Gravel Goes High-Tech: Suspension Forks and Damping Tools Hit the Start Line

Gravel racing keeps getting faster, rougher and longer — and the tech is evolving to match. The latest wave of releases shows the discipline borrowing heavily from mountain biking, with two products in particular grabbing headlines: DT Swiss's F132ONE suspension fork, recently put through its paces at Desert Gravel, and Rimpact's new bolt-on TMD Gravel tuned mass damper. Both promise the same thing — a smoother, less fatiguing ride over chattery terrain — but they go about it in very different ways.

Suspension forks come to gravel

The idea of a suspension fork on a drop-bar bike still raises eyebrows, but the numbers are increasingly hard to argue with. The DT Swiss F132ONE offers a modest amount of travel tuned specifically for gravel speeds, and early impressions suggest it doesn't slow racers down on the rough stuff — if anything, it lets them stay on the gas longer because their hands and arms aren't getting hammered into submission. On a multi-hour event, that reduced fatigue can be the difference between finishing strong and limping home.

The trade-off, as always, is weight, complexity and cost. For most riders tackling canal towpaths and forest fire roads, a well-chosen tyre at the right pressure still does the bulk of the comfort work. But for anyone racing chunky, technical gravel, dedicated suspension is no longer a gimmick.

The simpler route: tuned mass dampers

Not ready to add a suspension fork? Rimpact's TMD Gravel takes a far simpler approach. A tuned mass damper is a small, bolt-on weight-and-spring unit that absorbs high-frequency vibration — the relentless buzz that numbs your hands over washboard gravel. There are no seals to service and no major weight penalty, and it works alongside whatever frame and fork you already run. It's a neat example of how gravel tech is splitting into two camps: full suspension for the racers, and clever passive fixes for everyone else.

Start with the right bike

Before you go bolting accessories onto your rig, the biggest comfort gains come from a frame designed for the job. Our Tempo GX Gravel Bike is built around relaxed, all-day geometry and generous tyre clearance — exactly the platform that makes the most of supple tyres now, and leaves the door open to damping upgrades later. It's a current bestseller and on clearance, so it's a smart time to buy.

Pair it with kit that keeps you comfortable for the long haul. The breathable Velocity Cycling Jersey wicks well on hot, dusty days, and a reliable ProTrack Floor Pump with an accurate gauge is essential — because dialling in your tyre pressure to the nearest few psi remains the cheapest, most effective suspension you'll ever own.

Gear up for the gravel season

Tempo

Tempo GX Gravel Bike

From £1,899.00

From £47.48/mo

Tempo

Velocity Cycling Jersey

From £59.00

Crankhouse

ProTrack Floor Pump

From £39.00

Whether you splash out on a suspension fork, bolt on a tuned mass damper, or simply nail your tyre setup, the goal is the same: stay fresher, ride faster and enjoy more of the route. Gravel tech is maturing fast — and the best news is that there's now an option at every budget.