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Question:

How much pedal energy is wasted on the rear suspension of a mountain bike?

I know that getting rear suspension on a mountain bike eats up some of the energy I use to pedal the bike, but can someone give me an idea of how much? How much will this effect me on a long bike ride?Am I going to notice an increase in effort if I go from a hard tail to a full suspension bike?

Answer:

You requested, . additionally does that again surprise quite make a change? That again surprise isn't there for rider remedy. It's there to maintain the again wheel at the flooring. This may also be both well or dangerous. It's well if you are off-street one hundred% of the time, going via ruts, throughout logs, and so on. It's dangerous for smoother terrains. Just because the surprise eats up bumps ruts, it additionally eats away on the rider's efforts. Look at it this manner. On a street motorbike, there aren't any suspension constituents. Most of the rider's efforts are directed via the crank, the chain, the rear cog (gears) and to the rear wheel. The extra suspension constituents are on a motorbike - the extra it takes clear of the rider. With each and every stroke of the pedals, a few of that power is soaked up during the motorbike. This is why you notice such a lot of humans on affordable complete suspension motorcycles kind of bouncing down the road as an alternative of driving down the road. I'm now not the first-rate at explaining matters. Hope you obtained the that means. :)
It will depend on the quality of the bike. I have ridden cheap full suspension bikes and going up a hill it can be as much as 25% or at least it left like it. The more pedal bob you get the more energy is wasted in the shocks. I have seen big strong guys on $300 full suspension Mongoose bikes from Walmart struggle to keep up with their skinny girl friend on a shop quality hard tail bike after a few miles. Unless you have $900 or more to spend a hard tail bike is the way to go.

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