Mountain Biking - Lockout :Usefull feature or marketing trick?

Hi all

A quick question in terms of where we going. Is what we get actually technology or just marketing? Are lockout systems (or partial lockout like ETA) usefull for trailriders like us or its more like a marketing feature that we are going to use once or twice and just fool around by saying that our rig has front or front and rear lockout options? I am talking about trailriding that incorporates everything...climbs/descents/freeriding etc not XC races. Is a nicely tuned suspension more like the thing to do than to have all the lockout stuff?

Yannis

Depends...I don't use it. The trails are too rough and having it locked out generally slows me down. I find I can roll up the rough trails faster with my full 5 inches.

It definately isn't marketing as there is a demand for it. If you are riding to a trail (say north shore where you ride up a relatively smooth yet very long steep rode) then that kind of lockout it awesome. I personally don't count it as a performance option. :)

Point taken. It is usefull on smooth terain climbs or in transitional climbs where you have to get somewhere to ride.

Does trailriding include freeriding? Just curious.

trailriding includes everything imho. You ride in trails after all. On the other hand maybe someone considers freeriding as jumping and hucking. it seems that everyone has a different meaning on the word freeriding. Personally i define it as aggresive riding over extremely rough terrain...most of the times over terrain that doesnt incorporate trails of any kind.

Originally posted by B1105
Does trailriding include freeriding? Just curious.

If you want blanket definitions then no. I don't think so. But I don't feel like this discussion again. Biking companies are splitting hairs pretty well and trail bikes can not handle freeriding but freeride bikes are generally decent trail bikes :)

I havent yet rode on a front fork lockout but, I could not live without my rear locking out now that i have had a rear lockout, its great on the climbs and is such an asset on the tar

I think it depends on the conditions where you ride as well personal preference. I do some roading to get to the trails everytime I go so I do use it once in a while.

I had it on my previous bike, and I did use it on long stretches of smooth trail. Also, when on the road, it's a big benefit. Long steady climbs too. The only problem is when you forget to flip the switch once you start heading back down!

Thank God for new suspension technology that has a blow-off feature when you do forget!

L8R