Mountain Biking - dont kill me for asking this (just hurt )

Im just curiouse what are the advantages and diasvantages of using a hard tail mountain bike as appose to using a full suspension bike? thers got to be reasons for using both of em . so far ive only ridden hardtails as im only 17 so i cant afford a totally high priced bike. my music takes all my money. But could someone please explain the differences about the two to me?
ok you make take youre aim now....

dont i get a last cigarrete or something?

Originally posted by greasemonkey86

dont i get a last cigarrete or something?

No they're bad for your health ;)

Hardtails are generally lighter and hence theoretically faster and climb better on smooth surfaces, they're also simpler mechanically so need less maintenance, are better for carrying luggage etc.

Full suspension more complex, more expensive, heavier but give a more comfortable ride and can make rough terrain easier, may climb better on rough terrain due to better traction.

I'd suggest sticking with a hardtail for the time being - it will force you to take better lines etc.

Richard

i ride HArdtails because i prefer them... Much cheaper and easier to maintain.. I also think it offers more of a challenging ride over rough terrrain

biggest thing is weight!...but now they are coming out with really light fs. I prefer hardtails.....more fun to ride

and they are more cheaper

a lot cheaper

it depends on where and what you ride, if its just winding single track then there's no reason for a FS bike, but if you do a lot of drops, highspeed rockgarden runs, or any sort of really rough trails then full suspension is the way to go, if you can afford a good setup.

Rigidity. Enough said.

Since I own both hardtail and full suspension I can offer my opinions on the subject.

My full suspension Cannondale Scalpel 800 weighs 28 pounds, which is 4 pounds lighter than my hardtail Trek 4900. So that puts the weight argument to rest. These days there are lighter FS bikes available.

Also, the Scalpel features a lockout on both front and rear suspension. The lockout for both the fork and rear shock are both easily reached my hand without looking away from the trail. I basically get the best of both worlds.

Finally, if you're doing any off-road riding it makes sense to have the most comfortable ride possible. And that is with a FS bike. Think about it; when you ride off-road on a hardtail you need to stand in the pedals on the rough stuff so that your arms and legs can act as a shock absorber. Standing in the pedals takes more energy than sitting, so you'll get tired faster and won't be able to ride as long. What good is that? I know I like to ride all day! :) The FS absorbs most of the shock on my rides which allows me to save my energy for when I really need it.

Yes, hardtails are typically cheaper. They are also easier to maintain.

Hard-tails often come with threaded eyelets for attatching a luggage rack and fenders. This makes them suitable for use as commuter/shopping/touring bikes as well as weekend fun machine.
With a full sus bike, its almost imposible to use them for any practical purpose.

good points mightypudge but I think it's alittle unfair to compare a Scalpel 800 to a Trek 4900.
A more fair comparison would be a Scalpel against an F-series Optimo hardtail which is a good few pounds lighter. Or similar spec dales like the Team replica Scalpel and the F3000SL which have similar spec and only differ in frame; Hardstail vs FS.

The choice between the two will really boil to what you think is best for your needs.
What kind of riding do you do?

For UCI world cup type of events a Hardtail is still the weapon of choice. It's lighter (significantly) pedals better and is stiffer than a FS bike.
Some people prefer a HT as theri all round bike because they're cheper to purchase and offer more value and they're easier 2 maintain.

The market is swinging toward FS bikes for trail riders who want to do jumps and spend up to 6 hours in the saddle. I can see the addvantages of the additional expense here.

Essentially, evaluate how you're going touse thebike and then decide. but for general riding a FS is probabaly the better choice for most people.

music takes all your money? comon your a teenager you are supposed to download(well I am too)

Maybe he means like...playing music. Instruments. I'm 20 and when i bought a trumpet (5 yrs ago) it cost me $560CDN! So yah, music does take a lof of money :)

Its a preference and a goal thing. I love ht's and they will always have a place in my heart. While I can ride any trail a dually can the terrain out here really does optimize the need for something to soak up the multiple rocks garens, roots and slick rock that exist. I am also finally getting enough skill, imo, to actually justify being able to use one.

I, however, am a big believer in the skills department. There are skills picked up riding a ht that can't be matched on a dually. I see and ride with many riders who start with a mid travel dually (4 to 6 inches) and they just suck. The bike does all the work and they don't really know how to ride. If you personally feel you are at the point where you

a) need one
b) skills enough to really use one
c) can afford one

Then get a dually. :)...otherwise I would pick a ht :)

One of my biggest biking regrets is having gotten rid of my HT (actually it was a full rigid) when I bought my FS. I sometimes sneak out with my wife's HT when she's not looking. HTs are just fun... so are FS but HTs are fun in a different way. I need to add another HT to the stable once I get the chance.

Originally posted by Maelstrom
Its a preference and a goal thing. I love ht's and they will always have a place in my heart. While I can ride any trail a dually can the terrain out here really does optimize the need for something to soak up the multiple rocks garens, roots and slick rock that exist. I am also finally getting enough skill, imo, to actually justify being able to use one.

I, however, am a big believer in the skills department. There are skills picked up riding a ht that can't be matched on a dually. I see and ride with many riders who start with a mid travel dually (4 to 6 inches) and they just suck. The bike does all the work and they don't really know how to ride. If you personally feel you are at the point where you

a) need one
b) skills enough to really use one
c) can afford one

Then get a dually. :)...otherwise I would pick a ht :)

This is how I am as well. I rode my F series Cannondale for 5 years before purchasing my Enduro this summer. Making the trasition from the HT to the FS was a blast. I had learned enough on the Cdale to really put the Enduro to the test. Highspeed cornering, jumps rockgardens ect were great on the HT but I found I could take them faster with the Enduro. when I broke the axel on it and was the bike was out for 2 weeks, i was "forced" to ride the Cannondale again :D. It was a great reminder of how much more skill is needed with a hardtail.

I will never sell my HT because I have found new love for it, now its time for a single speed conversion to see how much skill I really have :D :D :D