Hard tail VS Full Suspension for XC?

Question

I see almost everyone on the trails I ride (med to very difficult with LOTS of rocks) with bikes with full suspension, but I read that hardtails are the choice fro XC bikes. What are the tradeoffs?

Answer 1

Up until a year or so ago, most pro XC racers rode hardtails. They are lighter weight and XC terrain is ridable on a hardtail if you have the skills, so there was no benefit to riding a full suspension bike. Full suspension bikes also were less efficient climbing and riding on flats because of pedal bob. Finally, full suspension bikes require a lot more maintenance. The pivots wear out, you have two shocks to maintain, rather than just one.

However, technology has brought the weight down on full suspension bikes and shocks have improved to be much more efficient, and you now see more pros on full suspension bikes. However, the full suspension bikes they are riding are not designed the same as an all-mountain full suspension bike. The XC bikes have more aggressive geometry and less travel. They are also designed to be lighter, often as light or lighter than many hardtails. Some even have rider weight limits. You also see things like Brain Fade, Terra Logic or SPV shocks that are more efficient. But you have to pay a lot of money for all of that.

If you are just starting out, a hardtail is the way to go. You will learn to be a better rider, because you will have to learn how to do things that a full suspension bike does for you. This is helpful because when you move to full suspension, if you decide to, you will be that much better of a rider.

Personally, I bought my first full suspension bike last spring after years with a hardtail. I purchased an XC full suspension bike with 4 inches of travel, Brain Fade rear shock, and pretty aggressive geometry (Specialized Epic). I absolutely love this bike, and I hated the Stumpjumper when I test rode it (I know lots of people who feel the exact opposite, it is all about what you feel comfortable with! The Stumpy has 6 inches of travel and slacker geometry.) However, the Epic cost 5 times more than my previous hardtail (Gary Fisher Tassajara, great starter bike!) For all that extra money, I basically got four inches of rear travel. The two bikes weigh the same (higher end components on the Specialized saved a lot of weight, as well as a lighter frame). I do find rock gardens a bit easier, and I feel like I can ride faster than before, but I have not timed myself. But I also have another year's experience under me, so I can't really say it is all the bike.

Answer 2

alot of people today in XC use hardtail because they are very light. on average they weigh around 30lbs. since they have no rear suspension, they are more effecient at pedaling- you waste less energy in climbing. dont ask me how that works, thats physics stuff.

Full suspension bikes are very confortable and you can stuff that would make a hardtail rider cringe. the tradeoff is that they are heavier, my bike weighs about 36lbs, but i do have a large fork and coil spring on it. if you choose FS, get air suspension- its effective yet light. just dont do big drops with it, you'll blow the seals.

Answer 3

my FS Cannondale weights less than 25 lbs, so weight shouldn't be an issue when deciding what buy.

Answer 4

Triscuit really done her homework! I really agree with her, I was going to try to put something similar to her, but she's a lot better to explain it. Horaaahh!