Thinking Of Buying A Full Suspension MTB? Here’s What You Need To Know

Mountain Bikes are expensive things! The price difference jumps up quite a bit between a hardtail and a full suspension bike and many people are left unsure if to purchase one. Are you thinking of buying a full-suspension MTB? Rich Payne explains everything you need to know.

⏱ Timestamps ⏱
00:00 - Intro
00:19 - Suspension basics
01:07 - Smooth ride?
01:40 - Slower climbing
02:13 - Cost
03:16 - Maintenance
04:13 - Upgrades
05:10 - Suspension Setup

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Is your bike full suspension or a hardtail? Would you ever switch? Let us know 👇

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[gmbn]

Is your bike full suspension or a hardtail? Would you ever switch? Let us know 👇

[harryjackson]

"why did I not do this sooner?" Hmmm possibly the few thousand pounds price difference 😂

[winjinsinjon]

I lost a lung to cancer it took me years to get back into riding and when i started again i just wasn't enjoying it, i kept going trying to lose weight but was going to give up when i thought id try full suspension, im enjoying riding again, its slower up hill but i can ride for longer without getting tired.

[deedontworry]

Full sus bikes are awesome! 👌 I started on hartail and moved on to enduro bike. It cost more to maintain it but what you get from it is pure joy! 😝🤘

[KevanHolden]

Went from a Decathalon hardtail with calliper brakes to a Caliber Bossnut Evo about 5 years ago, couldn’t believe the difference. Smooth down hill with one finger braking. It was the most I’d ever spent on a bike £1000, worth every penny. I now have the mind set that I would happily spend more if only I had it!

[mglxhtf]

WARNING:when you get a full sus you will have a hard time getting back to a hardtail so think it out well

[Superteastain]

Make sure you buy a bike that fits your local trails. Nothing zaps the fun out of trail than too much bike.

[simonrook]

Riding a full susser as my go to ‘one bike for everything’ ride.
At 57 I find using my legs as suspension takes too much out of me, I don’t get tired climbing, I get tired going down! It’s a 2016 Whyte T130, carbon frame (front triangle) converted to MX wheel size with 29 forks and front wheel and a lightweight trail build, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes, 12.2 kg.

[freerideforever]

My mullet hard tail gives me goosebumps 26 front and 24 rear big fork up front.... for stunts north shore type stuff and drops and jumps...don't climb much....and jus bombing from one sesh 2 the next! Love the look of it as well but whatever you ride make sure you love it makes riding alot more fun!!!

[Dwyanest]

Just recently decided to get rid of my commencal meta tr frameset and upgrade to an s-works stumpy evo, massive discount, kept everything else except the crankset since I went for the new T type X0. Best decision I've ever made in years. Now I totally get why everyone that's ridden the stumpy evo was absolutely raving about it. So much fun.

[Bulkin]

Just bought a used ghost full sus that had fox in front and back, crank brothers double shot 3 pedals, oneup components oval chain ring, brand new tires, Shimano deore xt hydraulic brakes, for only $500. Great deal

[DJMeesters]

I’m about to switch from hardtail (2014 Merida TFS500) to full suspension (2024 Scott Spark RC team issue TR) by the end of this week 😊 very excited!

[LaurentiusTriarius]

Don't get fooled by marketing and looks; try a lot of different designs if you can borrow bikes or get to demo days it's the best option. What look sick isn't always the most suited or efficient.

[eddieknight]

I have hardtail but am considering switching

[David-bwis]

I bought my first full suspension back in June after coming from a hardtail SCOTT I'd ridden for years. I did the exact same as mentioned in the vid went full carbon (Intense) mainly for the frame in a sale, within my budget and with lower spec parts with the idea to upgrade over the years.

[mikescott]

I purchased an Orange Crush hardtail, but wish I'd gone for an XC/adventure bike. I'm not a bike park type rider, I'm more coasts and bridleways.

[Dawes-Engineering]

Polyon Siskiu D7 for £799 at Go Outdoors is an absolute no brainer. If I could fit another bike in my garage then this would be my new mullet, sadly I have to perform some 1980's body popping just to get past all the bikes I have in my garage atm, I am looking at buying a bigger house though

[TCK]

I wish I’d known just how much maintenance they needed!

[TheButlerNZ]

I bought my DH bike because it was silver!

(Not many brushed alloy bikes around, makes it stand out.. and for $580NZD I got a 10yo Giant Faith 0 with upgraded brakes/disks/rims... and with repairs (Shock/spokes and added cheap dropper) I have a 7" beast that I'll never kill (tho it may kill me... but it will be my fault, not the bike).

[lukengandia]

can you guys please do a video on which is better alloy or carbon