Anyone Recommend a decent Full Sus rig?

Jenny Taylia

Hi.

Having just had my lovely retro Rockhopper trashed by Easyjet on the way back from a 500 mile french hammocking tour, I find that I may be in a position to get a replacement bike.

I have the GT Aggressor XCR (Hard tail) which I find superb to ride, though I've barely ridden it, just upgraded and blinged it up :roll: and I've got the Trek VRX200 Full suss, old school, which is again upgraded and so much fun to ride.

I'm kind of thinking about amalgamating all my bikes into one really nice, light, full suss bike as I can only ride one at once :shock:

I know very little about the world of the dual suspension bike, which geometry etc but my requirements are simply to have an adjustable & lockout rear shock and for it to be light weight and robust.

I'm not necessarily looking to buy new and I've noted that Specialized and Trek seem to have many to offer, though the renges seem a little baffling (Maybe some kind soul could explain the Trek Fuel numbering system please?)

Can anyone recommend anything that would suit my needs, make and model wise? I'd sooner buy a used really good bike than a new Halfrauds special, for the same money, if that helps?

Many thanks in eager anticipation of the steep learning curve

slimboyjim

Depends where and what you ride, as well as how heavy you are to what is best... The bigger and rougher the hills/mountains you ride the more suspension you are likely to require. I think the generally accepted answer is that 120mm bikes are best for UK riding. I've a 140mm bike which, whilst weighing a bit more is stiffer and stronger (hence the comment about your weight) and will cope with a bit more abuse - I'll ride some of the tamer downhill runs on it as well as black runs at trail centres. As a general rule the more suspension travel you have the better the bike is downhill, but you need steeper runs to get the best out of them - if you ride relatively gentle gradients then 140mm is very much overkill!

Then, even within a particular suspension travel, say 120mm, different bikes will have different types of suspension - that being the number of pivot points and their placement as well as the type of fork/shock. This all sounds pretty technical but basically it means that different bikes will feel different when being ridden - some will feel quite firm when pedalling (more cross-country orientated) whilst others will sink into their travel more easily (more downhill orientated).

I would suggest the best thing for you to do is to go to a local bike shop and have a look at what they have. Have a chat with them to discuss the riding you do and what would suit you best. I am assuming you are female from your name - if so don't discount mens bikes - you can just change the saddle in some cases to get effectively the same bike and, if you are on the shorter side, there are some excellent deals out there on small 2011 bikes... Have a quick ride around the car park (or further if they let you) or hire a full suspension bike from a trail centre. That way you'll have a reference and you'll know whether you like the bike and whether the upgrade is worth it for you...

Finally, if money will allow I'd recommend you go for a bike with an air rather than a coil fork and shock (i.e. the suspension is air rather than a springs). It is usually a bit more expensive but easier to tune to your weight (useful if you are lighter or heavier than the average male) and less heavy.

Trek Fuel EX is 120mm. The higher the number the better it is - the components on it are lighter and stronger as you go up the numbers.

Oh, and don't forget that whilst full suspension bikes are more fun (in my opinion) they do cost more in upkeep if you are someone who actually services their bike once in a while :-)