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In the forest, you can easily pass most mountain bikers on a gravel bike. One of the reasons for this is that the gravel bike has been reduced to the essentials for such moderate routes. It is an efficient machine in which the rider's arms and legs take over the damping, at least on the rougher bumps. The voluminous tyres do the rest of the work.
However, depending on the terrain, riding time or individual comfort preferences of the rider, this is not always enough. Occasionally you will find models that have "real" suspension elements again. These primarily include suspension forks, but also dampers between the fork and frame as well as elastomer pads that are integrated into the rear triangle. You could even say that the deliberately flexing seatpost on the Rose Backroad and the "floating" frame knot on the rear triangle of the Trek Checkpoint in the carbon version also represent a form of suspension.
Suspension gravel bike concept
If you want to give your gravel bike additional comfort, you have to be prepared for the fact that it is not easy to make changes at a later date. One option, for example, would be a suspension seat post, provided the original post has a round diameter. On models with a flat seat tube angle of less than 73.5 degrees, this adjustment can work well, but the additional weight in this area of the bike is quite noticeable. If, on the other hand, you want to retrofit a suspension fork, you change the entire geometry of the bike.
A gravel bike with a suspension fork tested last year proved to be extremely nervous and poorly balanced. It turned out that the frame was not designed for the use of a suspension fork. In addition to the tyre clearance, the suspension struts lead to an increase in the height of the front part of the frame. To ensure good riding characteristics, the geometry must be designed for the use of a suspension fork from the outset.
There are various options to cushion the handlebars better. One option is the sprung stem from Kinekt, which absorbs medium impacts. However, it can also have a somewhat adverse effect on sharp steering commands and hard pedalling. For more comfort on the hands, Ergon gel pads are available, which are wrapped under the handlebar tape and can soften impacts somewhat. A cheaper alternative to extra padded handlebar tape is to simply wrap two layers of inexpensive tape.
Manufacturers such as Canyon, Giant, Trek, Specialized, YT and BMC have completely redesigned their suspension gravel bikes due to the retrofitting problem. They have developed innovative and ingenious solutions to improve comfort. Although the lockable flat damper between the fork crown and the headset was already used on road racing bikes in the 1990s to provide good service on rough cobbled roads in France. This damper is perfect for gravel bikes.
Do you always have to compromise on suspension gravel bikes?
The suspension of a bike is usually a compromise. Manufacturers such as Giant, Koga and Canyon scored well in our test by deliberately using slightly more flexible standard components. These components, such as flexible or split seat posts, extra-thin stays in the rear triangle or softer handlebars, hardly have a negative effect on the bike's handling, but do provide some damping of bumps. Frames with good comfort values also contribute to this.
If real damping elements such as air bellows or coil springs are used, this enables greater suspension travel and better compensation for bumps. However, this also increases the weight of the bike, additional components can break and the handling changes. As yet, there are no gravel bikes with a full-suspension frame. According to Giant, full-suspension bikes are no longer available in the lightweight segment, as the moving mechanism did not offer the desired reliability across all brands.
Are such prominent suspension elements really necessary on a gravel bike? The answer is: it depends! It depends on the intended use, whether the comfort or the dynamics of the bike are more important. You won't find suspension forks on most models, but they are also rarely used on demanding terrain. However, they can be an alternative if you are touring on unfamiliar terrain or need a commuter bike. Unobtrusive "add-ons" such as those on the BMC or Cinelli could become more widespread, as they neither change the sporty appearance of the bike nor impair the handling. Remember: If you're constantly being shaken around, it can be just as tiring as pedalling itself.
Suspension from the 90s
The Specialized Diverge STR is characterised by its conceptual design. It uses a shock absorber under the head tube, similar to the one described from the 90s. An innovative new feature is the shock acting on the saddle. This is located horizontally in the top tube and is connected to the extra-long seat post, which is flexibly mounted in the area of the bottom bracket. The shock can move up to two centimetres in both directions to ensure optimum suspension.
The saddle moves downwards and backwards on a circular path while always maintaining the same distance from the pedals. This means that no pedalling energy is lost. The idea behind this arrangement is that obstacles do not suddenly hit the rear wheel from below. If both wheels hit a bump, kerb or root horizontally, the impact is cushioned in both directions. Current research at the Cologne Sports University shows that this not only reduces rider fatigue, but also enables obstacles to be overcome more dynamically.
More topics about gravel bikes
6 gravel exotics at a glance
Suspension gravel bikes: The BMC Urs LT two
- Price: 6499 Euro
- Weight: 9.1 kilos
The Urs is an adventure bike from Switzerland that is available in two versions: the lighter Performance version and the LT version, which is more suitable for long distances. Depending on the price range, one to all three parts of the in-house Micro Travel technology can be integrated. The central element of this technology is the elastomer buffer, which is placed between the saddle rails and the main frame to keep vibrations away from the saddle. In addition, there is a stiff coil spring with a hydraulic damper and 20 mm travel between the frame and the fork. This combination, together with the slightly springy stem, ensures a comfortable handlebar area.
- Drive: SRAM GX Eagle AXS 1x12
- Stack/Reach: 1,371
- Brakes: SRAM Rival eTap AXS HRD
- Variants: 7 completely different bikes from 3499 to 10,999 euros, SRAM Apex AXS parts
Suspension gravel bikes: The Trek Checkpoint SL 5
- Price: 3999 Euro
- Weight: 9.6 kilos
While we still criticised the ride comfort of the Checkpoint ALR in the test, its sister models made of carbon instead of aluminium already feature the relatively new IsoSpeed module in the frame. This module works in a similar way to the shock in the Diverge STR. The seat tube is decoupled at the frame knot and can flex over the entire length from the bottom bracket to the saddle. An internal mechanism limits this flexibility to a few millimetres. As you sit slightly more upright on the SL and SLR models, the increased saddle comfort plays an even more important role here.
- Drive: Shimano GRX 810 2x11
- Stack/Reach: 1,455
- Brakes: Shimano RX400
- Variants: a total of 12 carbon models in 6 sizes, up to 5 colours, Shimano GRX or SRAM AXS, prices: 3699 to 10,499 euros (with power meter) >> available here
Suspension gravel bikes: The YT Szepter Core 4
- Price: 3999 Euro
- Weight: n.a.
Among the suspension gravel bikes, the Szepter Core 4 is the exotic bike, as it clearly has mountain bike genes. The reach in the STR value comes less from the short MTB stem than from the top tube. As with the Giant, the Rudy Ultimate suspension fork is installed, but at 69 degrees it is steeper to give the rider more security. The 40 mm of travel feels quite vertical, so the air bags should be set a little softer. The rear end of the carbon frame is designed for lateral stiffness with a slight vertical flex. The extended wheel arch of the YT is more of a design element than a mudguard.
- Drive: SRAM Force XPLR eTap 1x12
- Stack/Reach: 1,475
- Brakes: SRAM Force eTAP AXS
- Variants: 2 models with SRAM Force or Rival groupset, each in one colour and 5 sizes.
Suspension gravel bikes: The Specialized Diverge STR Expert
- Price: 7000 Euro >> available here
- Weight: 9,86
Specialized calls the combination of shock in the top tube and suspension, which allows the stem to slide over 20 mm along the steerer tube, Future-Shock 2.0. Videos show that the parts compress smoothly without tilting. The shock can be completely locked out if required, both front and rear. The main aim of this design is to relieve the rider and not the frame. Of course, this technology comes at a price. In addition, the bike offers a highly ergonomic handlebar, optional 26-inch tyres and a practical storage compartment in the down tube as further comfort features.
- Drive: SRAM GX Eagle AXS 1x12
- Stack/Reach: 1,548
- Brakes: SRAM Rival eTAP AXS
- Variants: 4 configurations in 2 colours and 6 sizes, Shimano GRX or SRAM eTap components for 5500 to 14,000 euros.
Suspension gravel bikes: The Cinelli Nemo Gravel
- Price: 5200 Euro
- Weight: n.a.
Cinelli's steel frames are made in Italy from high-quality triple-butted Columbus tubes and are a good example of true craftsmanship. With special chainstays and the stiffest fork blades, the frame offers space for tyres up to 47 mm wide. The offset of the rear stays and the top tube also provides some comfort at the rear. The geometry is specially designed for long distances, although the frame is not extremely short, so that according to the data sheet you adopt a more upright riding position. The shock under the head tube with 20 mm travel is designed more for adventurous trails than for tough downhills.
- Drive: Shimano GRX 820 2x12
- Stack/Reach: 1,519
- Brakes: Shimano GRX RX-820
- Variants: 6 sizes from 48 to 61 cm, 69 colours, SRAM Rival, Shimano GRX, Campa Ekar or as a frameset, prices 5100 to 5700 euros
Suspension gravel bikes: The Giant Revolt X Advanced Pro
- Price: 5999 Euro
- Weight: 10.2 kg
The brand new Revolt with suspension fork looks very similar to its sister model in our test. It retains the comfortable D-Fuse rear end with its thin, more flexible stays and also offers the comfort of 40 mm travel of the Rockshox Rudy Ultimate fork. Although the frame of the Revolt is not identical, the STR value indicates a slightly more stretched geometry despite the long fork blades, resulting in a sportier riding position. Another highlight is that even the cheapest version comes with a suspended and lowerable seatpost as standard.
- Drive: SRAM GX Eagle 1x12
- Stack/Reach: 1,48
- Brakes: SRAM Rival eTap
- Variants: 5 models in 5 frame sizes each from 2999 to 7499 euros, SRAM Apex or eTap
Details of the suspension gravel bikes
Gravel MTB?
The Specialized has a shock in the top tube with a total of 30 mm travel. This shock acts on the inner seat tube and moves along the outer frame tube. Thanks to the low pivot point, the adjustable damper firmness and the horizontal alignment, the bike should neither bob when pedalling nor bounce over bumps.
90s damper
Cannondale already tried to use a damper between the fork crown and the head tube on their road bikes in the 90s, similar to the Cinelli Nemo. However, it seems more likely that they will be more successful on gravel bikes. On the Cinelli, a hydraulic shock is fitted to the specially developed and particularly stiff HiRide Sterra fork, which compresses up to 20 mm and requires no maintenance. A longer spring travel would probably cause too much movement in the system.
Classic suspension fork?
So far, classic suspension forks with hydraulic or pneumatic dampers have only been found on a few models. Cycling enthusiasts still take a critical view of such "obvious aids". In addition, frames with special geometry and particularly light forks with a suspension travel of only 20 to 40 mm are required, such as the Rockshox Rudy Ultimate air suspension fork on the YT Szepter.
Flexible and rigid?
The BMC Urs uses one of the lightest damping concepts. While the insertion of elastic materials into the frame was already known in the past, the complete decoupling of the rear triangle and seat tube (and only there) is an innovation. In contrast to rigid triangular shapes, the chainstays are not pivoted, but can flex much more freely thanks to the elastomer. In addition, guide rods in the shock prevent lateral guide loss.
"Lock out" functions
So-called "lock-out" functions are even more important for sporty bikes than for off-road bikes. The suspension can be locked out with a simple hand movement to prevent unnecessary movement on flat terrain. On the Specialized Diverge, for example, the hydraulic damper called "Future Shock 2.0" under the stem becomes a higher stem cap with a slight twist.
