A Crash Course in Mountain Bike Suspension (2026)
This article explores the evolution of mountain bike suspension technology from the 1990s to the present day. It explains how advancements in shock absorption allow riders to tackle increasingly technical terrain.
Why it matters
Provides context on how engineering improvements have fundamentally changed the sport of mountain biking.
Loader Save Story Save this story Comment Loader Save Story Save this story The trouble with being an aging mountain biker is that while my skills may marginally improve, the rocks don’t get any softer with every passing year. I’ve come to accept, for example, that I’m never going to clean the Teacup Trail in Sedona when riding from the west side of town over to the fun, mellow trails like Adobe Jack around Soldier Pass. But I stupidly keep trying, broken bones be damned, because what is also true: With every passing year, bike suspension keeps getting better.
The content is a technical and historical overview of a hobbyist product category.
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