Is Bicycle Suspension Really Necessary?

[Hodgie]

Hey Guys,
I'm doing a research project on the bicycle suspension.
I would like to include a brief history of the suspension in my report.
I am having trouble finding when bicycle suspension was first introduced, and what sort of systems were originally used, who patented it etc.
Any help or link would be greatly appriciated.
Thanks for your time.

 

[Astronuc]

Try search Google with "history of bicycles" or "bicycles","history"

Or try Wikipedia as a start: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle

which leads to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle#Suspension

which leads to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_suspension

http://www.ibike.org/library/history-timeline.htm

http://www.pedalinghistory.com/PHhistory.html

 

[Hodgie]

thanks mate, apreciate the help

 

[BarackZero]

"If we all worked on the assumption that what is accepted as true is really true, there would be little hope of advance." - Orville Wright

 

[kayanat]

What are the differences between a bicycle with a fork suspension and one that doesn't have the suspension? Hoping you can help me in deciding what style of bicycle I should get. Currently, I'm between a Marin Kentfield and a Cannondale Adventure 5.

The Marin doesn't have the fork suspension. While the Cannondale does. I'm hoping to have a new focus on commuting to work (20 miles round-trip). The more comfortable and less draining my ride will be, the more likely I will be to make this a habit.

What difference does having the front fork suspension make if any?
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[brewnog]

What difference does having the front fork suspension make if any?

It'll weigh more, take a little bit more energy to ride, and be more comfortable (off road). If you're only riding on the road, or on gravel tracks, towpaths etc, stick to a rigid fork. You don't need suspension until you're riding on pretty serious off-road courses (and even then, you don't need it...)