Does An Electric Bike REALLY Need Suspension?
One debate about electric bikes lately is whether or not they should have suspension. But how do you choose the best model for your needs? First, you must know what terrain you'll be riding on flat roads or bumpy trails. How often will you use it; for commuting or exercise? This guide will help answer these questions.
Does an electric bike need suspension? If you're new to e-bikes, you might be surprised to learn that some electric bikes don't have suspension systems. This style isn't a mistake; it's by design. Suspension on bikes helps make the rider more comfortable on bumpy terrains, but it is expensive. However, no-suspension bikes are faster and lightweight but do not offer as much comfort.
E-bike manufacturers know that most people will use their bikes for short commutes and urban riding, where speed is not a priority. However, they also know that riders who use e-bikes for their daily commute will often ride them for more than 25 miles daily.
Consequently, these manufacturers build e-bikes with heavy frames and sturdy components, prioritizing comfort and durability over speed. At the same time, they could also keep costs down by using less expensive materials—like steel rather than titanium or carbon fiber—to construct the frame of an electric bike. A result is an affordable machine designed primarily as a commuting vehicle rather than an off-roader or long-distance rider’s companion vehicle.
Types Of Ebikes (Based On Suspension)
- Full Suspension: These bikes come with front and rear shocks that absorb bumps in the road, making them much more comfortable and smoother to ride than hardtails. They tend to be heavier and more expensive than hardtails, but if you plan on riding in muddy conditions or through lots of rocks, this bike could be right for you.
- Hardtail: A hardtail is an electric bike that only has suspension on the front but does not have one on the rear.
- Rigid: These are the cheapest option available, but they're also not recommended for rough terrain because there's no shock absorption whatsoever when riding them, which means it can feel like an uncomfortable bumpy experience overall.
Below, we will discuss these three types of electric bikes according to their suspension systems.
Full Suspension Ebikes
If you're looking for a comfortable ride or plan on riding off-road, then full suspension e-bikes are probably your best bet. The extra cushioning of suspension makes these bikes more forgiving over bumps and obstacles and will help smooth the ride. The downside is that they tend to be heavier than hardtail models and cost more money. But if you want the smoothest ride possible and are willing to pay for it, full suspension e-bikes are worth considering.
What Are The Advantages Of Full Suspension Ebikes
Full suspension e-bikes offer an unmatched level of control and comfort. They're also much more efficient at smoothing out bumps in the road, making them ideal for long-distance rides. For these reasons alone, it's clearly worth paying extra for a full-suspension electric bike.
In addition, having front and rear shocks means you can tackle practically any terrain with ease. Whether riding over gravel paths or small rocks on mountain trails, your suspension will allow you to ride confidently and keep steady.
Disadvantages Of Full Suspension Electric Bikes
One of the biggest disadvantages of full suspension electric bikes is that they are more expensive. A full suspension e-bike can cost anywhere from $1,300 to over $3,000, depending on the brand and features. In addition, because of their complex mechanical parts, these bikes require more maintenance than non-full suspension models. You may see our full suspension electric bike SDREAM X750S Folding Ebike.
Although it might be tempting to buy a fully suspended bike for its ability to tackle any terrain with ease and comfort, there are some additional drawbacks worth considering before making your final decision:
- More weight:If you're looking for an e-bike that will be easy to carry upstairs or lift onto a car rack, look elsewhere. The extra weight in this category also means that you'll probably want some help getting them off/onto transport vehicles if needed and moving around once at your destination location where parking may not be readily available. This feature also the speed of this e-bike in comparison to its counterparts.
- Maintenance Costs:As mentioned above about how expensive these machines can get but also due to the fact they tend towards being heavier than standard counterparts too; this means extra care needs to be taken when storing away between rides which could lead to component damage through exposure over long periods without proper protection against exposure environment conditions like sunlight
Hardtail Ebikes
A hardtail electric bike is a compromise between full suspension and rigid bikes. They have suspensions at the front but not at the back. This system results in a more responsive ride and better traction. They are also lighter than full-suspension e-bikes, which makes them easier to maneuver. The hardtail is best suited for off-road riding, where you must tackle uneven terrain and obstacles like logs or rocks. They’re also great if you want more control over your bike while benefiting from electric assistance.
Hardtail bikes are generally okay for people who want something simple and cheap but don't mind riding a bit harder than other electric bikes (especially if you're going off-road).
Are Hard Tail Bikes A Good Option?
You might be wondering, are hardtail bikes a good option? Well, they’re perfect for casual riders and beginners. They also cost less than full suspension bikes, and they can handle different types of terrain. So a hardtail will fit your needs if you have the money to spend but don’t want to spend it on a full-suspension bike.
Difference Between Hardtail and Full Suspension Electric Bikes
There are a few differences between a hardtail and full suspension electric bikes. The most obvious distinction is that a hardtail will generally be lighter than its full-suspension counterpart. While this may not seem like much of an issue, it can make all the difference in mountain biking or other high-speed activities like racing, where every extra ounce on your bike could mean the difference between winning and losing.
Full suspension bikes also tend to be more comfortable than their hardtail counterparts. Also, full suspension designs absorb bumps better, making them ideal for trails with large rocks or roots and other obstacles that would otherwise cause painful jolts in the ride.
Finally, the maintenance and setup with hardtail are more stressfree when compared to full suspension electric bikes.
Rigid Ebikes
Rigid e-bikes are ideal for riding on flat terrain. They’re great for commuting and racing (It is lightweight and has more speed). These bikes have no suspension, so they might not come with great comfort. However, if you ride on a good surface, that may not be a problem.
The main advantage of rigid electric bikes is that they are very easy to maintain and set up. In addition, they are also one of the cheapest electric bike options you can find.
What Are The Advantages Of Rigid Bikes
A rigid bike is a mountain or hybrid bike that doesn't have any suspension.
The advantages of a rigid bike are:
- They are faster because they don't have to deal with a suspension fork and rear shock-absorbing the bumps in the road. So, this makes them easier to pedal uphill.
- They cost less than an e-bike with suspension, making them more affordable for people on a budget who love riding their bikes everywhere (like me).
- Rigid bikes are lighter than their full-suspension counterparts, so you can carry them upstairs more easily - like when you live in a third-floor apartment building.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Rigid Bikes
- A rigid bike is uncomfortable, so it is unsuitable for rough terrains.
- Rigid bikes also don't have much suspension travel—the amount of vertical movement possible before something bottoms out or feel squishy underfoot when riding over bumps or through dips in the road. The less suspension travel there is in an electric bicycle frame (or other parts), the less control over rough terrain riders have and their ability to absorb larger shocks from potholes or uneven pavement surfaces. This situation can lead to more discomfort than with a full-suspension e-bike, especially if you're going at higher speeds where these factors become more significant factors in overall rider comfort—especially on longer rides where fatigue sets in faster due to inefficient pedaling mechanics caused by unnecessary mass and poor chassis design choices such as limited fork travel for example).
Factors To Consider When Choosing An Electric Bike (Based On Suspension)
Comfort
Comfort is the most important factor to consider when choosing an electric bike. The suspension system, frame geometry, and tires are all factors that affect your comfort on an electric bike.
You can get more comfortable by going for a full suspension system, or you could choose a hardtail frame with lots of clearance between the seat tube and top tube for greater pedaling efficiency at higher speeds.
Terrain
Full suspension is probably the best choice if you have a lot of rocky terrains. If you ride in a more smooth and hard surface area, the hardtail will likely be your best bet. Finally, a rigid bike would be ideal for your needs if you’re riding primarily on paved roads and sidewalks.
Speed
Speed is important if you ride on the road, but it's not important for other uses. If you're riding off-road, speed won't help because you'll have to slow down anyway to avoid obstacles. If you ride in a city, your main concern will be getting somewhere as quickly as possible without having to stop at red lights or deal with traffic jams. Speed could pose an issue on a trail if there are other riders around (especially mountain bikers).
So, in this case, rigid electric bikes are more suitable. That is because they are lightweight and do not have suspensions to hamper the bike's energy.
Price
The price of an electric bike depends on the components used, brand, size of the battery, and motor power. The suspension type is also a factor in determining how much you will pay for your e-bike.
A good full-suspension bike can cost between $1,500 to $3,000. Hardtail electric bikes are cheaper, and you can get them for around $1,300. The most affordable among them is rigid e-bikes, but you should be ready to spend about $900 or more.
So, these prices make you look at your budget before deciding whether comfort is worth an extra $1,000+ or speed, and less comfort is better off with saving some extra cash.
Motor Power
The motor power is the number of watts that the motor can produce. For example, an electric bicycle with a 500-watt motor will have more power than one with a 350-watt motor.
Motor power is also a measure of efficiency and torque, so you can think of it as "how much mph" your bike has. The more powerful your bike's motor is, the quicker it will accelerate and climb hills (if there are any in your neighborhood!).
Tires
Tires are the most important part of an electric bike; they do more than just hold your weight. They’re also the only contact point between your body and the ground, absorbing your energy as you ride. For this reason, a tire must have enough cushioning to protect against shock from bumps in the road.
Conclusion
There are many factors to consider when choosing an electric bike, but the suspension is one of the most important.
If you plan on riding your electric bike regularly and want the best ride possible, I'd recommend getting something with full suspension. It will make your commute more comfortable and keep you from getting sore after long rides. However, you also have to consider the price and cost of maintenance.
A rigid bike with no suspension can be fine when you ride on smooth terrain. So, the decision is all yours. What would you rather go for?
