Most mountain bikes produced
today have either front suspension or both front and rear, called duel
suspension. There is still an argument to be made for rigid mountain bikes,
however, particularly for beginners. Someone who is a beginner faces different
challenges than someone who is familiar with the sport; some of the challenges
can be overcome with different equipment. While there are reasons expert and
professional mountain bikers prefer mountain bikes with suspension, those same
reasons may not justify such a bike for beginners.
Climbing Hill
When it comes to climbing up
hills on a mountain bike, a rigid frame gives a beginner an advantage. This is
because some of the power generating by pedaling is absorbed by the giving of a
bike's suspension. To get the most power out of each crank revolution, a
beginner should use a rigid bike.
Riding Down Hill
While suspension helps a
rider control his bike by absorbing the impact of the wheels against an
obstacle as they pedal up a hill, the biggest benefit of having suspension is
the control it provides while descending a hill at high speeds. While it is
possible to ride down the same trails on a rigid frame, the control, and comfort
provided by a duel suspension bike is undeniable.
The Learning Curve
While suspension makes
almost everything easier than a rigid bike does -- with the exception of
climbing -- suspension bikes slow the learning curve because they are so much
more forgiving than a dual suspension bike. The buffer created by the
suspension system prevents a beginner for feeling the relationship between the
trail and the bike. As a result, bad habits can form that hinder a beginner's
rate of development. Slowing to bump over an obstacle rather than maintaining
their speed and riding around it is one example. Developing balance is another
skill beginners learn more slowly on a full suspension bike because poor weight
distribution is forgiven by the suspension.
The Cost
The idea that mountain
biking is only fun if you own the latest and greatest equipment is a farce. If
beginners are discouraged from riding a rigid bike, they may lose interest in
the sport because the price of a dual suspension bike can be up to four-times
higher. It is often cheaper to purchase a very good rigid bike than it is to
buy a mediocre full suspension mountain bike.
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