What to do ? new FS Frame or HT for XC
 

So I am, mot sure what to do...

Did all of my racing on a Santa Cruz superlight this year...

I also have an old HT frame with very good components on it and I was going to simply get a decent HT frame for racing and build that up & race with that...

Couple of racers at my club reckon if yr serious about racing, should try to ride a fast, light hardtail...

Hwvr, seeing Erhan's Anthem racing FS frame (I love those frames), I am not sure whether to double up my money on what I will spend on the racing hardtail and replace the Superlight with an Anthem and just race on that.....

I cannot see myself swapping HT to FS for specific races so it's one racing bike for all events for me...

Any thoughts from the wise council here...?

What's wrong with the Superlight?

To be honest it just feels a bit too small for me - the top tube is very short even for the large frame I have - I have a Thompson layback post on and a long stem but I just doesn't feel quite right.. (Santa Cruz hv lengthened their top tube for their 07 sperlight version)

I feel in a much better position on the Trek hardtail I have, the top tube is much longer that superlight, but this frame is pretty heavy and built up with similar components weighs no less that the superlight...

I think I will, as originally planned build up a decent hardtail frame & see how that feels to race, before I spend $$$ on a new FS frame that will not make too much difference..

Well up until this year I have tried to have a hardtail and a full suspension. After riding different trails and timing myself several times I find that I am faster on a fully. I don't get as tired and I am able to carry more momentum over the rough sections and all of the baby heads. From now on I'm planning on just having a dual suspension for racing.

YMMV

The FS/hartail debate lives!! :)

Here is my take on racing - it's all about the course. If the course is technical with drops, and such, a FS rig is the call. If the course is not technical, you MAY do better on a hardtail. As already mentioned, the increased trauma that your body takes on a hardtail MAY take a toll, and make the heavier FS rig a better choice.

I race a FS rig for all races. Most all are very technical. I also ride a single speed hardtail for training. It's the best of both worlds.

hard tail singlespeed, live a little

+1! If you can ride a course on a rigid bike, the FS will seem like a cloud in comparison.

If it feels too short try out a Cannondale Rush (any model, the go from about 1k upwards). They feel really long compared to other FSXC bikes I've ridden.