I can understand you sentiments on this one Rich, but I love the feeling of flying down a trail on a FS rig. It's like your surfing the trail.

I do agree that the main drawback to FS bikes right now is price. Eventhough prices have come down, you can still get better parts on a comparably priced HT. Still, designs have gotten much better and most good designs have very little pedal induced bobbing, especially the short travel XC bikes. As far as maintenance, there really isn't that much more to do on a FS than a HT. My bike is single pivot so that my have something to do with it. Also, I do have a lockout on my front fork and rear shock if I want to make my bike completely rigid on a climb but I use it very little. My bike only has three inches of travel in the back so it doesn't really bob that much.

I guess I'm a technogeek when it comes to bikes. Some people like singlespeeds and totally rigid bikes for their simplicity but I must admit that I like all of the latest gadgets.

I'm not anti HT. I own one which I still ride often but I just love the way my FS bike rides.

CP