Originally Posted by
theextremist04
Another big factor is what you want to do with the bike. While top tier XC racers can get away with hardtails because most UCI race courses are super groomed singletrack, the majority of trails around here are no fun on a hardtail (barring 29ers.) The EX9 is actually really popular around here.
In talking w the local mt bike riders here in S Barb I think there's universal agreement that given the terrain (very rocky) DS is the only way to go.
I've been out on the local trails on my hardtail and it was ok, but I don't know what I'm missing because I've never ridden a DS bike. I will know by this evening however as I'm about to take the bike I'm considering buying out for a spin!
