Unbending, or Not.

[pjclinch]

Next step…, might I suggest N+1, in the form of a lighter weight jobbie, with nice plush 650b wheels and 42mm fast rolling tyres, you won’t need the front suspension then. A ‘cushy ride’.

Suspension on the road is always an optional extra and never a need. But that's not the same as not worth having, especially where it's designed for the road. Good suspension should improve efficiency, "cushiness" is arguably something of a side effect!

Pete.

[UpWrong]

Looks like you have successfully unbent. It seems to solve the issues you had with recumbents. Since you probably look very unlike a MAMIL on it, do you get less close passes than you might have on a conventional road bike? It must take some getting used to after the space other traffic gives you on a recumbent.

I've been riding routes away from traffic. No horror stories so far. I don't notice much difference between 2-wheel bents and uprights. It's trikes that really get the room.