Mountain-biking is an ever-growing sport in terms of popularity. While the sport has been around for decades, the recent Coronavirus pandemic that saw countries worldwide going into lockdowns that had people quarantined in their homes for months has awakened a new love for freedom and the outdoors.
Never before have manufacturers seen an increase in the sale of mountain bikes as they are currently, and more so in the sale of full-suspension mountain bikes. Here we are going to look at the answer to the question: “Do I need a full suspension mountain bike?” So let’s get right to it to find out!
Full Suspension Mountain Bikes: Why This Is the Only Bike You Will Ever Need
While there is a range of mountain bikes available to choose from, like the Hardtail bike, the full-suspension mountain bike is the most popular. Manufactured using lightweight materials, this bike has both front and rear suspension. It gives riders the most comfortable ride possible by climbing mountains, zooming down uneven paths and hills, or simply winding their way along a rocky trail.
The design of full suspension mountain bikes is ever-changing to include new technologies, reduce the overall weight, and increase the comfort and control that this bike offers to riders on mountain trails and paths. With fantastic shock-absorbing benefits and other components that ensure a more relaxed ride, rider fatigue is a thing of the past.
When comparing mountain bikes, it is necessary to look at the pros and cons of a bike and narrow down the characteristics that make it worthy of the title of a “Must-Have” mountain bicycle. Let’s look at the pros and cons of the full-suspension mountain bike that will leave its competitors in the dust.
The Pros and Cons of Full Suspension Mountain Bikes
Choosing a mountain bike that will tick all your boxes is nearly impossible. Listing the pros and cons of a bicycle and then comparing them to the pros and cons is both practical and necessary to help you choose the best bike for your needs. While this article is not meant to compare a full-suspension mountain bike with any other types, highlighting the positive and negative characteristics is a great way to assess a mountain bike’s quality and see why it stands out among the rest.
Pros of a full-suspension mountain bike
Pro #1: Traction and Control
Manufacturers of the full suspension mountain bike have designed it with excellent traction and control. While other bikes can’t handle rocky terrains and are difficult to navigate on winding paths, the full suspension mountain bike can do both easily.
Choosing a full suspension mountain bike guarantees a smooth, comfortable ride.
Pro #2: Adjustability
Full suspension mountain bikes can be tuned and set up to suit your body weight and riding style. Bike manufacturers have a full set of guidelines on how to do this to get the best performance from your mountain bike. Adjust both the front and rear suspension systems to increase your control and comfort while riding a bicycle that feels like the company made it specifically for you.
Pro #3: Lightweight materials
While older full suspension mountain bikes were made from heavier materials to create a rigid frame to handle the suspension, new technologies have allowed engineers and manufacturers to create mountain bikes made from lighter materials that can withhold the weight and strain of extra components and equipment. Carbon fiber and aluminum are the most common materials employed to make full-suspension mountain bikes.
Pro #4: Sleek design
Aesthetics and looks have an influence on our purchases, and one of the first things we consider when buying anything is how it looks. Full suspension mountain bikes are designed to be sleek and attractive. With different components and bells and whistles, these mountain bikes are both sturdy and sexy at the same time.
Pro #5: Maneuverability and comfort
A full suspension mountain bike’s traction, shock absorption, and stability make it easier to maintain a higher average speed and can handle rougher terrain and larger jumps. The suspension fork on the front of the bike makes climbing hills and rocky paths easy, while the rear suspension ensures a soft landing.
Cons of a full-suspension mountain bike
Unfortunately, to get an accurate account of the full characteristics of a full-suspension mountain bike, we also need to look at its negatives.
Con #1: Cost
Full-suspension mountain bikes are more expensive than any other type of mountain bike. This is due to the extra components needed to support the front and rear suspension and the technologies of these systems. A decent full suspension mountain bike can cost you upwards of $2000, which is for an entry-level bicycle.
Con #2: Maintenance requirements
Because of the extra components and equipment on a full-suspension mountain bike, the need for maintenance is much higher to ensure that the bicycle is performing at its peak. These bikes require a qualified technician to repair even the simplest mechanism, and the costs for repairs can quickly add up. Following manufacturer guidelines on caring for your full suspension mountain bike is essential and can help you keep maintenance costs down.
Con #3: Weight
Full suspension mountain bikes have come a long way in terms of weight and design and now weigh only between two and five pounds more than any other bike. While heavier materials were previously used to support the weight of the extra components on the bicycle, engineers and manufacturers have perfected their designs. They are now using lighter materials than before.
Con #4: Less versatility
While other mountain bikes are great for mountain and gravel roads, full-suspension mountain bikes are not as versatile. They are certainly capable of gravel road cycling, but their components and all the characteristics that make them a great option are lost on anything but rocky mountain paths and trails. It would be fair to say that using a full-suspension mountain bike on a gravel road would be a complete waste of your money as you are not using half of the components that make it so unique.
Do I Need a Full Suspension Mountain Bike? The Bottom Line
Full suspension mountain bikes are among the best for mountain trails, climbs, freeriding, downhills, and more, and are designed with these terrains in mind. While it would be great to say that these are the only types of mountain bikes that should be sold, too many factors make them inaccessible for some folk. These bikes are great for mountain bike riders of all skill levels, with an overwhelming focus on comfort and “jump.”
When choosing a mountain bike, the most common factors are 1) where you will be riding your mountain bike, i.e., the terrain, and of course, 2) your budget. Full suspension mountain bikes are not the cheapest but are definitely worth every penny.
Conclusion
Mountain biking is one of the more popular activities to get you outdoors and into nature. With a very wide variety of mountain bikes available to choose from, the full-suspension mountain bike is one of the better options. It has many components that give you more traction and control and, most importantly, comfort.
A good full suspension mountain bike can cost you upwards of $2,000 and should be chosen with care. For unsurpassed quality and durability, choose a full-suspension mountain bike for the best mountain ride of your life.
