Is full suspention bikes are thing of the past?

Question

A few years back the local Bike place near my house had 50% of the bikes were full suspension, last night, while window shoping :) I noticed that even not one full suspention was visible.

Answer 1

I hope they are becoming less popular... most people believe that suspension is for comfort. Although that is a by-product, suspension is to keep both wheels in contact with the ground for better handling.



Very few people that buy a full suspension bike use it for anything but on the road or smoother trails. Not really a problem at all, but consider this: every time you pedal a full suspension bike the frame flexes. When it flexes it absorbs energy- your energy. So, instead of using your energy to go forward it gets eaten up in the suspension. The average person puts out about 1/4 of a horsepower. Do you want part of this taken away by suspension?



Anyway, the vast majority of FS bikes are set up for people 140 to 170 pounds. If you don't fall within that range then the typical FS isn't for you anyway.

Answer 2

Actually, no. The opposite might be true, but even then, I think that both full suspension and hardtails will continue on. Most people are digging full suspension, they allow you to go through rougher trails without being super picky on which line to choose.



Every year the suspension increases, last year a 5" full suspension was the norm for trail bikes, now it seems it's 6", sooner or later 7" rear travel bikes will start to arise. Of course, full suspension and freeride bikes have more travel, and will probably have more.



I have a 5" full suspension bike and a hardtail, and I really dig both.

Answer 3

Full suspension bikes are more popular than hardtails... I guess wherever you were shopping just had low stock. Full susp are coming down in prices too, so they will become even more popular...

Answer 4

no they are very popular although im a pretty hardcore hardtail man myself. some ppl think that hardtails are a thing of the past but they will NEVER be.