Originally Posted by
dminor
I think it will come down to your personal preference and budget. I have not actually done an XTERRA or XTERRA-like event yet (well, I've done some off-road dus), but from what I've seen from coverage of them, the courses they lay out are generally not overly technical. You might find your budget will go farther toward better componentry, etc by getting a hardtail.
(Did
I just say that?
)
Not to pull a Pete on you, but the Xterra Triathalon here in Richmond, VA ran around the James River State Park loop this year which is arguably some of the most technical, rocky terrain in Virginia. I've been riding it for the past three months on a hardtail, and although I'm no expert, I can safely say that a FS rig would be MUCH more accomodating (I've ridden a few friends FS bikes around it and my ass hurts alot less afterwards). Just my $.02
