Full-Suspension MTB

Bikes with front and rear suspension allow greater control and comfort in all conditions, but not all full-suspension bikes are made equal. With many being created ‘just for the look’ how do you know what’s any good?

Unless you’re intending to start entering downhill races regularly, using a bike with a coil sprung rear shock can be a bit overkill. The large majority of coil spring shocks tend to be overly heavy with to much rebound giving you the feeling of riding a sloppy pogo stick! Alternatively, using a bike with an air sprung rear shock will perform much more smoothly, save you a lot of weight and allow for a more compact frame. A lot of poorly designed full-suspension bikes tend to have the rear shock positioned directly in the firing line of mud and water thrown up by the rear wheel. This isn’t going to do your shock any good and will no doubt lead to expensive repair bills. Instead try to look for a frame with the shock placed safely out of harms way. Another useful thing to know is that bikes with the shock fitted in an upright position will allow for a much better distribution of the internal fluids and lubricants, giving long term reliability with minimum wear and a smooth feel. Many frames have the shock positioned, lying at an angle, this is usually done by the designers to allow for a fancy shaped frame. In other words Fashion Over Function!

Most of the guys here at Saddle Safari have been riding for many years. They have tried, tested and repaired many different bikes over that time and naturally have a feel for what works and what doesn’t. These days, four of the eight members of staff are all avid mountain bikers. Each one choosing to ride the Trek fuel as they feel it is simply the best tool for the job whilst utilizing many features unique to Trek. Below you will find a small selection of just some of the full-suspension bikes trek have to offer. Take a look.