There’s nothing fun about a bumpy e-bike ride that has you jostling. A rough ride can also be dangerous, increasing the risk you’ll fly off the seat, lose your grip on the handlebars, or slip your feet off the pedals.
The solution to a bumpy bike ride? Your e-bike suspension. The e-bike suspension allows the bike wheels to move up and down slightly, absorbing small bumps while maintaining contact with the ground.
A well-functioning suspension helps improve riding comfort and ensures you can maintain control on rough terrain. Read on to learn about the different types of suspensions and how they work.
Types of e-bike suspension
There are three main types of e-bike suspensions: front suspension, rear suspension, and full suspension. Discover the differences and learn which one might be right for you.
Front suspension forks
As the name suggests, the front suspension is at the front of the bike. The most common type of front suspension is the fork, which consists of two struts that connect the e-bike’s front wheel to the bike frame’s head tube (the nearly vertical part of the bike frame running from below the handlebars to the front wheel).
The fork includes an internal mechanical coil or air spring, which absorbs shock from the front wheel. Sliders or lowers connect the fork to the front wheel and the brakes, allowing the force of bumps and jumps to travel from the wheel to the fork’s mechanical coil or air spring when riding on rough terrain.
Front suspension is usually plenty for everyday riding — for example if you’re commuting to work or riding for exercise. However, if you plan to ride off-road, you may want a bike with additional rear suspension (also known as a full-suspension bike).
Vanpowers UrbanGlide e-bike comes with a hydraulic suspension with 80 millimeters (mm) of travel (travel refers to how much a wheel can move up and down on rough terrain).
For context, 80 mm is great for everyday riding, while mountain bikes or dirt bikes may travel up to 200 mm.
Rear Suspension
Again, it’s all in the name: Rear suspension, or rear shock, is at the back of the bike. A rear suspension system usually consists of a coil spring (not an air spring). An extra shock absorber at the back helps absorb impact and improve tire contact with the ground, which boosts control and reduces fatigue.
Having front suspension is usually enough for everyday cyclists who aren’t off-roading. However, those who want to ride on unpaved surfaces may also want rear suspension (a bike with front and rear suspension is a full-suspension bike — more on that next).
Full suspension
Some bikes include rear suspension and front suspension, known as full suspension or dual suspension. For example, mountain e-bike (MTB) cyclists can benefit from a full-suspension system since off-roading tends to involve bumpy, unpaved terrain.
A full-suspension bike generally offers a more comfortable ride than a hardtail bike (the term for a bike with only one suspension). That said, full-suspension bikes are usually more expensive to buy and maintain. They’re also heavier.
A full-suspension system is usually only necessary for extreme riding, like mountain biking. You can tackle rougher trails with drops, rocks, and roots with full suspension. Cyclists with joint troubles may also benefit from full suspension, even if they aren’t doing extreme riding.
How suspension works
A bike’s suspension system includes a mechanical coil or an air spring (front suspensions can be either, while rear suspensions are usually coil-based). This mechanism absorbs the kinetic energy from the bike wheels when they make impact with the ground, for example, after riding over a bump or making a jump.
In addition to the spring, the suspension includes a damper. The damper helps dissipate the kinetic energy the spring absorbs so the suspension doesn’t bounce out of control. Most dampers are filled with oil.
When a force travels from the bike wheel to the suspension, the air spring or coil contracts, absorbing the shock. The damper then spreads that shock, allowing the coil or spring to release, rebound, and extend fully, ready to absorb the next bounce.
Maintenance and care of e-bike suspension
Your e-bike suspension is an essential e-bike component. By properly caring for your e-bike’s suspension, you can help ensure it works optimally and extend its longevity. Here are some basic bike maintenance steps to help protect your suspension:
Checking and adjusting air pressure
If your bike’s tires aren’t sufficiently inflated, they won’t have enough air to help absorb shock. The suspension has to work harder as a result.
Use a standard bike pump to check your tire pressure before every ride, ensuring it’s in the recommended range printed on the side of the tire. If the pressure is too low, add air.
Lubrication
It’s not advisable to lubricate the suspension, as this can cause grit to get stuck in the suspension. However, you should lubricate other parts of your bike, like the chain, to reduce friction and minimize stress on the bike, including the shocks.
Regular inspection and service
Regular inspections at a local bike shop can help ensure the suspension and other key components are in good working order. Casual cyclists can get by with an annual inspection, while those riding 100 miles or more per week should get an inspection every three to four months. Vanpowers e-bike’s manual also recommend how frequently it needs inspections.
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