weight of bike and weight of rider

[lph]

and... sorry if I'm pointing out the obvious here, but make sure you're not riding with too high tire pressure. Will make any bike go pinging off the rocks.

[DirtDiva]

Don't forget the impact geometry has on off road handling too. For example, that all mountain Marin will have slacker angles and probably more travel than the Racer X, not just greater poundage, so of course it goes downhill more competently. Suspension set-up can have quite an impact too. A fork that has adjustable travel can make climbing much easier when you wind it down, as can a rear shock with different settings to choose from. Climbing is generally easier with firmer suspension, descending generally easier with softer. I'm not knowledgeable enough to explain it very clearly, but you really can feel it when you rid different bikes, so do what you can to get some test rides!

(The real answer is that we all need one of every kind of bike. )

[Irulan]

and... sorry if I'm pointing out the obvious here, but make sure you're not riding with too high tire pressure. Will make any bike go pinging off the rocks.

excellent point, I was going to post that but you beat me to it.
Tire pressure makes a HUGE difference.

[han-grrl]

I can vouch for the effect the fork travel has on angle. My husband "pimped" my 2001 fuel with new components including the Reba fork. I was noticing that i was having trouble handling the bike, i thought it was me, but a bike mechanic friend said that the fork angle was affecting things and turned it to minimal travel and then it felt a bit better, but still not the same as my original fuel.

As for HT for FS bikes, i prefer HT more for simplicity sake. I agree that the weight difference can be minimal but there are more parts to break in a FS and things that go wrong. I also feel a ride better on the HT, i'm more involved in the riding, if that makes sense, but for longer races like my solo event, i prefered the FS to spare the body.

I have the Gary Fisher big sur (female version) and the trek fuel at the moment is much much heavier and quite noticeable. I find for the provincial cup races that i was working very very hard managing the bike, and not as hard with the lighter hard tail.

I love discussing HT vs FS especially with the ladies!

Smile

Hannah

[Voodoo Sally]

I too am a tried and true hardtail fan. I've tried both full suspension and hardtails for years, and I much prefer a hardtail. I like the simplicity, the clean look of the frame, and the "rider involvement", like han-grrl. I also am a weight-weenie. I like every thing on the bike to be light. Over the years I've found that the lighter, the better. As in, the longer you last on a ride and the less energy you use. That adds up.

I also live in eastern MA, and I ride my light hardtail on all the rocks & roots this region has. And it's OK. Body English and some care with picking a line and watching your speed help when descending in this stuff.