Full Suspension Effeciency Question
 

I am currently riding a 2005 Schwinn Rocket Pro full suspension bike. The rear shock is a Manitou Radium R Air with no lockout. Yesterday I decided to hop on my friends Specialized hardtail and ride it for a few minutes. I could really tell a difference in how much more energy I was getting per pedal push on the hardtail. I have read where people call this pedal bob, but I really don't feel any bobbing. My question is, are there full suspension bikes out there that have the same pedal effeciency as a hardtail? If so, which rear shock settings work the best?

Thanks

You could get a rear shock with lockout.

Not to be a d*ck but maybe try a better bike. I believe the Rocket is a very low end machine and probably is not the pinacle of suspension design. Maybe a shock with a platform or a lock out but that might be a large percentage of the original price of the bike. Better to enjoy the ride, live with the suspension limitations and save for a better bike.

****can the crappy radium and get a fox float RP or RP23 that has options to reduce bob.

Yes, full suspensions suck...don't buy one :)

difference is probably more from the bike weight than anything.
pro x-counrty racers use duall suspension on rough courses. A good design is very efficient. It will not eat your energy. it may "feel" like it, but it will not.

I've got a 26 pound hardtail and a 37 pound dually. I usually ride the heavy full suspension because it climbs better and decends better.

Anyway the last time I rode it felt really slow, everything was wearing me out. I got home and put the shock pump on and found it with about half the pressure I usually ride with. Maybe that could be your problem?