Full Sus or Hardtail?

[Danny]

I'm after a bike but can't decide on what.

It needs to:

• Ride to work (along canal)
• Do some XC miles
• Get thrashed through the woods

I was originally looking at Commencal Metas and Lapierre Zestys but im now thinking a hardtail may be more suited (and cheaper).

What do you guys think?

[mjewl]

depends on what you mean with "get thrashed through the woods", but some kind of full susp enduro/xc bike with a lockout fork/rear would probably be versatile enough..

example:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/se/en/fuji-reveal-3-0-am-suspension-bike-2012/rp-prod93932

Edited August 6, 2013 by mjewl

[crinks85]

look at the geo of the bike regardless of full sus or hard tail. something that can easierly pedal and send down hills sounds like a slack angled hardtail.

[Tomm]

Cyclocross

Although it depends in what ratios you will be commuting vs riding for fun. Mostly commuting - I'd probably get a cyclocross bike. Although I'd just buy two separate bikes to be honest, one cheap runaround and a decent play bike, whatever you like the look of.

[dezmtber]

We used to sell lapierre aka snapierre

We no longer sell them due to all the zestys snapping.

They do get replaced by warrany but I wouldn't buy one. The wheel base on a lapierre is also longer than a 29er

[ULtrialsguy]

A bit late to the party but I just bought a commencal super 4 because I wanted a xc bike I could race with but still have fun on. It's light and has lockout on front and rear suspension so is great for xc and when you drop the saddle it'll handle most downhill stuff. Not as durable as a meta but much better for commuting. They're out of production but you may be lucky to pick one up second hand.