Sorry, you must be logged in to use the shoutbox!

Author Topic: full suspension vs hard tail for riding in florida  (Read 4261 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Ozzie Saez

  • First Bike
  • *
  • Posts: 18
  • Karma: +1/-5
  • Gender: Male
  • Favorite Trail: Alafia , balm boyette
  • My Bike: specialized Rockhopper
full suspension vs hard tail for riding in florida
« on: June 20, 2012, 07:43:56 PM »
while i own a hardtail i feel, that in some areas of florida there are some parks that it would seem neccesary to have full suspension. I have never really been able to put a full suspension bike to the test becuz i have only ridden at alafia and boyette.

I like riding hartails only becuz im used to them. for riding in florida the odds of needing a full suspension bike are outnumbered by hartails. most of this information came from a friend of mine, and i thought it might be an interesting topic to hear others opinions.

let me know,
thanks

Offline Alan

  • Yellow Jersey
  • *****
  • Posts: 1168
  • Karma: +42/-111
  • Gender: Male
  • My Bike: Monolog, Bruce LeeRoy, Purp
Re: full suspension vs hard tail for riding in florida
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2012, 08:43:14 PM »
There seems to be a good mix of full suspension and hardtails out there.  There are technical advantages to either type but it all boils down to personal preference.  Skill/fitness level being pretty much equal, I have no problem keeping pace with FS or HT riders on my rigid on pretty much any trail around here.

Offline Ozzie Saez

  • First Bike
  • *
  • Posts: 18
  • Karma: +1/-5
  • Gender: Male
  • Favorite Trail: Alafia , balm boyette
  • My Bike: specialized Rockhopper
Re: full suspension vs hard tail for riding in florida
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2012, 09:29:31 PM »
thanks for the input.
I also seem to be not be affected by having a hardtail

Offline Albe23

  • Clipless Mountain Goat
  • ***
  • Posts: 178
  • Karma: +5/-16
  • Gender: Male
  • My Bike: Dartmoor Hornet, all Dartmoor'd out.
Re: full suspension vs hard tail for riding in florida
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2012, 12:57:05 AM »
I ride a 14" All-Mountain/Freeride frame.  Other than the larger drops at Santos, I haven't seen anything that has warranted a full suspension bike in FL.  With that said, I really want a Trek Slash....
"Force has no place where there is need of skill" - Heredotus

Offline Pariah

  • Cycling Sherpa
  • ***
  • Posts: 438
  • Karma: +12/-65
  • Gender: Male
Re: full suspension vs hard tail for riding in florida
« Reply #4 on: June 21, 2012, 07:58:22 AM »
Its all personal preference and what you're looking to do.... I know that for doing a 6 hr race at places like Alafia or WTA or the 12hrs of Santos...you'll appreciate the FS  bike...
WARNING  This document may contain technical data whose export is restricted by the Arms Export Control Act (Title 22, U.S.C., Sec 2778, et seq.) or the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended (Title 50, U.S.C., App. 2401 et seq.). Violation of these export laws are subject to criminal penalty

Offline ProEdgeBiker .

  • SUPPORTING OUR TRAILS By DONATING $30/yr for a SWAMP FAMILY MEMBERSHIP!
  • SWAMP Club Member
  • Yellow Jersey
  • ****
  • Posts: 2148
  • Karma: +104/-634
  • Gender: Male
  • *SPECIALIZED & SCOTT* My SWEATSHOP BOUTIQUES!
    • PROEDGEBIKER.COM
  • Favorite Trail: BOYETTE/P-TRAIL
  • My Bike: 650b SPECIALIZED EPIC & SCOTT FOIL 15
Re: full suspension vs hard tail for riding in florida
« Reply #5 on: June 21, 2012, 09:40:52 AM »

Offline Frank Truluck

  • Redriderpro
  • SWAMP Club Member
  • Ninja Master Cyclist
  • ****
  • Posts: 535
  • Karma: +20/-94
  • My Bike: Devinci Atlas carbon 29er
Re: full suspension vs hard tail for riding in florida
« Reply #6 on: June 21, 2012, 10:01:39 AM »
SWEET RIDE!  I wanted one of them when I was young.
"Big Dogs Like It Rough!"

Offline mellowme17

  • Cycling Sherpa
  • ***
  • Posts: 470
  • Karma: +10/-20
  • Gender: Male
  • My Bike: Single speed 29er
Re: full suspension vs hard tail for riding in florida
« Reply #7 on: June 21, 2012, 12:08:41 PM »
for me full squish doest do much beisdes numb the feeling of the trails...its been noticed by others that i am slower on a FS but that could be because any number of reasons...

i have kept pace with my hardtail, rigid and my cross bike in some cases with out to much of a problem...

ride what you like , like what you ride.
Yeah i am that guy with the socks

Offline Alan

  • Yellow Jersey
  • *****
  • Posts: 1168
  • Karma: +42/-111
  • Gender: Male
  • My Bike: Monolog, Bruce LeeRoy, Purp
Re: full suspension vs hard tail for riding in florida
« Reply #8 on: June 21, 2012, 12:14:48 PM »
No.  You need to ride what I like and like what I ride

Offline mellowme17

  • Cycling Sherpa
  • ***
  • Posts: 470
  • Karma: +10/-20
  • Gender: Male
  • My Bike: Single speed 29er
Re: full suspension vs hard tail for riding in florida
« Reply #9 on: June 21, 2012, 12:15:22 PM »
By the way
There is nowhere in Florida that I felt I needed a full suspension bike….sometimes maybe gears would have been nice…
Yeah i am that guy with the socks

Offline mellowme17

  • Cycling Sherpa
  • ***
  • Posts: 470
  • Karma: +10/-20
  • Gender: Male
  • My Bike: Single speed 29er
Re: full suspension vs hard tail for riding in florida
« Reply #10 on: June 21, 2012, 12:16:25 PM »
No.  You need to ride what I like and like what I ride

alan , your bikes doesnt have enough "flare"
Yeah i am that guy with the socks

Offline Frank Truluck

  • Redriderpro
  • SWAMP Club Member
  • Ninja Master Cyclist
  • ****
  • Posts: 535
  • Karma: +20/-94
  • My Bike: Devinci Atlas carbon 29er
Re: full suspension vs hard tail for riding in florida
« Reply #11 on: June 21, 2012, 03:12:47 PM »
All SS riders and HT riders should spend more time doing the River Loop @ Alafia and Washboard-HBR at Flatwoods, this might just expand you thinking about having rear suspension. Or Indian and Panther @ Flatwoods, Rock Garden & Bridges@ Alafia.
 
Or just about most trails that have enough rocks, roots and holes.
 
But, I suspect hard core HT riders tend to avoid those trails for some reason, I wonder why that is?
 
PS. I am old, slow and spoiled by 6" of plush suspension though, so consider my opion somewhat biased.
"Big Dogs Like It Rough!"

Offline Ozzie Saez

  • First Bike
  • *
  • Posts: 18
  • Karma: +1/-5
  • Gender: Male
  • Favorite Trail: Alafia , balm boyette
  • My Bike: specialized Rockhopper
Re: full suspension vs hard tail for riding in florida
« Reply #12 on: June 21, 2012, 03:40:21 PM »
thanks for everyones inputs on the subject.
in case some were wondering what i meant by possibly needing full suspension in florida, I meant in ares such as santos and some of the other parks in northern florida that i've seen.

Offline ProEdgeBiker .

  • SUPPORTING OUR TRAILS By DONATING $30/yr for a SWAMP FAMILY MEMBERSHIP!
  • SWAMP Club Member
  • Yellow Jersey
  • ****
  • Posts: 2148
  • Karma: +104/-634
  • Gender: Male
  • *SPECIALIZED & SCOTT* My SWEATSHOP BOUTIQUES!
    • PROEDGEBIKER.COM
  • Favorite Trail: BOYETTE/P-TRAIL
  • My Bike: 650b SPECIALIZED EPIC & SCOTT FOIL 15
Re: full suspension vs hard tail for riding in florida
« Reply #13 on: June 21, 2012, 03:58:44 PM »
thanks for everyones inputs on the subject.
in case some were wondering what i meant by possibly needing full suspension in florida, I meant in ares such as santos and some of the other parks in northern florida that i've seen.

too bad because I love my Full Suspension on all Trails, Even the Pinellas Trail..

Offline mellowme17

  • Cycling Sherpa
  • ***
  • Posts: 470
  • Karma: +10/-20
  • Gender: Male
  • My Bike: Single speed 29er
Re: full suspension vs hard tail for riding in florida
« Reply #14 on: June 21, 2012, 04:43:39 PM »
All SS riders and HT riders should spend more time doing the River Loop @ Alafia and Washboard-HBR at Flatwoods, this might just expand you thinking about having rear suspension. Or Indian and Panther @ Flatwoods, Rock Garden & Bridges@ Alafia.
 
Or just about most trails that have enough rocks, roots and holes.
 
But, I suspect hard core HT riders tend to avoid those trails for some reason, I wonder why that is?
 
PS. I am old, slow and spoiled by 6" of plush suspension though, so consider my opion somewhat biased.

you wont see me avoiding those trails...

thanks for everyones inputs on the subject.
in case some were wondering what i meant by possibly needing full suspension in florida, I meant in ares such as santos and some of the other parks in northern florida that i've seen.

havent seen the need for it for my self at santos...
are you riding 26 or 29?.... maybe try a little less air in the tires or higher TPI tires
Yeah i am that guy with the socks

 

Advertisement: