When you decide to reward yourself with a new bike, you tend to explore all of the options. Dual suspension mountain bikes for sale and full suspension mountain bikes are some of the top-listed choices in this regard. But do you know what the advantages and disadvantages of the full suspension mountain bike are? This blog will help you understand if the bike is for you or not. Let’s explore it all in the content that follows:

What is a mountain bike with full suspension?

A full suspension mountain bike, as opposed to a hardtail, contains a rear shock or damper in addition to a front suspension fork.

Mountain riding on uneven terrain is made much more comfortable by the shock's ability to absorb bumps and uneven surfaces. The shock also helps with additional control and traction.

Potential locations for shocks on a mountain bike with full suspension
Different brands allow for different placements for the shock. The shock can either be positioned parallel to or in line with the seat tube, or it can be positioned immediately below the top tube.

The shock is even built into the frame of the most recent  bikes. While enduro and downhill bikes may also include a coil or coil spring, air-sprung shocks are the most common type seen on cross-country and trail MTBs.

Suspension Choices

A variety of suspension travel choices are also available. You have a choice between a minimum travel of 60 mm and a maximum travel of 120 mm. Usually, downcountry mountain bikes and so-called cross-country full suspension bikes have this feature.

Suspension travel is even more important for other kinds of mountain bikes, like trail, enduro, and downhill mountain bikes, because of the tougher terrain they are made to handle.

The main frame and the rear swingarm are the two components that make up a full suspension mountain bike, in theory. Through pivot points and connections, the shock is fastened to both frame components. Brands can also differ greatly in the number of links and the location and method of attaching the shock.

Benefits

A mountain bike with full suspension has several benefits. Even in cross-country events, it is understandable why full-suspension bikes are becoming more and more popular. Given that the courses have also gotten considerably more technical, it is not unexpected that this has kind of become the norm in recent years.

A full suspension bike could appear excessive for a beginner mountain rider with a potentially tight budget. But after you realise its advantages, it might be something to think about.

The many benefits of a full-suspension mountain bike are listed below:

-More traction on challenging terrain and improved, simpler control.
predictable treatment.
-Less strain on the body, back, and bones, and more comfortable on rugged terrain.
increases self-assurance and forgivingness.
-Quicker on challenging and complex terrain.
-Jumps and drops are simpler to handle.
-Since the majority of experts choose full suspension, it involves more sophisticated technology, research, and development.
-Downhill cycling is more steady, safer, and more pleasurable.
-The extra comfort makes it ideal for lengthy, multi-day journeys as well.
-It appears tough and cool.
-Keeps improved contact with the terrain and ground.
adaptable to various kinds of terrain, particularly when using a lockout mode.
-Improved traction, comfort, confidence, and control

As you can see, there are a lot of benefits to a full suspension mountain bike. The additional comfort that a dual-suspension mountain bike offers is arguably the biggest advantage. Because of this, mountain biking is more pleasurable and less physically demanding, particularly on challenging and rugged terrain.

Additionally, tackling jumps and drops that you might otherwise skip with a hardtail is instantly more fun. The landing will be more gentle to avoid the shock.

On challenging and technical terrain, a full suspension mountain bike offers you greater control, forgiveness, and traction. All of this guarantees that you will be able to ride across difficult terrain more swiftly and smoothly and with considerably greater confidence.

The full suspension mountain bike also has several benefits when riding downhill. The bike will feel considerably more stable and you'll be able to descend more safely. The enjoyment and speed of the descent are directly increased by a full suspension bike, which keeps better contact with the ground and absorbs all hazards.

A mountain bike with full suspension is adaptable.

A full suspension mountain bike is also appropriate for MTB marathons and multi-day races because of the extra comfort it offers. The full suspension bike can be used on any terrain, including the flat or mild terrain of the Netherlands and Flanders, if it has a lockout fork and shock.

Drawbacks

You may already be excited by the full suspension mountain bike's many benefits. But there is a drawback to take into account as well. Additionally, a full suspension MTB has a number of drawbacks. These should be taken into account because they may influence your decision to purchase a full suspension bike.

Before buying a bike, make sure that you inspect the seller. He should be reputable and be dealing in various equipment, such as all types of bicycles, mountain bikes, indoor bicycle trainers, and much more.

The cost of a full suspension mountain bike is on the expensive side

On easy terrain, it is slower and less effective since it is less rigid. The frame weighs more than a hardtail with the same equipment. Hence, it requires more complex and regular upkeep.

The full suspension bike is more forgiving and gives you more confidence, but it can also hinder your skill development. You will always need to spend a little more money on a full-suspension mountain bike.

May be less effective and heavier on flat terrain

A full suspension mountain bike could be more of a disadvantage than a benefit if you primarily ride on milder trails and roads. Given the additional suspension, it is not surprising that a full suspension bike has a slightly heavier frame. This additional weight must be carried over flat, easy terrain, which frequently disadvantages the full suspension bike. Because a full-suspension mountain bike is less rigid, you will ride less efficiently on flat terrain.

An ultralight full-suspension mountain bike is another option, of course. It's crucial to avoid making unrelated comparisons, though, because the hardtail version of that full suspension bike will still weigh a little less.