A full suspension mountain bike is a bike with a front fork and rear shock.
The suspension on a mountain bike affects the bike’s handling, traction, and comfort, as well as how much fun it is to ride. A full-suspension mountain bike has both a front and rear suspension fork, as well as a rear shock.
How do you know which full suspension mountain bike is best for you?
The short answer is that if you’re willing to spend a little more and want to ride tricky trails, go with a full suspension mountain bike.
The answer is mostly determined by how much money you’re prepared to spend and the terrain you choose to ride, but there are other considerations as well.
Key Factors to consider
Here is the list of core Key Factors to consider in full suspension mountain bike to check if it’s a right choice for you:
• Expensive in comparison
The cost of a good entry-level full suspension mountain bike is around $1,250+. If you’re willing to pay that much (or more) and full suspension makes sense for the terrain you’ll be riding, it’s probably a smart option.
• Ideal to ride challenging trails:
If you enjoy pedalling through rock gardens, up and over roots, and off drops, a full-suspension mountain bike is right for you. Full suspension mountain bike are designed for this type of terrain; the combination of front and rear suspension provides a smoother ride with improved traction and control, which can translate to greater enjoyment on rocky terrain.
• Comfortable:
A full suspension mountain bike will absorb most of the harsh bumps that would otherwise be sent to your body (and in some cases, buck you off your bike). This can aid in fatigue reduction, allowing you to ride faster, for longer periods of time, and in more comfort.
• Desire for speed:
Because front and rear suspension absorbs bumps so well, you can often travel faster across tough portions of trail than you might on a hardtail.
• High-maintenance:
Because full suspension mountain bike have more moving parts, they are more complicated and expensive to maintain than other types of bikes, such as hardtails.
• Heavy bike:
full suspension mountain bike are heavier than hardtail bikes because their frames are built with more pieces. If your ride will include a lot of hiking or long distances, carrying more weight may be a problem. However, higher-end full suspension mountain bike can be extremely light, so the weight difference can be negligible if you’re prepared to pay the money.
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Here is the list of core Key Factors to consider in full suspension mountain bike to check if it’s a right choice for you:
Advantages and disadvantages of full suspension mountain bike
When it comes to purchasing full suspension mountain bike or gear, consider your riding style and personal tastes, as well as how important it is to look at the entire picture rather than just how specific components compare.
The Frames
It is important to know the features of the frame to make sure that it’s sturdy and durable. The materials of the frame can be aluminium, steel, or carbon fibre.
The aluminium frames are usually sturdy and durable but may not be as stylish or lightweight as steel or carbon fibre frames. The steel frames are quite strong but may be heavier than other frame materials. Steel also rusts easily if not properly maintained. Carbon fibre frames are usually lightweight and stylish but expensive. They also require more maintenance than other frame materials because they can’t handle as much impact from crashes as aluminium or steel frames can.
The usage of alloy frames by leading bicycle manufacturers demonstrates a high level of manufacturing expertise. The tubes are ideally moulded into wild shapes utilising high-pressure oil and fluid-forming methods.
The most important component is the frames. In terms of design intricacy and technology, full suspension is the best bike. The full suspension bike is heavier, requires less manipulation of the frame tubes, and requires more maintenance in general. The addition of a rear shock is the icing on the cake.
The rear shock is used to absorb bumps in the terrain for a smoother ride on bumpy surfaces like roads. It’s good to have that rear shock, but it comes with a price.
A complete suspension frame is significantly more complicated and expensive to design and produce because it requires a rear shock and a way to pivot the rear end of the frame to activate it. With service-prone components like a rear shock and pivot bearings added to the frame, the increased complexity comes at the expense of durability.
The most important component is the frames. In terms of design intricacy and technology, full suspension is the best bike. The full suspension bike is heavier, requires less manipulation of the frame tubes, and requires more maintenance in general. The addition of a rear shock is the icing on the cake.
The Components
A secure and confident hold to the trail is provided with an air spring, adjustable rebound control, and remote lockouts.
The front fork is the most crucial component on a mountain bike after the frame. The air spring, adjustable rebound control, and remote lockouts are all present, but the chassis-stretching 15mm thru-axle and tapered steerer are not.
The second most crucial component is wheels. The rim of full suspension bike hoops is slightly heavier, and the sealed-bearing hubs are durable. With certain Alivio, the full suspension offering dips lower in the drivetrain and brakes.
For enhanced chain security, the bike has clutch-equipped rear derailleurs. The shifting, on the other hand, we noted is a little smoother and crisper.
Weight
Full suspension bicycles are heavy, with a weight differential of approximately 15% on average, which may be felt when climbing, steering the bike over obstacles, or any other time you speed or decelerate.
Full-suspension bikes have a somewhat less expensive tubular construction, but the addition of the moving parts adds a significant amount of weight to the frame. While this accounts for about a kilogram difference, the weight of the whole suspension is further hampered by the variation in component quality.
The Saddle: Your style and ambition
It’s crucial to consider both how the bike performs on the trail, and your riding style and goals.
Many entry-level dual suspension motorcycles are geared at trail riders, with longer suspension travel (about 120mm front and rear) and a more relaxed riding position to improve control and comfort on tricky terrain.
The full suspension will appeal to riders who want to hit the trails with their more experienced riding companions.
Climbing
When climbs become more difficult or tricky, however, the entire suspension kicks in to help keep the rear tyre in contact with the ground, allowing you to keep cranking with less disruption. Sure, the added weight will be noticeable, but traction is sometimes more vital.
Another factor to consider is geometry: the full suspension’s more relaxed ‘trail’ posture tends to wander on steep climbs and requires a little more muscle to guide it in the right direction.
Descending
Full suspension mountain bike performs best while in descent. On the climbs, the relaxed position and bouncing rear end hurt, but it turns into a tremendous plus during descent. The full suspension bike has a more rearward-biased stance, which gives you greater confidence riding downhill, especially on steep descents. At high speeds, a longer wheelbase also aids in keeping the complete suspension balanced and controlled.
When you hit some pebbles or roots, the additional traction provided by the rear suspension feels like a dream.
Conclusion
Many affordable full suspension mountain bikes are better suited to riders wishing to ride and discover trails with friends while stretching their comfort zone on technical sections of route, depending on component quality. If you fall into the ‘general mountain biker’ group, we believe the cheap full suspension is the best option, regardless of the 5-2 score. However, if you can afford it, we recommend investing a little extra to move past the base model – it’ll save you money in the long run thanks to the more durable components you’ll be working with.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
What is a good weight for a full suspension mountain bike?
An average between 32lb.
Full suspension mountain bike weights involve a lot of key factors, the average full suspension MTB weight around 32lb.
Professional and serious bikers usually select carbon frame because it is light weight.
What should I look for in a full suspension mountain bike?
A bike with full suspension (sometimes known as dual suspension) provides a smoother, more stable ride over uneven terrain. This bike has dual suspension points, first to absorb the front-end movements is a front shock (called fork) and a rear shock that absorbs movement on the backend.
Is full-suspension worth it mountain bike?
It depends on your requirements, if you prefer comfort then full suspension MTB will absorb most of the jarring bumps that would have caused a pain to your body while minimising the joyful ride.
The benefit of dual suspension bike is significantly less fatigue resulting in a very comfortable, faster, and longer ride.
What should I look for when buying a full suspension mountain bike?
First at the top priority is the Right Size of bike frame, second priority will be given to Wheel size and then third will be to select either hardtail or dual-suspension bike depending on your preference. There are other factors which also be considered but not priority i.e., your total budget for bicycle, total weight of bike, quality of suspensions and eye-catching design etc.
How do you know if your bike is full suspension?
A full suspension bike has two suspensions, front one to absorb the front-end shocks and a rear one to absorb the back-end shocks. These both suspension eats up the jarring bumps and makes your ride joyful and greatly comfortable.
Do I need rear suspension on my mountain bike?
It depends on your comfortability requirement. If you are fine with shocks on a long ride, then Hardtail MTB is a good choice because it does not contain a rear shock. On the other hand if you prefer comfort ride then dual suspension bike contains two suspensions for front and rear.
Is a full-suspension bike better than a hardtail?
Indeed, full suspension bike is better than a hardtail because of the comfortable ride. Both installed suspensions in full suspension bike are there to absorb the bumpy rides, resulting in a pleasurable and joyful riding experience regardless of terrain type.
What is the best full-suspension mountain bike frame?
Carbon fibre-based frames are best in terms of weight and performance, these frames are excellent in design. Providing a luxury with a cost.
Why are Hardtails better?
The hardtails are better because these bikes have less components as compared to full suspension mountain bike i.e., lack of suspensions and associated moving parts. Less weight of hardtail makes it joyful ride in smoother, straight road, or trails with heaps of pedalling efforts.
Why are Hardtails better?
For climbing there is no match of performance by Hardtails. These are significantly better than full suspensions due to their less weight. However, it is completely opposite in Descending where full-suspension MTB have no match because of its shock absorbing capacity. Although it is also depending on the quality of installed suspensions.
Can you wheelie a full suspension mountain bike?
It depends on your wheelie expertise, if you have learned to apply the correct technique then full suspension bikes will not be affecting your wheelies, experts will just be focusing on balancing points.
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