Whats the difference between a dual suspension bicycle and single suspension and which is better?

Question

Whats the difference between a dual suspension bicycle and single suspension and which is better?

Answer 1

a dual suspension bike has shocks on the front fork as well as the rear of the bike. Unless you are hitting some seriosly hard terrain a hardtail (also known as a single suspension bike) would suit you just fine. I hav both a dual suspension and a hard tail but i much rather prefer the hardtail becuse it is more stable than the dual suspension. Overall dual suspension is better but they cost more and usaully the rear suspension isnt needed

Answer 2

Single suspension has shock forks at the front, sometimes called 'front suspension' or hardtail.

Dual suspension has the rear wheel suspended also, so has front and rear suspension.

Deciding which one is best for you depends on riding preferences and terrain.

- Hardtails are more rigid with no pedal input lost to rear suspension 'bob', and are usually lighter machines too.  They require a certain amount of skill and finesse to travel quickly over rough terrain.

-Full suspension allow you to cover rougher terrain with less jolts, by 'smoothing out' much of ride, but it usually comes with a weight cost, unless you wish to spend thousands on a superlight full suspension rig.  It's great for drop offs, but still needs to be at a certain price point to not break.

Many types of dual suspension suffer from pedal 'bob' which can be energy sapping as some of your energy is being transferred into bobbing rather than forward motion.

After riding both types, I tend to like having one of each:

Hardtail for single track, tricks and road, and full susser for short offroad adventures on hilly terrain.

Which is better?  I prefer hardtail, overall.  But everyone's needs and abilities and preferences are different...

Answer 3

dual suspension. its a way smoother ride and easier to do drops, jumps and pretty much everything but thats if your going to be on actual trails. Otherwise hardtails are better for longer distance paced riding.

Answer 4

single suspension bikes have only one suspension part, usually a fork on the front.

dual suspension bikes have suspension forks on the front, and also have a rear shock providing suspension for a pivoting rear 'swing arm' allowing the rear wheel to swing.

single suspension bikes tend to be lighter and are therefore easier to pedal for longer distances and go faster, although there are single suspension frames like bmx's which are designed for different tasks.

rear suspension bikes are heavier but can take more punishment. they tend to be used for jumping and rougher terrain. the dual suspension makes it more comfortable to ride, but pedalling faster and longer becomes more difficult

Answer 5

Single - There is one spring

Dual - There are two springs.

'Dual' is a substitution for double.

As a Cyclist, I prefer not to use there terms as there are many springs on a bike, small and large, all related to some form of suspension.

Gemini_DJ.

Answer 6

dual suspension is where the bicycle has suspension front and back.

Which is better depends on what you want to do with the bicycle. If you are just cycling on roads and paths etc, the single suspension (hardtail) would be adequate.

If you are wanting to go downhill cycling then a dual suspension (full suspension) would be better.