What’s The Perfect Amount Of Suspension?

Blake Samson and Rich Payne head to the hills to find out what is the best 'do it all MTB'. Will Blake''s choice, a Propain Spindrift, with 190mm front and 180mm rear travel be too much for tasks like climbing a tight cornering. Or will Rich's 150/140mm not have enough travel for some of the bigger hits. By the end of the video Rich and Blake hope to find out which of the two bikes is a better all-rounder, stay tuned to find out!

⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 - Welcome To Another GMBN Video!
0:28 - The Bikes | Propain - Spindrift | Propain - Hugene
1:13 - “Let’s Go For A Ride!”
2:17 - The Super Enduro Bike
3:23 - The Trail Bike
4:37 - Pedalling Uphill
5:40 - The Downhill
6:51 - Technical Downhill
7:24 - Conclusion

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How much suspension travel do you have? Let us know in the comments below! 👇

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[gmbn]

How much suspension travel do you have? Let us know in the comments below! 👇

[CyberYaker]

I got a bigger travel bike, 170 front and rear. It is not the best for climbs or technicals, which I do a lot, but I don't care. This bike brings a smile to my face for all types of trails I throw at it.

[jonathanross]

All mountain bike. 160mm front and 150mm rear. Sweet spot.

[SparkBerry]

Confidence is a state of mind, but it doesn't define the limits of the bike itself, and 160mm is more than most people who aren't hitting double blacks every weekend need.

[TheStache_MTB]

I’m rolling with the Spindrift. 190front, 180rear. It’s a beast!!!!

[arne]

I have the Hugene CF 150/140. I absolutely love it. I love doing tours, pedaling uphill and shredding nice trails down. For the occasional bikepark trip still all I need from a bike.

[Cg-fhre]

I think the question for trail vs Enduro travel arises from overrating its effect. Wheel/tyre combo is much more important.Except you only ride easy trails get an enduro+and extra wheel/tyre combo that’s light and fast. For trail riding you put on the latter one and pump up your rear shock a little and set your bike in the high position and you already have 90% of a trail bike . If you go in the park you take the enduro wheelset and low setting. If you have to distinguish between really easy trail riding and hard enduro you could also have an air shock with 60mm travel and a coil with 65 (if 65 is max travel) or run for trail riding a volume spacer more. If you ride 3 times a week and this is too much effort you will have 2 bikes anyway

[SergejGrabun]

On a limited budget there is no question: Trail bike with an extra suspension. You can always lock a bit of suspension and have a spare easier rolling tires to put on. You go to bikepark - get it ready for it switching tires back. If you can stretch it - buy yourself set of stiffer rims for those gnarlier rides.

[japanunfound]

My ride partner rides a hardtail with 120 mil front sus. The maker is Niner. He rides absurd trails that I wouldn't imagine most would try on any bike. Next he's going solid forks and chrome molly frame. Says it helps with technique to have less suspension. It sure helps on the climb too.

[stevebennett]

😂hardtail 140mm, anymore would be overkill for me👌

[helmutdschulnigg]

160/150mm Trek Remedy 27, 5 is perfect for my riding (trails, street and bikepark). You can do what ever you want with it and it climbs really good. 😌

[Simon.]

I got a canyon spectral 29 2023 the version with 160 mil front and 150 rear and i'm considering it the jack of all trades in my local trails

[ProfeTa]

I have a 150mm/140mm trail bike and couldn't see myself ever needing more even on the big jumps and doubles. As I got faster though, I'm starting to need more travel not because the hits are bigger but because they happen more frequently and faster. Increasing rebound speed helps not bottoming out mid-trail but it can only help up to a point where a bit more travel would take the slack.

[ericmountainbiker]

I ride a Commencal Clash Signature . Yes I am over biked in most places that I ride, that being said it rides and pedals better than a big bike should. It is still very snappy and tons of fun on almost every trail. Ride, rinse, repeat.

[khoi_tran]

I bought a trail bike 115/130 3 years ago. Those #'s are XC now but I still love it and take it to bike parks every season. It's funny to smoke my two brothers who ride 160 enduros.

[helicopter]

Its such a debate..i think 160 front and 150 rear is sweet spot (enduro for me) and would love to see what professional riders think as an all round bike not sure they would be any slower or quicker on a typical blue red or black trail 🤔🤔?

[rodrigogonzalez]

I’m a Hardtail fan (I ride one right now) BUT! If I have to choose probably I pick the TRAIL BIKE descents are spicy when you have to rely on your skills as well. Cheers mates! Great vid (as always!)

[laattamaa]

I have Devinci Troy aka quiver killer with 140/150 travel, works great pretty much every were, has plenty of progression for jumps and drops, pedals and climbs well, fits me/my riding like a glove.

[JeffMTBinVA]

Thanks guys, just wish it was longer and more detailed. Sounds like the weather may have cut it short. #GMBN For the most part we all know trails 1 and 3 less is better but, with trail 2 it would have really been good to see you guys switch bikes and give specific feedback on feel for specific features. I would like to see this one revisited with a third rider of less skill and a third bike with 160/150-160 and focus more on trail type 2 and feel. We all know Blake could have done it on a hardtail. 🙂

[dash]

I've always preferred 170/160 bikes. Had a transition patrol(last gen), then went to a norco range and found that to be too much with the high pivot and all and then i ended up on a rocky mountain altitude and that was just flawless. Took it EVERYWHERE and it never complained. Literally not a single broken part on the bike