{"id":233,"date":"2022-07-28T15:40:20","date_gmt":"2022-07-28T14:40:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.citrus-lime.com\/ebsc\/?p=233"},"modified":"2023-07-10T19:28:15","modified_gmt":"2023-07-10T18:28:15","slug":"full-suspension-vs-hardtail-electric-mountain-bikes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.citrus-lime.com\/ebsc\/full-suspension-vs-hardtail-electric-mountain-bikes\/","title":{"rendered":"Full suspension Vs hardtail electric mountain bikes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Try our Products at our Electric Bike Shops in Bristol, Cambridge, Oxford or York<\/a><\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n

We all have to make BIG choices throughout our lives, but perhaps the biggest decision we will ever have to make is…..Do I buy a hardtail or a full suspension electric mountain bike? The answer may surprise you!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All eMTB’s come with a suspension; the suspension is designed to keep you in control over rough ground. Electric Mountain bikes come in two basic types full-suspension and hardtail. A full-suspension mountain bike features a suspension fork up front and a rear shock, whereas a hardtail bike has only a suspension fork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New eMTB riders often think, “I’m just getting into electric mountain biking; I don’t need a full-suspension bike”. However, it really depends on how and where you’re riding. So let’s look at the differences between a hardtail and full suspension and figure out what’s right for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Full-Sus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 More capability and versatility<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Faster on challenging trails with lots of obstacles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Greater stability in the bumps and while descending<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Instant confidence boost for new riders<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Improved traction control<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Ideal for all types of racing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hardtail<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 More efficient while pedalling<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Faster on climbs and smooth trails<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Lighter weight<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All-purpose cycling<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Great for beginners and easier terrain<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Simpler to maintain<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Natural choice for cross country racing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Terrain<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Haibike_Hill_Climb\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The key to making the right choice is to consider where you will ride your eMTB most of the time, and although hardtail and full-sus bikes can both tackle a wide variety of terrain, your ride will feel quite different depending on which eBike you choose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the rear shock, full-suspension e-bikes are much smoother to ride on technical terrain. If you plan to blaze your own trail through the rough stuff and go as far off the beaten track as possible while you stay in control, then a full-sus is your best bet. Full-sus are also a good choice for beginner riders as you don’t have to be quite as picky with the line you choose on the trail. The agile rear affords more grip, meaning you can power over obstacles you might struggle with on a hardtail. The rear suspension helps to absorb much of the off-road vibration, lessening rider fatigue, meaning you can keep up with more experienced riders. Finally, if you suffer from any legacy injuries, lower back or knee\/ankle issues, you will find a full-sus a much more forgiving ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the bulk of your riding will be on smooth trails, such as gravel or single track country pathways, a hardtail can make a lot of sense. Without the rear suspension, riding a hardtail e-bike will certainly be a bumpier ride, and riders need to be more considerate of their line choice, requiring a greater degree of skill and more advanced riding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Haibike<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Hardtails really come into their own in cross country biking, able to fly at a maximum speed over smoother trails, and due to their lighter weight, they are by far the more battery efficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But when you hit technical terrains, full-suspension bikes are much faster. The rear suspension allows riders of all levels of expertise to plough through the trail with confidence, meaning even new eMTB riders can keep up with their more experienced friends without the need to be picky about line choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another big difference is the cost, for similar quality bikes, hardtails are less expensive than full-suspension because they’re simpler. So if you are on a set budget, you could get better quality components on a hardtail for the same price as a full-suspension bike. However, a full-suspension bike will give you a frame that you’re able to progress on and upgrade components as you get better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maintenence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hardtails are more straightforward to maintain because there’s no rear shock and fewer frame pivots, less to work on and less to go wrong. However, as with ordinary bikes, regular cleaning and maintenance are essential. See our article How to clean your electric bike without messing up the electrics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jumping a Full Suspension Vs Hardtail<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Jump<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Jumping on a hardtail is easier, requiring less effort to bring your bike up to the air compared to a full suspension, but you’ll get a harsher landing without a rear shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Verdict<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re just getting into mountain biking for the adventure or the excitement of it, consider a full-sus e-bike. It will reward daring riders, and you’ll really appreciate it while descending. On the other hand, if you’re getting into mountain biking for aerobic exercise, a hardtail will be fantastic. Hardtails are great for big efforts in climbing and speeding over cross country. However, on rougher terrain, they won’t be as forgiving as a full suspension bike. If you want an all-around, more capable, and comfortable ride, choose a slightly heavier full-suspension bike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Electric mountain bikes are amazing machines, and you’re going to love e-mountain biking. But like a lot of amazing machines, they can be complicated. So talk to our outstanding technicians who will help you figure out exactly what’s right for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pick of the Bunch<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021 Lapierre Overvolt AM 5.5 Electric Mountain Bike in Sliver<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With 150 or 160 mm of clearance, you can tackle the most technical paths thanks to an electrical mountain bike developed with a centralised and lower centre of gravity. The result is a dream to ride and boundless pleasure.
Features:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n