mountain bikes - suspension.?

Question

I am looking to buy a mountain bike in the near future but I don't know much about them. Can someone please break down for me the difference between the suspension types?

Answer 1

There are 3 types of bikes according to suspension:
-Rigid
-Hardtails
-Full Suspension

Rigid bikes are ones that doesn't have any suspension. There are not much med or hi level bikes like this, only for hardcore riders ;)

Hardtails are the bikes with only front suspension (it's called a fork), and are very good, lightweight bikes. They are pretty good to learn, not too expensive, you can learn great skills with them. Probably that's all you really need if you're not doing real tough terrain.

Full suspension bikes are the ones with suspension on both wheels (fork and shock, which is the rear suspension). They are pretty good on loose or rocky terrain. Part is because they're smooth, but mostly because they have better traction at the rear wheel. But they're more expensive, at least, you won't find a good one under 500 bucks, if at all. OK, there are lower priced, but not really good bikes. And also, they tend to be heavier.

So, for really smoooooooth roads, go with a rigid. For smooth trails, go hardtails, for rough trails, go with a full suspension.

Good luck

Answer 2

And on occasion you might run across something called a softail. These bikes might have pivot less travel but still have the power of a hardtail. Litespeed unicoi, Castellano Fango or Silk Ti and the Salsa Dos Niner just to name a few.

Answer 3

Rigid = no suspension
Hardtail = front suspension
Full suspension = pogo stick

(Get a name brand, from a bike shop. Stay away from department store POS bikes. I prefer steel (cro-mo0 frames...not as stiff as aluminum. Disc brakes rock.)

Answer 4

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