Eps 5: XC MTB: hardtail or full suspension?
A full-suspension mountain bike features both a suspension fork up front and a rear shock, whereas a hardtail bike has only a suspension fork.
The brief answer is: Choose a full-suspension bike if you are willing to spend a bit more and you want to ride technical trails.
You want a light bike: Hardtail bikes generally weigh less than full-suspension bikes because their simpler design has fewer parts.
Host
Lee Franklin
Podcast Content
If the trail versatility of your family is quieter, then the Hardtail Trail E MTB might be more suitable for you. If you're looking for a family - balanced leisurely riding to balance the family, and the ability to ride the odd XC trail when the opportunity arises, the Hardtail EMTB is worth considering. You can find more information about different mountain bike categories on X C Trail and Enduro Bikes or buy an e-mountain bike here at BikeExchange.
If you want to explore the extensive network of paths with more technical terrain, other bike guides could be a better tool.
If you are riding in bike parks such as Killington, Snowmass or Whistler, you will need a bike with maximum suspension and flat geometry to cushion the airy jumps from the tabletop and keep you stable as you race through cobblestone-filled rock gardens. While conventional trail bikes offer 120 - 150 mm of travel, the E-MTB trail bike blurs the line between trail bike and mountain bike by offering more travel and a wider range of suspension options. The mountain bike category also overlaps with trail and enduro bikes riding on backcountry trails and unknown terrain in the wilderness.
Traditionally, park riders have opted for bikes such as the E-MTB trail bike and the XC mountain bike, which are almost unbreakable and heavy. If you don't ride a World Cup race, most riders don't need a special bike to ride a descent. However, if it means driving more laps, it is lighter, with a wider range of suspension options and a lower weight.
When it comes to rear suspension, mountain bikes have a single major differentiation point. So it's time to take a look at the differences between hardtail and full suspension on a mountain bike and see how this affects handling, performance and overall performance on the track.
What do you think when you think about buying a mountain bike and can't decide whether to buy a hardtail or full suspension? Should you choose one of two options: a full suspension bike or an XC MTB hardtail bike?
At the most basic level, the difference between a hardtail and a full-suspension bike is that the latter has a rear shock absorber mounted on the rear wheel. As the name implies, hardtails have only one front fork and the rear fork on the bottom bracket.
A full-suspension platform makes it possible to tackle a wider variety of bikes, and there are undoubtedly hardtail versions that are more powerful than their full-suspension counterparts. If you're looking for a good choice between hardtails and full suspension XC MTB bikes, check out our list of full suspension X-C bikes for more information.
The rear suspension is the most important differentiator when it comes to the mountain bike experience. Whether it's keeping the tires on the ground or cushioning the landing on the jump, there's no doubt that a full suspension bike will help you enjoy the number one thrill that most people enjoy, and that's the ability to enjoy it.
The Sedona Mountain Bike Festival may be the new kid on the block, but founder Mike Raney has a deep understanding of how the mountain bike world ticks. With its pivoting bearings, the Hardtail will be a great alternative to a similarly equipped MTB. If you are looking for a full suspension bike with Rockhox rear axle, Whyte's 905 hardtails are around PS1.650, while the RockHox XC hardtail with its swivel bearing will set you back by PS2, 650.
Walking through the festival grounds, you see a line of 140-millimeter forks that can shake you up, like the RockHox XC Hardtail and the Whyte 905 Hardtail.
Even some XC racers (who still exist) ride short, full suspension bikes, because they have become so light in recent years that there is no reason to set out. Frankly, a full suspension bike makes it possible to tackle more difficult trails and it doesn't have to be cleaned, which is rather annoying. There is a difference between faster and slower and a better balance between speed and comfort than a hardtail.
There is no point in arguing that it is technically superior, because you can navigate any terrain with a hardtail. Both mountain bikes (hardtail and full suspension) are suitable for any terrain, including what is commonly referred to as "trail" or "enduro."