Hi folks some advice would be great. I generally cycle 40-60 miles and currently have a cannon dale quick. I also have a bad shoulder which stops me riding cyclocross bikes due to geometry and no suspension. So my question is which hybrid to go for which is light but has suspension. I usually ride on B roads and have a budget of up to £1000. Someone told me that regardless of my shoulder I might just want to get carbon forks and lower pressure a bit. I cycle with folks on road bikes so am looking for a quick bike. Thanks in advance.
Fastest Hybrid with suspension for dodgy shoulder
- Thread starter Craigjvc1
- Start date
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fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Having had a dodgy shoulder and riding road bikes, you are holding the bars too much. Flat bars aren't great anyway as you don't have the positions of road bars.
Suspension won't help, it's the flat bar that adds to the problem.
Suspension won't help, it's the flat bar that adds to the problem.
Yellow Saddle
Guru
- Location
- Loch side.
Carbon forks DO NOT offer any type of suspension at all. They have just as much compliance as steel or aluminium forks, which is zero. Nada, ziltch, fokkol. Further, even a bike with lots of suspension travel like a downhill bike, will still transmit shock. Don't expect suspension to make any difference. Rather, choose smooth roads and agreeable surfaces.
steveindenmark
Legendary Member
And more of a sit up position to get the weight off your arms and onto your seat.
Consider changing the riding position on your CX and fitting wider tyres. Slick 32mm are still quick.
You need to figure out a new riding position for your shoulder before you pick a style of bike. Do you need your hand position up/down, long/short, narrow/wide. Do you need your grip position at a certain angle. Do you need a recumbent ? Do you need to damp vibrations at low or high frequency?
You need to figure out a new riding position for your shoulder before you pick a style of bike. Do you need your hand position up/down, long/short, narrow/wide. Do you need your grip position at a certain angle. Do you need a recumbent ? Do you need to damp vibrations at low or high frequency?
Pale Rider
Legendary Member
I agree with the others - suspension is unlikely to do anything for shoulder pain.
Tinkering with your riding position could help.
Bar ends are worth a try, Ergon are good, but cheaper ones do much the same job.
Or raise the handlebars, lots of stems available to do this.
I like the Speedlifter because it has a quick release - like your seatpost - so you can move the bars up and down whenever you feel like it.
Could be good for you if you get some pain mid-ride - stop and raise or lower the bars to change things around a bit.
http://www.rosebikes.com/article/speedlifter-twist-t-10/aid:349713
Tinkering with your riding position could help.
Bar ends are worth a try, Ergon are good, but cheaper ones do much the same job.
Or raise the handlebars, lots of stems available to do this.
I like the Speedlifter because it has a quick release - like your seatpost - so you can move the bars up and down whenever you feel like it.
Could be good for you if you get some pain mid-ride - stop and raise or lower the bars to change things around a bit.
http://www.rosebikes.com/article/speedlifter-twist-t-10/aid:349713
vickster
Legendary Member
I've got a dodgy shoulder at the moment, no more or less comfortable on flat versus drop bars, at least on my bikes, none of which have suspension but all have carbon forks. On the road bikes, I probably do find myself switching position more from hoods to corners to flats
Your current bike is a flat bar, have you tried riding a few roadbikes with different geometries? A more upright or sportive geometry might be better, something like a Cannondale Synapse or Giant Defy, should be able a well specced model in budget
I'm also going to throw the steel Genesis equilibrium and Croix de fer into the mix as I find steel a very cushioning ride!
I don't think any suspension hybrid will move as fast as roadbikes unless you are a much stronger cyclist, I'm sure Marianne Vos could out run me on anything for example!
What's wrong with your shoulder? Are you doing physio to strengthen and working on core and posture?
Your current bike is a flat bar, have you tried riding a few roadbikes with different geometries? A more upright or sportive geometry might be better, something like a Cannondale Synapse or Giant Defy, should be able a well specced model in budget
I'm also going to throw the steel Genesis equilibrium and Croix de fer into the mix as I find steel a very cushioning ride!
I don't think any suspension hybrid will move as fast as roadbikes unless you are a much stronger cyclist, I'm sure Marianne Vos could out run me on anything for example!
What's wrong with your shoulder? Are you doing physio to strengthen and working on core and posture?
Yellow Saddle
Guru
- Location
- Loch side.
You are sending confusing messages to the OP. Neither carbon nor steel offer any compliance that would make the one more comfortable than the other. For all intends and purposes, they are both perfectly rigid in the vertical plane. Saddle and tyre cushioning is the only place where you will find comfort.
Yellow Saddle
Guru
- Location
- Loch side.
It would be nice if could say what works for you. All I see is a basket full of dubious options.Works for me for whatever reason
vickster
Legendary Member
Riding a properly set up steel roadbike on 23mm tyres run at around 100psi. Mostly on poorly maintained urban A & B roads
My shoulder is not 100% comfortable especially on hills but I can ride a bike while awaiting surgery to repair a torn posterior labrum
vickster
Legendary Member
What bike would you actually suggest to the OP as you've not actually said? Changing the roads on which he rides with his pals may not actually be that easy
Last edited:
Hi, and thanks for all the help. My cannon dale currently has suspension. I have a badly healed fracture in my shoulder which means the wide grip of flat bars suits me for comfort. How much good the suspension does I don't know. I was just looking for the lightest hybrid with suspension I could fine. The Scott sub 10 seams a nice set up.
