Full Suspension to Hardtail

[SheFly]

PS I know from customers that I have sold bikes to over the years, the Cannondale Scalpel is a great short travel bike if that is what you are looking for.

This. I LOVE my Scalpel. And at 23 lbs, there isn't a huge weight disadvantage over a hard tail. I race, but I also ride A LOT. No way am I going to a hard tail. The comfort of the FS is key for me. Does it climb great? Not entirely, but it's not a dog either. I do MTB rides for fun that are about 45 miles, with approx. 4000 ft of climb (or more) on the FS, and don't have an issue.

That said, everyone is different. You need to try the bikes to see what will work for you.

Oh, and yes my 29er corners well, but I totally get the point about it not being as responsive as a 26 inch wheeled bike.

SheFly

[Wahine]

This thread is a little older already so this information may not be of much help.

I have a very similar history to you in that I got back into mtn biking with a full suspension and as I started doing longer races I felt the suspension was costing me too much. So about a year ago I bought a Moots Ti YBB. It's a soft tail. It rides like a hardtail but has just a tiny bit of travel in the back to take the edge off of hits on the back end. This helps a lot with the really long races when I can't hover all the time while descending. Or even just on long flatter bits or climbs when the surface is rocky. The rear suspension is very clever and doesn't add any significant weight. I opted for the 26 but they make it in a 29er as well.

I love my Moots and I will never go back to riding a FS for long endurance races.

Here's a link to the thread I started when I finished the build.

[katherine]

Oh that bike is soooo pretty. A moots is my favorite bike porn

[TigerMom]

This thread is a little older already so this information may not be of much help.

I have a very similar history to you in that I got back into mtn biking with a full suspension and as I started doing longer races I felt the suspension was costing me too much. So about a year ago I bought a Moots Ti YBB. It's a soft tail. It rides like a hardtail but has just a tiny bit of travel in the back to take the edge off of hits on the back end. This helps a lot with the really long races when I can't hover all the time while descending. Or even just on long flatter bits or climbs when the surface is rocky. The rear suspension is very clever and doesn't add any significant weight. I opted for the 26 but they make it in a 29er as well.

I love my Moots and I will never go back to riding a FS for long endurance races.

Here's a link to the thread I started when I finished the build.

I am hoping that you are 5ft 1in so that I can buy your used, "soft-tail" Moots off of you some day.
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle
2010 Santa Cruz Juliana with R kit and Crampon pedals
2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle (sold)