Pavement is riddled with surface imperfections that slow a bicycle
down. Without suspension, both the rider's and the bicycle's weight
must be lifted up and over these imperfections for the vehicle to move
forward. With suspension, the majority of the weight is sprung mass.
Only the unsuspended portion (wheel and lower frame) and a small amount
of the rider's weight need to be lifted (about 35 pounds for both). It
takes far less energy to lift 35 pounds than 175.
Suspension also directly reduces tire rolling resistance. Tire rolling
resistance is not as much about tire width or tire pressure as it is
about consistency of tire contact patch. The more consistent the tire's
contact patch is with the road, the less rolling resistance the vehicle
will have.
How can Softride bikes affect these variables? Without suspension, the
majority of the vehicle's weight is unsprung and the road imperfections
must be absorbed by the rider and tires. Therefore, the vehicle will be
slowed as the tire deflects and deforms in an attempt to absorb the
shock. By redirecting the load into the suspension system, the tires
are kept from having to deflect as much. The more consistent the
contact patch, the lower the rolling resistance and the less energy the
rider will have to use to overcome the resistance.
