Summer 25% discount on all last year's bike models
Hardtail or full suspension
Choosing between a hardtail and a full suspension bike comes down to where you ride. A hardtail is lighter, simpler to maintain and pedals efficiently on climbs. A full suspension bike soaks up rocks and roots and keeps your wheel on the ground on rough descents, at the cost of extra weight and more parts to service.
Neither option is wrong. It depends on the trails near you and how you like to ride them.
Why choose a hardtail
Hardtails cost less, climb well and need less maintenance, which makes them a great first mountain bike.
If you mostly ride smooth trails and gravel, a hardtail will serve you well and keep things simple.
Full suspension comes into its own on rocky, root strewn trails, where the rear shock keeps your tyre tracking the ground instead of bouncing off every obstacle. You will feel more confident on fast, technical descents, and your hands and back take less of a beating after a long day out.
What to consider
Weight and maintenance are the real trade off. A hardtail needs less looking after, just a chain, cables and a fork service now and then. A full suspension bike adds a rear shock and extra pivots, which means more to check and more to replace over the years.
Test ride both if you can. The difference is easy to feel on a proper trail, and it tells you more than any spec sheet.
