Heya.. I'm fron northeast PA so there arnt many bike shops around here so I'm quite limited with information, anyhow i was wonderin if someone can reccomend a mountain bike thats fits what I'm looking for.

*16" or 15.5" frame, softtail.
*Front suspension with very small travel. I hate riding a bike with huge front shocks and the handle bars way up in the air.. I like my handlebars low and front end/neck close to the wheel for better stability.

*Looking for something that is solid that I can jump, manuver easily, take very rough terraine, go fast, beat up, but has good enough gears to tear uphill too.

I currently have a NISHIKI AMBUSH that is perrfect for what type of riding I do, but its old and starting to fall apart.

The style of riding I do is a mix of wooded trails, downhills, rocky terraine, uphills, and obsticle paths.

Thanks to anyone that can help.

Josh!

Sounds like you need a trail bike.

https://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkM...d=06Rockhopper

that rockhopper is a hardtail.. I have my tail end skidding all over the place, and it doesnt look like that can take jumps too well

what? This bike is plenty capable. Post a pic of the bike you're currently using.

Jumping bikes are seldom full suspension. If they are, it's a DH or FR full suspension rig with 7+ inches of travel front and rear.

Hardtails have better control than FS rigs.

I'll post a pic later today when I get some batteries for my camera.

Also by the way, it is true that a hardtail maintains less traction than a soft tail.

And I'm not trying to offend your choice of bike, it jsut doesnt suite my needs.

Hardtails have more traction. Why would it make sense for a full suspension bike to have more traction? there are more linkages and moving parts.

The bike you want doesnt exist. You're looking for a full suspension, XC bike that can handle jumping.

The closest thing I can even think of is the rockhopper.

But if you insist on rear suspension:
https://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkM...sp?sid=06FSRxc


What's your price range anyway?

Where in Pennsylvania are you? I was recently in Wilkes Barre and found a few good shops.
I don't recall the name but there is a rather large shop in Kingston on Market st.

With the multitude of trails and riders in the NE Pa area there has to be several good shops.

I've never ridden it but it almost sounds like you'd be interested in the C-dale Rush. Someone else can probably tell you more about the "jumping" capabilities, or at least its reputation for such. The one issue is you didn't say what "jumping" means.

For example, the trail I normally go to has these little drop off areas which I wouldn't really call a jump but my friends would. They're about 2' off the ground so you get some nice air and they're certainly fun, but not really a jump in my book.

Full suspension will have more traction. Everytime the rear tire on a hard tail bounces off something the tire and terrain briefly lose contact. That means less traction (actually, for a short period of time, there's zero traction).

A full suspension will suck up those bumps and push the tire back into the terrain, allowing for more consistent traction.

Thanks there Peek the geek, I'm glad someone realizes my point about traction.

Such nonsense like this ruins these boards, children arguing with no basis in fact

Bikelover, That I love the geometry of that cannondale rush bike... Thats the style of bike I'm looking for

And you're in what town???

Sorry.. Montdale.. Its about 15 miles north of scranton

You'll have to travel a bit but Kingston, Pittston, Jim Thorpe and Wilkes Barre all have bike shops near you.

Some great trails in those areas as well.
Good Luck,
Ed

please share if you know any good trails in those areas.. always looking for some new dirt to shread

When the heck does the bike BOUNCE? It doesn't, as long as the riders weight is on it. And the majority of your traction comes from the front wheel anyway.

Even if Full suspension bikes have more traction, it's not much. The only instance I can think of would be a rock garden or something, but even then, your tires will slip out from under you.
That has to be the most rude comment ever. I'm far from being a child. I've got my DRIVING license and in a few months will be of legal drinking age. And I bet I know a whole lot more about bikes than you do. You want a bike that doesn't even exist. And as far as I know, softails are no longer even made.

I suggest you try it before assuming that. The truth is, the complete opposite of what you said is true. And if you're skidding I suggest you learn proper braking technique.

On the productive side, read this and see what bike suits you.
https://www.bikeforums.net/mountain-biking/67259-please-read-before-asking-question-mtb-faq.html

I have to step in here and ask, what the hell are you talking about?

Yet I couldn't understand your first post at all.

Here is another newbie trying to run this forum, remember, people are entitled to their opinions. However with proper tire selection and air pressure and a better eye for line selection, it is possible to have a hardtail hook up really well. If you are bent on a FS bike, you could build up a Cowan FS.

Or you could try a more aggressive ht like the Rockhopper AM, and go with a bit more aggressive tire.

https://specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=12618

Okay, first of all, softtails are definitely still being made: https://www.salsacycles.com/frames_06DosNiner.html

Second, if you're riding technical trails, the bike is bouncing and slipping all the time. Much of the time it's just millimeters and unnoticeable, but it's still happening.

Remember line selection.

and...

https://www.cannondale.com/bikes/06/c...c_scalpel.html

That first bike must have a lot of problems. The rear suspension works on frame flex, there's no pivot. And the cannondale shouldn't count because there is a pivot on it.

I'm not saying you can't get traction with a hardtail. Both my mtbs are hardtails. Heck, one is fully rigid.

And I'm not suggesting the OP pick one over the other. I'm just refuting Jason222's statement.

All else equal, a full supsension bike will have more traction in turns than a hardtail.

Yes, but the difference is not massive like the OP thought. He thought that if he got a hardtail his rear would be washing and skidding out everywhere, like he stated above.

Run Bigger tires and lower pressures, and the tire will rarely leave the ground.