Opinion - Hardtail vs Dualy

OldNickToo

Interesting. What market is this? I can see where at the "lower" (which for me is sky-high until I have ridden for at least two years, every day or nearly) end of the market the extra shock could be a let-down. Extra weight and reliability issues, as well as the bobbing problems etc.....

But at the upper end, people seem rapt.

aa9t8

my wife works at one of the lbs

HowardSteele

I upgraded to a full sus,about two years ago and i must admit i really enjoy the benefits ,besides the relief on the back jarring the back wheel tracks beter when flying downhill on uneven surfaces.My bike was in the shop this weekend and i dusted off the rigid,climbing was not to diffrent but boy comming down was one bone rattling experience,how soon we adjust to the luxuries of llfe.If you are not a serious MTB racer,yes the hardtail with a young body is still the fastest thing on two wheels,give yor kidneys a holiday and go for the duel.
Howard

robalert

I also am more into recreational/enduro riding rather than XC racing... and I love my VT

If you ride technical trails then the dually will be quicker... if you just ride smooth trails and commute with it, then stick to a hardtail

There is a rock garden/riverbed, my dually would smoke any hardtail on it, down fast rocky firetrails, the dually is more comfy and quicker in the long run

I find hardtails are great, and I would probably buy a hardtail next... if you are not into speed or technical stuff, then there is no point to a dually

I find in sydney, most of our trails are rocky... and a dually is good for it, whereas, canberra is sandy/dirt/singletrack... i'd rather ride a hardtail

I don't regret buying my duallie, it is fast offroad, but I hate commuting on it

I also have a old hardtail for commuting and a fast flatbar for quick weekend riding

answer, get a few bikes.... if you want a do it all... then get a hardtail.. but be prepared to be smoked on rough trails....

__________________
Rob

www.bikenorth.org.au

'07 Giant OCR Composite 3 - R550s with Michi Prorace2

'06 Giant CRX1

'96 Apollo Himalaya commuter - Rigid Fork, slicks, fully racked

DMR Switchback Reynolds 520- Velocity Cliffhangers, SRAM X-9, Easton bar/stem


DMR Trailstar 2 4130- Mavic117, Dice Whiplash, SCUD DH bars, LX 9spd, DMR Crisis Cranks.

'04 Giant VT3 frame - SOLD

HowardSteele

AAahh thats where my choice of Bike with lock out on both shocks,suits my riding fine ,the ability to lock out the rear shocK from the handle bar lever is very convenient Not that it gives a totally rigid ride ,there is still some movement on the likages ,but not that bobbing assosiated with duels.the Scott shock is suited for x/country it's not the bike youd go leap tall buildings with.My
Daily ride is about 12k's uphill gravle some loose rocky climbs and then down again either same route or the sand,rock,mud single track. depending on my mood.
Howard.

insideout

The group I ride with is between 35-55 and the majority ride dualies. I am one of the few who rides a hardtail. Been riding it for about 10 years now and I must admit, I do have issues with hand numbness and back pain on longer rides. I did rent a dualie for about a week, a couple of years ago in Utah and certainly enjoyed it, although I still prefer the hartail for climbing.

robbielg

About 10 years ago i wouldve chosen the hardtail. Being older now and with a bad back, i am more concerned about comfort and getting my rides done than speed so i choose the full suspension bike.

A big factor is the group i now like to ride with, almost all of them use full suspension bikes. If I ride my hardtail id be riding at a different rythm, going fast when the group goes slow and slow when they go fast. Full suspension bikes are getting better. I want to keep on riding and the full suspension encourages me to do so.

beltabout

cheapie

i had a klein attitude hardtail for years and loved it. i wanted to get another ride so i sold it and bought an ellsworth truth.

what was i thinking riding that HT for all those years? this thing is 23 pounds, climbs great, eliminated butt and back pain, and allows me to descend with far more confidence, safety, and fun. i can't conceive a situation in which i would go back to a HT.

robbielg

If my dual suspension bike weighed 23lbs id have a different attitude towards dualies. My 2004 giant nrs3 weighs 32 lbs! But I dont mind the weight that much except when i have to carry the bike. I even threw out my back once while carelessly lifting the bike

i think a lightweight dualie is in my future.

dbleoh7

hardtail. when i go riding, my attitude is all or nothing, and it seems like the dual suspension bike inhibits my intensity level. i have never owned a dualy, but have ridden a few. i like the "attitude" that the hardtail brings to the table. i dont plan on purchasing a dualy until im atleast 50, when i will care more about comfort

choppers5000

yea but wouldn't a nice light dualy with lock out be just as good and have u covered for more scenario's?

robalert

i'm actually swapping my parts over from my VT to a hardtail frame, DMR Trailstar full 4130 cromo

My riding has changed since I don't get out long firetrails anymore, I just find the VT too cumbersome for technical trails... maybe i bought a bike that is too big, maybe i don't have the skills, but i find the VT not very confidence inspiring for tight DH tracks

My back has gotten better with more riding so I don't think i need a duallie anymore, i just feel outta control when the back suspension sits so high when you unload it, but then sinks down when you in it... it is almost the geometry changing all the time...

Anyway, back to hardtail.. with a more freeride slant.... i think i enjoy more technical short trails these days, since I've become so time poor with having a 6mth old...

__________________
Rob

www.bikenorth.org.au

'07 Giant OCR Composite 3 - R550s with Michi Prorace2

'06 Giant CRX1

'96 Apollo Himalaya commuter - Rigid Fork, slicks, fully racked

DMR Switchback Reynolds 520- Velocity Cliffhangers, SRAM X-9, Easton bar/stem


DMR Trailstar 2 4130- Mavic117, Dice Whiplash, SCUD DH bars, LX 9spd, DMR Crisis Cranks.

'04 Giant VT3 frame - SOLD

bbattle

I definitely prefer my Full Suspension(4" of travel) over my old HT but the price difference between the two was about $1k. On the rocky, rooty, up and down trails the FS is great, my HT would beat me to death. On the pretty flat but very twisty singletrack trail I'd love a HT for the speed, you do lose a bit of power through the suspension. I've got mine set pretty tight; don't have a lockout option(grrr.)


If you do decide to get a FS or Freeride, get the best you can afford. The cheap ones are there to hit a price point or for people that think they need it but don't want to pay for it.

Anybody here have any experience riding the 29" mtb.?