Many hybrid bikes come fitted with a suspension fork on the front. Hybrid bikes with suspension are normally intended for use on mixed surfaces including cycle paths and tracks as well. The suspension fork is designed to absorb some of the shocks, making for a more comfortable ride. This can be handy on badly maintained roads, as well as off-road sections.
Advantages of suspension on a hybrid bike
Having a suspension fork gives a confidence boost to a lot of riders, making them feel more confident in tackling varied terrain. As well as the added comfort it can help increase safety as the front wheel won’t get bounced around as much. That means you maintain more grip and are less likely to have the front wheel slide away in corners. If you are riding on rough terrain the shock absorption provided by the suspension can also reduce fatigue on hands and arms.
Most hybrid bikes have forks with limited travel. The suspension travel on a typical mountain bike is anywhere from 100mm to 160mm. On a hybrid bike with suspension it will likely to be in the region of 60mm to 80mm. Having slightly less travel makes the bike more efficient. Higher end hybrids often come with a lockout on the fork so you can turn it off on longer road sections.
Disadvantages of suspension on a hybrid bike
As mentioned above some higher-end hybrid bikes come with the ability to lockout the suspension fork. This stops it from moving and absorbing the energy you are putting into pedalling. While under most conditions this loss of energy will be minimal it can matter on longer climbs. The loss of energy is not be biggest disadvantage of suspension forks on a hybrid bike though. That is weight.
Both Specialized and Trek have re-designed some of their hybrid bikes in recent years not to have a suspension fork. By removing the fork they can save around 1.5kg. This works out at getting on for 10% of the total weight on many bikes. By making the bike significantly lighter it is quicker and easier to handle. To compensate for the lack of suspension wider tyres are fitted add in more grip and cushioning.
Our top selling hybrid bikes with suspension:
1) Trek Dual Sport 2 Gen 4
The Trek Dual Sport 2 Gen 4 is not only our best-selling hybrid bike with suspension. It is our best-selling hybrid bike full stop. The Dual Sport 2 is available as a standard cross-bar bike (pictured above) or a ‘stagger’ frame with dropped top tube. There are also Equipped versions available which come with mudguards, racks and lights already fitted.
The Dual Sport 2 comes fitted with an SR Suntour NEX coil sprung suspension fork with 63mm of travel and a lockout.
2) Whyte Malvern
The Whyte comes with a very similar suspension fork to the Trek. It is the SR Suntour NCX-D which has 63mm of travel and a lockout. While the Trek is a great all-rounder the Whyte is more focussed on off-road use. Whyte are a UK brand who make award winning mountain bikes. Their hybrid bikes use many of the same tricks including a longer wheelbase and slacker angles to give a bike that is more stable off-road while still being fun to ride. The Whyte Malvern is available in both men’s and women’s versions.
3) Cannondale Quick CX 4
It’s another Suntour fork on the Cannondale, this time the Suntour NEX-E25. Like the Trek and the Whyte you get 63mm of suspension travel but you don’t get a lockout. This helps to keep the price of the Quick CX 4 down slightly and won’t impact on you too much unless you are doing a lot of long road climbs.
So, a hybrid bike with suspension will be more comfortable and stable but there is a weight penalty to pay. The three bikes outlined above are all solid choices and will get you a comfortable bike that can be used on a variety of surfaces.
