What Are Full Suspension Mountain Bikes Used For

Full suspension mountain bikes are designed to be ridden on rough terrain. They are designed to allow the rider to tackle difficult terrain that would otherwise cause a hardtail bike to “bottom out” or a hardtail rider to be thrown off the back of the bike.

They have many uses, from recreation and fitness, to commuting and racing. Full suspension mountain bikes are also used by people with disabilities who ride them as a form of adaptive sport.

Is a full suspension mountain bike a downhill bike?

Full-suspension bikes are grouped into categories like cross-country, trail riding, enduro, and downhill, which we have listed here.^[1]

Is a full suspension mountain bike better for your back?

A full suspension mountain bike is the best bike for someone with a bad back. A full suspension mountain bike has suspension in the rear instead of being rigid like the hard tail. This added suspension makes the ride much smoother.^[2]

What do I need to know about full suspension mountain bikes?

Most mountain bikes have suspension to keep you in control over rough ground, but not all mountain bikers need the same amount and type of suspension. Hardtail mountain bikes do not feature a rear shock, whereas full suspension bikes feature front and rear shocks.^[3]

Is a hardtail faster than full suspension?

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.^[4]

Do I really need a full suspension mountain bike?

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.^[5]

Why are hardtails better?

Hardtail bikes tend to excel on slower, tighter trails and where the dirt offers more traction. On less technical terrain, hardtails often provide a more direct, involving ride. The rigid back end offers superb power transfer to the rear wheel when climbing and sprinting.^[6]

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

Yes, you can ride a mountain bike on the road. Many people like to have a mountain bike instead of a road bike or hybrid because they like the option of being able to ride off-road should they choose.^[7]

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

Condensed Answer: Full-suspension bikes are highly inefficient when used on the road. The suspension eats a lot of the pedaling effort and makes it harder to reach and maintain good speed. For that reason, full-suspension bikes are not optimal for road riding, although they can be obviously used on the road.^[8]

Is it easier to jump a full-suspension bike?

Full-suspension mountain bikes are capable of handling the impact of a landing from jumps far better than hardtails can because the suspension cushions the landing. This makes them safer and easier to use on jumps, and they can handle rough and even terrain better too.^[9]

Do I want a hardtail or full-suspension mountain bike?

The brief answer is: Choose a full-suspension bike if you are willing to spend a bit more and you want to ride technical trails. On the other hand, choose a hardtail bike if you’re on a tighter budget and/or plan to spend most of your time on smoother trails.^[10]

Can you convert a hardtail to full-suspension?

Condensed Answer: A hardtail frame would require serious modifications to the rear triangle to become a viable full-suspension model. In most cases, buying a dedicated full-suspension frame is a safer, cheaper, and faster method to acquire the benefits of dual suspension.^[11]

Why every mountain biker needs a hardtail?

Riding a hardtail is a very pure form of mountain biking that anyone can enjoy. It allows you to feel more connected to the terrain, makes you a better rider, requires minimal upkeep, and can be one of the most versatile bikes you own—or dare I say, the only bike you own.^[12]