Full Suspension Or Hardtail For A Newbie?

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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[@323johnnybravo]

Sell them the hardtail that way in 6 months they will be back for a full sus. Smart business move !!!!

[@darrinkulyk9560]

I crashed my HT 5X in a Month Got a Rocky FS ZERO Crashing lol lol Now I Have a CF Warden Thing HAULS 😎 I Do Blk Stuff Without Crashing ... i Ride Alot

[@323johnnybravo]

@@darrinkulyk9560 thats an awesome bike !!! People grow out of hardtails too quick just ends up being a waste of money.

[@Melonator13]

Still on my ht nearly two years later. Im not even progressing that slowly i just dont need a fs

[@darrinkulyk9560]

@@Melonator13 I was Doing a Delivery Fri. The shipper there Rides A 1993 Bike shes bought it like 12 yrs . ago fits her commuting needs perfect she rides to work . Real Nice Lady

[@terryhollands2794]

Hardtail is the best value.

[@elliott-mtb5599]

A hardtail is great starting bike for a young rider, I wouldn't recommend this to someone that's older especially when riding rough trails..

[@billionnaire1]

He's an older gentleman so in reality he'd be better off with A full suspension bike. He's joints and back will appreciate. I'm 40 and have been riding hardtails for most of my life and it does start to take it's toll on your body.

[@strollbaby]

Yeah I'm 46, still hardtailing - hope to still be hardtailing, at least another 15 years.

[@tedecker3792]

My MTB journey: 1986 first mtb, a fully rigid Jamis Dakota. 1988 moved to the east coast and bought an 89 Stumpjumper comp. 1992 got my first front suspension bike, a Stumpjumper FS. This was the bike that made me a real mountainbiker. 1999 moved to Moab, 2003 got a Specialized epic, my first full sus bike. 2015 got a Specialized 27.5 Enduro. Today: 75 years old and riding every day!

[@BFBMTb]

Agreed 100%. Started with fs then I challenged myself to ride ht for a year. Ht forces you to do things that are often overlooked with fs like using your legs for suspension and footwork.

[@geemy9675]

yeah I feel like the opposite if you wanna single bike go for a FS. if you have 2 it's nice to have HT too

[@karlwalters3763]

I went the other way FS and then Ht. I find the HT much more entertaining and love the fact that it makes me work harder on the techy fast trails. This was purely a personal choice and each to their own but I do find it rather amusing calling hardtails a "beginner bike"...

[@jamesprescott9869]

I’m the same. Aggressive HT for the win

[@scstinger5]

I just got a FS after years of wanting one and I don’t like it as much as my old aggressive HT. It’s just not as much fun!

[@encoresurfacing84]

Hardtail sucks if sensitive back. At his age his back may be a problem. Full suspension makes everything easier.

[@BasicBodThor]

For someone who looks to be in their 70s...I would recommend a FS for sure.

[@joemaiden666]

There's a really easy answer to this question. You need a hardtail and a full suspension........and a dirt jumper and a gravel bike.........aaaannnnd a rigid single speed and a road bike and a cargo bike and a Dh bike.........and a uni cycle 😬

[@5625130]

Nah mate. All newbies should start on fully rigid single speeders. You can't appreciate all the tech unless you know our origins and have experienced it

[@Dan_Kornfeld]

If you feel that a hardtail would be more beneficial to learning certain skills, then buy a full suspension! Lock out the rear shock, and once you feel properly "educated", unlock it, and smile knowing that you own essentially two bikes in one.😜👍‼️

[@mountaindew267]

But no one would actually do that because it's uncomfortable with no rear suspension. We have the technology and if you can afford it, full suspension is clearly better.

[@tibetergul]

@@mountaindew267 no it’s not ? A hardtail is literally more efficient in every way from climbing hills to putting down consistent power on the trail if you’re doing enduro. Full sus is better for comfort, jumps (which an older guy can’t risk without herniating a disc), and hype. Imo the pricing of full suspensions depend solely on FOMO from naive buyers and upcharging from bike shops

[@mountaindew267]

@@tibetergul have you ridden a trail with 2" to 6" rocks consistently imbedded in the path? Where I used to ride, a hard tail wouldn't put down any kind of reliable power because the back wheel would never stop bouncing off the rocks. A full suspension would absorb the bumps and keep the back wheel on the ground. Also, we weren't talking about locking the suspension on the way up for climbing. That's obviously beneficial. We were talking about locking the suspension all the time. No one would buy a full suspension bike and just leave it locked all the time. They would unlock it when it would be beneficial. Which is basically anywhere that's not a sculpted smooth pump and jump trail.

[@MrMorka39]

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

[@akaraikiriakatsuki3157]

It doesn't matter how long been riding or good I become. I'll probably keep riding the hardtail for the ease of maintenance, and cheaper build over all. I won't do anything extreme for me to be needing a fulsus, but our place wasn't exactly road bike friendly.

[@Ffkvke]

A hardtail is the best for a beginner by miles as explained by him

[@darrinkulyk9560]

Not really for the casual user yes . But For a Serious Rider .... no get a FS Traiilbike something you can do drops and jumps on .... a good budget bike that's the best way Ride It And ENJOY 😎 I have 2FS Bikes But Only Ride One . MY lesser bike will be Sold .

[@markgeorge2200]

@@darrinkulyk9560 true but not every mountain biker has the trails which have big jumps and drops, also some mountain bikers dont care about em too much like xc riders

[@darrinkulyk9560]

@@markgeorge2200 Definitely Depends Where You Ride and Wants . I Was Totally Underwhelmed my HT was Ok But Just That . Example when i started i walked my HT Down A Good Blk. Trail .... 3 months Later I Cleaned It With My Warden without alot of Drama 😎

[@dvs620]

​@@darrinkulyk9560 Hard to be a hardcore rider when you're a beginner. Maybe read the original poster's comment before talking about full suspension. Where I live, there's almost no need for a full suspension. Unless you like less efficient pedaling on trails.

[@darrinkulyk9560]

@@dvs620 I Have owned HTs my first one I put 5500km on it the 2nd one is in bits in my shop . I bought 2 FS Bikes In 2 months last year .... i wont be buying anymore bikes .... I have a DOALL 😎

[@michaelzwiener1756]

he needs a full süß not for traction bit for comfort... not gonna shred anymore in hus age. no need for the time on a hsrdtail. but I do agree, for younger drivers hsrdtail is the way to get started...

[@tomlevasseur8550]

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.

[@cccycling5835]

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

[@Nathan-wf1pr]

Even if this is true, a full suspension is going to make mountain biking way more fun and you will be more capable on almost all terrain and enjoy it lots more too.

[@hollow34]

I love my hard tail but I've been peer pressured into getting a full suspension. I went second hand, brand new it was £2k I paid 10% of that. Turns out the suspension needed replacing

[@0xsergy]

if you're paying 200$ for a 2000$ product expect severe maintenance requirements. Noone sells for 10% without a reason

[@Qwiggsy]

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.

[@FirstNameLastName-ev3jk]

Friction Cycles. Great bike shop.

[@mrgreen2769]

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.

[@zmrgdz9535]

Sadly I went down the hardtail path and found out later on that the trails near me destroy beginners on a hardtail and I come home with damage each time haha

[@viral_clips926]

I’m on that path right now 😂😂

[@kristoffermartinez3159]

You should have started on a hard tail. There are many important skills that are learned on a hard tail that are harder. But if you learn them on a hard tail it will benefit you In the long run

[@zmrgdz9535]

@@kristoffermartinez3159 well I wish I could agree and normally I would but the only trails I have access too are known for destroying hardtails, the only guys I know who ride hardtails are the more experienced riders, doesn't help that I'm 110kgs haha I recently the rear of my hardtail-

[@darrinkulyk9560]

Indeed i started with a 08 HT 5 months ago .... Crashed 5X in The First Month .... Bought a Rocky FS ZERO Crashing lol lol I Now Ride A CF Warden 160/155 Bike HAULS i Ride Blk . Stuff Without Crashing .... lol lol I Ride Alot

[@zmrgdz9535]

@@darrinkulyk9560 haha yeah, I'm super excited as I'm jumping into the FS very soon, all Beit cheaper (polygon sikius D6) but I've tried the D5 and it's still pretty comfy for me and no issues so I'm getting the d6 with the dropper post and all that

[@robcoastalga8279]

Seems more like selling a guaranteed trade when someone is tired of getting their spine compressed. Sell a hardtail and most people will be wanting a FS sooner than they'd otherwise be back. Exclusions are dirt jumpers and BMX etc.

[@akaemzett]

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.

[@NabineGabrielleMSiete]

Hardtail steel one with chinesium shifters. Cause it aint painful to replace and tinker things if you're new.

[@roqclimber]

A Hardtail does have Rear Suspension. The problem is that it's your legs.

[@greasemonkeyguitarshop]

If you’re a little older, always go for full suspension… it will beat you up less and you will enjoy it more!

[@TheBarrettCompound]

I've thought about it. I just had to have both the hardtail and a full suspension. A couple of them.

[@arge12]

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

[@arge12]

Forgot to mention this was all in less than a month…. 😂

[@Collin275]

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.

[@yota8325]

Been riding over 10 years and still ride a hardtail. I've had full sus bikes but I find unless it's extreme downhill. The hardtail is more fun

[@dansburns]

That advice is only good for a younger rider. For someone his age, I would put him a 120-140mm bike that pedals wells but is kind of plush.

[@Icanseeyoupee]

Older people should use full, easier on the body and knees.

[@adammiller8096]

I prefer a hard tail over full suspension I have a full suspension but I need to work on making the rear suspension more stiff the tail bounces to much.

[@Razerhasgame]

I started on a hard tail and in less than a month I sold it and got a full suspension and never looked back

[@davidbolam71]

He needs a full suspension e-bike!😎

[@MoshPitCreator]

So I went back to HT this year. Havn'T been on the trail yet, to realy check it out, because I live where it is flat as it can be. But already I hate that I have to stand up for every middle grade bump in the road. On the other hand it realy feels fast.

[@davidtalent1858]

Depends what you’re riding, but hardtail better in most cases unless very rough. Hardtails are less expensive to buy and then maintain. Hardtails generally have better pedal efficiency. No dipping rear end on every pedal stroke.

[@darkwinter-lll]

He sees the prices and thank you have a nice day

[@prophet447]

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.

[@TheSarcasticEngineer]

My friend loses speed over rocks and I never seem to, I always figured it's all about the knees, keep them loose and let them absorb some of the ruts- line choice aswell obviously. I think you learn that on a hardtail but not so much on a full-sus. That said, I suck at jumps and he knows how to load himself up with the suspension in a way I haven't figured out.

[@nord270]

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

[@Cowboypt]

If you have deep pockets to allow jumping around between bikes!

[@cheyennegrahamoneill9330]

I started on a solid frame then went to what was called at the time a "soft tail", a giant NRS. Unlike today's "squishy" full suspension bikes it was set up with no sag at the rear shock. It rode like a hardtail but the rear suspension absorbed big bumps. Later I went to a hardtail and really enjoyed it, but recently got back into the hobby on a full suspension "squishy" all-mountain bike. I think I'm going to rebuild my hardtail as a lightweight XC rig so I can hit a variety of trails

[@minthos4045]

for Older people , get a full suspension period!

[@hanestshirtsarecool]

😂 People always talk about the hard tail like the Ugly friend with a "good personality"😂😂😂

[@NotEnoughAlpacas]

Love my Polygon Xtrada 7, tried full sus, but just prefer hardtail

[@1000sofusernames]

Dude is at the wrong age to be hitting the trails hard if he's not already a good rider. I'm half decent but once you eventually stack it it takes a long time to heal once you get past 40.

[@geemy9675]

I dont see hardtails much on the trails nowadays.

[@fspeshalxo69]

Me riding a hardtrail because it's cheaper haha

[@strollbaby]

Sell them the full sus if you think they're intending to get serious but tell them to ride it with the rear locked out, till they become a more confident rider. If they're just dipping their feet in riding and don't know if they will like it, maybe sell them a hardtail or ask how much riding they've done and whether or not they can just rent bikes, where they intend to ride. If this old guy is gonna be hitting the rough trails, I'd be surprised, lol - maybe send him to the ebike store. I prefer hardtail - have an oldschool hardtail - 2014 Troll - mostly xc enduro, some downhill but ride mostly for hill climbing.

[@williambrazil3760]

Retro means modern manufactured in an old style lads, you either mean vintage or just old

[@ericzingeler7140]

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!”

[@petergibson7287]

Pro tip; buy one of each.

[@Mi-Chis]

Best way to start mountain biking is by having fun and building confidence. If a beginner has fun he/she’s going to ride more and riding more will make them get better. All the talk about learning it right with a hard tail first is utter bs…

[@someonesgottodoit]

Never really liked hard tails always been a full sus

[@peteandenzo19]

I totally agree with starting with a hardtail then move on when you get better

[@darrinkulyk9560]

Ya Its 2K For a Nice Bike I Would Buy A CF Trance For That . Unless all you can afford is a cheap bike . I bought a 250$ HT Last Summer .... I Upgraded It ... Realized It Wasnt going To Cut It And Bought a RM Thunderbolt Good Bike but Mid Grade .... CF Warden Done basically boils down to where and How You Ride What You Like .... if You Want a Cheap Bike I Cant See it ... the Modern HTs Cost alot Too so Might as Well Get FS . Retail is impossible doctors and lawyers ... I would never buy Retail. If i would have realized how much fun i was going to have i could have saved 2500$ buy NOT Buying the Lesser Bikes . I will Sell the Rocky And keep the HT . The CF Warden Hauls I Ride Vancouver 😎 Rode to work This Morning -7 C .... was Abit Brutal .

[@stevebennett3587]

Hardtail for me, simple👌

[@tibetergul]

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

[@darrinkulyk9560]

HTs Are Brutal Is The Bush ..... Min Fun ....

[@CHUNKYNUGGET666]

He missed that this guys a grandad… mountain biking career lol like that’ll happen. Get low travel dual suspension ffs

[@mountaindew267]

You have to learn how to move your body. AKA you have to stand up 100% of the time on bumpy trails with your back wheel losing traction from bouncing over rocks every other second.

[@andrewcrookes5775]

HT all Day

[@lukeroberson1202]

The real difference is 3-6k😂

[@EerieVonIII8574]

Hell no, full squish all the way

[@timnolan4407]

Come on pal. Look at the age of him. Don't be a skinflint. I mean I'm 59. I've got a fat tyre ebike. Full suspension. You need it for your back.

[@erikklumpp3464]

Sell the old a full squish Jesus

[@geralddadap1761]

Hardtail is better for beginners

[@ejeje641]

Why you telling a old man to get a hard tail thats just naughty. Offer him a ebike

[@ladduncan]

What no offering of a fully rigid!!

[@timboha8191]

When you have little to no skill would it not be advantageous to have as much mechanical assistance as possible? You will be instantly better on a full suspension, and forget about technique most people don’t have the fitness to utilise technique, go full sus and work on fitness.

[@ActivityPhoto]

Isn't this guy a little old to be starting writing mountain bikes, in any kind of a aggressive manner?

[@ish474]

I'm a Die Hard hardtail fan. And I think this argument is complete crap. What people need when they start riding mountain bikes are big wins early. What they don't need is to get bucked off and hurt. Or have their knees be their only rear suspension. That doesn't mean I don't think people should start on hardtails. That just means that if you want to get someone new riding and have them stick with it a hardtail is a bad proposition.

[@lunarstorm27]

if you want to ride uphill you need a hardtail.

[@TheKasperlkopf]

Thats just bullshit

[@markgeorge2200]

xc full sus bikes exist, also you can lock out the rear shock now so its almost as stiff as a hardtail, in fact most ful sus bikes in general have a rear lockout so its very easy to climb on them

[@timboha8191]

Or an ebike

[@soupwithsatanthesacrament606]

Have you, sir thought about the fact that a Hardtail is much more advantageous in many situations? FS have their place but definitely do not replace a hard tail just based off of rider experience.

[@NJ87-90]

Don’t understand this advice bike shops give out these days “if your getting into MTB then get a hardtail” I’ve been a cyclist since the 70’s, a sponsored rider & worked in the cycle industry including retail & I ride a Carbon XC hardtail because it’s my weapon of choice, I can do the same as my mates on there Santa Cruz BLUR or Scott SPARK “believe that” so quit with the “if your getting into MTB” like it’s for inexperienced novices!!

[@ABHI-dl4dc]

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

[@philipwoodbury3827]

They each require their own riding technique. Riding a hardtail requires you to be the suspension and FS requires you to learn how to let the suspension do the work, especially when it comes to climbing.

[@Thenoobbytoon]

I really want to experience a full sus. But the price is enough for me to buy a second car. 😂