For £500 (say £700 because I live in China) should I buy a full suspension or hardtail frame.?

Question

I do Red routes in Forestry Commision in the United Kingdom.

Answer 1

£500 will get you a nice entry level hardtail.  It will get you a piggin awful full sus.  Even if the suspension works fine, they will have had to economise on the frame.

For £700 you can get a reasonable Trek full sus for the money, or a stonking hardtail.

Depends upon the kind of riding you do on the trails, the the hardtail gets my vote.

However, A US grey import or last years model for £700 will get you a nice machine, hardtail and full sus.

Ultimately, it depends upon your riding style.

Luck

Answer 2

If you do reds then you need a light bike for the up - hill and you wont get a light full sus for £700 unless you go for second hand.  A good Kona or Scott hard tail will do the job but get the lightest you can afford unless you want to punish yourself on the climbs. Enjoy! http://www.dalescycles.com/v/vspfiles/V4...

(I assume you have a good helmet if you are doing reds - if not use some of your budget for one.)

Answer 3

I prefer hardtails.. Get a Kona Blast or something. It will cope with red/black routes fine.

Answer 4

HARDTAIL! I've never liked f/s. You can't beat the feel and control of a hardtail. I once traded a friend during a ride and it lasted about 2 minutes before I begged for my bike back.

Answer 5

You are actually pretty lucky to buy a bike in China. Look at Giant or Merida... between the 2 I'd go for a Merida, and DEFINITELY a hardtail.

Answer 6

Hardtail everytime. No matter what the budget.

Hardtails are hard men, Soft Tails are for soft men...