| If you are considering buying a mountain bike, you will | | | | with a spring to allow the rear wheel and chain/gear |
| have been reading and hearing about Hardtail and Full | | | | mechanism to move up and down along with the front |
| Suspension models and you might be confused as to | | | | wheel too. This will give a better and smoother ride |
| what they are and how they differ from your | | | | when travelling over rough terrain, such as a forest trail |
| standard push bike. Also, knowing which one to buy will | | | | or muddy hill. |
| depend on how and where you ride it, so read on for | | | | So now you know the difference between them, you |
| more information on each type. | | | | might be thinking of which one will suit you best. But |
| Hardtail | | | | hang on! There are a few other things to think about |
| The Hardtail mountain bike is a small evolution from the | | | | too. |
| standard mountain bike. The front forks of the bike | | | | A Hardtail bike will be lighter than a full suspension one, |
| (the part of the frame that holds the front wheel on) | | | | as there will be less mechanics involved and therefore |
| are allowed to move up and down on a dampened | | | | less weight. Due to the fixed back wheel, the Hardtail |
| spring system. This gives you a certain degree of | | | | will also be quicker too, allowing for better acceleration |
| suspension, the same as you have in a car, so the | | | | and speed. This is also the same for climbing up hills, |
| wheel can travel up and down independently of the | | | | where the Hardtail will be better too. |
| bike. This means that smaller lumps and bumps in the | | | | A full suspension bike will be able to handle rough |
| road will be absorbed by the suspension and give you | | | | terrain better though, leading to a more comfortable |
| a smoother ride. | | | | ride on all surfaces. The design allows for more |
| Full Suspension | | | | off-road style riding and they will let you bounce down |
| The rear wheel on a Hardtail bike is totally fixed and | | | | a mountainside hardly feeling a bump. The Hardtail is a |
| has no suspension at all. Compare that to a Full | | | | better all rounder and will suit more scenarios, but the |
| Suspension bike though, which has the same front | | | | full suspension models are more fun if you want to |
| wheel suspension system and also a smaller amount | | | | hack around paths in the woods or really take the bike |
| of movement on the rear wheel too. Part of the | | | | off road. |
| full-suspension bike frame will be hinged and loaded | | | | |