Does rear suspension make it less likely to break spokes?
10-10-23, 03:30 AM
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Does rear suspension make it less likely to break spokes?
Someone in another forum has a Giant Fathom E+2 which has rear suspension. From what he's saying he's pretty hefty and the bike is heavy due to the motor hardware and battery but he hasn't had issues with spokes breaking even though his rear wheel is 32 spokes with straight gauge spokes and even though he goes through some trails - i.e. the bike doesn't get babied. My Trek kept breaking rear spokes riding on pavement exclusively until I went to a 36-spoke rim with triple-butted spokes.
Is it likely the suspension mitigates forces that break spokes?
Is it likely the suspension mitigates forces that break spokes?
Last edited by MyRedTrek; 10-10-23 at 06:29 AM.
10-10-23, 07:36 AM
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I say this as someone who hasn’t picked up a physics book in 30 years since Uni but I think yes. The suspension system will reduce the instantaneous impulse force impacting the wheel. As can sympathetic riding technique/handling.
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10-10-23, 09:03 AM
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um... kinda?
As stated above, it changes the way that force is applied (over time instead of instantaneously)
But the rider might take less care for avoiding obstacles with suspension.
As stated above, it changes the way that force is applied (over time instead of instantaneously)
But the rider might take less care for avoiding obstacles with suspension.
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10-10-23, 09:27 AM
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If you learn to unweight yourself from the saddle as you go over the bumps, then the bike itself becomes one big independent suspension unit and likely has pretty much the same reduction of forces for the wheel that you are imagining for a rear suspension.
Just lighten up the load on the saddle with your legs as you encounter bumpy areas. You'll get a much nicer ride and wonder why others think it was so terrible. Similarly if you just lightly hold the bars or hoods as you go over those same bumps, then you'll have less issue with numb hands and wrists.
Just lighten up the load on the saddle with your legs as you encounter bumpy areas. You'll get a much nicer ride and wonder why others think it was so terrible. Similarly if you just lightly hold the bars or hoods as you go over those same bumps, then you'll have less issue with numb hands and wrists.
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10-10-23, 01:45 PM
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This is sort of a trick question because suspension WILL reduce peak vertical loads in the same way as lifting off the seat would.
The problem is that those peak vertical loads are not the most common cause of fatigue spoke failure. Spokes fatigue and ultimately break because of side loads rather than vertical loads which tend to be limited to narrow bands. So, if that suspension allows you to ride more aggressively, bouncing off obstacles, and landing with the bike off plumb then your wheels will likely suffer more not less.
The problem is that those peak vertical loads are not the most common cause of fatigue spoke failure. Spokes fatigue and ultimately break because of side loads rather than vertical loads which tend to be limited to narrow bands. So, if that suspension allows you to ride more aggressively, bouncing off obstacles, and landing with the bike off plumb then your wheels will likely suffer more not less.
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10-10-23, 09:01 PM
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"trails" Surfaces allow the torque loading to be dissipated by traction reduction.
Going from dirt to pavement with the wheels spinning breaks more hardened automotive axles than any other loading.
it's the torque that snaps parts, not the bumps or amount of vertical loading... to a point, anyway...
when the suspension runs out of travel, a new sudden load increase is introduced... and the bike rider may discover what their medical insurance deductible is...
any avid off road rider quickly learns to ANTICIPATE bumps and de-couple their rump from the seat... same can be said for potholes, curbs, and the occasional cocker spaniel, etc... Keep those knees Bent, never straight leg.
and Flying W's suck.
Going from dirt to pavement with the wheels spinning breaks more hardened automotive axles than any other loading.
it's the torque that snaps parts, not the bumps or amount of vertical loading... to a point, anyway...
when the suspension runs out of travel, a new sudden load increase is introduced... and the bike rider may discover what their medical insurance deductible is...
any avid off road rider quickly learns to ANTICIPATE bumps and de-couple their rump from the seat... same can be said for potholes, curbs, and the occasional cocker spaniel, etc... Keep those knees Bent, never straight leg.
and Flying W's suck.
Last edited by maddog34; 10-10-23 at 09:04 PM.
