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Im not a messenger or anything but we have 3 cargo bikes in active rotation and we ride them up and down curbs pretty much every day. All are rigid setups and all have the same solution of stuffing the biggest tires that will fit in the front. I really have not had problems with 2.1-2,4 tires solving these problems but dont carry super large loads probably max around 70-100kg (so max loads of around 200kg all in.) Maybe it makes sense above that.
young_gun-
I used to ride Bullitts with no suspension, used to break spokes regularly. I've never broken a spoke on a much heavier Urban Arrow with suspension. Obviously there's loads of other factors but the suspension probably helps! Having said that, as mentioned previously, the stock forks are fucking shit.
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Well my experience as a cargo courier on (only on UA XL mind you) is that the suspension did a lot of work and made your life easier. These bikes are long and we regularly carried up to 150-200kg just with cargo, plus rider and usually 3x batteries - the bike itself is 60kg thereabouts maybe a bit heavier.
With the suspension (Depending on the curb height as they vary massively) Chances are you can pop up that curb and not have everything you’re carrying go flying everywhere or topple over. The only thing you do have to judge is if you will ground the middle of the bike.
On the omnium, personally I don’t like smashing it into curbs with a person on the front, doesn’t feel good. So if there is no dropped curb or it’s blocked I will get them to dismount or take the long way.
ltc
MCamb
One thing I would say front suspension helps a lot with is overcoming curbs. Going up them loaded, specifically. Which doesn’t happen a lot especially with passengers but for cargo stuff it’s helpful to be able to.
Also road surfaces in England are actually quite terrible.
I’m happy with my fully rigid cargo. But I see the benefits of it :-)