[Laneco]

The amount of energy sucked up by the suspension is going to vary significantly with the suspension type. If you are staying with a lightweight cross-country type full suspension bike, the difference is much smaller than with, say, a full down-hill type bike.

I do 24 hour races as a solo rider. I'm very slow, but I can ride for 24 without stopping. I did one on a hardtail and have done 6 or 7 on my full suspension (Giant NRS-1). On fast trail, the hard tail is definately quicker offering very direct transmission of power. You know, like an old 911. But the full suspension bike, in spite of 4 pounds more weight, is actually quicker on technical climbs. I seem to be more able to put power to the rear wheel on rough climbs with the full suspension. I concede that I'm losing a small percentage of energy to the rear suspension, but it makes up for that by keeping traction.

The difference on my lower back was the main reason I ride the full boinger on the long races. I have no lower back pain. Nice...

The only drawback to full suspension that bothers me is not the added weight or the small pedal efficiency loss, it is the maintenance. I go thru rear suspension bushings about every 6 months. The bike starts to ghost shift under power and no amount of tuning will cure it. Time for bushings and then all is good in my bike world!

angela