Expensive Hardtail or Cheap Dual Suspension

[Justin]

Hi

 

 

 

What is more advisable. An expensive hardtail or a cheap dual suspension?

 

 

 

Perhaps with the idea of upgrading the components of the dual suspension in a year's time...

 

 

 

 

 

Justin2009-02-24 08:54:49

[Bos]

If you want to race.. go HT.. If youre still useless and want to just MTB get the FS (full sus)

 

Remember that the cheap FS wil cost you a lot in the long run..If got cash now, but a 10 -13k FS..

otherwise buy a good HT and Buy only a FS frame in a years time, that way you wont have to buy all the other stuff..

[SeanScalpel]

Let's say I have R10k to spend on a bike, what would you guys recommend I do?

 

1) Buy a really good new HT

 

2) Buy an entry level new FS

 

3) Buy a 2nd hand FS

 

4) Take the money and upgrade my current HT bikeSeanGT2009-02-24 09:01:21

[Oiltrash]

For 10k...have a look for a good second hand hardtail, for that price you can get something nice with good componants!

 

 

[Li Mu Bai]

New bike prices have skyrocketed, so may be better upgrading what you have.

All depends on what you want to do with the mtb. both result in very different riding styles

If racing hard core, go with the HardTail. Messing around, then the full susp. will be a comfy fun ride.

 

[bruce]

Advice that has been given to me is not to buy a FS under R20k.

[LazyTrailRider]

Sean, unfortunately R10k isn't going to buy you a really good new HT with the new prices...

 

Depending on how good your current HT frame is, it might be well worth upgrading. To give you an idea, I have a 2008 Giant XTC 2, which I bought new in Jan 2008 for R11k. The frame and fork (Recon Race) are fairly high-end compared to the gear it came with (mix of Deore, little bit of LX and XT rear derailleur), so I decided in October to upgrade, just before the price hike luckily.

 

I got a full SLX group (but kept the XT rear) and Mavic CrossRide wheelset with roughly R8500 pocket money. A world of difference, and with a few other trick bits (nice saddle, ultralight bar-ends etc), I'm very happy.

 

Just ask Bos... My bike is fast, and looks fast too 

 

So yes, upgrading would be my vote, especially with the latest complete bike prices, it seems to make more sense.

[wesf]

I agree, go after the best componets for your money wich in most caseswill be a HT. you can always do a frame transplant later 'cause the components will still be good.

[Daxiet]

Something to keep in mind is that FS's are more high maintenance than HT's. However they are excellent fun to ride.

 

With current pricing you would need to spend 15-20k on a new FS (ok level bike, but not very light). If you are going to chase to win a race, unless you have more than 50k to spend on an "light" FS, rather go HT.

 

I ride a FS, while I look at super light HT's with great longing, I doubt I will ever go back to HT.

 

I also opted to upgrade a entry level FS, but it has worked out very expensive in the long run, would have done better to spend 5-10k more and bought the bigger brother.

 

[SeanScalpel]

Thanks for the info guys.

 

 

 

I'm curious though, because this is not the 1st time I've heard this, why do you say that if I'm serious about racing and winning, rather go for a good HT? Purely because of weight?

 

 

 

I know that FS bikes are heavier than HT's, but does the advantages of a FS not make up for the bike being heavier?SeanGT2009-02-24 12:59:06

[Daxiet]

 

HT's climb better in general, plus yes they obviously will always be lighter than comparative FS's (no pivot points, no extra shock and other wasted material on mounting points for the rear stay).

 

You do get very light FS's, but you can buy a small car for their price. To get an HT at the equivalent weight will cost much less.

 

I would say FS's only start to be an advantage on Multi-day events, or if you are a slow rider who is going to spend 5-6 hours on a 70-100km race.

 

While FS's make going downhill fun, HT's can do as good a job.

 

This topic has been debated here before and I know certain people will take exception to the concept of HT's winning races over FS's. But those who win on FS's have either got expensive sponsored bikes or can afford to spend 60K+ on a bike

 

Daxiet2009-02-24 13:37:17

[SeanScalpel]

Very interesting! I thought a FS climb better. How come all the pros use FS then? Is it because they have the best of the best FS?

 

 

 

So basically what you're saying is, get a HT unless you can afford a R50k FS (if you're planning on racing)?

[Zevark]

Thanks for all the advice, I'm also looking into MTB now.

[cat-i]

 

 

While FS's make going downhill fun' date=' HT's can do as good a job.

 

[/quote']

 

hmm, sounds like me ... if yolanda speedy can ride a hardtil, then so can i, i always told everyone ... but that was before the fatefull day that i climbed on a ds for some serious fun ... the fact that the ds sucked into singletrack might have been due to the proper front shock ... but the out-of-body-experience flying down rocky terrain - and the controll that i had doing that - was unreal.

 

so ... it probably depends on what you want to do?

race? hardtail.

fun? ds.

 

[Sean Badenhorst]

 

 

Advice that has been given to me is not to buy a FS under R20k.

 

Correct. Well, mostly. At the current new-bike prices, there aren't many decent dual-sussers under R20k. The extra money is well worth it though if comfort and control are priorities.

 

 

 

 

Sean Badenhorst2009-02-24 14:23:08

[Tumbleweed]

Very interesting! I thought a FS climb better. How come all the pros use FS then? Is it because they have the best of the best FS?

 

 

 

So basically what you're saying is' date=' get a HT unless you can afford a R50k FS (if you're planning on racing)?[/quote']

 

 

 

horses for courses. in certain situations a duallie will climb better. the back wheel tracks better over technical or rocky ascents. decently graded jeep track will obviously see the hardtail climb better.