Rich <
[email protected]> wrote:
> I'm thinking of getting a new mountain bike and am contemplating whether to
> go for rear suspension or not.
>
> What are the pros and cons?
I had a FS MTB for 2 years, and have now gone back to hardtail.
Weight was a perceived issue, though the FS bike was only around 2lbs
heavier than my current HT mtb.
Ugly looking frame, with no way of lifting it on my shoulder going over
stiles/logs etc was another downside.
Maybe it is my riding style, but I dont think the rear sus helped me
much, I generally use it for MTB races (up to 2 hours long), and the
occasional night ride in the Peak District. If I was doing a 6 hour
enduro, then my **** might like the FS, but as it is, the HT suits me
fine, and I dont think it has slowed me down at all.
There was an article a couple of years ago in MBR (I think) which
compared riders times when doing the Red Bull 24hr race at West Brom.
The course was mainly flat land, with a couple of raliway embankments,
and a few sections of lumpy grass, usually around 50 minutes a lap.
IIRC, all but one rider did better on the FS than the HT, yet they all
said they felt they were going slower on the FS.
Get it if you can afford a decent set-up, but get the best you can, as
cheaper means heavier.
Alan.
--
To reply by e-mail, change the ' + ' to 'plus'.