Full suspension v Front suspension v Fully rigid

[Pickle]

Whats everyones preference for day to day XC riding, you know, one of thoses rides that you do a bit of everything. The odd little drop off, twisty singletrack, a dab of downhill, fireroads, that sort of thing.

With the choices out there, do people prefer a XC bred full suspension (like a Pro-Flex or RTS), or a front suspension hardtail, or a fully rigid steed?

Me....well, I'm glad I own a full suspension, but preference is for a front suspension ride.

 

[stevet1]

Hardtail (front suspension only) works best for me. I have a fully that I use now and again but I find that the hardtail suffices 95% of the time.

 

[jango]

If I could only have one bike.....it would be a hardtail.

 

[tintin40]

Rigid. You can feel whats going on under the wheels. tracking is tops too. Plus that's how a mtb should look. Not a motobike with out an engine. (unless its a pure down hill machine)But X country rigid

 

[velomaniac]

Preference is for fully rigid bike but with shock absorbers at point of contact between me and frame such as girvin flexstem and suspension seatpost. I like the direct response of a rigid bike and the simplicity but unfortunately much of Scotlands trails are rocky and tree rooted thus even I need a bit of cushioning. I could live with full sus if it was very short travel and quite stiff such as in an old URT design.

Cheers

 

[gradeAfailure]

I have four bikes (ok, mostly in bits, but still...), all pre-95, all rigid. Maybe I should try this new-fangled suspension stuff one day!

 

[Lysander]

Full Space Hopper Effect fer me...............

 

[orange71]

never thought I'd say it but front only. However the 855 set up quite stiff is a very acceptable substitute.

 

[breezerboy]

Being lucky enough to own a brand spanking Whyte E120 - 23lb of 5" travel XC/enduro/all day/race bike I'd have to say full sus.

For me though it's best to have all 3 (although my surly full rigid single speed with cantis is 5lb heavier than the whyte and the hardtail is somewhere between the 2). Full sus is faster, comfier and you get away with mistakes, but the full rigid can be far more invoving and fun for those quick after work blasts.

 

[sunchaser]

Hardtail for my modern bike & rigid for my retro ride, but only because I can't find any retro bouncy forks that aren't knackered :cry: