never

I think it'd be interesting to see how many out of the people that voted for hardtail actually own a dually versus those that only have a hardtail and have hopped on a buddy's full suspension bike.

mikeE46

Hardtail suck.

ghettocruiser

Long time XC hardtail rider here.

I vote full suspension.

sherpaPeak

FS if you have anough money to buy a light one with quality suspension system........

if you dont have the money and your options is between a low end full suspension and a decent quality hardtail......go with the hardtail.....

Honestly, I personally dont see a battle between hardtail and FS.........it mostly depends on riders preferences and purchasing power.....I would probably be better off with a full suspesions on the terrains I ride, but I like hardtails....I love the clean and simple loos of the hardtails......the way they handle.........and the kind of components and set up I got for about $1200.....I could not even imagine a set up like that if I bought a FS....

mx_599

yeah, probably very true

mx_599

sorry, guilty. i didn't realize it was that type of poll. i was just voting HT because that is what i have. i have never even sat on a FS bike.

Iffacus

Having just switch from using an HT for the past 15years, and now using a full susser ablight one with very limited rear travel. I'm still undecided on the benefits of a full susser, although I will probably use it more than the HT

pinkrobe

I had a FS for 4 years [after having various HT for ~15 years before that], but sold it to get a HT. I ride the same trails now as I did then, and I'm really liking the HT. That said, I may give FS a try in the future, probably something in the 4"x4" category. I doubt that I'd ride any faster, but it would be easier. On the other hand, I get a kick out of the SS [especially now that I'm on 2.3" tires], so maybe I'll go more toward that end of things. It's certainly cheaper...

Maelstrom 

So very very true. I know what I assume most people mean by xc, and I usually say ht. If I notice where they are from, or if they describe the ride, I might offer something different.

Flak

I think some of the short travel fs offerings are perfect for xc. Blur xc, epic, nitrous etc

redmonster

My vote....A Motiv or a Next.

pinkrobe

So true! I've scared the crap out of people by taking them on rides that I consider XC. They're dropping their seats, slapping on the armour and doing gut-checks for stuff that we used to race rigid bikes on. There's nothing wrong with that, but I tend to think that FR involves some shuttling, stunts, drops and air time, whereas DH is lots of straight-line speed. If I can ride up it, it's XC as far as I'm concerned.

Nycycle

I got one of each, I mean, I just had to.

wheelhot

Well, hardtail first and Full-Sus later, especially full sus if the trail is technical and you must be prepared to spend more money on a full-sus then a hardtail: eg: getting your full-sus as light as a hardtail will require much more money spent

Temeraroius

I really cannot pick either, they both have their advantages and disadvantages. I ride full suspension but, I've been wanting a HT for quite a while now. Would I sell the FS for the HT? No.

Az B

I found a really great deal on a FS XC bike. It rides much like a hardtail uphill, and faster downhill. But all that crap aside, I can ride longer and have more fun as my old bones hurt less on the FS.

Az

wheelhot

erm....what bike is that? rides like a hardtail and faster downhill? sounds like a Specialized Epic

toopercentmlk

Hey I learnt on a rigid Motiv!