comes with the suspension open (suspecting the lockout stiffens in totally), as that in that moment you are putting your energy not only to the pedals, but also to the compression of the suspension. That results in higher precieved exertion (and with that usually higher heart rate) and therefore you are either not able to hold the same power or you can't hold it for the same time. But even with the suspension open, at the same power output he would get the same time.

[pikymalvo]

Very interesting topic! It would have been more comparable with both 29er and air shock. I hope that you will do it in the future

[shrinkingshrimp]

I tought I will keep my upgraded budget hardtail for more climbing intense sessions, then when I recently invested in a full sus, I was amazed how much better I can climb with the new bike, so long story short: waiting for the season to kick in to sell my HT for a better price.

My theory is a HT is only measurably efficient when sprinting or when standing up, thats when the shock absorbs your effort the most.
But I'm not a pro racer (yet), I do not sprint to the finish line, I usually do my climbing seated. Even then a remote lock/climb mode for the shock would be my choice.
And when some rocks are introduced to the wheels the more traction of the full sus is usually more efficient.

[PeakTorque]

Not sure what youre trying to prove if you dont keep the power consistent? The thing you really need for this test is gas analysis, because output power on the bike doesn't measure the input cost on your body.

[bigslacker]

I did a 40 miler last summer on my 180/170mm Evil Insurgent with coil. On a long ride like that the weight does catch up with you, the XC bikes and even lighter enduro bikes pulled way ahead with similarly fit riders. There is a reason XC racers aren't all on big enduro/freeride bikes. ;)

[OresteCiotoli]

super interesting video, i also think that the legs power is what cause the main difference in performance between the riders 😁

[theprofitmohamhead]

The full suspension bike is a mullet. Was the hardball as well? If not he travel rotation circumference difference might explain the quicker time, etc. What say you?

[madched]

The GCN team did a similar experiment where they matched the same power range across different bikes to show the difference in weight /performance has on output speed. This would be interestring to see against hardtail, short travel bikes and longer travel bikes.

[theprofitmohamhead]

The distance travels between 27.5" & 29" wheels with same pedal strokes is 406.4435508333 feet.

[deedontworry]

My carbon Vitus Sommet climbs anything! 🤘

[MPZ]

It's true, current gen enduros are insane. I can climb my 170mm Transition Spire easily enough, not as different as I expected vs a trail-bike.