Suspension travel

Suspension travel is the total distance the front fork and the rear wheel can move between fully extended and fully compressed. At the front it is the fork stroke; at the rear it is usually given as wheel travel, which differs from the shock's own stroke because of the linkage.

Road and sports bikes typically have modest travel for precise handling and a lower seat. Adventure bikes have more, and motocross and enduro bikes have the most, so they can absorb jumps, roots and rocks.

What matters in practice is how the travel is used. Set the sag for your weight, and adjust damping so the suspension uses most of its travel on the roughest sections without bottoming out hard.