Professional athletes and fans of this extreme sports are always anxious about their vehicles. Reliability and quality of the vehicle are important to them, so most often these people pay attention to double-suspension mountain bikes. They are ideal for athletes who need strength, comfort and handling.
Before you begin to consider this vehicle, you need to find out who the mountain bike is for. Of course, absolutely anyone can buy it, but for some, the cost of such equipment may seem too high. For this reason, people who are not going to cover long distances with obstacles on a bicycle do not need to spend so much money. The functional characteristics of the double-suspension bike indicate that it will be an ideal option for professional athletes who are already accustomed to speed and heavy loads.
Bike design
Double-suspension bicycles differ from other mountain vehicles in their design. It provides for the presence of a second shock absorber located at the rear. It is considered a small addition that adds comfort while riding. Thanks to it, the mass of the bike increases, and the device itself becomes a little more complicated. Modern developers have created soft-tiles, where shock absorbers have a minimum stroke and a simpler design, although all this does not affect the ease of movement. Because of this, the double suspensions are divided into walking and professional models.
All these vehicles are designed to overcome mountains and other uneven surfaces. However, they do not have a division into male and female. They differ from the classics in the following moments:
- modified frame base;
- lack of additional trifles (trunk);
- modification of the general design;
- rarely come across models with protective wings necessary for riding in the city.
Pendants
Beginners in this sport always want to make their mountain bike choice easier. Types of pendants perfectly help them in this, because after learning the information about them, you can accurately determine which option suits your liking. Today, there are three types of shock absorbers for the rear wheel. All of them require specific changes in the frame, so they should be selected carefully.
Double-suspension mountain bikes may have the following suspensions:
- Multi-link. The most common design, which is characterized by a wide variety of variations. This happens because competitive manufacturers try to get around each other, coming up with new designs for their products.
- Cantilever. It was she who gave birth to the era of mountain double suspensions. It is a simple device and is sold at reasonable prices. This suspension consists of a pendulum, which is fixed on the axle frame and attached to the shock absorber. It does not have any modifications, as it is simply limited by patent rights.
- Triangle. The most expensive option has special characteristics. The transmission is centered in the rear pendulum, thereby forming a triangle. Due to this, the chain and stars receive less load. The system itself is quite heavy and requires constant maintenance.
Selection rules
Before you look at two-suspension mountain bikes in a store and choose the right model for yourself, you must definitely determine the purpose of the tool and its configuration. Today, many companies are engaged in the production of such vehicles, so buyers often can not choose the best option.
To facilitate the task, you need to remember what to look for when buying:
- suspension device;
- total mass of the bike;
- transmission elements (with chain and sprockets);
- materials for the manufacture of frames and levers.
Having decided to purchase a vehicle with two suspensions, it is better not to think about saving. Cheap bikes can be dangerous for athletes, as low-quality materials break very quickly, most often on the go. As additional devices, disc brakes can be installed, but they are provided only in professional units. Therefore, you should not be surprised at the high cost of a bicycle.
Advantages and disadvantages
The characteristics and classic models of standard bikes are known to all people. But the pros and cons of double-suspension bikes may still not be known to many.
The positive features include:
- increased reliability, which is especially important when riding in the mountains;
- a wide variety of choices, which allows you to find a suitable model based on the age of the athlete, the design of the bike and its value;
- ride comfort, due to which the cyclist is not heavily loaded, even overcoming long distances;
- chic appearance.
The main disadvantage of dual-suspension mountain bikes is their high cost. They are professional tools, so they are made of high quality parts, which should be consistent with the price. Along with this, they have the following disadvantages:
- heavy weight;
- the need for regular inspections and maintenance;
- folding options do not always work well in rough terrain.
Leading Models
A huge assortment of models often leads into a stupor of buyers. Problems with the choice arise not only for beginners, but also for professional athletes. Therefore, in most cases, people turn to ratings for help, which include bikes that amaze all customers with their characteristics and capabilities. Below are the best two-hanging bikes. All of them perform well both in the mountains and in urban environments. Their owners always respond positively to such acquisitions, because with them you can really achieve good results.
Norco Fluid 9.2
The list of the best bikes includes the 2015 model, which is considered the perfect option for any surface. Thanks to a high-quality front fork and rear shock, the ride becomes more pleasant and comfortable. Both front and rear, it is possible to block shock absorbers, which sometimes contributes to increased cross-country ability. The spring-oil construction of the bicycle fork is equipped with an air spring, which makes it possible to adjust its endurance, adjusting to the weight of the driver.
GT Helion Comp
The second good two-suspension mountain bike is the GT Helion Comp. It has not too much weight and surprises buyers with its features. It is equipped with as many as 27 speeds, between which switching is carried out through professional equipment. The bike has an air-oil fork and a fairly good front shock absorber, which is distinguished by the ability to adjust to the rider's body weight. Both shock absorbers do an excellent job and have the ability to adjust the reverse speed, lock, and spring stiffness.
Corratec Two Circle TY
Another 2015 model is distinguished by an aluminum frame and is available in various sizes. The air-oil construction of the front fork allows the rider to make certain adjustments when changing weight. The rear shock is also pretty good. If necessary, both of them can be turned off, which is a clear advantage of the entire bike.
Mongoose Salvo Expert 29
This bike is not in vain in the list of leading models. It, like the previous ones, was introduced to customers in 2015. The very first thing riders pay attention to is its stylish design. But this point is far from all people consider important, therefore, consider its characteristics. Fortunately, they are also good.
The real advantages of the bike include the rear shock absorber, which always pleases the owners with its trouble-free operation at any time of the year. But at the same time, it has one nuance: the movable element needs regular timely lubrication with silicone. In the case of the front shock absorber, the manufacturer himself and the buyers claim that he has not too much weight, as well as the ability to lock and adjust, which is very important for professional riders.
Mongoose Salvo Expert 27.5
An excellent mountain bike with a pair of suspensions is not only good for shock absorbers, but also has an interesting wheel diameter of 27.5 inches. They are equipped with double rims and are not too heavy, as they are made of aluminum alloy. The front shock absorber from the manufacturer "Marvel Comp" differs in the air-oil construction of the fork, which makes it possible to quickly and easily adjust the load exerted on it. The rear shock absorber provides the most comfortable ride on any road and off-road. It has the ability to adjust compression rates, as well as reverse.
Stels Voyager V 26 "/ 16.5"
Mountain bike double suspension Stels V16.5 is designed for the most active riders. It will be an excellent means of transportation for those who are used to ride on impassable roads and forest paths. A truly stylish, reliable and durable bike has an excellent shock absorber fork that works seamlessly with the rear shock absorber. This makes it possible to comfortably move even on the most broken roads. In addition, amateur equipment is a particular delight for owners.
What to choose: double suspension or hardtail?
In addition to bikes with two pendants, there are also hardails. Literally from English, this word translates as "hard tail". They have only a front shock absorber and a rigid triangle-shaped rear frame. This option is also suitable for overcoming difficult obstacles, so beginners often think about which bike is better to choose.
The hardtail has a much lower cross-country ability when compared with the dual-suspension. The first is not recommended for cross-country - areas with an abundance of various obstacles. A hardtail type bike will be a great option for those people who are not ready to pay two or three salaries per bike at once. It is not suitable for overcoming mountain peaks and rocky slopes. It is recommended to choose a two-suspension if you wish to preserve joints and knees. This bike also assumes a minimum of vibration, providing the pleasure of riding at any distance.