Full Suspension Mountain Bike | MTB (2025)

FAQs

Do you really need full suspension MTB? ›

The truth is that no one really “needs” a full-suspension mountain bike. With enough skill and determination, a good hardtail rider can do just about anything a full-suspension rider can. Objectively though, full-suspension bikes do provide a few key advantages over hardtails.

How long do full-suspension bikes last? With proper maintenance a mountain bike can last over 20 years. The lifespan of your bike is highly dependent on where you ride and how much you ride. Some items will wear out, tires, chains, brake pads and drivetrains will not last forever.

Also known as front suspension, a hardtail suspension bike consists of only a front suspension fork and will offer no shock absorption in the back of the bike frame. As such, hardtail bikes are typically more efficient, more responsive and easier to manoeuvre.

Hardtails are great if you ride on dirt roads and light cross country, where rocks and roots might be a part of your ride but are in no way a constant. Plus, having a lighter bike with a friendlier price tag makes all the sense if you don't want to go all out on downhill sections.

It is more than OK for suspension to bottom out on the biggest, hardest hits that the rider is likely to expose it to. The travel is there to be used, and all bicycle suspension products are designed and manufactured to go through their full range of motion with no detrimental effect or risk of damage.

With a little basic care and feeding, your full-suspension bike will ride trouble free for miles and miles of fun. Here are our favorite tips (we're happy to help you with these settings and adjustments, too).

You want a more comfortable ride: A full-suspension mountain bike will soak up most of the jarring bumps that would otherwise be sent to your body (and in some cases, buck you off your bike). This can help reduce fatigue, which in turn can allow you to ride faster, for longer, with greater comfort.

If you're going huge on downhill jumps, a full-suspension all mountain or enduro bike and maybe even a full-on downhill bike will be what you're looking for. These bikes will have longer wheelbases designed for high speeds, more suspension travel, and much stronger components made to handle big hits.

Weight: Full suspension bikes tend to be heavier than hardtail bikes due to the frame design and the additional components in the rear suspension. This can negatively affect acceleration and agility on certain terrains.

How much weight can a full suspension mountain bike hold? ›

But the hardtail's not dead. Like vinyl and fanny packs, the hardtail may have taken a back seat for a while. But it's still relevant and cool for those in-the-know enough to spot the trend, and its resurgence.

Less durable - Because there are more moving parts, more parts can fail. It can also damage a shock by bottoming out too hard or frequently if it's not set up correctly. Generally, full-suspension bikes can't handle as hard of impacts as hardtails.

That said, for certain technical, rough downhills, you might prefer a mountain bike with full suspension to give you enhanced traction and control. Ultimately, the type of suspension you go for, if any, is down to your own personal preference. It's all about achieving a setup that you're happy with.

Suspension Options For Kids' Mountain Bikes

Although many kids (and parents) like the looks/idea of a bike with a front shock, we recommend a rigid fork for most beginner and intermediate riders. Fully rigid bikes are great for teaching bike fundamentals and are lighter and require less maintenance.