For $1200, you can find a decent used fs with modern geometry and a lot better parts. Also, depends on the type of riding you are doing. If you’re just riding around the block, I would go with the hard tail out of those two because I’m sure the fs is a lot of excess weight.
omg-its-bacon on
Per mod –
Mostly XC riding with some technical. No racing, mostly recreation with the sole purpose of losing weight and having fun. No massive drops, but some smaller jumps.
St. Louis, MO area. Local trails. Mostly blues, few blacks.
$2000
I have the Rockhopper. I don’t dislike it, but the chain snaps around everywhere, no dropper, doesn’t feel too good jumping it. I realize that’s not what it’s for…I think I should have gotten a 27.5 wheel. It’s a 29er. I’m 5’8”. My normal weight is 170lbs, at 200lbs currently down from 240lbs.
I did light bmx as a kid. Nothing serious. Started mountain biking in March of this year. (Grew up in Illinois…it’s flat 😂). I’m a beginner in this world, but I’ve progressed a lot since March.
coupleandacamera on
You might be better off with a slightly higher quality used FS. Price should even out
D1rtyStinkStar on
Full suspension gives a much more comfortable ride. Also boosted my confidence greatly.
FrankensteinBionicle on
your legs will take less abuse with full suspension and terrain will feel smoother
ResidentNarwhal on
Full suspensions are excellent for a reason in the ride quality. Main differences is:
– price. FS will always be more and budget FS’s are pretty crap, at least at the lower bounds you can find a decent hard tail. You can try the used market however.
– more maintenance. Two suspension systems to maintain plus pivots. The price of shop suspension maintenance will probably make you immediately go “do I want to pay this or risk trying to figure it out myself” which then leads to investing in tools and figuring it out….and then ducking it up and taking to the shop anyway.
– if you only own hard tails I guess you can take a slight sense of superiority in that?
– I find FS’s less hard on my body and easier to build confidence to push myself. Though a counter argument is developing skills and practice on hard tails translates much better to the other.
– if your first bike is a HT, that bike will become an excellent lazy cross country trail bike for fitness, bike-packing bike or loaner bike if you choose to upgrade to a nice enduro FS. But if you have a “beginner/budget” FS and get a nicer FS bike later there’s generally less you can do with your first bike.
6 Comments
For $1200, you can find a decent used fs with modern geometry and a lot better parts. Also, depends on the type of riding you are doing. If you’re just riding around the block, I would go with the hard tail out of those two because I’m sure the fs is a lot of excess weight.
Per mod –
Mostly XC riding with some technical. No racing, mostly recreation with the sole purpose of losing weight and having fun. No massive drops, but some smaller jumps.
St. Louis, MO area. Local trails. Mostly blues, few blacks.
$2000
I have the Rockhopper. I don’t dislike it, but the chain snaps around everywhere, no dropper, doesn’t feel too good jumping it. I realize that’s not what it’s for…I think I should have gotten a 27.5 wheel. It’s a 29er. I’m 5’8”. My normal weight is 170lbs, at 200lbs currently down from 240lbs.
I did light bmx as a kid. Nothing serious. Started mountain biking in March of this year. (Grew up in Illinois…it’s flat 😂). I’m a beginner in this world, but I’ve progressed a lot since March.
You might be better off with a slightly higher quality used FS. Price should even out
Full suspension gives a much more comfortable ride. Also boosted my confidence greatly.
your legs will take less abuse with full suspension and terrain will feel smoother
Full suspensions are excellent for a reason in the ride quality. Main differences is:
– price. FS will always be more and budget FS’s are pretty crap, at least at the lower bounds you can find a decent hard tail. You can try the used market however.
– more maintenance. Two suspension systems to maintain plus pivots. The price of shop suspension maintenance will probably make you immediately go “do I want to pay this or risk trying to figure it out myself” which then leads to investing in tools and figuring it out….and then ducking it up and taking to the shop anyway.
– if you only own hard tails I guess you can take a slight sense of superiority in that?
– I find FS’s less hard on my body and easier to build confidence to push myself. Though a counter argument is developing skills and practice on hard tails translates much better to the other.
– if your first bike is a HT, that bike will become an excellent lazy cross country trail bike for fitness, bike-packing bike or loaner bike if you choose to upgrade to a nice enduro FS. But if you have a “beginner/budget” FS and get a nicer FS bike later there’s generally less you can do with your first bike.