I just started mtn bike riding in Aug 04. I purchased a Cannondale F300 and just recently purchased a Fox F80 RLT fork to upgrade the front suspension and I also got shimano clip ons. People are now telling me I could have gotten a full suspension bike for the amount of money I have spent on the Cannondale... I mostly ride fire roads and really, really like uphill riding. I don't plan on doing extreme riding or jumping off jumps and have just started riding single track, but have to improve my technical riding. I am sure it is the preference of the rider, but what is the advantage of my bike as it is now to a say full suspension low end GT? :confused: Unfortunately I didn't do comparison shopping before as this was my first bike purchase and it was kind of a impulse buy, now I am hooked on riding. I don't want to feel like I regret my bike purchase so if anyone can help explain the difference or comments I would totally appreciate it. Thanks a bunch!

Free the Trail - Nisene Marks Park, Aptos, CA

rather than here.

That said, the F300 is probably a good starter bike from your description of intended use. The efficiency of your hardtail on fire road climbs is hard to beat. If you start riding rougher, more technical trails you will probably want full suspension later on. Learn on that bike you've got; I think you learn basic skills better on a hardtail in any case.

I don't know about buying an F300 then immediately changing the fork out if you are concerned with value for your $; if you are cool with spending your money that way you certainly have a better fork now. Everyone invests in their bikes differently, but you will generally get the best deal by buying the bike complete with the componentry you want rather than piece by piece.

I wouldn't go on the cheap for a full suspension bike, but that's my preference. You seem to have already had a bit of a lesson via your fork. Ride that F300 until you absolutely have to have a full suspension bike, figure out what kind you need/want (i.e. do your homework before you go shopping; the internet makes fairly easy these days) then go a hunting for the complete package you want. Each year the suspension gets better and improves in value so it's not like you're missing anything

I wouldn't touch a GT due to their financial problems and multiple owners over the last couple of years (and they ain't the GT they used to be by a long shot either); warranties are useless if the company can't survive.

You riding all the Soquel singletrack yet? Any news on closure plans for Nisene? Good luck on your new addiction (or is it new, you already a roadie?).

Different riders value different factors when it comes to hardtail vs. full susp. Having ridden mtn for many years, I prefer a full susp ride because it allows me to ride longer due to comfort and allows me to barrel fast down descents. But those are just my personal reasons, to each their own.

You'll probably find tons of threads over on mtbr.com discussing this very topic. I recommend searching the threads over there and reading up on the topic and then deciding for yourself.

If you do decided to get a full suspension frame, take a look at the Supergo brand frames. Lots of people diss on them because of the generic rep, but they are nice frames. They sell a cross country full suspension with a stable platform rear shock for less than $500. The nice Progressive rear shock makes pedeally uphill practically bob free, you still need a smooth pedal stroke though.

Thank you for the input. I was at MTBR.com and it kicked me to this forum, I didn't realize it was a road forum... I will improve my technical skills and then decide in a year what to do.

If you are familiar with Nisene Marks as a riding park, I urge you to please go to MBOSC.com or ROMPS.com to urge the State of CA Parks Dpt to file an appeal. They haven't formally filed the judgement to ban bikes and after the file there is 60 days to appeal.

YR


rather than here.

That said, the F300 is probably a good starter bike from your description of intended use. The efficiency of your hardtail on fire road climbs is hard to beat. If you start riding rougher, more technical trails you will probably want full suspension later on. Learn on that bike you've got; I think you learn basic skills better on a hardtail in any case.

I don't know about buying an F300 then immediately changing the fork out if you are concerned with value for your $; if you are cool with spending your money that way you certainly have a better fork now. Everyone invests in their bikes differently, but you will generally get the best deal by buying the bike complete with the componentry you want rather than piece by piece.

I wouldn't go on the cheap for a full suspension bike, but that's my preference. You seem to have already had a bit of a lesson via your fork. Ride that F300 until you absolutely have to have a full suspension bike, figure out what kind you need/want (i.e. do your homework before you go shopping; the internet makes fairly easy these days) then go a hunting for the complete package you want. Each year the suspension gets better and improves in value so it's not like you're missing anything

I wouldn't touch a GT due to their financial problems and multiple owners over the last couple of years (and they ain't the GT they used to be by a long shot either); warranties are useless if the company can't survive.

You riding all the Soquel singletrack yet? Any news on closure plans for Nisene? Good luck on your new addiction (or is it new, you already a roadie?).