Full suspension mountain bikes feature both front and rear suspension or damping, providing increased comfort while tackling rough and technical terrain. And that’s just one of the many advantages of a full suspension mountain bike…
Of course, there are also some drawbacks, especially compared to the still highly popular hardtail mountain bikes… If you’re still undecided or want more information, exploring the pros and cons of a (cross-country) full suspension MTB might help you make the decision.
What is a full suspension mountain bike?
Unlike a hardtail MTB, a full suspension mountain bike has not only a suspension fork at the front but also a rear shock or damper.
The shock helps absorb the bumps and uneven terrain and surface, making mountain biking over such terrain much more comfortable as it absorbs the shocks. Additionally, the shock also contributes to extra traction and control.
The shock can be positioned in several locations, varying by brand. On the one hand, the shock may be placed just below the top tube, while on the other hand, it may be positioned parallel or in line with the seat tube.
In the case of newer Scott Spark models, the shock is even integrated into the frame.
For cross-country and trail MTBs, you’ll mainly find air-sprung shocks, while enduro and downhill bikes may also be equipped with a coil or coil spring.
There’s also a wide range of options in terms of suspension travel. You can opt for a minimal travel of 60 mm (as found in the TREK Supercaliber gen1) up to a travel of 120 mm. This is typically seen in so-called cross-country full suspension and downcountry mountain bikes.
For other types of mountain bikes, such as trail, enduro, and downhill mountain bikes, suspension travel is even more significant due to the rougher terrain they’re designed to tackle.
In principle, a full suspension mountain bike consists of two parts: the main frame and the rear swingarm. The shock is attached to both frame parts via linkages and pivot points. The number of linkages and how and where the shock is attached can also vary significantly by brand.
Voordelen
A full suspension mountain bike offers many advantages. It’s no wonder that full suspension bikes are being increasingly chosen, even in cross-country competitions. This has become somewhat of the standard in recent years, which isn’t surprising considering that the courses have also become much more technical.
As a novice mountain biker with possibly a limited budget, a full suspension bike might seem like overkill. However, once you understand its benefits, it might be worth considering.
Below are the numerous advantages of a full suspension mountain bike:
Extra comfort, increased traction, control, and confidence
As you can see, there are quite a few advantages to consider for a full suspension mountain bike. Perhaps the most significant benefit is the extra comfort that a dual-suspension mountain bike provides. This makes mountain biking more enjoyable and less taxing on the body, especially on technical and rough terrain.
Additionally, it’s immediately more enjoyable to tackle jumps and drops that you might otherwise skip with a hardtail. The shock will make the landing more comfortable.
A full suspension mountain bike gives you more control, forgiveness, and better traction on difficult and technical terrain. All of this ensures that you’ll be able to mountain bike with much more confidence and ride more smoothly and quickly over technical terrain.
Descending becomes smoother, faster, and safer.
And downhill, the full suspension mountain bike offers many advantages as well. You’ll be able to descend more safely, and the bike will feel much more stable. A full suspension bike maintains better contact with the ground and absorbs all obstacles, directly enhancing the enjoyment and speed of the descent.
A full suspension mountain bike is versatile
Thanks to the added comfort, a full suspension mountain bike is also suitable for MTB marathons and multi-day races. If equipped with a lockout fork and shock, the full suspension bike is usable on any terrain, including the moderate or flat terrain found in Flanders and the Netherlands.
Disadvantages
The many advantages of a full suspension mountain bike may already have you excited. However, there is also a downside to consider. A full suspension MTB also has several disadvantages. These are important to consider as they can be decisive factors in whether or not to choose a full suspension bike.
A full suspension bike is more expensive
For a full suspension mountain bike, you’ll always have to dig a little deeper into your wallet. A full suspension bike can cost at least €1500 more than an equivalently equipped hardtail.
For example, for a Scott Spark RC Team Issue with GX AXS groupset, you’ll pay €6599 (recommended retail price). For the hardtail equivalent of this mountain bike, the Scott Scale RC Team Issue with the same GX AXS groupset, you’ll pay €4799 (recommended retail price). Of course, other components, such as a dropper post, carbon or aluminum wheelset, etc., also play a role in the final price.
Heavier and less efficient on easy terrain
If you only ride on easier trails and paths, a full suspension mountain bike might be more of a hindrance than an advantage. The frame of a full suspension bike is also somewhat heavier, which is not surprising considering the extra suspension. On flat and easy terrain, this extra weight needs to be moved around, often putting the full suspension bike at a disadvantage.
The less stiff nature of a full suspension mountain bike also means you’ll be less efficient when riding on flatter terrain.
Of course, you can also invest in an ultralight full suspension mountain bike. However, it’s important not to compare apples to oranges, as the hardtail equivalent of that full suspension bike will still be somewhat lighter anyway.
Requires more frequent and intricate maintenance
Adjusting the suspension, both the fork and shock can be easily done by yourself. However, maintaining the fork and shock is a different story altogether. Naturally, this maintenance will be more expensive as the fork and shock require periodic servicing.
Of course, you can also perform this maintenance yourself, although it requires some knowledge. You can acquire these skills and knowledge through YouTube tutorials or a bicycle mechanic course. I also pursued the latter through evening classes. Despite excelling in the coursework, I prefer maintenance performed by specialists.
Suitable for beginners, or maybe not?
Because a full suspension MTB has a larger margin for error and will quickly correct a riding or steering mistake, you naturally gain more confidence while mountain biking. For beginner cross-country mountain bikers, this might seem like a blessing…
However, you require fewer pure skills due to the extra control and confidence. That’s why starting with an XC hardtail is often a better choice, as it allows you to develop your skills better.
You can compare it to bunny hop with flat pedals versus clipless pedals. With flat pedals, you need to master the technique, while with clipless pedals, you can give yourself an extra push because your feet are locked onto the pedals…
My experiences with a full suspension mountain bike
For years, I rode with a hardtail in my local area, the Ardennes, and abroad, without many issues. However, during longer marathons like the Stoneman Arduenna and Frans Claes Marathon routes, I longed for extra comfort. Although it was manageable with a hardtail, I’m still glad I now have a full suspension mountain bike.
For instance, during the recent marathon race La Hallonienne, in muddy and wet conditions, I was particularly grateful for the extra comfort and confidence that the full suspension bike provided me, especially in the technical descents!
Even in my surroundings, I thoroughly enjoy the extra comfort and confidence, especially on more technical and steeper terrain.
My hardtail, currently mounted on my Elite Direto XR bike trainer, hasn’t seen any paths or trails since the switch to a full suspension mountain bike. Perhaps in the future, I’ll turn it into more of a gravel bike with narrower and faster tires…
Because I invested in a higher-priced full suspension bike, any additional weight is negligible. The suspension can be locked both front and rear, allowing me to ride efficiently on flat terrain or the road. So, I don’t see any immediate reason to choose the hardtail over the full suspension… Hardtail vs. full suspension, I know my preference!
I’m incredibly happy with my full suspension mountain bike and can already say I never want anything else. The extra comfort, stability, and confidence it provides me are invaluable. The full suspension also compensates for my slightly weaker technical skills on the most challenging terrain, which is a win-win situation. I’m happy to accept the extra maintenance because it’s unavoidable.
Before purchasing a full suspension bike, I tested several to ensure it would suit me. I tested a Scott Spark through my local bike shop and the BH Lynx Race EVO at the BH Bikes test days in Roosendaal (NL). If you’re also unsure whether a full suspension bike is right for you, I highly recommend testing one (or more) yourself.
Final thoughts
A full suspension mountain bike features the traditional front fork and a rear shock absorber. This shock connects the frame to the rear swingarm and ensures that the suspension absorbs all bumps and ruts in the terrain rather than your own back.
Moreover, a cross-country full suspension bike provides more confidence and stable handling in descents and over highly technical terrain. It’s no coincidence that enduro and downhill mountain bikes also feature dual suspension (with even more travel)…
Despite the many advantages, there are some disadvantages to a full suspension mountain bike. They are often a bit heavier and less efficient on flatter terrain. Maintenance also becomes somewhat more complex.
While you can certainly get by with a hardtail in Belgium and the Netherlands, I don’t consider a full-suspension bike to be overkill unless you’re opting for a downhill bike. I haven’t regretted the switch from a hardtail to a full suspension mountain bike for a second; it has only made mountain biking more enjoyable for me!
Do you ride with a full suspension bike, or are you perhaps planning to purchase one? Be sure to let me know your thoughts! I’m very curious to hear…
