Home » Posts tagged "Suspension"

Full Suspension Mountain Bikes vs. Hardtail Mountain Bikes- FAQ

Full Suspension Mountain Bikes vs. Hardtail Mountain Bikes- FAQ

I have started to loose count of the number of times I’ve heard questions such as, “What type of mountain bike should I buy?” and “What is the difference between a full suspension mountain bike and a hardtail mountain bike?” One type of bike is not better than the other. The choice between the two should be made based on the riders’ personal riding preferences, budget and physical capabilities. The FAQ below was compiled in order to help you with this all-important choice.

Question: What are full suspension mountain bikes?
Answer: Also known as dual-suspension mountain bikes, these mountain bikes have shock absorbers installed in both the front and rear tires.

Question: What are hardtail mountain bikes?
Answer: Also known as front or single suspension mountain bikes, these mountain bikes have shock absorbers installed in the front tire only.

]]>

Question: Which type of mountain bike tends to be faster?
Answer: Hardtail mountain bikes tend to be faster and pedal easier in smooth terrain than full suspension mountain bikes because of the former’s light weight and stiff rear end.

Question: Which bike is better at handling obstacles and rough terrain?
Answer: Because of the shock absorbers in both the front and the rear, full suspension mountain bikes outperform hardtails in rough terrain. The suspension absorbs the impact of obstacles and allows for more traction to be transferred to the ground.

Question: Which bike is better at climbing hills?
Answer: Because of their light weight and easier handling, hardtail mountain bikes are better at climbing hills. However, full suspension mountain bikes do outperform hardtails on hills that are made up of rough terrain.

Question: Which bike is easier on the body?
Answer: Full suspension mountain bikesare more comfortable than their counterparts. It minimizes the stress on riders’ arms and backs caused by vibrations and jolts during long rides.

Question: Which is more affordable?
Answer: Hardtail bikes are usally more affordable than full suspension bikes of similar quality.

Now you are equipped with the information you need to make the right choice. Happy Trailing!

Nicole is one of the owners of the website http://www.mountain-bike-place.com , your home for the best in full suspension mountain bikes and accessories.

For more from this author, visit http://EzineArticles.com/?id=2758991L


Article from articlesbase.com

What is the difference between hardtail and full suspension mountain bikes?

Question by da-big-bambino3: What is the difference between hardtail and full suspension mountain bikes?
I am new to mountain biking and am looking to buy a new bike. Any help works. Thanks!!

Best answer:

Answer by Madrider
A hardtail MTB has NO REAR shock. Full suspension is exactly that. A MTB with front AND rear suspesion. Most MTB’s come with front shocks.

What do you think? Answer below!

Magura Durin R100 Raceline suspension fork review

Magura Durin R100 Raceline suspension fork review
The Raceline is a limited edition (600 only) version of Magura’s Durin Race 100 fork. Magura’s signature sharp-edged double brace looks clean but there are no screw-thru axle options. This means twist strength isn’t great, but fore/aft stiffness on the trail is better. The stroke is race tuned, in that it stays tall and tight without morale-sapping bob. The DLO (Dynamic Lockout) retains top end …
Read more on BikeRadar

What’s New & Weird in Baby Formula, Cars, Beer, Gluttony, and More
I’m not sure why you’d want to buy a beer for a friend—or your dad—on Facebook. But you can now do so. Here’s a roundup of odd and interesting consumer news and trends. SHOPPING Nestle has come up with a luxury baby formula system called BabyNes, which may sound like an infant sea monster in [...]
Read more on It’s Your Money

Diamondback Recoil Comp Full Suspension Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels), Gloss Black, Large/20-Inch

Diamondback Recoil Comp Full Suspension Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels), Gloss Black, Large/20-Inch

  • Diamondback Recoil 6061-T6 aluminum 4″ travel optimized single pivot trail frame with formed top and down tubes
  • X-Fusion 2-R Air Spring 190x51mm rear shock with rebound and lockout adjust
  • SR Suntour XCR RL 100mm travel fork with rebound damping adjust and remote speed lock
  • Shimano SL-M310 Rapidfire 8-speed shifters
  • Tektro DRACO hydraulic disc brakes with 6″ rotors

The newly designed aluminum frame is not the only improvement made to the 2011 Diamondback Recoil Comp. The fork has been upgraded to a SR Suntour XCR RL fork which has 100mm of travel, rebound damping adjust and a remote lock out – go from a rigid to a compression fork with the flick of a button on your handlebars (or vice versa). The Shimano Rapidfire 8-speed shifters control an Alivio rear derailleur and the Hayes mechanical disc brakes make stopping easy. You won’t shy away from the trail on your Recoil Comp.

List Price: $ 980.00

Price: $ 900.00

More Mountain Bike Products

Polaris RMK Adult Dual Suspension Bike Reviews

Polaris RMK Adult Dual Suspension Bike

  • Adult dual-suspension bike with aluminum frame
  • Ultra-dependable 21-speed Shimano drive train
  • Twist gear shifters for easy, accurate gear changes
  • Front mechanical disc brake for sure stopping power
  • Long-travel suspension fork and knobby all-terrain tires

The Polaris RMK (Rocky Mountain King) brings to you a long travel suspension fork, precision 21 speed Shimano drivetrain, front disc brake, and knobby all-terrain tires, all mounted to an aluminum suspension frame. Put that all together and you have a winning combination.Equipped with an aluminum suspension frame and Shimano’s ultra-dependable 21-speed drive train, the Polaris Rocky Mountain King (RMK) is ready for all your on- and off-road adventures. The bike offers such additional features as twist-grip shifters for easy and accurate gear changes, a long-travel suspension fork that guarantees a terrifically smooth ride on tough trails, and a front mechanical disc brake that provides sure stopping power. Add in knobby all-terrain tires an

List Price: $ 279.99

Price: $ 196.54

JET BLACK SUPERLIGHT MTB PEDALS - RED

US $77.93
End Date: Monday May-21-2012 1:16:55 PDT
Buy It Now for only: US $77.93
Buy it now | Add to watch list
1 set TOKEN CHAIN RING BOLTS - DOUBLE RING/ROAD OR MTB-RED
US $19.72
End Date: Monday May-21-2012 1:18:01 PDT
Buy It Now for only: US $19.72
Buy it now | Add to watch list

How to Buy a New Suspension Fork for a Hardtail Mountain Bike

How to Buy a New Suspension Fork for a Hardtail Mountain Bike

About a year ago I purchased an entry level hardtail mountain bike. At the time I did not want to spend a lot of money and I did not want poor quality. So I purchase a bike that had a good frame and basic components.

 

After riding for a year I have decided that I want to improve the comfort and control of my bike on the trail. Therefore I made the decision to upgrade my front suspension fork on my hardtail mountain bike.

 

My initial research concluded that there are a lot of different brands, types and sizes forks on the market so I conceded knew I needed help. After all, suspension forks are expensive and I didn’t want to waste my money.

 

After talking to different rides, employees at a few bike shops, reading article and posting questions online I put together a couple of bullet points to consider when buying a front suspension fork.

 

Determine if your bike has the geometry to support a suspension fork. If it does have the correct geometry try to determine the maximum height fork it can accommodate. I almost bought a fork with 160mm of travel but the seller convinced me not to buy it because he believed my bike did not have the correct geometry. After checking with the factory I determined that he was correct.

Consider your riding style. Are you a cross country, down hill or a dirt jump rider. Make sure you buy a fork that suites your style of ride. This will help prevent you from buying more fork then you need.

Determine your budget and stick to it. Suspension forks can vary in price and can be very expensive. However if you ride often spending a little more on a fork might be warranted.

Determine the size of the bikes head tube. The size of the tube could limit your selections. Is your head tube 1 inch or 1 1/8 inches, etc?

Consider buying a suspension fork that is adjustable. Some forks are adjustable at the head and some have a pop lock adjuster that mounts on the handlebars. The adjustable function will accommodate different riding terrains.

Determine if you need to buy new parts to install your new fork. Do you need a new headset, stem or brakes?

Consider the installation charges of a new fork. If you plan on installing the fork yourself you will need to press on a bearing and potentially cut the fork tub. This could result in additional tools and time so you want to weigh your options.

Find out what your friends are riding and ask them their opinion on brand and options. Ask them if you can ride their bike to test out their fork.

Do you want to buy new or used? Some riders buy great bikes, immediately upgrade them and never use the original parts. You can find new or near new parts on Bike Servant which lists mountain bike classifieds containing bikes for sale, bike parts and race events.

 

Keep in mind list above will help you get started in your decision making process and there are more items to consider as you explore your options.

 

The tips listed above will hopefully help you narrow down your choices before you purchase a new fork. Good luck and see you on the trail.

Experience with full suspension and hardtail mountain bikes, bike parts and organizing race events for mountain biking.

bikes for salemountain bike classifieds


Article from articlesbase.com

little trial session
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Mongoose Sector Men’s Dual Suspension Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels)

Mongoose Sector Men’s Dual Suspension Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels)

  • Dual Promax Disc Brakes
  • 24 Speed Shimano Drivetrain
  • RST Capa-T8 Fork
  • Shimano Tourney Alloy Cranks
  • Anodized Black Wheels; Alloy QR Hubs

Head deep into the great outdoors with the Mongoose Maxim men’s 26-inch mountain bike. The Maxim is equipped with a full-suspension frame that maximizes comfort and performance, along with a suspension fork that smoothes bumps and increases control. The bike’s linear pull brakes, meanwhile, provide sure stopping power on any terrain. Other features include 21-speed SRAM twist shifters, a Shimano rear derailleur, a three-piece crank, and lightweight alloy rims.

List Price: $ 459.99

Price: $ 374.95

New Outdoor Bottle Holder Cage 46g for MTB Road Cycling Bike Bicycle Muntain

US $5.99
End Date: Monday May-21-2012 1:14:45 PDT
Buy It Now for only: US $5.99
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Gatorbrake IWAVE Titanium Ti Disc Rotor 180 MTB Bike
US $32.50
End Date: Monday May-21-2012 1:15:29 PDT
Buy It Now for only: US $32.50
Buy it now | Add to watch list

More Mountain Bike Products

Custom Full Suspension Dual-Use Travel Mountain Bike

A few nice mountain bikes images I found:

Custom Full Suspension Dual-Use Travel Mountain Bike
mountain bikes

Image by KevinSaunders
We had a client commission a full suspension travel mountain bike that had both road wheels in 700C and mountain wheels in 26". The custom KGS/Zinn travel mountain bike will fit into two 26 x 26 x 10 suitcases, including the bike and both sets of wheels. It has many KGS innovations including our new custom breakaway stem that allows the bike to be packed or unpacked in 15 minutes.

Thanks for looking and I appreciate your comments.

Email – info@kgsbikes.com<
KGS Bikes Website – www.kgsbikes.com/
KGS Bikes Blog – blog.kgsbikes.com/
Facebook – www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=844382267&ref=profile
LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/kevinsaunders

2008 Gorrick Mountain Bike Event Minley Manor Yateley XC cross Country Course IMG_8750
mountain bikes

Image by tonylanciabeta
Gorrick Mountain Bike Event Minley Manor Yateley XC cross country Course

Sparkbrook on a mountain Bike – video still 1
mountain bikes

Image by onlinejones
I put my LX3 on the front of my mountain bike and filmed a ride across Birmingham.

The Sparkbrook end of the journey was used in a movie with some Soprano Sax by Tony Beet which is available on Vimeo

Schwinn 405 Full Suspension Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels, Large)

Schwinn 405 Full Suspension Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels, Large)

  • All new Schwinn Active Link 4″ or 5″ adjustable travel frame
  • SR Sun Tour XCM Fork with damped coil rear shock
  • 24-speed Shimano Alivio rear derailleur with Acera rapid-fire trigger
  • Bengal mechanical disc brakes
  • Double wall alloy rims with double sealed alloy cassette rear disc hub with Kenda tires

Schwinn 405 Full Suspension Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels, Large)

List Price: $ 699.99

Price: $ 513.22

Related Mountain Bikes Products

Tips on Buying a Full Suspension Mountain Bike

Tips on Buying a Full Suspension Mountain Bike

 

Every year bicycle manufacturers make better, lighter and cheaper mountain bikes which make them more attractive to consumers. Do you want to buy a full suspension mountain bike? If you do below is a list of items that you might want to considered before buying a new mountain bike.

 

One of the most important questions to ask yourself is what type of terrain will you be riding on? If you are going to be riding cross country maybe a full suspension mountain bike is not warranted and a hardtail will better suit your needs. However if you are going to be riding downhill or on rough terrain a full suspension bike might be right up your alley.

 

Determine your budget and stick to it. Consider buying the best bike you can afford within your budget. Many riders suggest that if you have less then 0 to spend on a bike you might want to consider a hardtail because full suspension bikes are more costly. However you could consider buying a used full suspension bike at a good price on a mountain bike classifieds site.

 

If you determine that a full suspension mountain bike is what you need and want then consider the different frame designs. Single-pivot, sweet-spot and horst-link are a few popular designs and each has their advantages and disadvantages. The best way to truly understand the difference is to go to a few bike stores and test ride the different designs. The bike store guy will be more then happy to explain and point out the pros and cons of each design.

 

Remember that full suspension bikes are heavier then hardtail bikes. Full suspension frames are a little heavier and they carry more parts then hardtails so be prepared to pedal around a little more weight on the trail.

 

Read some of the online forums to determine what other riders like and don’t like about their bikes. You can learn a lot from other rider’s opinions.

 

Do not forget to factor in your maintenance costs into the equation. Full suspension bikes require a little more maintenance and for the do it yourself type you will need a few extra tools.

 

Finally, test ride as many bikes as you can before buying. Also do not forget to test ride a full suspension mountain bike with the front and or rear shock locked out.

 

See you on the trail

Experience with full suspension and hardtail mountain bikes, bike parts and organizing race events for mountain biking.

bikes for sale
mountain bike classifieds


Article from articlesbase.com