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Mountain bikers: full suspension or hard tail?
Given approximately the same amount of money, would you purchase a hard tail bike with slightly better components (such as disk brakes) instead of a full suspension bike with lesser components?
Specifically, I’m trolling ebay to replace my Specialized mountain bike that my son toook to college. I got caught up in RickM’s thread about 10% paypal discount. I’m at best a casual rider, and will spend more time on the pavement than the dirt. It appears there are fairly good deals on Motobecanes – the 500ds (full suspension) at $310 (minus $25 max discount) and the hard tail 400ht at $277 (minus $25). Any opinions?
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'89 cab Last edited by '89cab; 09-26-2005 at 02:03 PM.. |
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09-26-2005, 02:01 PM
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Cars & Coffee Killer
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: State of Failure
Posts: 32,246
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Hard tail.
The full suspension isn't worth the complexity and cost in my opinion, but the better components on a similarly-priced hardtail are worth the money. Besides, you can always stand up and use your legs as your rear suspension...
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Some Porsches long ago...then a wankle... 5 liters of VVT fury now -Chris "There is freedom in risk, just as there is oppression in security." |
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09-26-2005, 02:06 PM
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drag racing the short bus
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Location, Location...
Posts: 21,983
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Jim - coming from the road bike world, I tend to like an all-steel bicycle for its reponsiveness, nice ride and longevity. Suspension to me as far as a road bike goes involves tubing - i.e. steel, aluminum, titanium or carbon fiber.
Of the times I have ridden mountain bikes, between full suspension and hardtail, I've liked hardtail, particularly as I would also be a casual rider...maybe... But those prices you quote are attractive. I'd try both full suspension and hardtail, then decide from there. |
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09-26-2005, 02:10 PM
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Friend of Warren
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 16,504
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I have a hardtail Diamond Back and my wife has a full suspension Giant. On dirt trails I prefer mine, but when we ride the washboard gravel roads around our house my hardtail just about rattles my fillings out unless I air down to about 10 lbs of pressure in the tires!
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Kurt V No more Porsches, but a revolving number of motorcycles. |
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09-26-2005, 02:12 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: IL
Posts: 1,639
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Re: Mountain bikers: full suspension or hard tail?
Quote:
 I looked up the specs on that bike and am amazed at what they put on a bike these days at that price.
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Database and Website Consulting Services in Chicago Last edited by einreb; 09-26-2005 at 02:43 PM.. |
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09-26-2005, 02:32 PM
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Certified Pre-Owned
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Nanny State
Posts: 3,132
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Hardtail for what you are doing...rear suspension just brings increased maintenance after a while and has no benefit for the type of riding you will be doing.
For reference, have owned 3 hard tails, 2 full suspension mtbs, and raced them all.
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'84 Carrera Coupe |
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09-26-2005, 02:44 PM
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at that price hardtail...do not even consider full suspension.
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09-26-2005, 02:44 PM
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Unconstitutional Patriot
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: volunteer state
Posts: 5,620
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Re: Re: Mountain bikers: full suspension or hard tail?
Quote:
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09-26-2005, 02:53 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: New England
Posts: 5,136
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Hardtail for your use and price point
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09-26-2005, 03:12 PM
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Registered
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Connecticut
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Trek Fuel.
Full-suspension, looks like a hardtail, costs in between. Also built in Wisconsin. Nice bike, but...( edit ) I didn't read fully. It costs a bit more than $300... Last edited by yellowline; 09-26-2005 at 03:49 PM.. |
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09-26-2005, 03:45 PM
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Go Speedracer, go!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 1,951
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Hardtail! Full suspension is for weenies!
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1981 SC ROW Coupe |
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09-26-2005, 05:39 PM
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19 years and 17k posts...
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Hardtail!
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Art Zasadny 1974 Porsche 911 Targa "Helga" (Sold, back home in Germany) Learning the bass guitar Driving Ford company cars now... www.ford.com |
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09-26-2005, 06:19 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Old Hangtown
Posts: 529
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Full suspension bikes have come a long, long way -- particularly with the latest round of VPP technology. However, for the type of riding it sounds like you're going to do and the price you're looking to pay, I would definitely stick with the hardtail -- though I wouldn't necessarily equate something like disc brakes as 'better' equipment than V-brakes. Many disc brake systems don't stop (or in many cases modulate) better that their V-brake counterparts.
If you're looking for a bike that you'll have around for a few years, then I'd spend some time looking at the components and who makes them. If they're not made by a reputable company, its highly likely you'll be unable to find replacement parts 2-3 years down the road. T.
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'73 Targa |
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09-26-2005, 10:06 PM
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1989 Porsche Carrera cabriolet 3.2
1979 Porsche 911SC 3.0
MazdaSpeed3
