[bikerepublic]

Do you guys think that all noobs should have a hardtail?

[bootht99]

???. noobs as in newbies? i think it depends on your riding style.

[powderbock]

Agree, depends on how far your going to take the sport. Weekends on the bike path, or getting into some sweet singletrack with technical downhills. If you plan on mountain biking frequently on technical trails a DS may be the way to go.
I have a hardtail with an adjustable front shock I can lock out on the uphills. I probably ride fully rigid 60% of the time. Would be nice occassionally to have a DS for some of the hairy downhill sections, but not willing to add the extra weight or lose the energy from the rear shock bounce, although I realize they have come quite a long way with rear shock technology.

[zahgurim]

I think noobs getting a dually as their first bike teaches them how to ride without picking up basic handling skills.

A hardtail is just as capable of doing anything a dually can, it's just a matter of comfort.

I rock both HTs and duallies. Swap back and forth to keep myself honest.

[tajcrews]

A hardtail will teach you to be a much better rider b/c there is less room for rider error. FS bikes will help you become a faster rider once you do learn all the basics though. I would only buy a FS as a first bike if you had a decent amount of money to spend on a nice one. Cheap FS bikes dont ride very well in my opinion, but thats just me.

[Doc]

I have a HT bike and actually it does everything I want it to do wonderfully, granted im not doing anything extreme but it holds its own when it needs to.

[Neuner]

Originally Posted by tajcrews

A hardtail will teach you to be a much better rider b/c there is less room for rider error. FS bikes will help you become a faster rider once you do learn all the basics though. I would only buy a FS as a first bike if you had a decent amount of money to spend on a nice one. Cheap FS bikes dont ride very well in my opinion, but thats just me.

I agree.

I'm wanting to fix up my old hardtail to get back to some basics.

[Ibreakevrything]

I'm just a weekend warrior and i love my hardtail dose everything i want but i dont have a lockout on my fork

[jonathan]

Originally Posted by zahgurim

A hardtail is just as capable of doing anything a dually can, it's just a matter of going a lot slower.

Fixed that for you.

Hardtails are good in some instances (pump tracks, dirtjumps, skate parks), but I can't think of one instance in any sort of rough trail, or downhill or freeride where I would choose a hardtail over a full suspension. I've ridden a hardtail at whistler and it is a severe hindrance when trying to keep your speed up.

[cbman]

I don't mind my hard-tail when going off-roading. I stand on the pedals most of the time anyway.