Hardtail Vs. Full Suspension Mountain Bike - What is Faster?

Pro cross country racers are often seen switching from hardtail to full suspension race bikes depending on the track. We test out the new Scott Scale and Spark that have been co developed with Nino Schurter to see which is fastest around the Lenzerheide World Cup XC course.

Music:
Keep on rising - per ljungquist and george nakas
Indo crunch - marc adamo and tico zamora

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[UNLKYHNTR]

i Love my hardtail simply because I can't afford a fully.

[bigbyhastings]

I loved my hardtail but at age 46, I for sure enjoy the ride of my full suspension. I'm not trying to break any record times so for me the upgrade to a full sus was no doubt a good choice for my overall riding experience.

I have been riding full suspension since 95 simply because it is more fun. However, I have been thinking of getting a hardtail this summer. It is just so different to ride, so it probably improves my overall riding technique and makes me faster what ever bike I ride.

Nice comparison.

[ibanez]

4:16 that cow was admiring your skills!

[dylanwillick]

Why would you not use the lockout on the smooth climbs, that's one of the great advantages of the full because you can have both when you need it, kinda invalidates the test if you ask me

[latuman]

After full suspension, I'm back with hardtails. I'm not skillful or strong. Not only do I not really work the rear suspension, but my miniscule power output is sucked by it anyway. It's also simpler and lighter and in my opinion, always looks better.

[matthewabt]

Full suspension with remote lockout, I only ride a hardtail because I ride street and flowy trails, plus I'm broke asf

[justinvacheresse]

excellent demonstration of the 2 types of bikes - thank you very much for taking the time and sharing your expertise - this is a very big help to me

[luckynyaa]

THANK YOU! Great video editing as always!

[yourdailytop]

It made my day when he said 'Same rider' and also because of his pose! But I am really learning a lot about bikes in GMBN! Thanks you guys!

Absolutely love this video: Kinda funny in the beginning (plus super nice music), smooth riding in the midsection and a surprising outcome in the end...

[ibenedict]

I have a Cannondale F5 and I have ridden FS bikes both mid and high end. I am completely happy with my Cannondale hardtail. No plans to upgrade it unless I need to. I'll ride that bike until it falls apart and have no regrets that I should have an FS bike.

[karlconnolly]

Excellent video and cool edit - nicely done!

[roberts]

awesome vid, really liked the analytics at the end.

[kkbikeshack]

Also you should have done a lap where you were using the Twin-Lockout system.

[jurgin]

I love how they've go Scott riding a Scott😂

[johanneskastner]

Proper riding footage included. Super nice!

[Cuber]

this must have been one of the most accurate comparisons i've seen. Congrats

[JohnnyP]

For the terrain and trails I ride on in the mid south United States, I haven't been on a trail where I wished I had a full suspension. I love my hard tail 29'er and sometimes I even break out the good old 26er

[SuprBadAss]

I have both hardtail and full suspension, I love my hardtail but when I ride that for a while and I switch to my full suspension it just feels great