Hardtail vs Full Suspension - A Comprehensive Guide

This video is a comprehensive look at the topic of hardtail mountain bikes versus full suspension. Most of the filming is from the bike saddle discussing the ride characteristics and then doing time laps to see how they compare.

[onlyonecannoli]

Finally, I video that actually provides some clear information on the topic of hardtail vs full suspension. Great job!!!

[arnpad]

Again. Another great informative video with all the "critical essentials" you need. Thx for taking the time.

[mtbboy]

Because of my back & neck issues, I Will never get more hardtails. rough downhills or rock gardens can be very painful, much of my back will slip, so I have to take it easy, or carefully crack it back if I can.
Replace the pivots? if you properly maintain the bearings they will last much longer. I repack bearings using the hand palm method.
The difference is huge for me.

Great video, well explained.

[jamessbca]

This is an outstanding video. So much good info for this guy looking at his first bike purchase in 2.5 decades. It seems things have changed just a little bit... :)

[georgesmartin]

Good sound and easy to understand even from France, thx for this interesting guide

[justjordan]

Really good info on your channel. I am at the point at witch I give up on my idea of riding my normal Hardtail as a trail bike. It simply cannot compare with a Fully and maybe the modern trails are getting too dangerous for my age. Maybe I am just afraid. But the only thing that I have not improved on it is the fork and even if I know this is important, having a fully seems way easier for trail rides then having the best fork on a hardtail. I think I just need to find some normal Trails that don't make me think I will die if I attempt going throw them.

[douglasyong]

I feel really connected to my hard tail. pure and simple.. my next upgrade will be a light carbon hardtail

[berniegollwitzer.comllc]

Awesome, very fair and neutral comparison - just what I was looking for. Thank you Clint! Been riding a hard tail for 20 years, before full suspension was really a thing, so your high level overview was amazing and your expertise really appreciated. Super overview!

[Albreck]

Started to follow the channel about two days ago and all the videos are pure gold! Keep it up with the good info!

[SEKI]

Excellent video! One of the best, most comprehensive and objective comparisons of hardtail vs. full suspension! Really great information for both someone new to mountain biking and experienced riders as well.

[Arfonfree]

Yeah, you helped. I've been thinking about getting into bikepacking, and jonesing for a hardtail... now I'm thinking that for me, a squishie is the way to go. Since I already have a decent FS, (27+) it makes it a lot more likely to be something I can afford to get into. It's not so much the lap times, as your analysis about feel. Thanks for the reasoned and insightful commentary.

[flyingtigers]

Great video with excellent concise information. I have a hard tail, but it's 15 years old and it's time to update. I'm not racing, I ride for fun and fitness, and my back is getting creaky, so it's full sus for me purely for comfort. I don't mind the extra weight & effort climbing, that's great training!!

[ooklamoc]

Appreciate you.working to keep the variables as constant as possible. Over a 12 minute loop 10 seconds could be found or lost almost anywhere but I think you negated much of that with the heart rate data. Well done.

Another thought is while a cutting edge FS bike is faster, the difference isn't massive and if cost is an issue you would competitive enough on the hardtail. I'd love to see a $3000 dollar new bike test, which would be a carbon HT vs a mid range metal FS. The weight difference would be greater...or maybe you could just ride the RKT with two pounds of junk strapped to the top tube!
Cheers, Dave

[macdaddy]

Great video! Really explains a lot and basically as a all around rider it's great amo to tell my wife "You see!, I need another bike!" 😳

[mattnugy]

You videos have been super informative and very helpful to me. Thanks for taking the time to produce these!

[MrGreekstatue]

Went for a Hardtail myself. Love it. Great bikepacking bike.

[BlokeOnAMotorbike]

I was so glad to get another XCT Concept softail (for free!), I went trailing on it last week. 25 miles just disappeared behind me in no time, over terrain that would have killed my 2005 Trek 3700.

[joshuajee]

I was about to buy a hard tail, then I got to the part where you where 6 sec faster on the full sus... oh boy. Back to the drawing board lol

[jeremydaily]

Very informative, thank you. I like that you break down this very important characteristic when you're looking at this or that bike.

[LarsBoon]

Great video! I personally ride a full suspension trail bike.