Originally Posted by
shumacher
1) When you moved from non-suspension to front suspension, did you get this same sort of problem?
1a) Did you get used to it?
2) Should I be looking at a certain bike? I've tried a Gary Fisher, a few Treks, a Giant, and a couple Specializeds. None of the shops had anything in those lines that they thought would work for me. I just want something that has a firmer suspension than what I've tried, and gives me a position less like that of a cruiser or comfort bike.
For what it's worth, it's not very hilly or rocky here, so I tend to deal more with ruts, tree roots, and mud.
1) & 1a) I went from hardtail (front suspension-only) to full suspension and yes, it did feel "odd", but the benefits (for my type of riding) were great. It did take a dozen rides or so to learn the various idiosyncracies of a full suspension rig.
2) Different brands often have different geometries, like Fisher's Genensis geometry. (I currently own a Fisher Cake but have been eyeing a Fisher Hi-Fi, lately). More importantly, you'll need to decide how much suspension you'll need. For example, XC setups tend to have less travel (3") and a more aggressive position, while all-mountain may offer 5 to 6" of travel and more plushness. Perhaps XC is more your style. Also, the shock technology (coil spring vs air spring) has a different feel.
Mr. Smashy hit the nail on the head - the bike wasn't tuned to your specific needs. I've owned my full suspenion for over 3.5 years and I still mess around with fork and shock settings, depending on my ride. It's very personal. I used to like to ride with the suspension fairly hard, but now, I seem to like a softer ride. Maybe I'm just getting old.