Hardtail or Full Suspension for a newbie?
Discussion
Hello all, I normally inhabit the motorised version of this thread, so please take it easy on me.
I need some thoughts as I am dipping my toe into the world of proper mountain bikes having persevered for a while with a Carrera Vulcan I bought a few years ago.
My son has just discovered Aston Hill which is near to us and I find myself following him very gingerly around the top sections, but I suspect that he will soon be leaving me long behind. Now I know that in all likelihood he will be leaving me for dust very soon, but I at least want to be able to follow him albeit much more slowly (I have broken bones before- he hasn't).
Now I know that once you mention somewhere like Aston Hill, most people will say FS, but that is only part of my riding and once my boy is fed up waiting for me, I will pick up the trails nearby and go through the woods and down the canals for the majority of the time.
That is a long winded way of asking whether I should get FS or a hardtail. I've seen the Bossnut and read the rave reviews and have also gone misty eyed today over a Saracen Mantra Carbon which is slightly more expensive, but may be a better long term prospect.
I don't plan to replace the bike for a long while, but am happy to upgrade components over time. I'm happy to spend about £1k (The Saracen is on special at £1299), but will push it for the right bike.
Sorry for the long ramble, but I am really getting myself in a twist and want a new bit of shiny stuff! Thanks.
I need some thoughts as I am dipping my toe into the world of proper mountain bikes having persevered for a while with a Carrera Vulcan I bought a few years ago.
My son has just discovered Aston Hill which is near to us and I find myself following him very gingerly around the top sections, but I suspect that he will soon be leaving me long behind. Now I know that in all likelihood he will be leaving me for dust very soon, but I at least want to be able to follow him albeit much more slowly (I have broken bones before- he hasn't).
Now I know that once you mention somewhere like Aston Hill, most people will say FS, but that is only part of my riding and once my boy is fed up waiting for me, I will pick up the trails nearby and go through the woods and down the canals for the majority of the time.
That is a long winded way of asking whether I should get FS or a hardtail. I've seen the Bossnut and read the rave reviews and have also gone misty eyed today over a Saracen Mantra Carbon which is slightly more expensive, but may be a better long term prospect.
I don't plan to replace the bike for a long while, but am happy to upgrade components over time. I'm happy to spend about £1k (The Saracen is on special at £1299), but will push it for the right bike.
Sorry for the long ramble, but I am really getting myself in a twist and want a new bit of shiny stuff! Thanks.
Thanks for the replies, I've read elsewhere too that a hardtail will at least teach me a few things. I will look at the Whyte and the Boardman, as neither were on my radar. As for the option of a carbon frame, the magpie in me is drawn to that, but am I kidding myself that this is going to be apparent to someone at my level?
Here's the review which is why I'm looking at getting one: 10/10 MBR Magazine for Whyte 901
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Went to have a look at one of these yesterday and all the dealer had was a 905 which was nice, but of course not what I was after. They certainly get a good right up, but I need to find one now!
I'm still struggling with the question of whether I get FS or not frankly, but hardtail doesn't seem to be the compromise I expected.
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Went to have a look at one of these yesterday and all the dealer had was a 905 which was nice, but of course not what I was after. They certainly get a good right up, but I need to find one now!
I'm still struggling with the question of whether I get FS or not frankly, but hardtail doesn't seem to be the compromise I expected.
Thanks all - I wasn't expecting much input to be honest as these sorts of queries must crop up with tedious regularity, so it's appreciated.
Having had a weekend of poring over magazines, websites, talking to mates and generally being a bit of an anorak (according to Mrs Looksfast) and of course absorbing the collective PH wisdom, I'm going to go for a hardtail. Annoyingly it's probably going to be a Whyte as well given that it is obviously very capable. I say annoyingly as that was the first suggestion...
I'm tempted by a couple of 901's on ebay at the moment and there are some 905's too, so I can spend any saving on some lessons!
Having had a weekend of poring over magazines, websites, talking to mates and generally being a bit of an anorak (according to Mrs Looksfast) and of course absorbing the collective PH wisdom, I'm going to go for a hardtail. Annoyingly it's probably going to be a Whyte as well given that it is obviously very capable. I say annoyingly as that was the first suggestion...
I'm tempted by a couple of 901's on ebay at the moment and there are some 905's too, so I can spend any saving on some lessons!
So, rather than start a new thread I thought I would seek more wisdom (or possibly affirmation of a decision already made). 
The men among you won't be surprised that I have suffered what my mate calls "mission creep" and to that end, I now have two bikes on the list and they are the Saracen Mantra Trail Carbon which is down to £1,299 and the Whyte 905 which with a mid season update has got a 1x and a dropper post (apologies if the terminology is a bit wayward) neither of which apply to the Saracen which is 2x but carbon framed. I can get the Whyte for £1,500 and both will come with £65 pedals.
Having had a thrash around Aston Hill this morning I've got the bit between my teeth and it's only the rugby that has stopped me driving to the shop today. That and the fact that I am torn between the two.
Help!
The men among you won't be surprised that I have suffered what my mate calls "mission creep" and to that end, I now have two bikes on the list and they are the Saracen Mantra Trail Carbon which is down to £1,299 and the Whyte 905 which with a mid season update has got a 1x and a dropper post (apologies if the terminology is a bit wayward) neither of which apply to the Saracen which is 2x but carbon framed. I can get the Whyte for £1,500 and both will come with £65 pedals.
Having had a thrash around Aston Hill this morning I've got the bit between my teeth and it's only the rugby that has stopped me driving to the shop today. That and the fact that I am torn between the two.
Help!
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