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okay, lets argue about full vs front suspension

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Old 01-30-07, 11:20 PM
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okay, lets argue about full vs front suspension

i recently entered the market for a new MTB but im finding all kinds of pro's and con's for everything i look at. i live in florida so there's not as much here for me to ride as there would be in just about any other part of the state ... i will be doing mostly singletrack and xc stuff ... full suspension feels better on my butt and all, and looks cooler too, but do hardtails have any SERIOUS advantages or quirks that i should be aware of in my comparison shopping?

lets have a really fun.. "debate" ... on which one is better for trail riding
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Old 01-30-07, 11:21 PM
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Okay!
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Old 01-30-07, 11:22 PM
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you live in florida?!!!!!!!!!!!!
go ride at markham park......its awsome
i dont know pros or cons of fs vs hardtail
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Old 01-30-07, 11:23 PM
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Hardtail= Hardcore
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Old 01-30-07, 11:26 PM
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pros of xc.
-lighter(most of the time)
-more control(depending on the rider)
-faster, meant for racing(most of the time)
pro of fs
-can do huge, huge drops
-can ride just about anything
-comfort?

those are mostly all that i partially know, best to google it. theres plenty of websites that talk about the pros and cons. people can rant on forever on this topic...

i personally like hardtail b/c there are less pivot points to have to worry about, and less parts.
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Old 01-30-07, 11:28 PM
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Originally Posted by alextrox69
you live in florida?!!!!!!!!!!!!
go ride at markham park......its awsome
i dont know pros or cons of fs vs hardtail
dot dot dot
are you just posting in every thread to get huge post count so you wont look like a noob?
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Old 01-30-07, 11:30 PM
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Originally Posted by jiiiim
dot dot dot
are you just posting in every thread to get huge post count so you wont look like a noob?
no im just being me
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Old 01-30-07, 11:46 PM
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Hardtail pride.
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Old 01-30-07, 11:51 PM
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I went with a Santa Cruz Chamaleon HT and didn't look back.
It sounds counter-intuitive, but I think a HT is preferable the rougher and more technical a trail is, when absolute speed isn't so much a concern as is control.
If the trail is relatively smooth with only small <6" obstructions and obstacles and most of the routes are wide open "peadly" sections, then I think a good XC FS bike would be the best bet.
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Old 01-31-07, 12:09 AM
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Almost anybody can get away with a hardtail unless you truly are hucking. For when I trailride i'm actually looking to get back into a hardtail, but for when I race it's a dually all the way. Faster and more managable.
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Old 01-31-07, 12:13 AM
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hardtail will make you develop your skills more. what more can you want?
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Old 01-31-07, 12:27 AM
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hardtails are usually more efficent because the rear spring doesn't exist. The fs are leaps and bounds better then before with the reduction of pedal bob. Fs usually require less skill because you can go over just about everything; however, a hardtail its easier on your body if you pick your line.
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Old 01-31-07, 12:33 AM
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Hardtails just feel better, to me at least.
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Old 01-31-07, 12:37 AM
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I agree, hardtails feel better and improve your skill much better then a fully. Which is why i'm getting rid of my full suspension trailbike.

Fully's still rule for racing though.
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Old 01-31-07, 12:48 AM
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yeah. i've never been able to afford a fully and thusly haven't really been able to see what they're all about. they look fun as hell, but i still really like picking a clean line and trying not to get thrown from the horse.
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Old 01-31-07, 01:23 AM
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The thing about a fully is, that you really shouldn't try and cheap out on one. It would feel alot nicer to get a good hardtail.
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Old 01-31-07, 05:41 AM
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Originally Posted by alumrock12
pros of xc.
-lighter(most of the time)
-more control(depending on the rider)
-faster, meant for racing(most of the time)
pro of fs
-can do huge, huge drops
-can ride just about anything
-comfort?

those are mostly all that i partially know, best to google it. theres plenty of websites that talk about the pros and cons. people can rant on forever on this topic...

i personally like hardtail b/c there are less pivot points to have to worry about, and less parts.
Clueless people should not post on things they know not of.

To the OP, Alot of your decition will depend on the type of riding you'll be doing but it sounds like a good hardtail or a short travel XC bike will fit the bill for you. Check into a Giant Anthem or the Specialized Epic if you decide to go the FS route. I have a friend that just got a Salsa Moto Rapido that is a sweet HT. What is your price range?
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Old 01-31-07, 06:41 AM
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Originally Posted by jiiiim
dot dot dot
are you just posting in every thread to get huge post count so you wont look like a noob?
It's not just post count that indicates that somebody is a noob.
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Old 01-31-07, 06:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Audiophile121
but do hardtails have any SERIOUS advantages or quirks that i should be aware of in my comparison shopping?
yes

Generally, if you have $1000 to spend, you can get a good solid hardtail. For the same $1,000, you will get a low budget full suspension.

ie. you will get more bang for your buck with the hardtail

What is your budget? or is there no budget?
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Old 01-31-07, 08:17 AM
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the answer is: 8
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Old 01-31-07, 08:28 AM
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Originally Posted by junkyard
the answer is: 8
well from the earlier thread...
I thought the answer was 10" in the rear
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Old 01-31-07, 08:29 AM
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HT - better control, lighter, faster uphill (depending upon the rider, of course!!)
FS - perhaps faster on the downhill? heavier.

My kid started with no suspension, went to a HT (hardrock), then FS (FSR), then a Scalpel (FS), then decided to go back to HT - granted, he's an experienced technical rider, but he likes the better control the HT offers for XC racing.
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Old 01-31-07, 08:33 AM
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No offense,
but it seems like people who have a civic complain about Ferrari design.

Last edited by mikeE46; 01-31-07 at 11:40 AM.
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Old 01-31-07, 08:34 AM
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I think a good FS is better in almost every way. Unless you're on a budget of < $1000, then bang for buck suggests a hardtail.
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Old 01-31-07, 08:50 AM
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Originally Posted by jiiiim
dot dot dot
are you just posting in every thread to get huge post count so you wont look like a noob?
I like dots! And nachos!. I can spell my name real good too, it's F R E D F R E D B E R G E um.. R! Yes! Fredfred berger!
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