Basically guys I'm getting a bike together and I'm using it for some light rides on roads its a cheap mountain bike a T1 Tarango Mountain ridge. As I said, cheap. But the point I wanted to get to is, do you think leaving the suspension on will make a difference to riding on the roads. Ill be using it to keep fit but I'm don't want some maxed out speed demon I also want to enjoy riding around, if this makes sense. So more of a cruiser though ill be using it for light fitness. I'm looking at drop down handlebars just keeping it single gear (taking other gears off) and some road tyres, do you think this will be okay for what I want to do?
The main thing I want to know if the suspension thing I've looked around and apparently it wont matter that much but love to hear what you guys think.
You have to commit to the type of riding you will be doing as this will help your decision. I feel a shock absorber is not necessary if you are riding on the road, multi-use path or city cycling. A shock is there for jumping, climbing rocks and logs. Downhill racing off road. A shock adds weight, makes the bike heavy. riding a heavy bike uphill on a road ain't fun. Also look at your tires. You might want to change them out if you are doing road riding. A "less aggressive" tread might be what you are looking for ( less rolling resistance).
"Tear Drop" style handle bars are basically for an aerodynamic position on the bike. Even if you grab the brake hood on a "drop down bar" you are still more aero dynamic then sitting straight up as you would with flat handle bars (aka: motorcycle style). Suspension under the seat, rear chain stay area or the down tube area is unnecessary if only riding on the road. If you are riding on a rocky unpaved road all the time with large pot holes then consider a suspension (shock absorber). Let me ask you... Would you like climbing a hill on the road that is half mile long at a 3-5% grade with a shock absorber on your bike?
Definitely not! But, I wont be doing many hills I'm just going to start riding so that my mum and Dad see I'm serious about it and then I can start getting a better bike without suspension. So far I think I've worked out, it wont make much difference but the bike will be heavy as hell? But some of the roads are quite bad so I'll put it on for now, cheers guys
