Mountain biking without suspension is not for the faint-hearted. It requires skill, strength, and a willingness to tackle rough terrain head-on.
While many mountain bikes come with suspension systems designed to absorb shock and reduce vibrations, some still prefer to go without. Whether it’s for the challenge or the simplicity, riding without suspension can be a rewarding experience.
This article will share some tips and tricks for mountain biking without suspension. From bike setup to technique, we’ll cover everything you need to know for a smooth and enjoyable ride.
Here is a related article that might interest you on How To Set Up Mountain Bike Suspension? – A Comprehensive Guide.
Can You Mountain Bike Without Suspension?
Mountain biking is a sport that requires some very specific gear. The most important are the mountain bike and the shocks (or suspension).
So, can you ride a mountain bike without shocks? Yes!
But it will be uncomfortable and more difficult over rougher terrain. If your budget allows for it, then it is worth investing in some suspensions to make the experience as comfortable as possible (and avoid injury)
The shocks or suspension on a mountain bike provide comfort for riders by absorbing bumps in the terrain so that they don’t have to worry about hitting every bump head-on. Shock absorbers can also be tuned specifically for certain types of riding.
For example, you may want more shock absorption downhill than uphill. And vice versa if your ride includes both surfaces. If budget is not an issue, it’s worth investing in a modern Mountain Bike with full suspension to provide more comfort than ever, no matter the terrain or trail.
But if budget is a concern, you can still mountain bike without shocks (suspension) using a rigid or hardtail Mountain Bike. The difference with this type of bike is that it doesn’t have any shock absorption, so the rider has to be more aware and prepared for every bump on the trail.
Also, make sure to check out my post on MTB Maintenance: How To Fix Common Issues On The Trail?
What Is The Difference Between Full Suspension And Rigid Mountain Bikes?
The main difference between a rigid mountain bike and one with full suspension is that the latter will have shocks to absorb bumps in the road. The former will not. Riding on rough terrains like dirt or rocks can be uncomfortable without shocks.
| Aspects | Full SuspensionMTB Bike | Rigid or Hardtail MTBbikes |
| Designed For | On road ridings | Off road ridings |
| Weight | Havier | Lighter |
| Maintenance | Require high maintenance | Easier to repair and maintain |
| Suitable For | MTB racing | Beginners learning mtb riding skills. |
| Cost | Expensive | cheaper |
The Benefits Of A Rigid Mountain Bike
- Rigid suspension bikes make you realize your mistakes and improve your riding skills by not allowing additional help from suspension or dampening.
- Although you are on a tight budget, rigid suspension mountain bikes are affordable because they have fewer parts.
- With a rigid suspension bike, the only thing you have to worry about maintenance-wise is rusting of the frame because you don’t have to replace expensive suspension parts after regular intervals.
- Having fewer parts makes rigid bikes more reliable and less prone to breakdowns, so you can ride them for long distances without worrying about them breaking down.
- Mountain bikes with rigid suspension are lighter than those with full suspension. As a result, they are easier to paddle long distances or uphill.
- There is plenty of space for storage on the rigid suspension mountain bike, making it more convenient to use.
- Due to the even weight distribution and lack of suspension, no energy is wasted while paddling.
Benefits Of Suspension Mountain Bikes
- A modern suspension bike comes with a lockout feature that allows you to convert it into a rigid suspension, but you cannot convert a rigid suspension into a full suspension.
- Provide control and safety to the rider while boosting their confidence on technical trails.
- The suspension of the bike does not place too much strain on the back, which is common among older people who enjoy riding mountain bikes.
- A great jump absorber that allows the rider to make more controlled landings after jumping.
- Easy handling and greater safety make this a great choice for beginner riders.
The Disadvantages Of Rigid Mountain Bike
- As a rigid bike rider, you are limited to fewer harsh trails and cannot ride wherever you want.
- Due to the bumpy ride and difficulty keeping the front tire on the ground, it isn’t easy to handle at high speeds.
- A rigid bike has no cushioning, so you cannot do jumps unless you are an expert. Using a rigid suspension bike on an uneven surface will make landing jumps difficult.
- Rigid mountain bikes are not very beginner-friendly because they are difficult to control, take a lot of time to master, and can discourage some beginners.
- Bumps are absorbed entirely by the tires and rims of the bike, which means it’s easier to bend the rims if you hit something awkwardly.
Drawbacks Of Mountain Bikes With Suspension
- This bike has a lot of maintenance issues, and it costs almost as much to replace a worn suspension as an entry-level rigid bike.
- Suspension mountain bikes are quite expensive due to additional suspension components.
- As full-suspension bikes are heavier, they are difficult to use for climbing uphill compared to partial or rigid suspension models.
- The suspension parts occupy most of the space, so there isn’t much room to carry supplies.
- It takes a little getting used to the bouncier bike ride with the suspension to understand how it will perform.
How Do You Know If You Need A New Mountain Bike?
If you’ve been riding the same bike for a while, there may be some tell-tale signs that you need to get a new one.
For example: if your bike frame is bent or damaged, it could be time for an upgrade. This can happen when the bike falls over and lands on its side – even just from leaning against something hard like a wall.
In this case, the metal tubing inside will have become distorted out of shape and cannot be straightened again without expensive equipment. Likewise, if your tires are worn down so much that they don’t provide enough grip on the road anymore, or if your brakes are squeaking because they need oiling, these might indicate that it’s time for a new bike.
How To Make A Rigid Mountain Bike More Comfortable For Riding Trails?
A rigid mountain bike is a bike that has no suspension. It can be uncomfortable to ride on rough terrain, especially because the rider has no control over how high or low they are from the ground. This article will teach you how to make your rigid mountain bike more comfortable for riding trails.
- First, you should start by checking out your tires and replacing them with more grip in the tread pattern.
- Secondly, check your seat height and adjust it until it feels right.
- Finally, try lowering your handlebars so that they’re at about shoulder level when you’re sitting on the saddle;
This will give you better steering control while ensuring plenty of space between the front tire and handlebars.
If you want to increase the comfort of your rigid mountain bike even more, don’t be afraid to try different things and experiment with different techniques until you find one that works perfectly for you.
Tire Pressure:
The first thing you should check is your tire pressure. Tires that are too low will make it more difficult to maintain control on rough terrain, and tires that are too high will make bumps feel rougher because the bike won’t react correctly to them before being squashed by the weight of the rider.
When riding in a smooth area, check how the bike feels with your weight and then tighten up or loosen the air until you feel it right. Small adjustments are all that’s needed here, and especially when learning to ride a rigid mountain bike on trails, you’ll want to ensure you’re not getting bounced around too much.
When checking your tire pressure, use a tire gauge (which comes with most bicycle pumps) or stick your fingers in the tires and squeeze it; if you can’t easily grab out any air, there’s too much.
Tire Tread Pattern:
The next thing you should look at is your tire tread pattern because bike tires that have more grip will make it easier to maintain control over the direction of your bike in high-speed situations or when riding on rough terrain.
When you’re out biking on trails, try speeding up, turning sharply to the left or right, and going fast on a decline. Suppose you’re having trouble maintaining control over your direction. In that case, it’s time to replace your tires with better traction in the tread pattern.
Seat Height:
A bike’s seat height is basically the vertical distance between the ground and where you rest on your seat measured in centimeters. When riding off-road, a higher seat will make it easier to control your bike’s direction because you’ll be able to see more without crouching down.
This puts me at about 35-40 cm off the ground when I sit on the saddle. If you want to lower your seat, be aware that it might make things a little bit more difficult for you if you have an accident or crash (which can happen, especially when you’re learning to ride a rigid mountain bike on trails).
Handlebar Setup:
The fourth thing you’ll want to do is adjust your handlebars to be at about shoulder height. This will help you steer by allowing you to see farther down the trail and protecting you from bumps like trees or branches.
You can move your handlebars closer to the front of the bike by loosening up the clamps on both sides and then moving them forward a little bit.
This will also give you more control over steering because you’ll be able to grab onto them more easily, so I do this when I’m learning to ride a rigid mountain bike on trails.
Grips And Bar Ends:
Moving onto the MTB handlebars themselves, you should find out if your grips feel comfortable or need to be adjusted. If you change them, ensure you get good ones that fit your hands well because bad ones can make it harder to maintain control over your bike.
“ Bar ends ” are additional handlebar extensions that come in handy when learning to ride a rigid mountain bike on trails because they provide support while riding at high speeds or when going down rough terrain.
Hydraulic Disc Brakes:
Finally, check what kind of brakes you have on your mountain bike. Hydraulic disc brakes are quite good for riding mountain bikes – especially if you’re going to be riding on many trails with a lot of bumps.
If you’d like, you can always switch over to hydraulic disc brakes, and they’ll make it easier for you to handle all the little things that might throw you off balance when learning to ride a rigid mountain bike on trails.
What Kinds Of Terrain Can Each Kind Of MTB Suspension Handle?
Mountain bike suspensions work by absorbing the shocks from bumps in the road and rough off-road sections, which makes for a smoother ride. For over twenty years, Mountain bikes have been available with either hardtail or full suspension frames to suit riders’ preferences and the riding they want.
The popularity of these bikes has led to mountain biking becoming one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide. However, many people still aren’t sure what types of mountain bike suspensions exist, how they differ, and what kind would be best suited for them.
Rigid Mountain Bike Suspension
Rigid mountain bike suspensions are the most common type of suspension used in Mountain biking. They’re built with springs that attach to the frame and fork, providing cushioning for bumps and keeping riders from feeling every rock or root they ride over.
The disadvantage to this system is that it doesn’t absorb all shock from big hits, so it’s not ideal for downhill racing or riding through rough off-road terrain with many obstacles like roots and rocks.
Hardtail Mountain Bike Suspension
Hardtail suspension can handle forests and gravel surfaces with its moderate ability to soak up bumps. Besides that, you can do some trail riding on your hardtail mountain bike if the surface is not too rocky.
Full Suspension Mountain Bikes
Full Suspension Mountain Bikes come with a rear shock to help absorb bumps and keep your ride comfortable over long distances or for those who like to explore more rugged terrain. The trade-off is that they’re heavier and cost more than hardtail bikes, so if you don’t need the extra comfort, it’s best to go with a hardtail instead.
Full-suspension bikes also handle rougher trails much better because there’s added cushioning between the frame and tires, which makes them less likely to get stuck in rocks or tree roots.
But be warned: this comes at the expense of speed – full-suspension bikes are slower over flat terrain than hardtails since they’re heavier and don’t want to roll as fast.
How To Identify A Good Suspension From A Bad One?
You need to know what to look for when buying suspension for your mountain bike or a mountain bike with suspension front, rear, or both. A good mountain bike suspension should have the following characteristics:
- Mountain bike suspension should be able to support your weight when you sit on it, and it shouldn’t compress completely when you do.
- After a mountain bike passes over an obstacle, its suspension should compress and return to its original position.
- For mountain bikes, the suspension should be as light as possible to not add additional weight to the bike, which would affect the rider’s ability to climb hills.
- To prevent the mountain bike from bouncing when you are paddling hard, it should come with a lockout mechanism that allows you to fix its suspension.
- To keep the ride predictable, the suspension should follow the same path every time an obstacle compresses it.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
This article section will answer some of the most commonly asked questions regarding Mountain Biking Without Suspension.
Is Riding Without Suspension Dangerous?
Riding without suspension can be dangerous if you’re not prepared or don’t have the necessary skills. It’s important to start with easier trails and gradually move to more challenging terrain.
Can You Ride Without Suspension On Any Trail?
You can ride without suspension on most trails, but some may be too challenging without the added support of suspension. Choosing your trails wisely and being prepared for the terrain you’ll encounter are important.
Can You Upgrade A Hardtail To Full Suspension?
In most cases, upgrading a hardtail to full suspension is impossible. It requires a different frame and components, which can be costly. Choosing a bike with the suspension system you need from the start is better.
How Do You Know If You’re Ready To Ride Without Suspension?
Suppose you have experience riding on rough terrain and feel comfortable and confident on your bike. In that case, you may be ready to try riding without suspension. It’s important to start with easier trails and gradually move to more challenging terrain.
Conclusion:
If you have the budget and are willing to spend upwards on a mountain bike, go for one with full suspension because it will allow you to ride more without getting tired.
However, if your budget is limited or there’s not much room in it at all, and you can still get by spending less than that, then buying a quality rigid mountain bike would be better as they last longer, which means that over time this cheaper purchase could end up saving you money.
Also, you have to check out my post on the 10 Best Mountain Bike Sunglasses: Protect Your Eyes On MTB Riding.
