Mountain Biking - FS or full rigid SS?

Ok everybody I have a question, I wanna get in shape with a Mt bike but I don't know what to do? SS gods told me that SS bike is the only way to get in shape with because it makes you work harder but here is my dillema...since everyone claims that FS bike robs all your energy with all the suspension flex wouldn't it make me work harder? I mean don't I have to work extra hard and exert more energy to keep the bike moving since all my energy lost in the suspension?

All the help would be greatly appreciated. :)



I know I know but I couldn't help it :D

Ride whatever strikes your fancy.

Fitness is up to you, not the bike. :)

A single speed will make your upper body stronger. When you ride a single speed you can't sit and spin your way up a hill, you have to stand up and pull on the bars and use a lot more body english. A rigid fork will make your forearms stronger trying to hang on in rough terrain. Suspension can soak up a little bit of your energy from pedaling but it gives back a lot more when the trail gets rough. So overall, suspension makes riding a mountain bike easier. Gears help you keep in the aerobic zone - without gears you end up going anaerobic. So it would depend on what type of fitness you are going for. You can also increase your fitness level on either type of bike by trying to go faster or riding more.

I think it's mostly about having fun. If you are enjoying yourself, you'll get out and ride more. I mean, you could challenge yourself by trying to ride a 40lb freeride long travel bike without a granny gear up steep hills (you might end up walking a lot) but why would you do that unless you were having fun? I love my single speed and sometimes I put a rigid fork on it. It's my bike of choice for 95% of my local (SF Bay Area) rides. But when I went to Moab this year, I took the full-suspension bike (with gears) because it's more fun when the terrain gets rockier. Yeah, I could have done Porcupine Rim on the single-speed with the rigid fork on it, but I had a lot more fun going full blast on the double-boinger.

thor, you're over analyzing this. ken nailed it. the guy wants to get in shape. what matters most is that he gets out there (frequency) and spends time having fun (duration). i know you know this. caloric count over the long haul is not going to be much different for the OP...i promise you. he will be tapping out his HR all over the place. i am in pretty good shape and tap out my HR all over the place. it's all relative.

to the OP. i highly recommend the full suspension. it will be more comfortable for you and you will enjoy this physical activity more as others alluded to.

generally speaking, the guys that do SS are in pretty good shape to be effective. sure any jackass can ride a SS on the trail, doesn't mean they won't get smoked. get the FS and keep up with your buddies.

SS is also much harder on your knees...not always in a bad way. however, if you have any ortho variance that you've yet to discover, riding a SS will surely manifest those problems.

lol.........http://is.pinkbike.com/photo/3831/pbpic3831193.jpg

Ok everybody I have a question, I wanna get in shape with a Mt bike but I don't know what to do? SS gods told me that SS bike is the only way to get in shape with because it makes you work harder but here is my dillema...since everyone claims that FS bike robs all your energy with all the suspension flex wouldn't it make me work harder? I mean don't I have to work extra hard and exert more energy to keep the bike moving since all my energy lost in the suspension?

All the help would be greatly appreciated. :)



I know I know but I couldn't help it :D

Up to you to maintain the intensity of your workout to get in shape, i can see the battle is already half lost because you're making up excuses already. Sure, blame the equipment.

FS is more efficient off-road than rigid, every small bump robs you of forward momentum if you can smooth the bump out then less forward momentum is lost.

Better yet, do something about your shape now... quit this silly debate.

If you want to get in shape, ride a road bike. If you want to be a pot smoking, tree hugging burnout, any mountain bike will do.

WOW! I started this thread to mess with the SS riders, after busting their balls on that SS thread I didn't think I was gonna get any real answers to my question. Well I was wrong sorry guys! so please stop replying with serious answers to this thread and don't worry about me I am already in great shape :D

The answer depends on the color of your Ferrari.

Ok everybody I have a question, I wanna get in shape with a Mt bike but I don't know what to do? SS gods told me that SS bike is the only way to get in shape with because it makes you work harder but here is my dillema...since everyone claims that FS bike robs all your energy with all the suspension flex wouldn't it make me work harder? I mean don't I have to work extra hard and exert more energy to keep the bike moving since all my energy lost in the suspension?

All the help would be greatly appreciated. :)

I know I know but I couldn't help it :D

not to mention you are riding harder to roll over obstacle 26'' wheels. you are being very hard on yourself.

not to mention you are riding harder to roll over obstacle 26'' wheels.

So you are saying 26" FS is a better fitness and skill builder. :D:thumb: