Dammit’s adventures in mountain biking

A theory has been advanced: I should buy a hard tail as that will force me to become a better rider, who can then graduate to a full-suss frame and be 130% more awesome than going straight to full-boing.

How much truth in this do we think?

It's a popular theory.

Nonsense, but popular.

I did order a full bounce, but cancelled it after having a think... my theory goes

Anything I should actually be riding with my skillset can be done on a hardtail. The hardtail just forces me to go slower over said terrain and therefore I'm less likely to kill myself than I would be on a full sus

For £2000 or whatever your budget is you can buy one of each and they'll still be brilliant (this is not sarcasm)

Edit: 9 pages and seems to be no decision on budget, wheelsize, full suss or hardtail. Are we trying to break the DBAD record for lowest rate of progression per page?

Get a hardtail, spend the difference between that and a full squisher on coaching.

Full sus will bail you out between now and when you have awesome rad off-road skilz where a hard tail will smash your balls into a bloody pulp.

You will probably never have awesome rad off-road skilz so full sus will make your timid abilities which are being limited by a fear of injury able to ride more challenging trails than you deserve to be riding.

This sounds harsh but what I’m trying to say is why do you want a bike that will beat you up when you could be out enjoying yourself.

Santa Cruz chameleon -> shred -> win

No truth in this. No reason you can't learn good skills on a full sus. I went straight in with a 150mm full sus.

Transition Throttle/ Vanquish

This sounds harsh but what I’m trying to say is why do you want a bike that will beat you up when you could be out enjoying yourself.

So much this

I went mountain biking the other day. I had fun.

I was on a charge plug single speed with no suspension, drop bars, rim brakes, inner tubes and a high saddle.

Buy one of those?

TBF, I fell off four times and was constantly mildy terrified.

Has anything been weighed yet?

Mashton's fear. 7g.

Drill some holes in it

Edit: 9 pages and seems to be no decision on budget, wheelsize, full suss or hardtail. Are we trying to break the DBAD record for lowest rate of progression per page?

I reject this comparison, as I am not a Luddite.

Then why are you considering hard tail ?

That's a good question.

Matchy matchy

I find that visually challenging, and not in a positive fashion

Maybe this one will help

Going up hill is no fun anyway

Here you go

Yep, that'd do it ^

Obviously this higher spec one though, as you save more money.

https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized-camber-fsr-expert-carbon-29-2018-mountain-bike-EV306305

And it says 'expert' on it.