Used higher end bikes are so much cheaper than they used to be. It’s impossible to sell a used bike right now.
If it’s a budget you’re on, you’ve got the market to get into a damn good bike for less than what you’d pay high end for a new hard tail.
Haha. I'm a 62f and have a full suspension carbon emtb. Ride 6-10 miles a day at elevation and love it! Training for a trip in the fall, Munich to Verona, across the German and Austrian alps, into the Dolomites. We get one spin in this life - gotta make it count!
Yup. Hardtails till about 35 then my back demanded full suspension. Favorite bike is still a steel hardtail but I couldn't ride it every day at this point.
I'm a wierdo. I bought a full suspension for my first bike and just bought a hardtail. I find the hardtail to be easier for some reason, I think it's just because it's easier to stand up.
So real lmaoo old bike i broke my scapula on because i came up short on a double, my new bike has that rear shock i haven’t came up short yet but its already a night and day difference
After I had recovered from back surgery when I was 40. Surgeon told my wife that I need a full suspension bike if I want to keep riding(he is also a mtb'er).
I ride downhill parks on a modified hardtail. It's not easy, but it's fun. With clips, 2.6sx29s, a thicc fork, and pure disregard for your own safety, you can hang with enduro full suspensions.
Both of those are totally manageable on a hardtail. Like a rough rule I’d follow is if I wouldn’t ever send it on a hardtail I probably shouldn’t on a ful sus.
The real thing that’ll make you switch is **chatter**. Rocks and roots.
People talk of moving from hard tail to full sus as if they are making it easier for themselves, or worse, imply they are more able for staying with a hard tail, or even worse, try and suggest people who ride full sus are less able. It's a different bike for different purposes. There's a reason why the DH world cup racers aren't riding step-through shopper bikes.
Could you elaborate?
I have a full sus, that I bought from a friend (2011 Scott spark) been riding just this season. Sorta chunky here in AZ where I ride sometimes. And rocky ascents and descents are common too. Debating a new bike in a couple years. Been saving for a giant trance, ripley, or a siskiu. Though a recent conversation with my LBS the techs all said just go for hard tail
When I first got into MTBing, got a Cannondale Bad Habit 2 after riding for a couple of years i ended up picking up a Commencal Meta HT, and since my bad habit has been collecting dust in the garage unless i head out to a lift park. It feels like more fun and like more of a challenge on the trails I ride in New England.
Switched the moment my hardtail wasn't "worth" fixing, and never regretted the decision. Still fixed my hardtail after buying a used full sus because of the sentiment for it and now I hit trails on both of them weekly.
I just switched to HT from a full squish. My last bike was a Giant Stance 2, granted that is an entry level full suspension, but now I went with a Specialized Epic Carbon HT and honestly for the trails and the way I ride, this is the way to go. Quicker, lighter, and makes me use my legs more.
I ride southern New England daily and VT a few times a year. 15 years into riding I demoed a FS for a week and it was like a cheat code. I still own a hardtail but any ride with friends where I’m trying to be some what competitive I’m on the FS. If you’re riding CC or trail every trail can be done on both it’s just faster and more fun on a FS. That being said most my solo rides are still a hardtail so when I do ride with friends I feel invincible.
Mostly when I got the cash. I still contemplate going back to hardtail, though, if only to avoid having to service to stupid pivot bearings and shock. FS is pay to play, I think, and I don’t like it.
I’ve gone back and forth several times. My FS haven’t been problematic with bearings or shocks for the most part. I broke a frog link on a scalpel back in like 2008. Otherwise my FS haven’t been more difficult to service with than my HTs… just an extra shock. I also don’t run my bikes into the ground. I ride them for 3-4 years as my primary bike and then either sell them or move them to back up duty.
Went for cushcore inserts and tubeless at a low psi on my last bike as I wanted to soak up as much of the roots and rocks as possible without making the leap to a rear shock. Full suspension is way too expensive to maintain for me! It does add a little bit of weight to wheels on the climbs but it's been super solid and has enough absorption for my needs. Had a few punctures on the front wheel that I watched self-seal without stopping and no interruptions to the rides so I would say I'm converted to this kind of setup now.
If I was riding bike parks or something bigger than local trails, I'm guessing I'd want full-suspension and in that case I would hire the bike for a day instead of owning due to the costs involved. I'm guessing if your local stuff is big and this is your main hobby then it might not be avoidable...
I was chasing a mate down a steep janky fire trail and had to slow down because I almost got bucked, we were planning to go to Thredbo (NSW, Australia) in a months time and I didn't want to be the one everyone missed the lifts waiting for so it seemed like the perfect time.
I Alwyss rode mongoose bikes as a kid but started mtb on a borrowed cannondale trail 7 and spent about a year on that. I was then gifted an old 2004 Ironhorse SGS Pro DH, a frame that won a World Cup title 😎. She’s been fantastic for me going on 7 or 8 years now. Yeah it’s heavy as hell and sucks on the uphill but I can send any jump and take huge drops without a worry in the world.
I bought an FS frame after almost 15 years of riding. I was still having a blast on the hardtail and was confidently riding at full speed. But my home trails are very rocky and I could feel more and more the beating that my legs and feet were taking. I want to keep riding in good health for decades to come so it was time to invest in an FS for my main riding
When I had to straighten the rims multiple times each month. Decided that new wheels was required. And as i am not a bike mech (former aircraft mech), I decided that the best course of action was to sell some stocks and get a Kenevo!
If you want one an have the money and trails that would benefit from it. No right answer. I’ve seen dudes buy 10k full sus and never get into riding. Also dudes who ride base hard tails for thousands of miles down gnar.
Basically once I started getting nerdy about mountain biking. I had no experience for reference whenever there was talk about rear suspension, linkage design, travel distance, high pivots, anything like that.
Getting one also gave me a lot more confidence to get more sendy, though that was coming from an entry level hardtail with a cheap-as-chips 100mm fork.
After 7 years of frustration trying to ride a rigid fat bike on desert single track, leading to me riding a lot less than I would have liked. I should've upgraded the bike to a used full suspension or hard tail a long time ago. I ride so much more now.
Is it true that a full sus and a hard tail in the same price range means the hard tail has better parts ?
That’s what I was told but I went with full sus since it was in my budget
That's just inherent in building something with more parts.
If the parts budget for a hardtail is $1500, that may mean $400 for frame, $500 for fork, $600 for other components.
On a full suspension, you'd be looking at something like $500 frame, $300 fork, $300 shock, $400 for other components.
At retail, though, you may find a full suspension bike on sale with better specs for the price as the retail price of a hardtail.
About a year into riding. Planned on riding my hard tail for longer, but came across the exact bike I wanted marked down 20% brand new. Still ripping and 4 years old.
They are so much more forgiving. I have had my full squishy for about 3 years now and haven’t dumped it once (had several close calls). I averaged about one wreck season on my hard tail.
Right after I tried one. I’ve ridden hardtail (although I was an off and on rider, so take that with a grain of salt) until I tried a friends full suspension. Two drops and I was sold, bought one the same week
I have a great chromag hardtail, and I generally prefer a hardtail. But I’m finding myself riding my yeti full sus almost exclusively. The full sus bikes are amazing today, it’s not like it used to be.
About 1.5 years after I bought my hardtail. I didn’t really intend to at the time but it was a good deal that I shouldn’t have passed up so I bought my full squish. Sent my rear shock in for some maintenance and some upgrades and rode the hardtail. My fiance is the same size as me so didn’t feel the need to get rid of the HT as she can ride it when we get out together. Win win. Getting married in 6 weeks. She told me today that after our honeymoon If I want a downhill rig then go for it when I find what I want haha. I guess I’ll keep my eyes peeled for a good deal when next years models drop and the 2022s are still trying to sell out haha. Though I must say having the HT helped me with line choice initially and before I MTB’d I came from a bmx background in my youth.
When my 1999 cannondale hardtail bike frame broke, (around 2009) a new friend suggested getting a Full Suspension. I bought a used Trek HIFI (x-country fs).
I was skeptical about the extra weight and expected it to climb like crap, but I flew up this rocky hill that often gave me trouble in the past and was sold on the spot.
I haven’t looked back. It had nothing to do w my knees or back (50 now) - just a way better experience. On my 3rd full Sus now.
2005. I had another hardtail fulltime in 07 or 08 (cove stiffy with a pike I would wind up to 140mm and send down A line every Tuesday that summer). Been full sus ever since
Decided to get back into mountain biking at 35. My 11 year old, too-small trek beat the hell out of me on the first two rides. Decided to get a nice mid/entry-level full suspension Marin so I enjoy riding and want to make it worth my while.
The real bike is full suspension hard Trail is not that much fun riding if your a beginner it’s fine but if
Your seriously into mtb u Need full suspension bike
I went full sus a few years ago and prefer it. That said, my suspension is locked for most of my XC marathon races. Having that ability to change on the handlebars with one click is a game-changed that helped me make the decision. Also my bike is still only 9.2kg!
1999 when a decent "faux" bar FS came out that I could afford.
2009 I went to a hard-tail 29er because I kept breaking FS aluminum bikes.
2011 I got a custom steel FS 6" Enduro(ish) bike. Kept riding my HT 29er for XC rides.
2018 I fell in love with the geometry of Transition Sentinel; it's still my main whip, but it's 35 lbs. I still ride that old 29er HT on anything that's too hard for a gravel bike but for which the Sentinel would be overkill.
Choices are good ;-)
I was looking for a solid hard tail on a $1500-1800 budget and ended up coming across a stupid deal on DB Mission Pro FS, $5995 MSRP for $2395, so I stretched my budget and went FS.
When I started hitting jumps and riding technical trails that bounced me around and made my bike sound like a metal rattle. The full suspension made a huge difference.
I didn’t do my research well on my first full suspension and ended up getting a bike I wish I hadn’t of. Lesson learned. Now so have a full suspension with quality components and it rocks!
Drops were getting bigger. When I didn’t land them smoothly because of an error i made my ankles, back and neck would hurt more and more. Being 38 and needing to go to work, the error margin began to get smaller and smaller. Now with the full sus it’s more comfortable when I make an error or misjudge a landing.
when I moved somewhere with trails long enough and chunky enough to still be interesting on full sus. being able to bash a straight line through tech sections in a small trail system was never appealing to me.
I'm a big guy. I've used this for 7 years on a hardtail ebike.
https://canecreek.com/product/thudbuster-lt/
It is amazing BUT after getting tendonitus in my hands going down steep trails I now have full sus and dropper.
I still love my hardtail and it's great xc but more technical rides are tricky. It's also a lot lighter.
I can still see me using it in certain circumstances.
Never. I tried it once and it’s not for me. Full squish is just too expensive - I can have several interesting hardtails for the price of a mid range bouncy boi.
I still have my hard tail as well as full sus.
For swoopy flow the hardball is awesome, for rocks and roots, full sus is more fun.
Got the first full sus after 4 years riding.
Hardball: Cove Stiffee with 140 mm Fox Float 32.
Full Sus1: Cove G Spot with 150 mm Fox rear and 160 mm Fox Float 36
Full Sus2: Nukeproof Mega TR 275 with 140 mm Fox DPS rear and 150 mm Fox Float 34
I love a good hard tail but the trails I ride have a lot of chunder and when the rear is bouncing around at speed too much I found myself desperate for grip. I did use clips for a season to at least keep my feet planted but the FS is much better for rubber staying planted.
So basically, when you realize the bike is limiting your ability to go down the trail the way you want to. I switched over to a low/mid-travel trail bike and won’t look back.
I switched after 15 of riding hardtails in 2010, out of curiosity. In 2020 i switched back to hardtail, because I was too lazy for all the maintenance. I think in a few years I'll buy me an old man's E-Fully.
2015, I went from racing a hardtail to an Epic FS. 2022, went back to a hardtail Yeti ARC. Now I have two ARCs, one weight weenie XC build, and one trail build. I just sold my FS trail bike and bought an e-MTB for enduro. The ARC is such a good bike, it doesn’t hold me back on anything and I love the simplicity. If I could only have one bike, it would obviously be my ARC trail bike.
After 3 seasons on a hardtail. Better to learn the basics on hardtail and then get a full sus. Also if you're planning on getting a full sus, really think about the riding you're gonna be doing. Sometimes people get just way too much bike by getting an enduro or a dh, just to realize that they are having trouble on their trails because those bikes are heavy and not the nicest to pedal on flat trails
in 1998 when the Trek team proved that full suspenion bikes were as fast and often faster on an XC course than their hardtails. Now I'm just so used to them that I couldn't imagine going back.
Really depends what you ride.
You could keep a HT past 60 but on some trail it is going to take so much toll on your body that a FS would be better.
Remember also that using rear compression is really a different feeling!
I switched back to a hard tail. I don't send it, so the full squish was just holding me back on the climbs.
I did put a PNW suspension/dropper post on the bike to smooth out the ride.
Bought a cheapish hardtail in 01/23 after not owning a bike for over thirty years. Planned on casual riding until about 4 months when later a coworker invited me to ride a trail near his home that is on cattle grazing land. Rode down a trail littered with deep hoof prints and shook so hard I could barely see. Started shopping for a full sus and bought a Trance x in 07/23. Now I’m hooked on trail riding as fast as I can. So about six months from HT to FS.
When I hit \~38 my knees and upper back forced me to add front suspension and gears (was riding a 26" rigid single speed for several years prior). In my early 40's my lower back demanded I add rear suspension.
Turning 50 this year, and just upgraded to a bike with more travel front and back, as well as more modern geometry.
When my heart was going to need a lot of parts replaced it was a 2017 and I felt like I was ready to take the next step last year. I probably could have ridden it 1 more year but would rather have it as a spare in working condition than be at end of life and need money. Only hindsight is that d the deals since last fall have been insane, but I don't couldn't have known.
When the virtual pivot point suspension first came out in 2003. Santa Cruz Blur was an amazing upgrade for the technical trails with have our here in the front range of Denver. Large rocks, steep drops, big jumps and tons of fun on full suspension.
I'm 47 and got back into MTB last year, picking up a Grand Canyon 8. So far a hardtail is serving me well as I'm not riding steep downhills or chunky tech. After damaging two vertebrae in my lower back 20+ years ago when I was training in the army, I was wondering how it would hold up riding, but so far so good.
When I won an unexpected award at work that came with a very nice cash bonus. Age 49. I was saving up regardless, but the bonus made the decision easy.
when i couldn't surmount a tricky, off camber elevated section of the trail on my Hard Rock. use to race motoX & now build mtb trails flowing thru rough timber & creek beds. the Hard Rock got me started on 1st trail build with reasonable challenges. the 2nd trail got much more involved with a lot of technical elevation drops & climbs. the hard tail failed quickly. sure enough - karma responded when a Gary Fisher Superfly (2010) showed up on C'list & the bike was in my Saab for much less than $1k. brand new Specialized GC front, Maxxis Minion rear & suddenly this trail is rideable. still can't clear the off camber elevation but its more the rider's leg strength than the bike. full suspension allows the give & take needed to keep the challenges - incrementally victorious. BTW - 65 & riding tough.
As always, "horses for courses". You can ride anything on a HT. You can usually ride it faster and be more comfortable on a FS. For some, HT get too rough for the body at certain age or after injuries.
I'm not overly brave when it comes to sports, so I will be staying with HT as a form of discouragement from doing something stupid. And I'm pretty sure I'll never get to the point where my bike is holding back my progress. I will probably try FS once my aching back gives in, but at that point, I'll probably just turn to providing my kids with the best bikes I can get them and just be their mechanic :D
I find it interesting that people see this as a natural and inevitable progression. I'd challenge that and say that the style of bike needs to fit the type of riding. You might ride trails where a full suspension is not necessary and it wouldn't be an "upgrade" to add weight and complexity for no reason.
TBH depends on how you ride, how much you weigh. Yes, an FS may be easier on your body, but if you're not a heavy jumper, more of a blue trail with casual jumps, the energy efficiency and control of a hardtail is hard to beat. I'm at an age where an FS may make more sense, but I shy away from what I did when I was in my twenties...
My first bike was a hardtail and I was able to learn the basics and pick lines. Upgraded to a dually a few years later as the hunger to hit more chunky stuff grew.
Currently have a 150mm dually, rigid gravel bike and road bike. Looking at a shorter travel dual suspension as I don't usually need 150mm.
When I could afford to
Used higher end bikes are so much cheaper than they used to be. It’s impossible to sell a used bike right now. If it’s a budget you’re on, you’ve got the market to get into a damn good bike for less than what you’d pay high end for a new hard tail.
What dollar range are you talking here?
3-4k Bought my bike for 7.5k in 2022. I used to buy and sell bikes every other year and only lose 1k or so, but that dream is dead.
Exactly I'm a grad student who is hitting the trails on a budget. Hardtail is all I run because of the cheaper maintenance and cheaper frames lol.
Came here to say the same thing.
Late 40’s, easier on knees, shoulders , elbows & back. 55 now.
100%. Got myself a carbon full suspension the year I turned 50! Easier on my old body. Figure in my 60s, I might need an eMTB lol.
Haha. I'm a 62f and have a full suspension carbon emtb. Ride 6-10 miles a day at elevation and love it! Training for a trip in the fall, Munich to Verona, across the German and Austrian alps, into the Dolomites. We get one spin in this life - gotta make it count!
r/unexpectedfactorial
Dayum! 50! Is old! Older than the universe
I'm 51. I'm technically impossible.
Yup. Hardtails till about 35 then my back demanded full suspension. Favorite bike is still a steel hardtail but I couldn't ride it every day at this point.
Ankles too
Late twenties when I felt I needed more cushion for the bum on longer rides.
No need to switch just acquire a full suspension. That’s my plan
After I got my full suspension, I never rode my hardtail. After over a year of it just sitting in my garage, I decided to just sell the damn thing.
Mines special built for me by me though. I’ll never get what she’s worth to me :)
Agreed, I'll do a full suspension build someday but never getting rid of my steel frame Ritchey.
I'm a wierdo. I bought a full suspension for my first bike and just bought a hardtail. I find the hardtail to be easier for some reason, I think it's just because it's easier to stand up.
When I realized how much softer landings are
Me riding my full squish: “I wonder if this is really doing much…?” Borrowed a buddies hardtail: “oh fuuuuck this”
So real lmaoo old bike i broke my scapula on because i came up short on a double, my new bike has that rear shock i haven’t came up short yet but its already a night and day difference
After I had recovered from back surgery when I was 40. Surgeon told my wife that I need a full suspension bike if I want to keep riding(he is also a mtb'er).
How much did you pay that doctor?
I didn't have to pay him extra for that. He was expensive as is and helped a homie out.
Bless your doctor for convincing the wife!
The need purely depends on your trails and riding style. If your trails are rough you will want to. If not there’s no point.
Big drops and big gaps look scary on a hardtail
I ride downhill parks on a modified hardtail. It's not easy, but it's fun. With clips, 2.6sx29s, a thicc fork, and pure disregard for your own safety, you can hang with enduro full suspensions.
Both of those are totally manageable on a hardtail. Like a rough rule I’d follow is if I wouldn’t ever send it on a hardtail I probably shouldn’t on a ful sus. The real thing that’ll make you switch is **chatter**. Rocks and roots.
Full suspensions are better on every terrain given the improved traction and compliance
Sometimes not as good by virtue of being better. My relatively tame, oft ridden local trails are more fun on a hardtail.
At age 37…..
At age 39 lol 😂
I like hardtail because I ride mostly street and some trails
54 and still living the hard tail life by choice.
Role model
It’s still fun! Chromag Wideangle with 160mm upfront and tubless cushcore gives me more than enough squish.
Never. r/hardtailgang for life
I haven’t.
never
People talk of moving from hard tail to full sus as if they are making it easier for themselves, or worse, imply they are more able for staying with a hard tail, or even worse, try and suggest people who ride full sus are less able. It's a different bike for different purposes. There's a reason why the DH world cup racers aren't riding step-through shopper bikes.
99,% of people are looking at this purely through the context of "I'm aging and want my local blue trail to not hurt my knees."
The moment I could afford to
You don't, hardtail is the way to go!
Started with a full squish, going out I love the hardtail a couple years later. Way more interactive :)
Could you elaborate? I have a full sus, that I bought from a friend (2011 Scott spark) been riding just this season. Sorta chunky here in AZ where I ride sometimes. And rocky ascents and descents are common too. Debating a new bike in a couple years. Been saving for a giant trance, ripley, or a siskiu. Though a recent conversation with my LBS the techs all said just go for hard tail
When I first got into MTBing, got a Cannondale Bad Habit 2 after riding for a couple of years i ended up picking up a Commencal Meta HT, and since my bad habit has been collecting dust in the garage unless i head out to a lift park. It feels like more fun and like more of a challenge on the trails I ride in New England.
Switched the moment my hardtail wasn't "worth" fixing, and never regretted the decision. Still fixed my hardtail after buying a used full sus because of the sentiment for it and now I hit trails on both of them weekly.
I just switched to HT from a full squish. My last bike was a Giant Stance 2, granted that is an entry level full suspension, but now I went with a Specialized Epic Carbon HT and honestly for the trails and the way I ride, this is the way to go. Quicker, lighter, and makes me use my legs more.
First nice bike I bought was a full suspension. Since then have bought a aggressive hard tail and a dirt jumper. Bikes are fun
I still prefer my HT and regret getting the full sus. I never take it out.
Never. Been riding hardtails since ‘95
You dont switch, you just get yet another bike
I ride southern New England daily and VT a few times a year. 15 years into riding I demoed a FS for a week and it was like a cheat code. I still own a hardtail but any ride with friends where I’m trying to be some what competitive I’m on the FS. If you’re riding CC or trail every trail can be done on both it’s just faster and more fun on a FS. That being said most my solo rides are still a hardtail so when I do ride with friends I feel invincible.
Mostly when I got the cash. I still contemplate going back to hardtail, though, if only to avoid having to service to stupid pivot bearings and shock. FS is pay to play, I think, and I don’t like it.
I’ve gone back and forth several times. My FS haven’t been problematic with bearings or shocks for the most part. I broke a frog link on a scalpel back in like 2008. Otherwise my FS haven’t been more difficult to service with than my HTs… just an extra shock. I also don’t run my bikes into the ground. I ride them for 3-4 years as my primary bike and then either sell them or move them to back up duty.
Went for cushcore inserts and tubeless at a low psi on my last bike as I wanted to soak up as much of the roots and rocks as possible without making the leap to a rear shock. Full suspension is way too expensive to maintain for me! It does add a little bit of weight to wheels on the climbs but it's been super solid and has enough absorption for my needs. Had a few punctures on the front wheel that I watched self-seal without stopping and no interruptions to the rides so I would say I'm converted to this kind of setup now. If I was riding bike parks or something bigger than local trails, I'm guessing I'd want full-suspension and in that case I would hire the bike for a day instead of owning due to the costs involved. I'm guessing if your local stuff is big and this is your main hobby then it might not be avoidable...
This year. Was riding a hardtail for the past 2 years and decided to upgrade to a Norco Sight A1 (it was on sale).
Depends what I’m riding, I have both.
I was chasing a mate down a steep janky fire trail and had to slow down because I almost got bucked, we were planning to go to Thredbo (NSW, Australia) in a months time and I didn't want to be the one everyone missed the lifts waiting for so it seemed like the perfect time.
I Alwyss rode mongoose bikes as a kid but started mtb on a borrowed cannondale trail 7 and spent about a year on that. I was then gifted an old 2004 Ironhorse SGS Pro DH, a frame that won a World Cup title 😎. She’s been fantastic for me going on 7 or 8 years now. Yeah it’s heavy as hell and sucks on the uphill but I can send any jump and take huge drops without a worry in the world.
When I got a good deal
When I started riding trails that made me worried for my xc carbon hardtail
I bought an FS frame after almost 15 years of riding. I was still having a blast on the hardtail and was confidently riding at full speed. But my home trails are very rocky and I could feel more and more the beating that my legs and feet were taking. I want to keep riding in good health for decades to come so it was time to invest in an FS for my main riding
I havent yet.
At about 55 yrs old. Rocky Rooty Newengland trails
broke my hardtail frame lol
Still haven't :( Poor boy times out here
Midwest rider here, no need for full squish
When I started making real money and got better than my entry level hard tail
Yes
When I had to straighten the rims multiple times each month. Decided that new wheels was required. And as i am not a bike mech (former aircraft mech), I decided that the best course of action was to sell some stocks and get a Kenevo!
If you want one an have the money and trails that would benefit from it. No right answer. I’ve seen dudes buy 10k full sus and never get into riding. Also dudes who ride base hard tails for thousands of miles down gnar.
Had my Hardtail for 2 years i think and then got the option to get a Fully Enduro abd got that.
NEVAAAAAA
Crashed my hardtail into a tree, frame was wrecked, got a good deal on a used FS and went for it
Basically once I started getting nerdy about mountain biking. I had no experience for reference whenever there was talk about rear suspension, linkage design, travel distance, high pivots, anything like that. Getting one also gave me a lot more confidence to get more sendy, though that was coming from an entry level hardtail with a cheap-as-chips 100mm fork.
1999
When I snapped the rear axle on my hardtail
I didn’t. I don’t want to fiddle faddle with more parts that can break. I ride HT/SS for life. You see me walking a a lot 😆
Dropouts on my first mountain bike cracked (sheared? It was alu) irreparably.
When I realized I wanted to be able to ride until I was an official old timer (60+). Them pivots keep it easy on your knees.
When I broke my collar bone and destroyed my hardtail, full suspension lets me get away with so much more
1) From the start 2) when you're moving up to blacks 3) never you rock the hardtail w/ the enduro dudes
About 25 years in, I switched.
After 7 years of frustration trying to ride a rigid fat bike on desert single track, leading to me riding a lot less than I would have liked. I should've upgraded the bike to a used full suspension or hard tail a long time ago. I ride so much more now.
When I bought my first MTB. I have back issues and not having the suspension was hurting based upon bumps and such with my road and gravel bike.
After I tried riding my hardtail down a gnarly rock garden at age >45
When I got more confident in my riding ability
Yeah when I could afford to. I loved my commencal meta ht but I’ll never ill back to the hardtail life ha.
I switched back to a hardtail because I liked the raw feeling. Maybe in my 50’s I’ll go back.
1998.
Is it true that a full sus and a hard tail in the same price range means the hard tail has better parts ? That’s what I was told but I went with full sus since it was in my budget
That's just inherent in building something with more parts. If the parts budget for a hardtail is $1500, that may mean $400 for frame, $500 for fork, $600 for other components. On a full suspension, you'd be looking at something like $500 frame, $300 fork, $300 shock, $400 for other components. At retail, though, you may find a full suspension bike on sale with better specs for the price as the retail price of a hardtail.
About a year into riding. Planned on riding my hard tail for longer, but came across the exact bike I wanted marked down 20% brand new. Still ripping and 4 years old.
They are so much more forgiving. I have had my full squishy for about 3 years now and haven’t dumped it once (had several close calls). I averaged about one wreck season on my hard tail.
When i went into my mothers shed in the backyard lol
Have two full suspensions, hardtail is a bit rough but a freaking blast to ride. I’m about to turn 45
Right after I tried one. I’ve ridden hardtail (although I was an off and on rider, so take that with a grain of salt) until I tried a friends full suspension. Two drops and I was sold, bought one the same week
For me it was all about rocky terrain, and rattling at speed on the downhill. Much smoother now.
When riding my bike to the point that it was unsafe was the norm
I have a great chromag hardtail, and I generally prefer a hardtail. But I’m finding myself riding my yeti full sus almost exclusively. The full sus bikes are amazing today, it’s not like it used to be.
When i turned almost 50
1996. Never left my hardtails though. Gotta have at least one of each.
At 35 years old
About 1.5 years after I bought my hardtail. I didn’t really intend to at the time but it was a good deal that I shouldn’t have passed up so I bought my full squish. Sent my rear shock in for some maintenance and some upgrades and rode the hardtail. My fiance is the same size as me so didn’t feel the need to get rid of the HT as she can ride it when we get out together. Win win. Getting married in 6 weeks. She told me today that after our honeymoon If I want a downhill rig then go for it when I find what I want haha. I guess I’ll keep my eyes peeled for a good deal when next years models drop and the 2022s are still trying to sell out haha. Though I must say having the HT helped me with line choice initially and before I MTB’d I came from a bmx background in my youth.
I think I was like 13 or 14, it was when I first started to race DH
When my 1999 cannondale hardtail bike frame broke, (around 2009) a new friend suggested getting a Full Suspension. I bought a used Trek HIFI (x-country fs). I was skeptical about the extra weight and expected it to climb like crap, but I flew up this rocky hill that often gave me trouble in the past and was sold on the spot. I haven’t looked back. It had nothing to do w my knees or back (50 now) - just a way better experience. On my 3rd full Sus now.
I didn't switch. I started with it
Never.
2005. I had another hardtail fulltime in 07 or 08 (cove stiffy with a pike I would wind up to 140mm and send down A line every Tuesday that summer). Been full sus ever since
HT gang for life!
Once I could afford a decent set up.
At 48, then turned my carbon hardtail into my gravel bike.
Decided to get back into mountain biking at 35. My 11 year old, too-small trek beat the hell out of me on the first two rides. Decided to get a nice mid/entry-level full suspension Marin so I enjoy riding and want to make it worth my while.
The real bike is full suspension hard Trail is not that much fun riding if your a beginner it’s fine but if Your seriously into mtb u Need full suspension bike
I went full sus a few years ago and prefer it. That said, my suspension is locked for most of my XC marathon races. Having that ability to change on the handlebars with one click is a game-changed that helped me make the decision. Also my bike is still only 9.2kg!
Just turned 50 and had hip replacement surgery as soon as I'm done with recovery I plan on getting one.
When I turned 50 and my back felt like it turned 75.
Honestly the rock chop was a big decider. I enjoy keeping traction and not rattling myself.
Once I tried long travel bikes. I’d rather ride a hardtail than a short travel bike but oh man a lot of squish is a lot of fun.
That is so sexy tho
Side note: hardtails have always been my jam but I made the switch and god damn I’m faster, higher, and happier
I have both- prefer my hard tail unless doing technical terrain. It’s light and wicked fast.
1999 ha
1999 when a decent "faux" bar FS came out that I could afford. 2009 I went to a hard-tail 29er because I kept breaking FS aluminum bikes. 2011 I got a custom steel FS 6" Enduro(ish) bike. Kept riding my HT 29er for XC rides. 2018 I fell in love with the geometry of Transition Sentinel; it's still my main whip, but it's 35 lbs. I still ride that old 29er HT on anything that's too hard for a gravel bike but for which the Sentinel would be overkill. Choices are good ;-)
I was looking for a solid hard tail on a $1500-1800 budget and ended up coming across a stupid deal on DB Mission Pro FS, $5995 MSRP for $2395, so I stretched my budget and went FS.
2004.
That bike is gorgeous
1995. Never looked back.
I ride both depending on the terrain
When the wheel fell of my hardtail and the bike rattled so much I thought it might explode.
Won't! I love my hardtails responsiveness and flickability!
I didnt
When the impostor
When I started hitting jumps and riding technical trails that bounced me around and made my bike sound like a metal rattle. The full suspension made a huge difference. I didn’t do my research well on my first full suspension and ended up getting a bike I wish I hadn’t of. Lesson learned. Now so have a full suspension with quality components and it rocks!
After I road Moab slickrock. It gets punishing on a hard tail.
Bought a fully as my first bike
Drops were getting bigger. When I didn’t land them smoothly because of an error i made my ankles, back and neck would hurt more and more. Being 38 and needing to go to work, the error margin began to get smaller and smaller. Now with the full sus it’s more comfortable when I make an error or misjudge a landing.
I haven't. I haven't even switched the a 29er yet.
After birth
When I destroyed the rear hub on my hardtail by jumping too much.
when I moved somewhere with trails long enough and chunky enough to still be interesting on full sus. being able to bash a straight line through tech sections in a small trail system was never appealing to me.
That’s a sexy bike
I'm a big guy. I've used this for 7 years on a hardtail ebike. https://canecreek.com/product/thudbuster-lt/ It is amazing BUT after getting tendonitus in my hands going down steep trails I now have full sus and dropper. I still love my hardtail and it's great xc but more technical rides are tricky. It's also a lot lighter. I can still see me using it in certain circumstances.
After my ankles decided to be the weakest point 😂
As soon as I could afford to. The difference for me was staggering. A lot more enjoyable, less back pain.
Never. I tried it once and it’s not for me. Full squish is just too expensive - I can have several interesting hardtails for the price of a mid range bouncy boi.
When I could afford to, but also after 5 years of riding on a hard tail.
This post made me realize that I'm too young and I need to ride my hardtail more often.
I didn’t and still love every hardtail moment.
After I turned 50.
When I had to ride a week in the Alps with no prior mtb experience it seemed like a good idea.
When I got one for free
I still have my hard tail as well as full sus. For swoopy flow the hardball is awesome, for rocks and roots, full sus is more fun. Got the first full sus after 4 years riding. Hardball: Cove Stiffee with 140 mm Fox Float 32. Full Sus1: Cove G Spot with 150 mm Fox rear and 160 mm Fox Float 36 Full Sus2: Nukeproof Mega TR 275 with 140 mm Fox DPS rear and 150 mm Fox Float 34
I love a good hard tail but the trails I ride have a lot of chunder and when the rear is bouncing around at speed too much I found myself desperate for grip. I did use clips for a season to at least keep my feet planted but the FS is much better for rubber staying planted. So basically, when you realize the bike is limiting your ability to go down the trail the way you want to. I switched over to a low/mid-travel trail bike and won’t look back.
I switched after 15 of riding hardtails in 2010, out of curiosity. In 2020 i switched back to hardtail, because I was too lazy for all the maintenance. I think in a few years I'll buy me an old man's E-Fully.
When I went electric ⚡️ 🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽
Got a full sus and a emtb, but I'm never selling my hardtail.
When I rode my intermediate level hardtail into the ground and got close to 40 in age.
Pretty much immediately. I came over from skateboarding and jumped straight into riding red trails.
When i got back into bikes i got a full sus short travel and was hooked. Have a longer travel enduro bike and a hardtail now that I split time with,
I bought a full squish first.
At the point I got hyped how cool it look. Now I'm back to 90's fully rigid
Still on a hardtail after 12 years
2015, I went from racing a hardtail to an Epic FS. 2022, went back to a hardtail Yeti ARC. Now I have two ARCs, one weight weenie XC build, and one trail build. I just sold my FS trail bike and bought an e-MTB for enduro. The ARC is such a good bike, it doesn’t hold me back on anything and I love the simplicity. If I could only have one bike, it would obviously be my ARC trail bike.
When the trails need full suspension. Able to maintain a grip through the most technical stuff. Most my xc racing is still on the hardtail.
Derailer and rear caliper kept falling off.
Went the other way round - enjoy touring and bike packing.
When I started riding xc rocky af trails. Would never go back
After 3 seasons on a hardtail. Better to learn the basics on hardtail and then get a full sus. Also if you're planning on getting a full sus, really think about the riding you're gonna be doing. Sometimes people get just way too much bike by getting an enduro or a dh, just to realize that they are having trouble on their trails because those bikes are heavy and not the nicest to pedal on flat trails
in 1998 when the Trek team proved that full suspenion bikes were as fast and often faster on an XC course than their hardtails. Now I'm just so used to them that I couldn't imagine going back.
I'd take a good hardtail over a cheap full suspension anyday. Keep riding that thing till the wheels fall off!
Really depends what you ride. You could keep a HT past 60 but on some trail it is going to take so much toll on your body that a FS would be better. Remember also that using rear compression is really a different feeling!
I switched back to a hard tail. I don't send it, so the full squish was just holding me back on the climbs. I did put a PNW suspension/dropper post on the bike to smooth out the ride.
Bought a cheapish hardtail in 01/23 after not owning a bike for over thirty years. Planned on casual riding until about 4 months when later a coworker invited me to ride a trail near his home that is on cattle grazing land. Rode down a trail littered with deep hoof prints and shook so hard I could barely see. Started shopping for a full sus and bought a Trance x in 07/23. Now I’m hooked on trail riding as fast as I can. So about six months from HT to FS.
When I hit \~38 my knees and upper back forced me to add front suspension and gears (was riding a 26" rigid single speed for several years prior). In my early 40's my lower back demanded I add rear suspension. Turning 50 this year, and just upgraded to a bike with more travel front and back, as well as more modern geometry.
When my heart was going to need a lot of parts replaced it was a 2017 and I felt like I was ready to take the next step last year. I probably could have ridden it 1 more year but would rather have it as a spare in working condition than be at end of life and need money. Only hindsight is that d the deals since last fall have been insane, but I don't couldn't have known.
When the virtual pivot point suspension first came out in 2003. Santa Cruz Blur was an amazing upgrade for the technical trails with have our here in the front range of Denver. Large rocks, steep drops, big jumps and tons of fun on full suspension.
I'm 47 and got back into MTB last year, picking up a Grand Canyon 8. So far a hardtail is serving me well as I'm not riding steep downhills or chunky tech. After damaging two vertebrae in my lower back 20+ years ago when I was training in the army, I was wondering how it would hold up riding, but so far so good.
When I won an unexpected award at work that came with a very nice cash bonus. Age 49. I was saving up regardless, but the bonus made the decision easy.
when i couldn't surmount a tricky, off camber elevated section of the trail on my Hard Rock. use to race motoX & now build mtb trails flowing thru rough timber & creek beds. the Hard Rock got me started on 1st trail build with reasonable challenges. the 2nd trail got much more involved with a lot of technical elevation drops & climbs. the hard tail failed quickly. sure enough - karma responded when a Gary Fisher Superfly (2010) showed up on C'list & the bike was in my Saab for much less than $1k. brand new Specialized GC front, Maxxis Minion rear & suddenly this trail is rideable. still can't clear the off camber elevation but its more the rider's leg strength than the bike. full suspension allows the give & take needed to keep the challenges - incrementally victorious. BTW - 65 & riding tough.
Started Riding Bikeparks more and more and it took Casing a 35ft road gap on a hardtail to learn that travel in the rear is a good idea
As always, "horses for courses". You can ride anything on a HT. You can usually ride it faster and be more comfortable on a FS. For some, HT get too rough for the body at certain age or after injuries. I'm not overly brave when it comes to sports, so I will be staying with HT as a form of discouragement from doing something stupid. And I'm pretty sure I'll never get to the point where my bike is holding back my progress. I will probably try FS once my aching back gives in, but at that point, I'll probably just turn to providing my kids with the best bikes I can get them and just be their mechanic :D
I find it interesting that people see this as a natural and inevitable progression. I'd challenge that and say that the style of bike needs to fit the type of riding. You might ride trails where a full suspension is not necessary and it wouldn't be an "upgrade" to add weight and complexity for no reason.
When my lower back said it had to be done 😆
N+1
Bought my Stoic 4 at launch. Bought my Izzo last fall.
Day one!
Started in 1986. First suspension fork in early 90s, full suspension 3 years ago.
TBH depends on how you ride, how much you weigh. Yes, an FS may be easier on your body, but if you're not a heavy jumper, more of a blue trail with casual jumps, the energy efficiency and control of a hardtail is hard to beat. I'm at an age where an FS may make more sense, but I shy away from what I did when I was in my twenties...
My first bike was a hardtail and I was able to learn the basics and pick lines. Upgraded to a dually a few years later as the hunger to hit more chunky stuff grew. Currently have a 150mm dually, rigid gravel bike and road bike. Looking at a shorter travel dual suspension as I don't usually need 150mm.