hardtail vs softtail

[Fruity]

As Swany05 put it, they both have their ups and downs. These days, I think I would rather go back to DS as I found I gained more speed going downhill on the DS that I had. More speed going up hill on a HT though, still, I find DS more comfortable to ride

[karlito]

Hardtail

• Cheaper 
• lighter
• less maintenance
• Climbs better, especially on smoother hills
• Faster on hardpack
• More precise

Dual Suspension

• Less fatigue 
• Gentler on the behind
• More grip and better power transfer on uneven terrain
• Faster and more control on downhill
• More forgiving
• More versatile - Better at doing a bit of enduro or downhill 

 

In an ideal world you would have both and pick one depending on the type of trail you ride.

 

Otherwise think of the type of riding you enjoy most or do more often.

[JJACK]

Dual suspension much more forgiving than Hard tail, added a HT race machine to the bike quiver start of 2015.. Have had many more offs than when riding my DS. Also not touching my PB's going down on my local trails. Going up is different story though.. the couple of seconds I loose going down I'm taking back in minutes going up. I like the "connected " feel of the HT on the trails but miss the comfort and forgiveness of DS.

 

Just remember N+1.. you need both!

[Riaan H]

Why notgo to a demo-day like Spez regularly holds and try a DS to get an idea of the feel.

[Gerhard Gous]

Unless where you want to go fast is downhill..

Edited November 26, 2015 by Gerhard Gous

[xnadu]

Nello:

 

I have the same question so thanks for asking it.....and I hope I am not hijacking your thread. I have a hard tail and I have done most of the Ashburton and Trailseeker Marathons and some other events over 70+ km's this year. Is it an upgrade to go soft tail or is it a totally different ride? I am considering the change but I am not sure why. Softer ride? Better efficiency? More confident on down hills? What are the benefits? Will also appreciate some input.

I dont think its hijacking a thread its info all of us wants

[xnadu]

Holy thread resurection 

cause some of us are new here thats the reason for the revival  - lol

[raptor-22]

Both Ht and ST are fun to ride.

Some people like the fuss free nature of a hardtail.

 

 

many people who can't see the point of the HT are the same people those who learned to ride MTB on a HT keep yelling "Trek, TRek" when catching them on the singletrack,.....

[Stevief]

I had both a HT and a DS.  AFter 2 years of having both i realised every time i went for a ride I stared at both bikes and decided which one will i take today.  AFter choosing the DS 9 times out of ten i eventually realised that i dont need a HT anymore. So i sold it.  

 

Modern DS bikes dont bob like earlier versions.  ANd they much better downhill.  Its great to learn skills on a HT as you need to choose lines and shift weight a lot more than sitting on a plush DS so aHT ups your skilss , then when you switch to a DS  you can really rip a trail apart.

 

So in the rocky Western Cape get a DS , if you live north of the Vaal a HT will probably be fine.

Edited November 26, 2015 by Stevief