Looking to start really "Mountaining" :)

[Irulan]

Well of course he is an expert, he has expert level skills.

But the original question was from someone who is looking to get into more serious mountain biking not an expert.

My concern with a person new to mountain biking is that FS does not seem to encourage development of skills. That concern is based on personal observation of new riders who were on full suspension bikes.

Veronica

what she said, V. says is much more succintly than I managed to with my elusive/incoherent comment about sofa butt...( which is a veiled reference to static, non dymanic riding)

Doctorfrau states her budget tops out at $1400. You can bet Lopes is not riding a $1400 bike. The big difference between a $1400 hardtail and a $1400 full suspension can be anywhere from 6-8 pounds of extra bike weight, with the FS being the heavier bike at that prices level. In addition, you will get a significantly better component package on a hardtail at that price range.

Irulan.

[New Mexico MTB']

And there you have it Doctorfrau, the eternal debate between hardtail and full suspension.

Again, read the reviews and all the product guides you can get your hands on. The manufacturers will provide particulars on each bike including the type riding it's best suited for. Geometry, components, and even size and weight. Opinions are nice, even helpful, but research will guide you to the right choice. Don't compromise on the disc brakes in whatever frame you choose. If you do ride in wet conditions (hopefully not on muddy trails as it tends to hurt them) you'll not regret having the discs. Especially if you do find yourself in the mud, V-brakes promote a cluster of yuck that you'd have to clean it out with a piece of tree. Careful, they work well. Too much front brake and you'll be doing a "supergirl."

Also, I found the Times and Egg-beaters clipless pedals shed mud and yuck much better than the SPDs.

cheers--oh I almost forgot, keep your butt up and back on the down hills.

[Veronica]

And there you have it Doctorfrau, the eternal debate between hardtail and full suspension.

It's not a debate over which is better system. Irulan rides a FS Kona. It's a question of what is best for a person new to mountain biking.

Veronica

[eofelis]

I'm sort of a newbie to mtn biking. I got a Haro hardtail, aluminum frame, some LX parts on it. It was fine for what I do. Then I got a Gunnar Rockhound steel frame on ebay. My bike-mechanic BF moved all the parts off the Haro onto the Gunnar. The ride on the Gunnar is a huge difference. Maybe it's the geometry (these are both xs frame sizes) or the steel vs aluminum. The Gunnar climbs and decends so much better than the Haro, though I'm still a chicken.

My BF recommended the hardtail. He has a Klein hardtail (he is jealous of my Gunnar ) (He wants a Gunnar now). He thinks a full suspension would be more maintainance.

But a while back, before the Haro, I did try a Jamis Dakar full suspension bike and I liked it a lot.