Hardtail or Full-Suspension?

Everyone has a preference (and an opinion!) when it comes down to the best set-up for mountain bikes:  hardtails or full-suspension. This “discussion” is sure to launch some heated debates so let’s take a closer look at the differences between these two camps.

When it comes to bike weight, a full suspension bike is going to be heavier.  Fact.  A cross-country bike is equipped with more rough-terrain features for you to haul around.

Not having this added weight makes the hardtail a bit more nimble.  Weighing less, the agility factor gives the nod to the hardtail.

But when the going gets rough, that’s when a full-suspension’s features really start to shine.  On rocky technical climbs, the full-suspension has the overall advantage of tackling tough terrain.  And the suspension system affords a more comfortable ride in this unfriendly environment.

On the minus side, all that extra equipment means more moving parts.  Besides the added weight, there’s more maintenance involved with a full-suspension over it’s hardtail cousin.

The extra weight in question is typically less than five pounds, which begs the question:  “Does that 5 lbs make a difference?”  It all depends on the type of riding you do.

When the terrain ‘goes north’, every pedal stroke you make is fighting gravity.  Simple physics, extra weight requires more power to move the mass uphill  A hardtail, being lighter, has the definite advantage in making it up the slope with less horsepower.

Besides being lighter, hardtails generally have a shorter wheel base too.  This compact design does lend to faster handling response.  But again, the type of riding you do will make a difference.  Loose rocks and other technical obstacles are mastered better with a full-suspension system. A dual-suspension system is designed to absorb these impacts on dicey terrain, transferring traction to the ground.

On smoother terrain, hardtails do climb better, but when encountering severely rocky terrain a good cross-country full-suspension wins hands-down.

Thanks to advances in technology, full-suspension bike maintenance has become easier and much more dependable.

Shocks on a full-suspension bike rarely fail when adjusted properly.  Seals are not the issue they once were and you can expect years of use without maintenance problems.

Bottom line:  the more technical the trail, the more a full-suspension system comes into play to iron on the impacts Mother Nature will throw at you.

If you want tight handling, agility and speed, it’s hard to beat a hardtail for backwoods riding.

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