Hardtail or Full-Suspension?

HARDTAIL

FULL-SUSPENSION

One of the biggest differences in mountain bikes is whether they are Full-Suspension or a Hardtail. Road bikes are more than anything the same, as in the way they are built. None have shocks on the front or back and so the differences are in the components and the material the frame is made out of (aluminum or carbon fiber). But the difference between a Full-Suspension and a Hardtail are huge. So what is the difference though? A Hardtail mountain bike means that you have a shock on the front, but there isn't one on the back of the bike. A Full-Suspension has a shock on the front and also in the back of the bike (see images).

So if they make 2 different bikes, there has to be pros and cons to both right? We'll start with the Hardtail. These bikes are great for racing because they are lighter and easier to control, two big things needed to help win a race. But the down side is that you can lose momentum and bounce around a lot, if the trail is super bumpy. A Full-Suspension on the other hand has the shock absorber on the back as well and so it makes it easier to have a smoother, more enjoyable ride. The downside though is that it makes the bike heavier and a little harder to control.

Having taken rides on both bikes, the difference is pretty big. Depending on where you ride, if it be on smoother trails like up in Bountiful or crazy rocky ledges in Moab, personally I'd take a Full-Suspension any day. But don't count out the Hardtail, it is a great learning bike and from my little experience at least, it helps you to appreciate the Full-Suspension when you one day get one.