Given the slightly higher learning curve that comes with riding a mountain bike as compared to a road bike, choosing a correct mtb becomes even more important for beginners. One of the most asked questions is – hardtail vs full suspension mountain bike- which is better?
For most people, hardtail mountain bikes are better than full suspension. Hardtails cost 3-4 times less than full suspension bikes, are cheaper to maintain and also will teach you the correct mtb riding skills due to their lack of rear suspension.
Basically, your first mountain bike ought to be a hardtail. You should plan to ride it regularly for at least 6-12 months before reviewing whether you want to continue with it or trade it in for a full suspension. By that point, you would have become sufficiently skilled in riding a mtb.
This is just a general rule though, and in order to make a more informed choice that works for YOU, read this next section where I compare hardtails and full suspension mountain bikes on 9 key factors:
Key Differences Between Hardtail and Full Suspension MTBs
#1 Suspension. The suspension or shock absorbers in mountain bikes are necessary to make the ride smoother, since the bikes are usually operated on rough terrain. In hardtails, only the front fork suspensions are included, and there is no suspension in the rear. Full suspension bikes, however, have front AND rear suspensions.
#2 Cost. Hardtails are a pretty basic design and hence are cheaper by approx 3-4 times, when compared to a full suspension mtb.
#3 Maintenance. Maintaining a hardtail is easier due to less moving parts. Hardtails are generally made of aluminium or steel, and hence are very sturdy too. Even if something goes wrong, the cost of maintenance is likely to be cheaper than a full suspension bike.
#4 Technique. You’ll learn the correct mountain bike riding techniques by starting off on a hardtail because the bare bones design of the mtb forces you to learn about tyre placement, choosing the right lines, having correct form, etc. You’ll find that beginners that start off with full suspension bikes tend to be less skilled as the bike compensates for them from the start, so they don’t end up learning as much.
#5 Speed. Hardtails are usually faster than full suspension bikes on smooth and flat terrain due to lack of suspension, which makes pedalling more efficient. On technical (tricky) terrain though, full suspension bikes tend to be a bit quicker as they ride much more smoothly. This is just a rule of thumb though and it also depends on the skill level of the biker, as to how fast they are able to go, based on the the kind of mtb they have and the terrain.
#6 Comfort. Full suspension bikes are much more comfortable to ride, especially in technical terrain. The tires also grip the terrain better, which makes the rider more confident over rocky pathways, especially when going downhill.
#7 Exhaustion. Full suspension mtb’s demand lesser physical exertion as compared to a hardtail, so you are able to ride longer than you would otherwise.
#7 Weight. Hardtails are generally 4-8 pounds (or 2-4 Kgs) lighter than full suspension bikes due to lack of additional components. While a hardtail usually weighs around 26-28 pounds (12-13 Kgs), a full suspension bike will usually weigh in the range of 30-34 pounds (13-16 Kgs).
#8 Frame. Hardtails are mostly made of aluminum or steel. Full suspension mtbs are usually made in aluminum or carbon fiber.
#9 Balancing. Hardtails require you to maintain your balance much better as the rear wheel tends to bounce up and down while going over rocky pathways. Rear tyre on a full suspension bike will remain in touch with the ground much more due to rear suspensions, which makes balancing the bike that much easier.
Is A Hardtail Mountain Bike Good For Beginners?
Most beginners should start off with a hardtail bike rather than a full suspension mtb.
Don’t treat it like just any other bicycle though- you should learn how to ride a hardtail beforehand. Don’t worry, there are just a few key techniques that you need to remember:
- Foot Position. Ensure your feet do not bounce off the pedal. This can happen on drops. That’s why you have to sit with your heels digging in and push your body down to ensure the feet don’t bounce off. Getting clip pedals and clipping in your feet is another thing you can do, although it might be disorienting if you have not used them before. If you decide to use clip pedals, just take it slow until you get used to them.
2. Body Positioning. Mountain bikers have to be extremely dynamic with their body positioning. Be prepared to move around a lot, as the bike will not follow a linear path along the ground. Your body should be positioned towards the back of the bike. Your knees should be bent as well- they will act as the rear suspension on your hardtail!
3. Line Choice. On any given trail, there will be multiple paths, and line choice simply means choosing a correct path to go down the trail for your bike and skjill level. For a beginner mountain biker on a hardtail- it is better to avoid the bumpy lines that some of the experienced bikers might be taking, at least for the first 6 months. Line choice comes down to good common sense, really.
4. Aggressiveness. When you’re just starting out, don’t ride aggressively. Period. Even experienced bikers tend to dial it down a notch when riding a hardtail as compared to a full suspension. As a general rule of thumb, even when you start feeling confident riding a hardtail, do not ride it extremely hard.
5. Handle Width. Get a hardtail with wider handles, as those will provide you with higher amount of control while riding.
When Should You Get a Full Suspension Mountain Bike?
You should only consider getting a full suspension after you’ve spent minimum 6-12 months consistently riding a hardtail should you consider going for a full suspension.
That’s how long it is going to take to learn the correct riding technique, and if you still want to, you can then go for a full suspension.
Most bikers, once they start wanting to go harder on the trails, choose to get a full suspension bike.
Also- if you want to pursue mountain biking as a casual hobby, are not very particular about learning the correct techniques and have the spare cash- you should get a full suspension mtb.
How Much To Spend On a Hardtail or Full Suspension Mountain Bike?
A decent hardtail bike will cost approx 1500$ (around 1100 GBP). You can also get a nice full suspension bike in the range of 2000-2500$ (1500-1800 GBP).
I liked this hardtail model on Amazon, and this full suspension one too. You can take a look, if you haven’t finalized on a model yet.