:roll: such a shame after your long wait, only ever experienced a full suspension bike once a saracen havoc (oh yeah mock as you wish) but in 94/95 ish they were new stuff but as you say try going upwards !!
You could lock the rear out , so I did and forgot to unlock it and decided to go on the local dirt track . First decent bump the bloody thing bent hahha still got the scars on my shins !!
Get some rigid MOHO
I think maybe you need some time for adjusting your riding style. Coming from responsive hardtail can be difficult.
From my experience its quite important to make your FS bike as LIGHT as possible.
You know.. that bomber, azonic, hone,shimano BB, tires, rims, saddle. Its all very heavy what you have there!
If you change all these, you can get as much as 2 kg off the bike. that would make a huge difference uphill!!
KEEP IT. Can't you just change the rear shock to one with a remote lockout? That way it WILL be a hardtail for the climbs but with a flick of the thumb, turn it into a DH beastie.
i should also add the issue is with me not the bike
im simply too heavy for a full suss bike (at least one with such a short stroke shock)
anyone up to 15stone could prob fly up hills on it but alas i cant but i can on a hardtail so sometimes its better the devil you know i guess :?