Quote Originally Posted by bcandy View Post
Interesting. Could you estimate how much it cut down on your power? Wouldn't this depend on how the suspension was adjusted? I would love the input of others on this issue. Since reading your thoughts, I've googled the issue and found that some riders don't bother with lockout even when their bike is equipped with it. Is it worth the additional cost?
I wouldn't say it makes the bike a complete no-no, just a little less versatile. On the bike I bought I can adjust the hardness of the suspension and lock it out. Locking out does make a huge difference to speed and ability to climb hills effectively. It depends whether it is something that bothers you. I spent a little more to allow the bike to last me longer.

I don't lock the suspension out for every hill, just the ones where it's appropriate and I'm not carrying speed into it, because 90% of the time the roads where I live make suspension a necessity. But I do find it frustrating trying to climb a hill and I feel like all my input is compressing the suspension rather than propelling me up the hill.

It's interesting that one of the bike shops told me to go for a hybrid with no front suspension! Glad I didn't take that advice now