Riding rigid takes a skill that has to be aquired. Line selection is very important- Knowing when to get out of the saddle is even more so and fast downhills require a different hold on the bars- Hand and arms held firm to retain grip on the bars but NEVER allow them to take your body weight over the jarring bits. But uphill and technical is where a rigid will score. Nice light front end to lift and place wherever you want. No need to use the suspension over lumpy bits- taking momentum from the bike when you can put that front wheel wherever you want it to go.
Have to admit that I now ride with front suspension but only 80mm travel and set up very firm- just to take the sting out of the trail. But if I want a real experience- it is back to the rigid for anything up to 4 hours of XC.
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How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan