What are some cons to getting a full suspension bike?

I'm torn between getting just a front suspension bike or a full. I heard the rear suspension takes away from the pedal power but is more comfortable? Does it really and is it noticable?

If you buy a good full suspension design that has a "platform" rear shock, you won't lose much efficiency at all......and if you tune it properly, it can be darn close to riding a hardtail. Not totally, but only the really cruddy designs tend to bounce when you pedal. And if you pedal properly, it won't be an issue most of the time anyway, as long as you tune the shock correctly. In addition, any little squishing that you get when you pedal under power can be a benefit when you're climbing up steep, loose terrain.....it helps to dig the rear wheel in for more traction, while a hardtail will just spin out and probably cause you to stall unless you have very good climbing skills. The only other disadvantages to full suspension are the need to maintain the linkage and bolts holding it all together...more maintenance and higher costs when you need parts. And they usually add a little bit of weight to the bike, but not much unless you get into the long-travel bikes. The benefits of full suspension really outweigh the disadvantages, especially with today's bikes that are MUCH better than ones from several years ago.

Hardtails are really fun on most trails as long as you have some decent handling skills and are physically fit. Otherwise, they can bounce you around and either tire you out a lot faster or make you very sore in your back. In really rocky or rooty terrain, they can buck you right off the bike if you aren't careful and skilled. But they're fun and zippy and simple, all of which are nice. Hardtails also excel at jumping....when you see some of these riders launching ramps and bunnyhopping full suspension bikes, they deserve your respect! Full suspension is better for drops over a few feet, but for taking jumps with ramps, hardtails rule. If you run some 2.25 or larger tires on a hardtail, you can get a little bit of cushion to soften the ride. Put a set of 2.4 tires at 35psi and you'll almost feel like you're on full suspension unless it's really rough.

My advice would be to try your best to ride any full suspension bikes you're considering.....ride them on an actual trail if at all possible. Sometimes people will let you ride their bikes at the trailhead, or swap bikes with you for a short stretch.....ask around. This is a great way to get to know different bike designs and get a feel for what you really like before you start shopping.

Hope this helps you out some.....good luck! :o)

A rear suspension helps if you are going to do things like 3 foot drops. If you aren't going to be riding such technical trails, the rear suspension is usually not necessary.

Otherwise, yes a rear suspension can soak up a lot of your pedaling effort, unless it has a lockout so you can disable the suspension when you don't need it. Those things add extra weight though.

The issue should be do you need a full Susp. bike? If you are not doing any riding on rough trails go with a hard-tail. The reason for having a rear susp. is to keep the rear tire on the ground and not for a cushy ride. As far as do you lose power that depends on the rear susp. design.

qaz..., everyone who asks about full susp. knows it is a "dual susp." bike, it is just a common generic term. Same goes for other items on a bike, when one posts they have "hydraulics" you know they have "hyd. disk brakes"

I prefer just front suspension, because full suspension makes it hard to bike long distances (bounces up and down a lot)

I think it depends on what your doing with your bike. If you want to do super - intense mountain biking and insane jumps, full suspension would probably be good. If you're a more casual biker, mabey go for front *its cheaper to usually.

I live in the Ouachita Mountains and everybody I know has a hardtail. The only reason you need a dual supension bike for is downhill. A hardtail is much easier to maintain.

Hey
I know i'm not really answering your question but can people (this includes all the answerers) please stop calling them full suspension bikes. The correct term in dual suspension so can people please at least know this if they're going to answer

I mean full suspension is the way to go. All rear shocks usally have lockout on it so the compression doesn't affect the pedal power. Hardtail's are good climbers but they hurt you when riding over rough sections

unless you are riding in some very rough stay go for the front suspension only. you'll get better pedal response, less "bouncy" ride, less weight and less stuff to maintain.