Like any other Mountain biker I have reasoned this in my head over and over again and it is always difficult to explain the topic to someone who is asking for advice. So here goes my best effort.... 3 Guys Jim, Bob and Roy has to read a book. Jim can read a book without glasses, bob needs glasses to read and Roy can not read. If Jim uses bobs glasses it will actually make him not able to read and no glasses will make Roy able to read better if he does not first learn how to read. But Jim can read better with glasses if it is highly specialized but it will in the long run impair his natural sight. Bob can even become better than Jim if he uses the correct glasses. Glasses can even correct your eyesight problems over time in CERTAIN cases. Roy has the best vision of all three with his glasses on but he still needs to learn how to read. Reading done... Now these three okes want to go driving. Roy can race with the best and his glasses are just there to keep the dust out. Jim as night vision problems and Bob drives like his grandma. The same thing with bikes and their suspension. Find out your weakness and what you want to use the bike for. I know I can improve my climbing easily through training and fitness. My going down skills aint that bad but on technical descents I struggle. Therefore I need a duel suspension bike. I also want to do trails so I will look for a duel suspension with 120 travel bike (do not want to do trails for sport or semi downhill reasons). Then I love the longer distances. Unfortunately a 120 travel semi trail bike will at some point be a huge disadvantage. I can still then use my old hard tail but after 5 hours and half of that on corrugation I hate my saddle. I can not wait for my DS bike. I hope it does not take too much out of my climbing abilities.
