Call it an adventure bike or an all-around bike if you like, but gravel bikes are designed to do it all! These all-terrain bikes can cover a variety of surfaces. So if you can take this drop bar bike anywhere, you might be wondering why a gravel bike doesn't have suspension to compensate for rough terrain. I want to know the same thing!

Most gravel bikes don't have suspension because it adds weight to the bike, reduces your road performance, is harder to accelerate in a race, and requires extra maintenance. There are some gravel bikes that do have suspension, but most don't.

In this article, we’ll discuss why gravel bikes often don’t have suspension. We will also discuss some gravel bikes that do have suspension. But first, let's take a quick look at what Gravel Bike really is.

What is a gravel bike?

Gravel bikes are best known as all-terrain bikes because they can do everything (or almost do it). While you probably won't ride a gravel bike through the most technical rock gardens, most of them can handle everything from road to hard soil to gravel, and even some singletrack.

Typical hallmarks of a gravel bike include a drop bar, a frame with a longer, more stable geometry, a comfortable riding position, and some wider tires. Wide tires give you more grip on loose surfaces and add a little cushion to the ride.

Gravel routes often contain mixed terrain. So you'll find a lot of gravel roads, but you might also need some asphalt, some dirt, or even grass to get where you want to go.

What is bike suspension?

The suspension of a bicycle is like the shock absorber on a car. The suspension removes the bumps from the ride for a more comfortable ride. It also prevents the wheels from bouncing up and down the terrain so you can maintain more grip on those really rough surfaces. So the suspension can add a little extra safety on very technical terrain.

The suspension can be in the front fork or in the rear, depending on the type of riding you will be doing. You usually see suspension on mountain bikes, but rarely on gravel bikes. Many mountain bikes also don't have shocks. These are often called hardtails.

Mountain bike routes generally don't involve as much road riding as gravel routes. In fact, a mountain bike route is often more of a closed route where you ride to the top of the mountain so you can ride along specific mountain bike trails with different types of obstacles like rock gardens.

Why don't gravel bikes have suspension?

You might expect gravel bikes to have suspension, but they often don't. There are several reasons.

Suspension adds weight to the bike

The suspension is heavy and adds extra weight to the bike. Mountain bikes usually have a granny gear, or a very, very simple gear to help move the excess weight up the mountain. They also don't need to go uphill fast, since mountain bikes are designed to go downhill faster.

However, gravel bikes usually don’t have as simple equipment as mountain bikes. And since gravel routes tend to be hilly, you'll be climbing more often, so the lighter the bike, the better. On the other hand, the heaviness of a suspension system without simple gears can make climbing more difficult.

Suspension slows road performance

Mountain bikes are designed for one thing: mountain bikes. They are good at jumping over rocks and rushing down steep dirt roads. But gravel bikes often hit as much asphalt as gravel because the routes are longer and often contain mixed terrain.

A bike with a shock, like a typical mountain bike, has a lot of "bumps" during the ride, and that's how the shock absorbs those big bumps. But this movement inside the bike also absorbs your extra energy. This extra movement in the cycle means you're wasting a lot of energy just moving the bike forward. This will lead to more fatigue and slower speeds, making it harder for you to keep up with your fellow riders.

Suspension requires additional maintenance

Another reason you might not want suspension on a gravel bike is that the suspension requires more money and more maintenance. You will need to service this suspension with oil changes, rubber seals, etc. More maintenance also means more time away from the bike for repairs.

Acceleration is slower, especially when racing

The heavier weight and extra movement of a bike with suspension makes it harder to accelerate. Instead, the stiffness of a gravel bike allows you to get up to speed faster and easier.

While most gravel bikes don't have suspension, there are some exceptions you may want to consider.

Final thoughts

Most gravel bikes don't have a shock because they don't need it at all. The benefits of extra suspension don't make up for the extra weight and energy loss that comes with the type of riding most people do on a gravel bike. However, you always need to consider your favorite terrain and riding type and choose a gravel setting for that.