When it comes to buying a full suspension bicycle, the most important element is the shock absorber. And just like with other components such as the gear group or brakes, not all shock absorbers serve the same purpose nor do they offer the same features. This is determined by the type of use you are going to give the bike. A full suspension bike for competing in XC or marathon routes and rides is not the same as one for enduro or riding technical trails.
👉 Related: Everything you need to know about the 4 basic mountain bike disciplines.
When we compare suspension on bikes of the same discipline, we usually look at some details of the shock absorber, such as the brand or the type of lockout it offers. But under equal conditions, that is, between two mountain bikes with the same gear group and even the same shock, is it better to choose the one with a vertical shock absorber or the one with a horizontal shock absorber?
Let’s take, for example, the Specialized Epic and the Scott Spark, two cross country and marathon bikes that have won world championships. While the Specialized has the shock absorber in a horizontal position, the Scott has it vertically. Which is better?
👉 Related: Search cross country and marathon bikes
The racing vs enduro myth
It is common to find opinions that point out that the vertical shock is the most suitable for enduro cycling or technical trails, while the horizontal suspension is ideal for cross country and long rides. However, this theory faces practical contradictions. For example, Nino Schurter has been XC world champion several times and Olympic champion with a Scott Spark that has the shock in a vertical position. We also find full suspension enduro bikes that have the shock in a horizontal position.
This is the case, for example, of the Orbea Rallon.
👀 See double suspension bikes for enduro
And then we have manufacturers who always opt to place the suspension in the same position for all their models, regardless of whether they are for XC, for trail, or for downhill. For example, the Specialized double suspension bikes always have the shock positioned horizontally. Including the Specialized Demo downhill bike. In fact, it is one of the few downhill models that have it this way.
👀 See downhill bikes
On the other hand, Trek has always opted for the vertical position in all its double suspension mountain bikes. With the Trek Top Fuel, the same thing happens as with the Scott Spark: it is a cross country model that has the shock perpendicular to the ground. In its 2020 range, Trek has incorporated for the first time a double suspension mountain bike with the shock integrated into the top tube: the Supercaliber. Other brands are changing the suspension geometry of their bikes from season to season.
Thus, for example, the Canyon Lux used to have a vertical shock and in the 2019 range it switched to a horizontal position. Therefore, the dilemma of which shock position is better is not resolved simply by the type of use for which the bike is intended. It is necessary to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each type.
Advantages of the vertical shock
The double suspension system with vertical shock has as its main advantage that it offers a lower center of gravity. In addition, since the rebound is performed perpendicular to the ground, it improves impact absorption and stability in changes of terrain elevation. This is an advantage in situations where great control of the bike is required, such as when descending a rocky trail at high speed By having a lower center of gravity, the bicycle is more maneuverable. However, this is true in theory, since in practice there are other factors that also affect the traction and control of the bike in these circumstances. On the other hand, the vertical shock absorber allows for more aggressive frame geometries. For those who consider aesthetics an important factor when buying a bike, this detail can be valuable. As for the disadvantages, two stand out in particular. To fit a vertical shock absorber to the frame, we need a larger linkage. And this also means more weight. In a horizontal shock absorber, the linkage is smaller. The second disadvantage of vertical shock absorbers is that they do not allow you to carry two bottle cages. Perhaps this is the reason why some bicycle manufacturers are starting to change the position of the shock absorber in their dual suspension models.
Advantages of the horizontal shock absorber
The main advantage of the horizontal shock absorber is that, being positioned parallel to the ground, the force is transmitted more directly. In vertical shock absorbers, the power of pedaling and the rebound of the suspension are transmitted in two directions: the vertical movement of the shock absorber and the horizontal direction of travel. This does not happen with horizontal shock absorbers, where the force is transmitted in a single direction. That is why it is often said that for fast routes, such as an XC race, dual suspension bikes with a horizontal shock absorber are more responsive and agile. This, although theoretically an advantage, can also be a disadvantage, because the bike can become more nervous and uncontrolled when riding at high speeds through technical and irregular sections. This is the reason why it is generally said that the horizontal shock absorber is better for cross country. In practice, there are many other factors that affect the agility and reactivity of the bike. Also, as we mentioned above, the best XC cyclist in the world has spent years accumulating international titles and gold medals riding a bike with a vertical shock absorber.
Is the position of the shock absorber important?
Practically speaking, the position of the shock absorber offers different sensations, which do not necessarily have to be better or worse depending on whether it is in a horizontal or vertical position. For one cyclist, vertical suspension may feel more agile, and for another, horizontal suspension may be more comfortable. In fact, many more factors influence this besides the position of the shock absorber, such as pedaling style, the cyclist's weight, the type of wheels, and even the position of the saddle. The best recommendation in this sense is to go by the sensations you have on the bike. And if the goal is to compare suspension performance, there are other factors more important than the position of the shock absorber.
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📺 If you still have questions, we recommend this video by Daniel Race about the differences between the vertical and horizontal shock absorber explained by an engineer: