Hardtail vs Full Suspension

Storm Trooper Stu

Hi guys, I ham getting a bike on the Bike to Work scheme soon and am in two minds on a hardtail or a full suspension.

The hardtail would have better spec but is this better than a full suspension with lower spec.

A few of the bikes I have in mind are listed below.

voodoo-bizango-29er via Halfords

voodoo-canzo-full-suspension via Halfords

boardman-mountain-bike-pro-hardtail-29er also via Halfords

vitus-bikes-sentier-290-hardtail-bike-2015 Via Chain Reaction

gt/verb-comp-2016-mountain-bike via Evans

What would you choose and why.

I will be mostly riding trails but will be including jumps as well.

If you can think of any bikes that beat my selection please feel free to share links.

kenmc

A full suss is a bit of overkill for cycling to work, which is the purpose of the "Bike to work" scheme. Otherwise it would be called a "Bike to mostly ride on trails and do some jumps" scheme.

Storm Trooper Stu

Thanks for the great advice there.

Luckily our scheme is called "Bike to work and dick about on at weekends scheme".

JBokeh

I'd be going for the Vitus, it would be the most fun out of all of them, and the most able to take a spot of jumping/ flamboyant riding. A hard tail is better for developing skills on, the FS is a bit too forgiving and can get you used to bad habits. There is a growing trend for all mountain hard tails, and the Vitus is certainly approaching into that category. I think I saw a bike radar video reviewing it and it came up on top for hard tails under 1000 pounds

The GT isn't bad, but the spec is a bit poor. A full suspension in that price range wouldn't be a great investment, you'll find they cheap out on just about every component on the bike to get it in that price range

marvin80

JBokeh wrote: »

I'd be going for the Vitus, it would be the most fun out of all of them, and the most able to take a spot of jumping/ flamboyant riding. A hard tail is better for developing skills on, the FS is a bit too forgiving and can get you used to bad habits. There is a growing trend for all mountain hard tails, and the Vitus is certainly approaching into that category. I think I saw a bike radar video reviewing it and it came up on top for hard tails under 1000 pounds

The GT isn't bad, but the spec is a bit poor. A full suspension in that price range wouldn't be a great investment, you'll find they cheap out on just about every component on the bike to get it in that price range

I'm no expert but have rode a Vitus Sentier on trails in Wicklow - a lot of fun and seemed like a good bike (biking.ie use vitus bikes so you could rent one for a few hours and see what there like).

Storm Trooper Stu

I think I will have to forget the full suspension option unless anyone knows of a decent bike at €1000.

Thanks for the responses guys.

kirk buttercup

Im doing the same type of research myself to whats best for a new weekend mountain biker that wants to avail of " the bike to work" scheme. Ive done alot of reading and visited a few Bike shops and spoken to a few people on trails, so here is what I have been told (before I start Im sure some people wont agree with all points but as I say this what I have been told or read from forums and Popular websites)
* buy as close to the 1000 mark with the best spec as possible its better than regretting in a years time.
*A few people suggested 650b as they reckon 29ers are more for xc , the 29ers can make the single tracks pretty tight
* If buying online make sure sizing is right as there can be alot of time waiting if sending bikes back on forth make sure your local bike store will service for you apparently some wont service online bikes Canyon etc. unless your handy at that stuff yourself
*Rock shox (gold and reba ? I think are recommended) and Manitou are pretty good entry level stay away from suntour apparently

* Weight of bike is Important less is better obviously around 12kg is what most people
seem to go with
* MBR magazine has a great list of reviews for hardtails (they do a hardtail of the year for different price ranges ) they also have a pretty Insightful forum also Bike radar

Hope this helps a little as I say its Just essentially what I have been told and Im still trying to decide on a Bike so anyone with recommendation I would also be grateful

Storm Trooper Stu

Thanks Mr Buttercup. I was planning to spend as close to the €1000 mark as I could.

I did have a ride of the Voodoo Bizango and for the money it is a very impressive bike. The 29 wheels did feel a little odd at first as I am used to 26 inch but the head angle of the bike felt much better than my old Scott, much more slack as they say.

The new Vitus Bikes Sentier Hardtail Bike 2016 is a 650b so that may be on option at just over the €1000.

I looked at the Boardmans and while they are very nice I found the head angle a little too steep for what I want.

Watching and reading reviews the Voodoo and Vitus do seem to come out on top.

Tenzor07

The general rule is for a full suss mtb you should spent at minimum, €1500, this will get you into the entry level of full suspension bikes...

Hardtails will be good for general off-road cycling and handy enough for cycling to work etc...

Wanderer78

Tenzor07 wrote: »

The general rule is for a full suss mtb you should spent at minimum, €1500, this will get you into the entry level of full suspension bikes...

Hardtails will be good for general off-road cycling and handy enough for cycling to work etc...

id agree with this. dont bother going near full suss under 1500 id even push it out to 2000 to be honest. plenty of exceptional hard tails out there for a grand. keep checking out as many as you can op and best of luck with it. mountain biking is addictive. checked out a vitus full suss a few months ago with biking.ie. blown away with it. fantastic bike so im sure their hard tails are pretty damn good to.

Tenzor07

This one is not bad for €1300, it's a good place to start and will handle most bumps: Giant Stance

Storm Trooper Stu

Tenzor07 wrote: »

This one is not bad for €1300, it's a good place to start and will handle most bumps

I wish I had cash to put with the €1000 but my wife would go mental. She already thinks I'm mad for paying a grand.

Tenzor07

Storm Trooper Stu wrote: »

I wish I had cash to put with the €1000 but my wife would go mental. She already thinks I'm mad for paying a grand.

"Oh yes dear, the bike was only €999"... Spend the few extra quid and say nothing!

Wanderer78

Storm Trooper Stu wrote: »

I wish I had cash to put with the €1000 but my wife would go mental. She already thinks I'm mad for paying a grand.

your not going mad at all. i had a chat with the owner of an lbs about this before. we both think the really good quality bikes start from around a grand even though theres nothing wrong with bikes under a grand. spend as much as you can afford but do set your limit. you wont be disappointed with your purchase. theres some pretty amazing bikes out there at the moment. the quality coming from all the main manufactures is amazing now

Storm Trooper Stu

Wanderer78 wrote: »

your not going mad at all.

I don't want a crazy wife.

My original plan was to purchase a road bike but after getting a Boardman for a good price I have found that road cycling is hard work and quite dull. I miss my old Scott I sold a few months back.

Hence the new plan to go all out on a new mountain bike.

Storm Trooper Stu

On-One Parkwood SRAM X5 from Planet X in the UK

What are your thoughts on this guys.

kirk buttercup

I see alot of people Loving Planet x bikes on other Forums But I have never seen one up close
My narrowed down choices so Far are
Vitus sentier
Boardman HT 650b (have to buy in halfords and I get a strange anxious feeling about that)
Grand Canyon 6.9 ( Have to buy online which is a worry ,but probably fine)
and there are a few straglers such as cube and Ghost and specialized Rockhopper catching my eye too. There really is a huge amount of choice, and the specs are so similar...my mind is melted !

Wanderer78

Storm Trooper Stu wrote: »

I don't want a crazy wife.

My original plan was to purchase a road bike but after getting a Boardman for a good price I have found that road cycling is hard work and quite dull. I miss my old Scott I sold a few months back.

Hence the new plan to go all out on a new mountain bike.

i can understand that alright but you wont really regret spending a few quid. just figure out what your limit is and go from there.

im not a road cyclist myself even though i still do short road journeys on and old hardtail. they aint made for it but are ok on short journeys.

mountain biking really is addictive. ive just bought my first full suss and i wont be going back. i was on a hardtail for the last few years. im sure ive learned a lot by doing so but it was time to move on.

i think your best to throw your legs over as many bikes as possible as i think its a very personal decision. id highly recommend renting bikes on trails to try gauge different makes and models. unfortunately this isnt that easy in ireland as theres only a handful of trails and rental companies around but it certainly helped me figure out what i wanted.

there are some great local bike shops around and would really advise buying from them as i think its best for the industry and maybe for the consumer to but i guess thats a personal choice. nothing wrong with the bikes sold in halfords or even from online retailers. im very impressed with the boardman stuff.

Storm Trooper Stu

kirk buttercup wrote: »

few straglers such as cube and Ghost and specialized Rockhopper catching my eye too. There really is a huge amount of choice, and the specs are so similar...my mind is melted !

I find Ghost ok but seem it have inferior kit such as RST forks.
I do love Qube as a brand but I think you pay for the name a little and the spec is weaker than the Vitus.

I just don't like the Canyon or the Specialized.

Looks like my head is melting a little less than yours. (But still melting).