As the name suggests, a full-suspension mountain bike is a mountain bike that has suspension on both of its wheels. This article will explain some of the benefits of owning a full suspension mountain bike and why it may be a better choice than a traditional hardtail or rigid mountain bike.
A full-suspension mountain bike’s front and rear wheel each have built-in shock absorbers, making it easier to manoeuvre through rough terrain (Photo by Daniel R. Blume via Wikimedia Commons).
One of the biggest benefits of owning a full-suspension mountain bike is that you will be able to tackle rougher trails without bouncing around like crazy. If you are frequently biking over roots and rocks, your ride will be much more comfortable on a full-suspension mountain bike. It will also keep you balanced when hitting larger obstacles at high speeds. For advanced bikers, this means that it will be easier to maintain balance while performing tricks because you won’t have to worry about the front or back of the bike raising up while flipping in the air.
Besides having an easier time riding over rough terrain, another benefit of owning a full-suspension mountain bike is increased comfort level while biking. When using your feet to place power down on rocky trails, you can feel every little bump underneath your shoe. This can quickly tire out your calves if pushed for an extended period of time without any breaks. However, by switching over to a full suspension bicycle, riders are able to absorb this bumpy trail into the shock absorbers, making long rides much more enjoyable.
For riders that like to go on longer trips or simply enjoy hitting all sorts of trails, full-suspension mountain bikes can come in quite helpful. Without worrying about breaking your back in half by biking over rocks and roots nonstop, you will be able to ride much longer without having to take breaks.
Similar to downhill skis, one problem with hardtail bicycles is their lack of suspension when riding uphill. Since there are no shocks keeping your rear tire planted firmly on the ground, it can make climbing up rough terrain much more difficult (especially if pushing a heavy bike). This is not an issue when using a full-suspension mountain bike because it keeps both tires propped up.
Another difference between a full suspension bike and a hardtail mountain bike is braking power. When going downhill or cruising at fast speeds, it can be difficult to stop quickly if you have only one wheel that is being slowed down by the brakes. This can become dangerous because bikers need to be able to stop quickly in emergency situations. However, with a full suspension bicycle, both of your wheels will come to an instant stop instead of just one wheel.
Some disadvantages of owning a full suspension mountain bike include its weight and cost. Since there are extra shock absorbers added on each side, many riders complain about these bicycles weighing too much (especially when considering how lightweight most road bikes tend to be). At the same time, most full suspension mountain bikes are more expensive than regular or hardtail bikes because of their added features.
Overall, owning a full-suspension mountain bike is beneficial for riders that like to go on long trips and enjoy biking over rougher terrain such as rocks and roots. Even once you master downhill trails, hitting up uphill roads will be much easier due to the fact that both wheels stay firmly planted on the ground without bouncing around excessively.
If riding long distances (such as during an organized marathon ) or going over numerous obstacles at high speeds (such as in a mountain biking competition ), it would be wise to consider purchasing a full-suspension mountain bike. These bicycles will keep your ride comfortable and safe while allowing you to breeze through rougher trails without worrying about breaking your back.