Do you need a suspension fork in your gravel ebike?
When it comes to choosing electric gravel bikes, one of the decisions you'll face is whether to equip your ride with a suspension fork or not.
Gravel biking has gained immense popularity for its versatility, efficiency and low weight, allowing riders to explore a wide variety of terrain, from asphalt to the steepest mountain trails.
So, is it really necessary to add a suspension fork?
In this article, we'll dive into the world of suspension forks, exploring their advantages and disadvantages, to help you make an informed decision and outfit your electric gravel bike to suit your needs.
But let's take it one step at a time…
What is a suspension fork?
The suspension fork, also known as a front suspension fork, is a crucial component of a bike's front wheel assembly.
It consists of a shock-absorbing mechanism, typically located within the fork's lower section, that compresses and rebounds to absorb shocks and vibrations from the terrain. This improves rider comfort and control by reducing the impact of uneven surfaces, making the ride smoother and more enjoyable.
Although, like everything in life, it has its pros and cons.
Would you like to take a closer look at them?
Gravel suspension fork advantages
Let's start with the advantages of mounting a suspension fork on your gravel bike:
Suspension forks offer greater comfort by softening impacts on uneven terrain, reducing stress on the wheels and preventing discomfort to hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders during long rides.
Improves tire contact with the ground, increasing traction on gravel roads and mountain trails, especially on curves and descents.
Suspension forks help maintain better control of your bike, especially when riding at high speeds or over rough terrain.
With a suspension fork, your electric gravel bike can cope with a wider range of conditions, from gravel roads to technical off-road trails.
And now let's get to the drawbacks.
Gravel suspension fork disadvantages
The downsides of mounting a suspension fork on your electric gravel bike are the following:
Suspension forks add weight to the bike, which can affect its overall performance, especially during climbs and accelerations.
Suspension forks require periodic maintenance, including cleaning, lubrication and servicing, to ensure optimal performance.
Suspension forks are usually more expensive than regular forks, which can increase the overall cost of your electric gravel bike.
At this point, however, it is up to you to decide whether it is worthwhile to install a suspension fork on your gravel bike.
How do I know if I should mount a suspension fork on my eBike gravel bike?
Adding a suspension fork to your bike can be very beneficial for tackling gravel roads and mountain trails or embarking on long-distance adventures in greater comfort, as the suspension fork will help reduce fatigue and smooth out the ride.
However, there are some riders who believe that instead of mounting a suspension fork on a gravel bike, it is better to opt for an electric Mountain Bike.
The fact is that eMTBs tend to be heavier than electric gravel bikes and, on the other hand, gravel bikes provide a more efficient ride thanks to their geometry, body position and the width of their tires (slightly thinner than those of an eMTB).
So, unless your rides are focused solely on complicated mountain trails, with extreme climbs and descents, our recommendation is to opt for a gravel bike with a suspension fork.
Types of suspension for your gravel ebike
When it comes to choosing the type of suspension for an electric gravel bike, there are different options to consider:
Although they are not a type of suspension fork, as they are fixed forks, the elasticity of this material provides greater vibration absorption than traditional gravel forks while maintaining maximum lightness.
This type of fork is ideal for riding on smooth gravel tracks or trails, but may be insufficient for rougher terrain.
Front suspension involves the presence of a suspension fork at the front of the bicycle.
This fork is designed to absorb shock and vibration from riding over rough or uneven surfaces. It typically offers a travel range of 40 mm to 80 mm, which means it can effectively handle moderate bumps and obstacles.
Gravel electric bikes equipped with front suspension are ideal for riders who venture out on gravel trails, dirt roads and slightly technical terrain.
Full suspension systems, while not very common on gravel bikes, provide suspension on both the front and rear of the bike.
This type of suspension is perfect for riders looking for maximum damping and traction, especially on demanding trails with obstacles such as rocks and roots.
The only drawback is that, in our opinion, it adds too much weight to the bike. And this is why they are not used as much.
In any case, the decision to equip your electric gravel bike with a particular type of suspension or fork will depend on your riding style and the terrain you plan to conquer.
That's why at Crow, all of our bikes come with carbon forks, but we also offer you a choice of suspension forks (as well as other customization options) when you place your order.
Because we want your bike to fit you like a glove.
Would you like to find the perfect gravel bike?
