[Fitch offline]

A buddy sent this link, and I found the "cutting through the marketing" angle VERY helpful -- as much as I know about bikes (which isn't a terrible lot), it's very easy to get lost in the adjectives, nicknames, slang, and other technical jargon. These articles were great in helping me better understand suspension options, as well as better understanding what makes my own suspension work!

Had to share with you cats...

Buyer's Guide to Mountain Bike Suspension, part 1: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/buyers-guide-to-mountain-bike-suspension-part-1-28367/

Buyer's Guide to Mountain Bike Suspension, part 2:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/buyers-guide-to-mountain-bike-suspension-part-2-28438/

[maddslacker offline]

That's a pretty good read, thanks for sharing!

[skibum offline]

I remember reading that one when it first came out--it's one of the better articles of its type.

However, some designs are omitted and new designs have popped up in recent years, so there are some holes.

No matter how much one studies though, one must actually get on the bike and ride it up a hill and over some obstacles to see how each design will perform for him/her. Even the same basic suspension design will perform differently when employed in different bike designs. Avery slight change in the location of a pivot point or use of a different shock can radically change suspension performance.