What quality XXS hardtail bikes are out there?

[Becky]

I've heard the terms "full suspension" and "soft tail" used interchangeably, but I've also heard them used to mean different things. To me, a "soft tail" is something like a Moots YBB or a Salsa Dos Niner, with a tiny ~1"-travel shock mounted at the top of seat stays. A 'full suspension" has 3"+ of rear wheel travel, IMO, and the shock is placed elsewhere in the frame, depending on the style of suspension.

I don't think that either variation is right or wrong...just the different ways that different people use the terms...

[Catrin]

Thanks Becky! I was wondering if there were perhaps regional differences in how the term is used, but Indy and I are in the same area. Of course it doesn't mean that our respective MTB friends are

[indysteel]

Everything I read suggests they are different types of suspension systems. Here are a couple of explanations:

http://www.dieselbikes.com/articles/article_00002.htm
http://mtbiketrail.com/categories.html

Part of the reason I even know the difference is DH's incessant chatter about the Moots YBB. He saw one on the trail recently and has a bad case of bike lust.


ETA: Sorry for the threadjack. Back to our original programming.