hardtail vs full-suspension

[yetimax]

Looking to buy a new bike in the coming weeks and am not sure if I should go for a hardtail or a full-suspension. I am a intermediate rider but getting better every ride and money is an object. I ride all types of terrian. With that in mind, would be interested in your thoughts on the subject. Thanks.

[johnnyt]

Pool as many pennies you can together and get the best, biggest travel, full suspension you can. Otherwise you will end up like me. I bought a superlight last year and had to upgrade to a bullit this year for fear of breaking the superlight. That is not the most cost effective way to go. Get at least 5 inches of rear travel...

JT

[lee]

i think it depends on what you're looking for and how you ride...if you're looking to huck and freeride...then you want a big hit full suspension bike...i think full susp is definately the way to go...and you can get good bike at good prices out there...that being said, i ride my hardtail as much as my full susp...I just like it...and you can get a great hardtail for under $1000....i "upgraded" to suspension and got a Giant NRS...good mix between a hardtail and a fully active full suspension bike...someday i'll probably get a more suspension friendly bike...but i love the NRS and my hardtail...both ride very differently though...

i'd go with a good full suspension for riding though...it'll probably be more fun in the long haul...let us know what type of riding you're doing and we can give specific bike advice...lots of good bikes out there now...

[guitarsark]

What's your budget??

[Big Game]

Hardtails can beat the snot out of you. The drawback to FS used to be that they were crappy climbers. Now, assuming you're interested in paying for this wonderful technology, an FS can climb just as good, or in my opinion even better than hardtails (yes, I stand by that statement you hardtail snobs). There is a weight penalty, but unless you're an expert or pro x-c racer at the peak of your fitness on a smooth hilly course, you would never notice the weight difference.

A drawback of a FS bike is that you may ride above you're level. This is a new phenomenon I've noticed. Guys with 8 inches of travel front and rear think they are invincible and drop things way above their level, because usually the bike will do the work; they never work at improving technique. Which is one of the subtle pleasures of a hardtail. You must choose your line carefully and creatively.

And whether FS or a hardtail, get the best fork you can. Which is probably an oil bath Marzocchi.

Your pal,

Big Game

[bike187]

for a reliable suspension system on a budget, i'd go with a jamis dakar. reliable, reasonably priced, bunch of awards from magazines if you consider that a factor. jamisbikes.com trouble is finding a local dealer. a travel would be worth it. i have a hardtail komodo and love it. wery versatile. the dakars were designed as a trail bike. another good deal for a more oney would be the santa cruz heckler. build skills on a hardtail then upgrade to full-suspension. if you start out on suspension, you can get lazy at times on a fs bike. just plow through everyhting, which is pretty fun, just bombing through rock gardens, but when you come to something you can't just plow, make sure you have the skills to get through it. you get those skills on a hardtail. i'm currently riding a hardtail cause i broke my xc fs. i just kinda feel more grounded on a ht, you can really feel the trail, which can be good or bad, especially cause new england has alot of rocky terrain.


the other YETI

[Dawgee]

My first bike was a hardtail i built (Azonic DS1) I love that bike. Then i built a Santa Cruz Bullit what a difference. My hardtail hasnt been out on the trail once . It climbs great and i feel much more comfortable on the Bullit .

For the trail, it's F.S. for me. It's more comfortble overall, not as technical, meaning I don't have to be "on" as much as on a hardtail giving me more time to enjoy the ride and the suroundings...But thats just the way I ride. Really not a fan of getting kicked in the ass for 2 to 4 hours at a time...Bob

[nhiker]

I have been riding for about 5 years. And over all that time I have ridden a hardtail. Now I am not what you would call a competition level ridder, but as I got older I am more warn out at the end of some of these longgggg rides sore back and a$$......you get the Pic. So I picked up my first full suspension an "Idrive" on the cheap (2 daughters in college!) and I will not be going back. I will in all liklyhood be upgrading but that thing climbs like a goat or at least as well as the goat riding it. As far as the weight issue goes...come on guys most of the guys I ride with are in my age group 45-50 and 10-30 pounds over there optimum weight. So who are we kidding worrying about the 2 - 5 pds extra we pay for a FS???? Now mind you most of these old fat guys I ride with are riding fulls and at a much faster pace than me....so I am thinking of welding some pig iron to my frame so as to increase my work out potential. ;D


Anyway as far as how to go with an eye on the $$$$'s I like Yett187's suggestion with the dakar great bike and the "sport" has been highly rated as a starter bike for under $1,000 or take a look at the weyless singlepivot line in supergo.com awsome Santa Cruze like product. ( I am told it is actually produced by SC for Weyless) for cheap$$. Though this is unconfirmed it does look like an SC. Good luck man one good hard ride on a good full and you and your a$$ will be in love.

[C.P.]

FS no doubt. I have yet to find ANYBODY that went from Hard-tail to FS and had regrets...
Buy from a good reputable bikeshop.
Look at Giant, Specialized, Trek & Jamis to start out.
All have great FS lineups to look over, and most likely have a FS model that falls in your price-range.
Educate yourself about the basic differences between the models your looking at. IE Air vs Coil suspension etc...
If your unsure about what sizeto be on , get a fitting.
Lastly - TEST RIDE everything.
Stay away from Mailorder stuff, it can be difficult to get warranty or good service, plus no opportunity to "test ride"...IMO

[knucklebuste]

WORD

[nhiker]

Stay away from Mailorder stuff, it can be difficult to get warranty or good service, plus no opportunity to "test ride"...IMO


Everyone has an opinion and it is good to debate this back and fourth....sooo I agree with most of what CP had to say above with the exception of the knock on mail order. Mail order or online purchases are perfectly safe as long as you make sure to deal with a reputable firm. Besure to understand there return and warranty policly before hand. The bicycle waranty, if it is a frame issue can be delt with through a local dealer and does not have to be done through the shop it was purchased at. Other wise yes stick with the established reputable places.

I also beleive in dealing with the LBS's here in southern NH I love Naults and the new Jamis dealer in Milford, Souhegan Cycle Works. Try the bike you are interested in before buying......but if $$$ is an issue as in my case when it comes time to buy.....Keep your options open.

I have purchased 4 bikes from local shops and 2 from an online merchant. Knock on wood so far so good.

[Jisch]

I just recently moved from HT to FS. As some one above mentioned, I'm very happy. I was on a ride at Shenipsit (very rocky) last week and one of the folks that rode with us had a fully rigid bike. First of all, he comes to the ride, and says that he hasn't ridden in 2 years. I figured this guy is in trouble. Well turns out he's right on my rear tire the whole time. Unbelievable. Here I am thinking how much faster I am on the FS, and this guy is right on m.

We swapped for a short period of time, I did notice the rigid bike accelerated like crazy, and it was very quiet (as in no noise) as I rode. It was pretty harsh compared to the FS though!

Anyway, I still like my FS better. Its just more comfortable for long and bumpy rides. When I first got my FS my average speed did increase (I keep track with my computer).

John

[guitarsark]

get a full suspension. you wont regret it. If you get a hard tail you will probably eventually want a full suspension. There's good deals out there..check out leftovers from last year. read reviews at mtbr.com and buy at a lbs so you can try it out first.

[yetimax]

You guys really got me thinking about alot of things...got more quesitons than answers now. But the santa cruz bullit and heckler really sound topnotch. Just got to go sit on a few. Let see if I can make it through this summer without more stiches. thanks to everyone who responded

[johnnyt]

I have a bullit and it rocks! Set it up more for xc/fr type riding and it weighs in under 35 lbs.

[nhiker]

Sweet ride....gotta love that anodized finnish!

[agkidrive2]

I have both a DS and a HT. DS for riding everthing, HT for kicking my own ass on the race course. If your only gonna have 1 bike. Get a DS, w/ 4-5 inches of travel, disk brakes (be wary of cheap mechs) and DONT get tubless, they r a pain in the ass. Be sure to post some pics when u get it.

[OldSloDoggie]

Last fall i was in a similiar quandry.....Upgrade my old hardtail $$. .or take the FS $$$$$ plunge. I went for the FS. Best Decision I ever made. Still trying to adapt we lack of riding style to the FS, but the old body sure appciates it at the end of a ride