General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Full suspension mtb vs hardtail xterra neast Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2012-12-20 3:16 PM

User image

Veteran
185
100252525
Sunny Binghamton
Subject: Full suspension mtb vs hardtail xterra neast

Looking to do some xterra's in 2013 and wondering if I should go full suspension cross country or hardtail...the courses would be in pa., ny., vt.

I would not be looking to "downhill" with the bike or do any jumps/tricks. Just ride the trails.

Budget would be 3,000 or so...d.ow....(depending on wife!)



2012-12-20 3:27 PM
in reply to: #4543336

User image

Master
1430
100010010010010025
Calgary, AB
Silver member
Subject: RE: Full suspension mtb vs hardtail xterra neast

With that much money get a full with a lockout no question. I was half that at the time, so for me it was a 1500 high end hardtail or a mid-range full susp. The rear shock is basically a 500$ premium. 

2012-12-20 3:33 PM
in reply to: #4543336

Veteran
458
1001001001002525
Minnesota
Subject: RE: Full suspension mtb vs hardtail xterra neast
I would go full. Any additional weight is made up by taking less of a beating if the trails aren't smooth.
2012-12-20 5:16 PM
in reply to: #4543336

User image

Master
2855
20005001001001002525
Kailua, Hawaii
Subject: RE: Full suspension mtb vs hardtail xterra neast

lots of folks are racing with hardtails these days.

I've been still using my full suspension mtb for XTERRA, even though I had planned on using my hardtail. reason ? I just feel more comfortable and secure with the descents on the full.

the hardtail can be a faster bike, especially uphill, but it takes it's toll on your legs, which make up for the suspension loss.

another thing to consider, the maintenance is pricey for the frame shock. more to go wrong.

2012-12-20 5:22 PM
in reply to: #4543499

User image

Sensei
Sin City
Subject: RE: Full suspension mtb vs hardtail xterra neast
I have a full suspension 29er that I ride all the time.  For XTERRA, I ride what I have - so the FS 29er.  If I was a hard core racer, I would PROBABLY get a Hard tail 29er as a second bike and save some weight.  But I only got the one bike (well, I do have a 26, but that one is retired) so I use that for everything.
2012-12-21 8:21 AM
in reply to: #4543336

User image

Extreme Veteran
635
50010025
Georgia
Subject: RE: Full suspension mtb vs hardtail xterra neast
Years on a hard tail taught me tailbone injuries are no fun. Id opt for the suspended bike, as it would also be the machine you train on Im guessing.Many of the current suspension designs are really good at using almost all of the pedal force and putting it to the ground. You'll deflect less off of bumpy terrain, keeping the wheel driving fwd as well. Only slight advantages with a hard tail, mostly on hardpack fast trails, and extended smooth climbing.


2012-12-21 2:24 PM
in reply to: #4543336

User image

Expert
2373
20001001001002525
Floriduh
Subject: RE: Full suspension mtb vs hardtail xterra neast
I think the dual suspension makes me a better mtb rider; however, unsure that I would want to race on it given the added weight. But then again, you get beat up a lot less.  I suppose I am ambiguous.  Hope that helps. 
2012-12-21 2:57 PM
in reply to: #4543336

User image

Master
2327
200010010010025
Columbia, TN
Subject: RE: Full suspension mtb vs hardtail xterra neast
jcc - 2012-12-20 3:16 PM

Looking to do some xterra's in 2013 and wondering if I should go full suspension cross country or hardtail...the courses would be in pa., ny., vt.

I would not be looking to "downhill" with the bike or do any jumps/tricks. Just ride the trails.

Budget would be 3,000 or so...d.ow....(depending on wife!)

Alright, here is some advice you can take to the bank (from an Xterra triathlete and mtb racer):

On at least 90% of the trails you will ride a FS 29" is fastest, followed by a 29" HT, followed by a 26" FS, followed by a 26" HT. 

This has been proven a few times over by experienced mtn bikers doing back to back testing on various bikes some of them even correlating lap times to power profiles.  There will be exceptions to this for certain courses and for certain riders especially for sprint type races.  But I feel 100% confident that the above will hold true for any aspiring mtn biker that needs to ask the question. (meaning I assume you are a novice to middling mtn biker which makes me all the more sure you will be faster with a FS frame).

As for the comment about more expensive maintenance...I've had 4 FS bikes over the last 7 years and never needed maintenance on a rear shock. 

2012-12-22 9:56 AM
in reply to: #4543336

User image

Master
2426
200010010010010025
Central Indiana
Subject: RE: Full suspension mtb vs hardtail xterra neast
FWIW- MTB races at last Olympics were pretty even mix of HT & FS, so elite opinions still seem split (at  least for that couse).  I don't race MTB anymore but still own both.  Which bike I ride depends on the course.  To me FS is clearly less taxing on rough courses, but you can usu buy lighter HT with better quality fork for given budget.  Most wrenches I know feel FS requires more maint over time, not only in rear shock but also in bushings for the rear suspension. 
2012-12-22 10:43 AM
in reply to: #4543336

User image

Expert
1121
1000100
Subject: RE: Full suspension mtb vs hardtail xterra neast
I race XC Mountain bike races in the spring. Tri in the summer. Had a 26" HT for a couple years. Bought the Specialized Epic Comp 29er this past spring. Retail was about $3,200. Huge difference. The brain technology In the rear suspension makes it the perfect race bike. You get the best of both worlds, HT and FS in one bike. Highly reccomended.
2012-12-22 1:01 PM
in reply to: #4545137

User image

Master
2855
20005001001001002525
Kailua, Hawaii
Subject: RE: Full suspension mtb vs hardtail xterra neast

rizer22 - 2012-12-22 5:43 AM ...Bought the Specialized Epic Comp 29er this past spring. Retail was about $3,200. Huge difference. The brain technology In the rear suspension makes it the perfect race bike. You get the best of both worlds, HT and FS in one bike. Highly reccomended.

same bike, and it is very good...except the frame shock went out on me

the Brain system is excellent, minor weight add-on. the only nit is...although the shock is by Fox, it's specific to Specialized, which means if anything goes wrong you are the mercy of Specialized. It took about 2 months to have them fix it.



2012-12-22 7:38 PM
in reply to: #4545242

User image

Expert
1121
1000100
Subject: RE: Full suspension mtb vs hardtail xterra neast
metafizx - 2012-12-22 2:01 PM

rizer22 - 2012-12-22 5:43 AM ...Bought the Specialized Epic Comp 29er this past spring. Retail was about $3,200. Huge difference. The brain technology In the rear suspension makes it the perfect race bike. You get the best of both worlds, HT and FS in one bike. Highly reccomended.

same bike, and it is very good...except the frame shock went out on me

the Brain system is excellent, minor weight add-on. the only nit is...although the shock is by Fox, it's specific to Specialized, which means if anything goes wrong you are the mercy of Specialized. It took about 2 months to have them fix it.


Damn, that's a long time. I was told by my bike shop mechanic, who is very experienced, that I should have that frame shock serviced or rebuilt (I forget exactly what he said) every two years. Some forget they have to put air back in both shocks way more often than you would think. I never realized that until he mentioned it a few weeks ago. My front shock was way off. I noticed an immediate difference in comfort.
2012-12-23 5:07 PM
in reply to: #4545458

User image

Master
2855
20005001001001002525
Kailua, Hawaii
Subject: RE: Full suspension mtb vs hardtail xterra neast
rizer22 - 2012-12-22 2:38 PM
metafizx - 2012-12-22 2:01 PM

rizer22 - 2012-12-22 5:43 AM ...Bought the Specialized Epic Comp 29er this past spring. Retail was about $3,200. Huge difference. The brain technology In the rear suspension makes it the perfect race bike. You get the best of both worlds, HT and FS in one bike. Highly reccomended.

same bike, and it is very good...except the frame shock went out on me

the Brain system is excellent, minor weight add-on. the only nit is...although the shock is by Fox, it's specific to Specialized, which means if anything goes wrong you are the mercy of Specialized. It took about 2 months to have them fix it.


Damn, that's a long time. I was told by my bike shop mechanic, who is very experienced, that I should have that frame shock serviced or rebuilt (I forget exactly what he said) every two years. Some forget they have to put air back in both shocks way more often than you would think. I never realized that until he mentioned it a few weeks ago. My front shock was way off. I noticed an immediate difference in comfort.

my shock failed on me about 2 years of riding. wasn't too surprised, I expect some maintenance and I rode the crap out of it. BUT for them to take so long was hard to deal with, so I bought another bike ;-) n+1 rule haha.

2012-12-24 7:58 AM
in reply to: #4543336

User image

Extreme Veteran
575
500252525
Concord, NH
Subject: RE: Full suspension mtb vs hardtail xterra neast
jcc - 2012-12-20 4:16 PM

Looking to do some xterra's in 2013 and wondering if I should go full suspension cross country or hardtail...the courses would be in pa., ny., vt.

I would not be looking to "downhill" with the bike or do any jumps/tricks. Just ride the trails.

Budget would be 3,000 or so...d.ow....(depending on wife!)

 

VT does not have an XTERRA race anymore, so I hope you can make it to Stoaked in NH.

This discussion comes up everyone once in awhile and my opinion, along with quite a few fast guys I know, is that if you can only have one mtn bike get a full suspension.  I have never heard someone say "If I only had a hardtail for that race", but I have heard "I wish I had FS for that race".  Any added weight is made up when it comes to rock gardens and the such.  Sky High in NY and King of the Hill in NJ have some extremely rocky sections that in my opinion are much faster on full suspension.

I also feel that your back and legs are fresher heading into the run with a full suspension.

 

2012-12-24 9:51 AM
in reply to: #4543336

User image

Veteran
185
100252525
Sunny Binghamton
Subject: RE: Full suspension mtb vs hardtail xterra neast
thanks for the input guys happy holidays and have a great 2013....it's going to be a f.s. for me!
2012-12-24 11:10 AM
in reply to: #4543336

User image

Expert
792
500100100252525
Leicester
Subject: RE: Full suspension mtb vs hardtail xterra neast
I vote full sus also and with that budget you will get a lockout front and probably locking rear shock too.

How tall are you? My friend is 5'7" and he has a rediculous geometry/toe overlap on his 29er, he rides his full sus 26" bike much more. Monster cross style 29er and he doesn't mind the toe overlap and rides that bike hard.


New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Full suspension mtb vs hardtail xterra neast Rss Feed