Suspension on Hybrids Is Kinda Useless

I was 29 when I bought my first hybrid bike. The salesman smiled, pointed at the front suspension, and told me it would “smooth out the bumps.” I nodded like I understood. I didn’t. A week later, I realized I had bought into a lie.

Suspension on a hybrid bike is like a fancy umbrella in a hurricane—sure, it does something, but mostly, it’s just there to make you feel better.

Here’s why.

1. The “Squish” Is a Scam

Hybrid bike suspensions usually have around 63mm of travel. That’s about as much give as a cheap hotel mattress.

Enough to make you think it’s working, but not enough to actually help. You roll over a bump, you feel it.

You roll over another bump, you feel that one too.

The fork compresses, but just enough to remind you how much better a real suspension would be.

2. The Weight Tax

Suspension forks on hybrids are the equivalent of carrying around a dumbbell for no reason.

They’re heavy, and unless you’re launching your bike off a rock garden like you’re in the X Games, they just slow you down. You want efficiency? Ditch the extra pounds and let your legs do the work.

3. Tires Do It Better

A wise old bike mechanic once told me, “Bigger tires are better than suspension for absorbing impact.” I didn’t believe him. Then I swapped my 28mm tires for 40mm ones, dropped the PSI, and suddenly, my wrists weren’t begging for mercy. Turns out, air is the best suspension there is.

4. The Cheap Fork Curse

Good suspension forks are expensive. The ones on hybrid bikes? Cheap.

They’re mass-produced, barely adjustable, and usually tuned so poorly they either do nothing or steal your pedaling energy like a little gremlin living inside your bike.

Ever tried riding up a hill with one? Feels like you’re pedaling through pudding.

5. Maintenance Headaches

That cheap fork? It’s not just useless—it’s also needy. A rigid fork? You never think about it.

A suspension fork? Needs servicing. Grease. Maybe even a replacement. And for what? So it can “kind of” work?

6. The Marketing Trap

Bike companies know that people think “suspension = comfort.” So they slap it on, crank up the price, and let the illusion do the rest. Suspension forks on hybrids aren’t about performance. They’re about getting you to spend more money.

7. The Gravel Bike Mic Drop

Gravel bikes and cyclocross bikes handle bumpy paths with ease—without suspension.

Why? Because they use wider tires, better geometry, and steel or carbon forks that actually flex to absorb shocks.

You don’t need suspension. You need a bike that was designed for the job in the first place.

Table Summary

Issue	Why It Sucks
Low Travel (63mm)	Doesn’t absorb enough shock to matter.
Extra Weight	Slows you down for no real benefit.
Bigger Tires Work Better	Lower PSI = smoother ride.
Cheap Forks = Bad Performance	Either too stiff or too bouncy, no in-between.
More Maintenance	Needs care, while rigid forks don’t.
Marketing Gimmick	Companies use it to sell bikes, not to improve them.
Gravel Bikes Do It Better	They handle rough paths without suspension.

I see you there, standing in the bike shop, staring at that hybrid with front suspension. You’re thinking, Maybe it’ll help. Maybe those potholes will feel like marshmallows. Maybe that extra hundred bucks will buy you a smoother ride.

Nope.

That fork is a lie. A little metal placebo. If you want comfort, get bigger tires. If you want speed, get a lighter bike.

But if you want something that makes you think you made a good decision while actively making your rides worse—then by all means, buy that hybrid with suspension.

It’ll look great collecting dust in your garage.