Full suspension bikes used to suffer from poor pedalling performance, but those days are well and truly over. Manufacturers are now offering front and rear lockout at the flick of a switch, turning your full sus rig into a mean pedalling machine.
That rock garden that had you terrified on a hardtail now becomes a fun feature to barrel over. Struggling on that off-camber root section? Full suspension will give you the confidence and handling a hardtail never could. Cross country riding is only getting more technical and this is where full suspension bikes really shine. Just remember to take an honest look at the type of riding you like and will be doing before making that all-important purchase. Discover more in mountain biking:.
You can ride just as actively on an FS but you also have the choice to take it a bit easier. But the power transmission part is very true, and the thought of a light XC hardtail has crossed my mind more than once Thanks for the comment! I actually find that even a short travel in the rear makes a big difference in riding style.
OceanPhil Sep 14, at Missed this article back in January--its a brilliant piece of work! Thank you very much, sir!
That was nice to hear. I almost always take my HT out these days. It's just so much more engaging to me. Sure I can't send it as fast down technical sections like some of the enduro guys, but I actually really like carving down rather than sending it down.
I know, late to the game here. Great write up! If buying new, buy it from a place that specializes in bicycles. This price has some full suspension bikes trickling in. Some exceptions exist, such as from Giant and Jamis — but they are few and far between.
However, the increase of internet-based direct-buy outlets has meant there are some bargains to be had if the face-to-face service and support is not important to you. Brands such as Polygon , Vitus, Calibre and Fezzari can be considered here. Just beware that there are some component compromises, especially in the suspension quality, to an equivalent priced hardtail. At this price you start to see the full suspension bikes receive a level of componentry that will perform and last without issue.
The big brand options start to feature name-brand suspension, including suspension lockouts front and rear. Here, the bikes are much heavier than the equivalent priced hardtail, but that weight comes with confidence on the trail. Your decision will depend on if you want to race or not. If cross country racing, a carbon hardtail at this price is going to be more efficient, more reliable and far lighter — for all other forms of riding, the full suspension would be our pick.
Home Features Hardtail vs full suspension mountain bike: which is best on a budget? Hardtail vs entry-level full suspension mountain bikes.
In this case, both bikes feature clutch-equipped rear derailleurs for improved chain security. The Merida One-Twenty 7. Having that rear shock is nice, but it sure comes at a cost!
Look out for a full review of the Merida One-Twenty 7. The merida one-twenty 7. Both forks share similar features in the way of an air spring, adjustable rebound control and remote lock-outs, however, they are far from equal on the trail with the RockShox offering a more secure and confident hold to the trail.
Years of constant riding and practice matter more than what he started on. People with a depth of experience and skills can go fast on any bike. Our warehouse manager, Steve, can drop me on a hardtail, or full-suspension enduro bike, or even a gravel bike. He has years of riding experience, a mastery of riding skills, and can figure out how to make any bike work.
The main point here is that, no matter the bike, practice matters. Riding scared is rarely conducive to effective practice. If your trails are technical or gnarly, trying to learn and refine skills on a sketchy and punishing hardtail might actually hold you back by presenting unnecessary challenges. A good full-suspension bike, on the other hand, can make you feel more confident, comfortable, and motivated. These are all things that create a productive practice environment. Here is my advice: Get the absolute best bike you can for your terrain and budget.
Hardtails are still awesome, especially for less rugged terrain or XC racing. You can progress faster, have more fun, and suffer less.
Whatever bike you get, learn to ride it really, really well. You can do everything on a hardtail. But it could take years to master everything.
Life is short and mountain biking should be fun, so why handicap yourself? I have experimented with and loved many hardtails. As my experience and skills grow, their limitations become more apparent.
But they're still fun! In fact, I just bought a Cannondale F-Si, my least downhill-focused bike ever. I'm not saying you should never ride a hardtail. They're fun. Did you start on on a hardtail or a full-suspension?
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