What mountain bike did you have when you started out riding? Buying your first mountain bike can be confusing; however, we sent Rich and his Dad over to Friction Cycles to get some top-tier advice on the best type of MTB to go for.

#shorts #GMBN #MTB #MountainBiking #hardtail #fullsus #vs #beginnermtb

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44 Comments

  1. I hate how MTB industry has just become pandering to older clientele who can actually afford these 2-9000$ FS bikes, especially since whatever tech on them becomes fucking obsolete every few years and you are always on a cycle of paying too much for a bike with no motor

  2. Mate your old and can afford a full suspension bike, your arse will thank you later and get one with an electric Motor as well

  3. I don't think beginner should buy full suspension until he/she have plenty amount of money to maintain but i think spare parts are cheaper in other countries cuz its tooo expensive hear in india I mean too much here 🥲 due to taxes customs

  4. The shop guy, while knowledgeable and friendly, has clearly never been a 65 y/o man. The older you get, the harder it becomes to get into new activities. Especially technically challenging ones like mtb. If he has the money, he should get the FS to help lower the barrier to entry as much as possible. Mtb should be spent enjoying the trails, not hanging on for dear life doing something you’re uncertain about.

  5. Just made test on blue-red trail which is mix of climb and descent. Hardtale 120 mm is quicker vs full 160 mm. Probably around 130 mm full sus would be quickest vs those two. Tyres also are very important for different terrain. This topic has no end

  6. Unless your local trails are silky smooth, this argument is a load of crap. Buy an aluminum full suspension trail bike and some quality flat pedals + riding shoes. Learn proper technique, e.g. hip hinge, heavy on feet while light on hands. Try different terrain. Don’t “send it!”

  7. Good sales technique. Buy the bike that only lasts a year so you can buy the proper bike in a year. If your new and want to do proper trails start with full suspension. If you just want to go on flat walking trails get a hard tail.

  8. But a full suspension is more fun and makes everything easier – then go back to a hardtail if you like that riding style later

  9. Depends on a few things:
    Budget
    Commitment
    Riding style
    Ability

    Anyone who can afford the expense; if youre in it for the long run, start on a hardtail. If you already have solid technique, get a full sus.

    Obviously its not as black and white as that but generally, its better to get a solid form before moving onto something more advanced.

  10. I’ve already got a gravel bike that I ride on trails that I probably shouldn’t be, so my first MTB was a full sus XC. Couldn’t be more pleased

  11. At age 58 I started “mountain biking “ with an iron Huffy. I did that for a year, then bought a Scott Scale. I rode that in the Maine forests for five years. Three weeks ago I bought a Scott Spark. I’m not the average 65 year old.

  12. I am strictly full suspension for street riding, I don't off road and because of back issues the full suspension allows me to ride longer. The last hard tail I had was rough on my back. We have mainly asphault paved roads and they are not being well maintained so every little bump in the road if on a hard tail is felt. Besides I generally buy budget bikes in the $200 range, just ordered a Hiland 26 inch full suspension to replace a $189.99 Genesis V2100 26 inch full suspension I have had for over 11 years. If you baby these budget bikes you can get miles and enjoyment on them. Sure I had to replace the cheap rear calipers, cheap pedals, seat and front disc brake cable in the 1st year but after putting better parts on I never had anymore issues other then pad replacements.

  13. I’m a newbie I was going to start with a $300 waltmart bike…. That was the plan… then a $600 trek bike that I returned.. got another trek Roscoe $1300 then I returned…. And I’m now waiting for my canyon spectral to arrive at $2300 for the AL…. MTB is not what I initially thought it will be .. it will consumed you and suck you dry of $$$ lol

  14. It all depends on his fitness goals and on the terrain he will be riding. Most seniors I know stick to gravel roads and do it for the cardio. For that, a hardtail is perfect.

  15. Love this channel. But odd to pick an elderly newbie. I’m 63. Rode since leaving the army in 1990. Started on a chromoly rigid. Excellent introduction to trail skills. Then hardtail. The f/s. In this case, and depending on what the man wants to do, I’d probably recommend something in the ‘all-mountain’ category. But I noticed a lot of new, elderly riders on my trails with e-MTBs. (The devil’s work. My wife has one. It’s like a Honda Goldwing!!!)

  16. I bought a bike that would match my love of riding. Full suspension. I’m 48, had my first crash, bloodied up a little and it was awesome! Found a new bike on Marketplace that was like .40$ on the dolllar from new!!

  17. Older bloke should go full sus E-bike straight up if it's in the budget.
    It's about matching his abilities. Full sus to easy pressure off his body and E-bike to keep him out on the trails/ tracks as long as he wants to be there not what his body will allow.

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