A beam bicycle features its saddle placed on an elastic suspension beam instead of the conventional seatpost. The design absorbs road vibrations for a smoother, more comfortable ride. The riders consume less energy but must ease the pedaling motion so as not to make the beam oscillate.
The suspension beam—is typically spring-steel or carbon fiber—is engineered to yield under load, soaking up bumps and reducing muscle fatigue over long rides. Filtering out high frequency vibrations reduces metabolic cost, allowing riders to maintain power with less wasted energy. Unwanted vertical motion (“bobbing”) will happen, though, when the rider’s pedaling is not even; focus on round pedal stroke and consistent cadence resists the issue. Beam bikes are gaining acceptance in durability and gravel competitions where efficiency and comfort are paramount. Only slightly heavier than rigid frames, with ability to save riders’ power while reducing joint stress, they’re an attractive choice for riders who do long-distance racing. 20–100 meters—to the water, so leg power, explosive speed, and quick transition technique are the order of the day.
