Originally Posted by
FrozenK
This is getting ridiculous. Race results show that it depends on terrain. Which is why every racer that can switches back and forth from HT to FS depending on terrain. By the way, that is what every person with a functioning brain has been saying all along: it depends on terrain.
Techically, yes. But let's evaluate the state of modern short- and mid-travel full suspension bikes. All but the cheapest ones are good at pedaling when setup properly.
Speed going uphill is mainly fitness, with a dash of technique. The bike is the least important factor as usual.
XC racers put up with some horrific conditions in the name of going fast. What they ride should have extremely little bearing on what a normal trail rider buys. Hardtails are not better going up a bumpy hill than a full suspension XC race bike. So XC racers only use hardtails when the course is quite smooth, with little to no rough descents.
So why buy a hardtail? Budget. That's the only reason. Otherwise, if you're spending >$1500 you should be getting some kind of full suspension bike.