Do I Really Need A Full-suspension Bike?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Mountain bikers carrying some injury tension will always be more comfortable on a full-suspension bike on any terrain

. For those riders who are healthier, wish to develop their skills, and explore more demanding trails, the full-suspension mountain bike is a much safer passage to progression.

How long do full-suspension bikes last?

With proper maintenance a mountain bike can last

over 20 years

. This duration is highly dependent on where you ride and how much you ride. Some items will wear out, tires, chains, brake pads and drivetrains will not last forever.

Why are full-suspension bikes expensive?


The inclusion of the rear suspension (shock)

is the main reason why full-suspension mountain are so expensive. A low-end shock will cost around 250$ while shocks from the upper part of the performance spectrum that comes with more adjustments can surpass the 700$ mark.

Why are Hardtails better?

The hardtail, with its

lower weight and rigid rear end

, is more efficient when your ride consists of road or smoother trails and plenty of pedalling.

Are Hardtails more fun?

Hardtails are a little rougher, but that just adds to the sense of speed, even if you're not riding as fast.

They can even be more fun on some trails

: the kind of trail that isn't too rough and needs a bit of pedaling, a sweet jump trail, or a fresh secret trail where you're surfing loam all the way down.

Can you ride a full suspension mountain bike on the road?

Are Hardtails good for trails?

Instead of aggressive terrain,

hardtails work great on slacker gradients and smoother trails

. Tailor your ride to a hardtail's strengths and you'll be getting the most out of what these bikes can offer.

Can you convert a hardtail to full suspension?

What kind of travel does that bad-boy get? To the OP, as you can probably tell from the wise-cracks,

there's no way to convert your hard-tail bike to full suspension

(the marvelous Shockster not-withstanding). The best you can do is try to sell your old bike and get a new one.

Is full-suspension mountain bike worth it?

You want a more comfortable ride:

A full-suspension mountain bike will soak up most of the jarring bumps that would otherwise be sent to your body

(and in some cases, buck you off your bike). This can help reduce fatigue, which in turn can allow you to ride faster, for longer, with greater comfort.

Why are MTB so expensive?

In short, mountain bikes are so expensive because

they are built from expensive materials which are labor-intensive to produce, and the simple economics of high demand with relatively little market competition

.

Is an expensive bike worth it?

Generally speaking,

they offer stronger, stiffer frames with drastically lower weight, which improves the overall efficiency of the ride

. On a more granular level, more expensive frames also have more consistency from unit to unit.

Can a bike last forever?


If a bicycle is ridden regularly, then it probably can't last literally forever, but it should last several decades with proper care

. You'll need to replace many parts along the way, however. A steel bike has the greatest potential (not guarantee) of lasting forever because it's highly resilient and repairable.

How long should you keep a bike for?

To summarise, a bike will have a lifetime of

approximately five everyday-riding years

before it gets shot to pieces. This lifetime can be extended indefinitely through new components and diligent maintenance (or instantly shortened in the case of a crash).

How can I make my mountain bike last longer?

  1. Keep it clean. It's important to wash the dirt and grime off your bike on a regular basis. …
  2. Don't grind your gears and strain your chain. Don't wait to downshift until you are climbing hard. …
  3. Give your brakes a break. …
  4. Keep your tires under pressure.

Does anyone still ride hardtails?


Hardtails are largely absent from the party

, though. Even XC racers (yes, those still exist) are most often riding short-travel full-suspension bikes because they've become so light in recent years that there's no reason to go without some cush.

Can a hardtail go downhill?


Yes, you absolutely can ride a hardtail downhill

. You'll feel every bump your back tire hits but you can sure do it. In fact, many riders will ride a hardtail bike downhill to force themselves to learn how to pick a better path.

Are carbon hardtails worth it?

For our money,

the feel of carbon is superior to aluminum, and may, in fact, be worth the upgrade cost in itself

. There are two major factors that we see as a benefit of a carbon frame over an aluminum one: dampening and torsional stiffness.

Are hardtails slower?

Looking at the first rooty lap,

the hardtail was 6.19 seconds (1.1 percent) faster than the full suspension

, but crucially, the power required was eight watts (2.53 percent) lower. This is the absolute golden ticket of race performance, as it means the hardtail was faster for less effort.

Do hardtails climb better than full suspension?

Climbing and Descending

When it comes to climbs,

hardtails conquer them better than full-suspensions

. That's because their low weight and rigid rear save the rider's energy.

Are hardtails better for jumping?

So, are hardtail mountain bikes good for jumps?

Hardtail mountain bikes are good for jumps

. It is also easier to jump on a hardtail mountain bike compared to a full-suspension mountain bike. However, because of the lack of a rear suspension, the drop on a hardtail won't be as forgiving compared to a full suspension.

Why is my mountain bike so slow?

If your bicycle usually feels sluggish and slow it can be caused by

mechanical issues such as friction in the brakes, the wheel or the drivetrain, extra weight, loss of power or some unusual riding condition

.

Is it OK to ride mountain bike on pavement?


You can ride your mountain bike on pavement

. Just keep in mind that it will be harder to pedal (i.e. slower), and the pavement is hard on traditional knobby mountain bike tires.

Are mountain bikes slow on pavement?


Mountain bikes are harder to pedal and slower on pavement

. But they have a cushy ride, an upright riding position, and can travel easily on a wide variety of surfaces. Hybrid or cross bikes are almost as fast and easy to pedal as a road bike, while being almost as comfortable and versatile as a mountain bike.

Do hardtails make you a better rider?


It makes you a smoother rider for sure

. Whether you end up better is a different thing. It makes you a smoother rider for sure.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.