Spectral vs. Hardtail on XC trails

This may be true…but I’m inclined to disagree. I think what happens is that the suspension compresses as ypu start your downstroke, then rebounds before you get to the end of that stroke, so your foot is not actually traveling a longer distance.

I think the effect would be similar to how an oval chainring operates…the force changes for a portion of the pedal stroke, but the path is the same.