What is the difference between a hardtail and a full-suspension mountain bike?
Mountain bikes can be further split into hardtails and full-suspension bikes.
Hardtail mountain bikes only have front suspension forks whereas full suspension mountain bikes have front suspension and rear suspension, often allowing you to tackle the most extreme off-road riding.
The choice of a hardtail or full-suspension mountain bike depends on where you're planning to ride and you're riding preference.
What is a hardtail mountain bike good for?
Hardtail mountain bikes are light, agile, and alert, they are often cheaper than full-suspension mountain bikes and the lack of rear suspension also means that pedalling is more efficient, as all the effort you put in is transferred to the rear wheel.
Hardtail's bikes are great for riding trails, tracks and XC and will also perform much better on the road than a full-suspension bike (although neither is great on the tarmac).
These bikes are sharp and precise to handle and are ideal for fast-rolling tracks at the trail centre. You will be in control as you ride the rough and the smooth.
What is a full-suspension mountain bike good for?
Full-suspension bikes have suspension front and rear that help soak up rocky sections and smooth out tree roots and muddy sections as you ride. Full-suspension bikes are likely to be heavier and slightly more expensive than hardtail bikes, but the extra cost and engineering make for a smoother ride over more technical and bigger obstacles.
The best full-suspension mountain bikes are great for tackling technical trails, big drops and maintaining your speed as you tear around trails. You may need to adjust your suspension to increase or decrease the level of travel before tackling more extreme rides and downhill runs at the trail centre. Chat with one of our in-store experts about adjusting your bike's suspension.
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Electric Mountain Bike Suspension
Hardtail
Electric hardtail mountain bikes are best suited to lighter trails, such as those at your local trails centre. You’ll be moving quickly, avoiding obstacles and tackling the technical stuff when it appears.
Electric assistance means that you’ll still be flying as the trail flattens out or rises skyward, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself enjoying your local loop twice before you head home for the day.
Hardtail mountain bikes are also great utility bikes. If your commute involves some trails, gravel roads or challenging bridleways, then a hardtail e-bike could be a sensible investment. If you’re looking for a hardwearing hardtail, check out the Carrera Vengeance E Mens Electric Mountain Bike – a battery-powered beast that’s terrific on the trails.
Electric Mountain bikes are also measured in millimetres, the travel of a suspension system is a measurement of how much it can compress when it hits an obstacle. Due to a slight increase in weight, electric mountain bikes tend to have a higher amount of travel, front and rear. 120mm isn’t uncommon on hardtails with 140mm (front and rear) not unusual on full-suspension e-MTBs.
Full-Suspension
Full-suspension electric mountain bikes are built for the tough stuff. With suspension at both ends, the shocks and bumps from obstacles should be absorbed more effectively.
Full-suspension electric bikes are built for extreme conditions, like challenging technical ascents and punishing and pulsating downhill rides.
You can use motorised assistance to help you manage rides, accelerating out of corners, up steep rises and over obstacles.
Should I buy a hardtail or a full-suspension mountain bike?
The choice between a hardtail and full suspension comes down to the terrain you will be tackling and your riding style.
Full-suspension bikes can help smooth things out when the riding gets tough on trails or downhill tracks. Rear suspension should help you ride faster over roots, stones, and rocks, and can provide extra confidence too.