The suspension is the most important thing when you’re out on a mountain bike to conquer the world. You will regret the entire experience if the suspension is poor. Full-suspension mountain bikes offer more control, safety, and traction for those who are trying to navigate the rugged trails up the mountain.
You need a bike that can support you when you travel on mountain roads with potholes and rough terrain. It’s not surprising that not all riders are familiar with the functions of full suspension bikes.
This article will cover everything you need to know about full-suspension mountain biking and its performance on difficult terrains.
How to Upgrade Your Suspension
You can upgrade suspensions on bikes. You can make your bike a full suspension mountain bike by replacing the rear or front suspension.
There are some things you should be aware of. These are some of them:
1. Compatibility
To convert your bike to full suspension, the first thing you should pay attention to is the axle compatibility. It is important to choose the right axle size for your wheel.
2. Travel requirements
The suspension fork on mountain bikes below 2000 is just as important in determining the suspension’s quality and compatibility. The standard 80mm fork was the most common on older mountain bikes. It is difficult to find one now. In these cases, however, a 100mm fork is sufficient. You will need to evaluate the parts of your bike, and then put them together.
3. Steerer tube
Modern steerer tubes have a diameter of 1-1/8 inch. You might notice a difference in the specs if your mountain bike was made more than a decade ago. Most mountain bikes came with a 1” diameter steerer tub. No matter what the situation, it is important to find the right-sized steerer tube.
4. Type of brake
You should also be aware of the type of brake you use. Mountain bikes can be equipped with hydraulic disc brakes, or they can have more controlled and superior brakes. Mount rim brake mounts on your mountain bike if you are looking to improve its suspension. Here are the top 3 full suspension mountain bikes under $2000, read full article
Top 3 full suspension mountain bikes under $2000
Vitus Mythique 29 VR / VRW
Vitus has a history of making affordable suspension bikes that are great value, but the Mythique 2 season looks to be the best yet. You can choose from either the VR or VRW models. They both have the same 130mm travel frame, four bar linkage and progressive 29-inch wheel geometries as the rest in the Mythique range. The bike is also available in a 27.5-inch 140mm travel model. However, we recommend the 29er as the smoother rolling wheels offset the sometimes clunky X-Fusion forks and rear shock. If you prefer to be a more aggressive rider than a roller, the 27 is lighter, more agile and lower. You get an upgradeable frame that includes a trunnion suspension mount and a 148x12mm rear axle with Boost. The Shimano Deore transmission is included (the SunRace 10-speed cassette, the chain is KMC), and the soft compound Schwalbe Magic Mary tires for excellent grip and control. It’s worth looking into your wallet if you have the opportunity to purchase a dropper pin. The next tier VRX gets Marzocchi Z2 Fork, RockShox MonarchR shock, Shimano SLX/Deore Stop and Go kit, and a BrandX dropper pin.
Marin Rift Zone 1
Marin’s Rift Zone bikes are the best example of how to bring a bike with proper geometry. The front wheel is locked into the terrain by the 65.5 degree head tube. A 35mm stem attaches to the end of the extended, 480mm reach top tube. This large-sized frame has a long-lasting top tube that extends to 480mm. The seat angle of 76 degrees gives it an aggressive position on climbs, while the 425mm chainstays provide a super responsive rear-end feeling.
Multitrac frames offer 125mm travel. It also comes with a QR rear measuring 141mm. However, it can be extended to a full width of 148mm by bolting thru-axle. Although the RockShox Recon fork’s steel legs are quite heavy, it has a 130mm travel. The 42mm offset allows for quick stem steering. Vee Tire dual compound Crown Gem tires offer excellent all-round performance with wide tubeless-ready wheels for stability and easy upgrading.
Norco Fluid FS3
Canadian brand Norco’s cheapest Fluid bike, the FS3 has the same’size-scaled’ double-butted aluminum frame with Boost axles. It also gets a good 47cm reach on a big and trail-ready 66.5-degree head angle. You can get it in two sizes (XS, S and M) or 29er (M and L sizes). In both cases, you will also receive Goodyear Newton and Escape tires. It’s lighter and more responsive than the 2020 bikes, which were 2.6in in size. SRAM SX Eagle gears make it easier to winch back up and the Tektro brakes have 180mm rotors rear and front for an extra dose of power. The standard dropper post is included and the X-Fusion rear suspension works well with 120mm of wheel movement. We’d recommend the Fluid FS 2 as it has a basic, but highly-performing RockShox 35 fork. It also comes with a Maxxis Dissector three-compound tire spec. The X-Fusion RC32 doesn’t look quite as convincing.
Also Read : How To Make Your Mountain Bike Faster: 13 Tips & Tricks that Work!
How do you choose the best full suspension mountain bike for yourself?
1. Material
Material is the first and most important thing to pay attention to. The aluminum frame is what most people choose for a trail bicycle. If you’re being considerate, consider getting a fat bike with heavier-duty tires. You don’t need to worry about external damage caused by rusty frames made of aluminum or steel.
2. Size of the wheel
This is something that not many people notice, but it affects the quality of your mountain biking ride. A wheel that is too small will not be able to distribute your weight properly on the bike. This can lead to accidents.
We can give you an indication that the 29″ wheel is the largest. If you’re a large person who wants more safety and comfort, the 29-inch wheels are the best choice. These bikes are very affordable. They are however a bit difficult to ride and maneuver because of their heavyweight.
3. Take a look at the types
You have many options when it comes to full suspension bikes, especially mountain bikes. There are the standard trail bikes, cross-country bikes, and Enduro mountain bicycles. You need to consider which options are most affordable and best suited for your level of expertise.
