Hardtail vs. Full Suspension Mountain Bikes – Which One Should You Choose?

One of the challenges that bike shoppers face while getting a new mountain bike is knowing the right one to choose. Yes, of course, it cannot be easy to make a good decision when you have numerous options of great products right in front of you.  Do you find yourself in this reality, precisely when the two prominent mountain bikes (hardline and full-suspension) are involved?

Since it's the desire of every rider to get a bike that can serve them well and meet their purpose of use, there are several features that can influence your decision to pick the right mountain bike between a hardtail and full suspension. Some of these features include price points, build options, comfortable ride, maintenance level (low or high), speed, and trail type. So, which mountain bike is right for you. Let's explore each of them one after the other and then unveil the better product to pick.

Hardtail Mountain Bike

29er carbon hardtail boost frame M27

Hardtail mountain bikes are only designed with front suspension (without rear suspension). They are characteristically lighter, cheaper, and easier to maintain because they are made with fewer moving parts. They are more reliable and durable bikes when compared to a frame with rear suspension. In short, they are bikes considered as "the workhorse of the mountain bike world."

Why Should You Consider A Hardtail Mountain Bike?

Check out below some of the distinctive features that can make you see hardtail mountain bike as the better option:

1. Budget: If you're on a budget, a hardtail will definitely be an ideal option. Do you plan to get a mountain bike for about $1,500 or less? This is a way to put your cash to good use. The bike features a simpler design that is cost-effective to manufacture, which offers bike makers the chance to add high-end components (such as shifters, derailleurs, brakes, etc.) than what is featured on a full-suspension bike.
2. Trails: A hardtail bike will be an ideal option for you if you spend most time riding on smooth trails. With this bike, you can enjoy a fun and fast ride as it can impressively absorb moderate bumps using its front suspension fork.
3. Maintenance: As a rider that likes low-maintenance bikes, this is your right kind of bike. A hardtail mountain bike comes with fewer moving parts, making it less expensive and simpler to maintain when compared to full-suspension bikes. Nonetheless, you will be required to do a certain amount of basic maintenance.
4. Lightweight: Do you like a light bike? Then hardtail is excellent for you. The bike weighs less than a full-suspension mountain bike due to its simpler design, which comes with fewer parts. For riders that are planning to cover long distances or do a lot of climbing, a less-weight bike will be more suitable. However, you can see some higher-end full-suspension bikes as light, but they don't come cheap.

Full-Suspension Mountain Bike

A full-suspension mountain bike is a newly well-designed bike that keeps riders comfortable and in control over rugged terrain. With this bike, you can incredibly push your riding skills to a more significant level and bask in the pleasure in the benefits of improved traction, better control, and more comfort. This is made possible through the front and rear shocks, which help absorb the hits when riding on rough terrain or traveling off-road.

29er Full Suspension Enduro Bike P9

Why Should You Consider A Full-Suspension Mountain Bike?

Check out below some of the distinctive features that can make you see a full-suspension mountain bike as the better option:

1. Budget: You need to prepare yourself financially to get a full-suspension mountain bike. This is because due to its high quality, you will find an entry-level full-suspension mountain bike sold starting from $1,500. In case you don't mind spending such an amount or more, and you have confirmed that the bike is perfect for the terrain you are getting it for, then purchasing it is a great option.
2. Trails: A full-suspension mountain bike will be an ideal option for you if you spend most time riding on technical trails.  These trails include up and over roots, rock gardens, or off of drops. The bike features a combination of front and rear suspension,  which offers a smoother ride characterized by better handling and traction, providing the rider with more fun on rough terrain.
3. Comfort: A full-suspension mountain bike can provide a more comfortable ride. This is because it's designed to absorb most of the jarring bumps that could have been pushed to your body ( which may perhaps unseat you from the bike sometimes). With this, riders can experience less fatigue, which can lead to riding faster and longer with better comfort.
4. Speed: if you need good speed, a full-suspension mountain bike is a good option. It is designed with front and rear suspension, which heavily assist in sucking in bumps, resulting in more speed on any technical sections of trail than the speed you could get when riding on a hardtail mountain bike.

Hardtail VS. Full Suspension: Which is Right for you?

Finally,  here we are with the precise detail about the right mountain bike for you. Both products are ideal, but the difference in their features make each suitable based on riders' preference.  

The table below is the summary of the comparison between both bikes. We hope it will help you with your purchase.

The Verdict

By now, you shouldn't have any problems knowing the right bike for you between a  hardtail mountain bike and a full-suspension mountain bike. You should never forget that the answer to the question " which is right for you?" will depend on factors such as budget, trail, maintenance, weight, comfort, and speed. For the sake of emphasis,  a full-suspension bike will be an ideal choice if you’re willing to spend more and intend to ride on technical terrain. But a hardtail mountain bike will be a good choice if you're on a tighter budget and will be riding on smoother trails.