Originally Posted by
TMonk
Yeah. Been on hardtails with 100 mm up front for my last two bikes (~10 yrs combined). Haven't weighed it yet but its a good bit heavier. New saddle and wheels should help w that.
TBH I think a full on sprint or like a fairly long climb would be the only times it's slower than my HT. Turns out keeping the wheels on the ground is so much faster and more efficient for the bulk of the trail riding - who knew
Last hardtail I had was in 1998. One of the first things I noticed about rear suspension was how much better the rear brake works. And when climbing something rough the rear wheel doesn't hop around.
My first full suspension bike was 63mm in the back and it came with a Girvin fork which I eventually replaced with a 100mm Manitou. Got it down around 28 pounds with light tires around 500 grams.