Trail riding hardtail or full suspension?

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    • #187114

      Do you prefer hardtail or full suspension when riding on trails? why?

    • #187116

      fully: more forgiving and more traction and therefore faster (for me) on rowdy terrain

    • #187134

      BehindBars, are you deciding for purchase or just taking a poll?

    • #187180

      Well, in all honesty my full suspension experience is very limited so I would have to go with the hardtail as my favorite because they have just been more available to me. That being said I am honestly pretty green in the area of suspension forks as well ha ha ha, I grew up riding hand me down rigid rockhoppers and Diamondback sorrento type bikes.

    • #187181

      <b>well, after a few taco’d rims, 3 blown forks, broken spokes, and rear flats, Id say full suspension. Had a hardtail. Cost me more to fix than the bike was worth. Have a full now, and have had no problems.</b>

    • #187182

      full for me. I don’t care about fast. I care about fun, and for me full suspension is just more forgiving and fun.

    • #187185

      It largely depends on:

      1.  The trail

      2.  My mood at the time

      Some trails lend themselves to hardtails and some to fullys.  Since I generally like technical riding, my fully gets more use, but there are times I like the simplicity and challenge of the hardtail, even on a gnarly trail.

      Fortunately, I have both, so I can choose on a whim.

    • #187244

      Prefer full suspension but I use my hardtail a lot too.  My full suspension bike is more versatile I feel and I usually have more fun on it but my hardtail on smooth and familiar terrain is usually faster.  But for “trail riding” full suspension is the ticket.

    • #187271

      I personally like hardtails better. Although lockout on shocks and forks has virtually eliminated this factor, I still think hardtails climb better. Also, they are cheaper, help you become an excellent line picker, and I’ve also found some to be slightly better pumpers. My “trail bike” is a Giant XTC 29er 2 (a 100mm XC bike). 🙂

    • #187273

      IM TAKING A POLL (NOT BUYING)

    • #187274

      To me, a really good, reliable hardtail, like my Specialized Rock Hopper is way better, dollar for dollar than a low-end, full suspension MTB. Mongoose full suspension bikes are just plain junk. My next bike will be a Specialized Camber in the $2500 to $3000 range.

    • #187317

      FS all the way.  simply lock out your shock if you want something more rigid

    • #187698

      fs seems slower than ht

    • #188152

      I bought a hardtail two years ago.  After a bit of research I settled on a Trek Stache 8.   A full suspension model with comparable components would have cost me double and I was unsure of how much I would ride at the time.  I have ridden the heck out of it (14 states, 4,000+ miles) and still enjoy my rides.   That said, when I upgrade it will be to a full suspension model.  The local dealer let me demo a FUEL EX 9.9 for a couple of weeks and I rode faster, longer and over features that I never had before.   The folks at my LBS only sell Treks and they have treated me super (they have a “take care of Hap first” sign in the maintenance area) and I like the 23″ frames available on some models, but Santa Cruz, Pivot and Transition are other brands I’m considering.

       

    • #188638

      Odd man out so far….

      have only ever ridden full rigid. I don’t like all the squish of suspension. I feel it separates me from the bike and the trail…I have to work harder to do manuals; hops, climbing etc.  Granted, I am not – nor do I ever intend to – ride crazy DH or other real extreme stuff. I grew up on a BMX so that is how I ride. Legs, arms, and brain are my suspension. Mostly ride singletrack and am training to get into bike-packing in the future.

      • #188655

        sXeXBMXer that would hurt after a while especially if i was riding for a double of hours! ever think of upgrading?

    • #188875

      Arent full suspension bikes mainly for downhill bikers anyways?

    • #188877

      And hardtail is more for just trail riding and uphill?

    • #188884

      Well, i don’t consider suspension an “upgrade”. It is a different form of, or technique used for riding, and I have tried it enough to realize that I don’t like it.  And as far as I know, yes, full sus I think was mainly intended for downhill at first.

    • #188908

      For me personally I love the feel of a hardtail. Just recently got myself a new bike, the Specialized Fuse which is 27.5+ and I love the feel. When I was looking at new bikes I demoed a handful of full suspension trail bikes, but there’s just something about a hardtail to me. And plus size does not in any way make up for the lack of suspension, but it doesn’t hurt!

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