A full suspension mountain bike is often referred to as a twin suspension mountain bike as it is equipped with shock absorbers for both wheels. This is in opposition to the hardtail mountain bike which has a shock absorber only for the front wheel. Both kinds of mountain bikes have their own uses. The hardtail bike is simpler to pedal and is faster than the full suspension bike on smooth terrain. However the latter kind can run faster on coarse terrain as the shock absorber authorizes more traction by soaking up the effects of stumbling blocks. Except for offering the rider a more comfy ride, the bike suspension also reinforces potency and safety.
Sorts of cycle Suspension
The suspension system can be implemented through a suspension stem, suspension front fork, rear suspension, suspension seat post, or suspension center. A combination of these methodologies might also be applied. It should be observed that the suspension stem isn’t popular.
The front suspension is generally made feasible by trying two shock absorbers for the front fork. The shock absorber is often made from a spring and a damper. The spring can be a coil spring, compressed air, or elastomer. The damper is generally supplied by letting oil pass through shim stacks or small openings.
Kinds of Rear Suspension
Rear suspension is commonly regarded to mean full suspension because off-road bikes with single suspension frequently apply a front suspension technology. The sorts of rear suspension include the single pivot, soft tail, Horst link and 4 bar suspensions, unified rear triangle, Virtual Pivot Point, FSR system, DW-link, Equilink, Monolink, and split pivot.
The single pivot is the simplest kind and is also the least expensive. Various bike manufacturers have implemented their own designs for rear suspension and each design has its own benefits and disadvantages. It is up to the purchaser to determine which of the features are most important to him.
Buying a Full Suspension off-road bike
When planning to get a full suspension trail bike it’s vital to ask if you’re really serious about having the ability to ride across coarse terrain. A good hardtail trail bicycle will be faster than the least expensive full suspension bike as the latter is generally heavier aside from being saddled with the inherent downsides of a rear suspension.
The amount of suspension travel is also significant when purchasing this sort of mountain bike. For uphill or cross country racing, suspension travel should be less than 4.5 inches. These are lighter as the less suspension travel, the lighter the bike.
However for those that wish to do some jumping or free riding, the extra weight is not a primary concern. Thus, this kind of off-road bike will typically require 6 to 8 inches of suspension travel. And in between these two is the trail bike, which requires up to 6.5 inches of suspension travel.
Top Selling Full Suspension Mountain Bikes
- GT Force Carbon Expert 2010
- Mongoose Teocali Super 2009
- GT Sensor 1.0 2010
- GT Force Carbon Sport 2010
- Felt Virtue 2 2010
- Mongoose Canaan Elite 2009
- BMC Supertrail ST01 2009
- GT Force 3.0 2010
- BMC Fourstroke FS03
- GT Sensor 3.0 2010
