Topic: full suspension vs hard tail for riding in florida

[Ozzie Saez]

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

[Alan]

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.

[Ozzie Saez]

thanks for the input.
I also seem to be not be affected by having a hardtail

[Albe23]

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....

[Pariah]

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...

[ProEdgeBiker .]

[Frank Truluck]

SWEET RIDE!  I wanted one of them when I was young.

[mellowme17]

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.

[Alan]

No.  You need to ride what I like and like what I ride. 

[mellowme17]

By the way
There is nowhere in Florida that I felt I needed a full suspension bike….sometimes maybe gears would have been nice…

[mellowme17]

No.  You need to ride what I like and like what I ride. 

alan , your bikes doesnt have enough "flare"

[Frank Truluck]

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.

[Ozzie Saez]

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.

[ProEdgeBiker .]

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..

[mellowme17]

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