HT or FS ?

colint

I'm torn between a decent HT or lower spec / 2nd hand full suss. I'm a roadie really but don't get the time to put decent mileage in now so looking at alternatives.

What are the benefits of full suss apart from comfort ? would it be more forgiving of my lack of off road skills or would the "better" HT be more manouverable ?

Budget is up to £1k (less if possible).

thanks

artillerydave

I would always say for a new mountain biker a hardtail first and at that budget you could get a great hardtail eg a Merlin malt 4 and some change or one of the great Rock Lobsters either steel or Alu, wheras other wise it will be a mediocre to poor Full sus with fairly low end kit on.

Hardtail definately gets my vote.

nicklouse

Rear sus has nothing to do with comfort.

Sorry common Roadie misconception.

Some fullys can climb better than HT's some fullys can decend faster than an HT. But they cost more (a lot more) than a equally speced HT.

you will get better faster on an HT as a fully will hide bad riding style.

your 1K budget is on the lower limmit of good fullys while is there for a good HT.

stumpyjon

Also depends on what sort of riding you're going to do on it. If you're XC orientated a lighter bike will be better and at your price point that pushes you towards an HT. If you do do any road riding an HT will also be better.

For the £ 1k mark you should be able to get something with good forks, I have got a full suss (£ 1.8k worth) and to be honest it was the quality of the forks that I noticed first rather than the rear suspension comapared with my old bike.

But as I said at the beginning what you're planning to do with it should really figure into the decision making process.