How much difference does "better" suspension actually make?

[Mikerb]

Most impact comes from choice of tyres.........to suit your riding style and the terrain you ride. Then learn the optimum pressures for that tyre and your trails.

Next ( contrary to what most would choose) is rear shock..........simply because that is what enables you to maximise grip, get optimum squat and release on a jump ramp, and because there is not a great deal you can do to influence the reaction of the back wheel on a trail....it is a passenger, so you need a shock that takes care of business.

Next the fork. Major differences between lower spec and higher spec forks are stability and the a bility to achieve a plush response at the top/middle of the stroke and good bottom out protection in the 3rd section of the stroke. The most difference will however only be felt if you are riding rougher gravity trails.

Next is brakes....again only if your type of riding pushes the ones fitted beyond their limits.

It is fair enough to upgrade a bike if you find you have increased speed and ability during ownership of the bike, but if you need to change some or all of the a bove straight away, you bought the wrong bike! It is invariably far cheaper to buy a bike with the spec you need than to upgrade.

 

[mike156]

I would strongly disagree with that last statement. You can easily upgrade a bike and sell off the stock parts for far cheaper then buying the top spec bike. I have consistently been able to build $10k-$12k spec bikes for about $6k. $5k if you do it in July/August starting with a "last year" bike that the only difference is often the color.

It is best though if you take the parts off unridden.