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The biggest issue with installing a suspension fork on a bike that came from the factory without suspension is the axle-to-crown measurement. The phrase quite literally means the distance from the axle to the crown of the fork. A rigid gravel fork tends to be under 400mm while many of the gravel suspension forks are in the range of 430mm. That extra 30mm raises the front end of the bike, raises the bottom bracket height, and makes for a slacker head tube angle. How your particular bike responds to those changes is an open question but the fact that it happens is why Cannondale and Lauf are trying to get as close to the measurements of a rigid fork as possible.
There's also the question of physical interactions with the downtube. Mountain bikes tend to make room for the top of the fork stanchions using a kink in the downtube. Gravel bikes don't because most don't expect to need to. A new gravel suspension fork might hit your downtube when executing a tight turn. As we've entered the second generation of the best gravel suspension forks, there is consideration for this in the design. Still, every combination of fork and bike is going to be different.
This might be the biggest question to ask yourself and to answer it, you'll want to think about the type of riding you do. We've discussed it many times before but gravel cycling covers a huge range of riding both in terms of style and also routes. If you plan to be at the front of the elite pack in gravel races then the weight and loss of stiffness from a gravel fork will be a detriment. Similarly, if your riding is more all-road, with long portions of the ride covering paved roads, then a suspension fork might not make sense. On the other hand, if you drive to a ride, or have unpaved riding out your front door, then you might be faster with a suspension fork.
Despite the fact that elite gravel racers are faster with a rigid bike, most people get faster when they are more comfortable and stable. A gravel suspension fork keeps the tyre in contact with the road surface and that in turn helps the bike feel more stable. One of the best gravel suspension forks will also mean that you have help from the bike in soaking up bumps. You'll experience less fatigue over the course of long rides and that will keep you moving longer, and faster.
If you've ever been on a full suspension mountain bike the suspension is so amazing that there are times when even substantial bumps are almost undetectable. That's not the experience with a gravel specific suspension fork. The travel is much less and the focus is different. Instead of eliminating bumps they dull them. You'll still feel rocks and washboards but they won't rattle your body in the same way and the tyre won't skip on and off the road surface. Depending on your background, it can feel a little bit surprising the first time you experience it.
As discussed above, gravel suspension forks can change the way a bike rides in unpredictable ways if the frame isn't designed for it. We spent time with the only full suspension gravel bike on the market, the Niner MCR. The bike came to market with the original Fox gravel suspension fork and had a collection of design details with gravel suspension in mind. We used this bike as our test bed so we could focus on the differences between the forks.
The best gravel suspension isn't there to turn your gravel bike into a mountain bike. There are some outward similarities but the two types of riding are very different and as such there are products meant to handle those needs. Instead of taking big hits and drops, gravel suspension forks are one solution to keep you riding longer and faster.
Look at the range of the best gravel bikes available and you'll see there's lots of strategies for addressing ride quality. The most obvious is just bigger tyres at lower pressures. It's for this reason that there's been a steady trend toward more tyre clearance and higher volume over the years. Along with higher volume tyres, there's tons of clever solutions that intentionally introduce flex into the frame or seatpost. Then, taking it up another level in complexity, there are a few companies who have options for suspension at the handlebars. Specialized has the Future Shock and Redshift has the Shockstop suspension stem.
Josh hails from the Pacific Northwest of the United States but would prefer riding through the desert than the rain. He will happily talk for hours about the minutiae of cycling tech but also has an understanding that most people just want things to work. He is a road cyclist at heart and doesn't care much if those roads are paved, dirt, or digital. Although he rarely races, if you ask him to ride from sunrise to sunset the answer will be yes.\nHeight: 5'9\"\nWeight: 140 lb.\nRides: Salsa Warbird, Cannondale CAAD9, Enve Melee, Look 795 Blade RS, Priority Continuum Onyx"}), " -0-10/js/authorBio.js"); } else console.error('%c FTE ','background: #9306F9; color: #ffffff','no lazy slice hydration function available'); Josh RossSocial Links NavigationJosh hails from the Pacific Northwest of the United States but would prefer riding through the desert than the rain. He will happily talk for hours about the minutiae of cycling tech but also has an understanding that most people just want things to work. He is a road cyclist at heart and doesn't care much if those roads are paved, dirt, or digital. Although he rarely races, if you ask him to ride from sunrise to sunset the answer will be yes.Height: 5'9"Weight: 140 lb.Rides: Salsa Warbird, Cannondale CAAD9, Enve Melee, Look 795 Blade RS, Priority Continuum Onyx
It's no mystery that the bike industry and gravel riders specifically are skeptical of taking their gravel rides too much closer to the vintage hardtail mountain bike days. I was one of them. Being completely honest, this thing rips. I wasn't sure how long I'd keep it on. Was just scratching a curiosity itch. I can safely say this thing is staying on the bike for a while.
Have riden with this fork installed for many different rides. first ride used recommended air pressure , kept blowing through travel. next ride aired up ten psi, what a differance. loved it! this fork loves single track. For the price, cant beat it!
Enhance your gravel biking experience with State Bicycle Co.'s All-Road Suspension Gravel Fork (40mm). This sleek, lightweight fork at 1600g (uncut) offers 40mm of travel for added comfort on rough terrain without compromising speed. With easy installation, "slack" geometry for stability, and an unbeatable price starting at $450, it's the ultimate choice for versatile and affordable gravel adventures. The 40mm travel strikes the perfect balance between comfort and speed. Enjoy enhanced cushioning on uneven surfaces without sacrificing your need for speed.