Hardtail or full suss?

cloudinspector

I'm looking to replace my stolen merlin hardtail but can't decide whether or not to go full suss or hardtail. I don't ride super technical trails so don't really need more than 120 mm of suspension. I'm tempted by a ghost or canyon but like the responsiveness of a hardtail when climbing. My budget is around £1500

Anonymous

The million dollar question.

No one can truly answer it. Just personal preference.

But full suss is a nice and cosy ride . Some can climb well, and some hard tails can't. And vice versa. Loads of geometry, suspension systems, weight and all kinds of things to consider.

Try some. See if you can try some demos on proper trails, or ride some friends bikes if they've got anything of interest.

cooldad

Obviously FS. Hardtails are rubbish.

sheepsteeth

i think fs bikes are always better than any hardtail bike when riding of road.

Dirtrider

I would go rigid.

Stevo_666

Is the search function still not working?

Thewaylander

Full suss will always allow your to ride longer and harder with less physical annoyances like sore back/wrists or so on, for this alone i think Full Sus if you can afford it is the way.

but it's not for everyone so have a go

delcol

both have there advatages and disadvantages,,, i prefare my hardtail for my local trails especially through winter it's easier to maintain and keep clean... you best off trying to get demo rides on both then make up your mind..

i'm lucky i have both so can choose depending on my mood or were i ride. and usually what the weather is doing i hate trying to clean round the pivots and rockerlink on my fs bike......

Russ-Tyson

I have always favoured a hardtail, I've tried a few full sussers but never liked them because of the rear bobbing on hills,although I believe fs bikes are better for this these days. I think its all down to preference and you should demo some bikes.

xand_xand

I think given your budget @ £1500 - you shoudl be looking toward the full suss as you can get a good spec f/s at this level which shoudl be decentish weight and will hand xc and general trails.
If you were in the £1000 price bracket then i would be urgin you toward the hardtails as again you would be getting a really good spec hardtail compared to f/s at a grand!

Lastly, if you were heavily into xc racing then i again would urge you toward a really good spec hardtial - but as you said you are not and that you just tackle normal trails and cx.

Keep us posted on your decision on you mate

Raymondavalon

Ah, the contentious question raises it's overly discussed and ugly head yet again...

I have both and they have their merits and shortfalls. I do like both, but admittedly I also like long travel bikes, so I have a long travel hardtail and an all mountain full susser as well as a whippet of an XC hardtail too.
I was fortunate enough to have chosen a full susser that does climb fairly well thanks to it's suspension geometry and Fox's ProPedal..
The long travel hardtail does climb better than the all mountain and I find it's quicker in some areas at my local trail centre (Cannock) but it can often catch me out, especially over the roots and overly rutted areas.

When it comes to XC, or the shorter travel bikes, I prefer the XC hardtail as I don't quite see a massive advantage over a 100mm shock on the rear. The XC being used in/on XC terrain just offers me more speed and better climbing ability up those long and never ending countryside trails, the reduced weight and tighter geometry also has a lot to do with my preference.

Test rides can help in your choice, but in the end I [and many other Forum members] just ended up adding bikes to the collection to find a happy balance.

If I were to reduce it down to one bike, the All Mountain would be the choice

CycloRos

Horses for courses, and other such sayings...
I've ridden both on all manner of terrain and if I had to have just one it'd be a hardtail mainly down to versatility.

cloudinspector

In an ideal world I would have both but as my merlin hardtail was stolen I'm forced into replacing one bike.
I've been to north west mtb centre today and like the orange crush. It's within budget and seems to cover a broad spectrum of terrain. Also looked at spesh carve 29er and why're 901. Of these 3 I think I'm leaning towards the orange.
On the full suss side a canyon xc seems a great spec for the money.

andy46

After going to full sus a couple of years ago, I don't think I'd go back to a hardtail. But if I had plenty of money I'd have both

jallll

if you are thinking on rigid, 29er rigid, fs.... as you prefer....