A complete suspension bike is ideal for trail riding, enduro and downhill mountain biking. They comfortably absorb bumps, ruts and tricky terrain, allowing riders to push their limits confidently.
The Boardman MHT 8.9 straddles the line between XC and trail and is packed with instantly recognisable parts for an affordable price. Its alloy frame has matching tube junctions to reduce weld flex and a relaxed-feeling geometry.
Frame
Mountain bikes NZ full suspension are more versatile than hardtail models and can be used for various trail riding disciplines. The suspension absorbs the shocks of rough and tricky terrain to give riders confidence on rugged trails and allow them to push their limits on rocky, downhill sections. We have a range of full-suspension mountain bikes NZ for every riding style, from a relaxed tour after work or for endless bike park rounds to competitive cross-country racing or downhill.
The frame is the heart of a mountain bike and influences how it feels and how well it rides. We stock several different full-suspension frames from leading brands.
Canyon, Specialized and Giant have produced impressively capable bikes for low prices. These are based around carbon frames and have decent components, including a Shimano drivetrain, Praxis cranks and Tektro brakes. They also feature internally routed dropper post tabs.
If you’re looking for something more affordable, the Boardman MTR 8.6 is a great choice. It’s a full-suspension bike that manages to strike the perfect balance between trail-taming geometry and functional spec at an unbeatable price. The frame’s squared-off tubing is a tad heavier than the best full-suspension bikes, but it’s not nearly enough to offset the surprisingly clever way it rides.
The MTR’s front suspension fork is a little less refined than on top-spec models, but it’s still capable of smoothing out some pretty hefty lumps and bumps. However, the slacker geometry isn’t quite as confident on rough and rutted tracks, and it can feel a bit nervous and jangly when threading through nervy trail passages.
More advanced models from Canyon and Specialized can be a little more demanding of the rider regarding how much trail feedback they provide, especially on more challenging trails. The X-C racers and all-mountain bikes NZ full suspension models from these brands use RockShox or Fox rear shock forks capable of handling even the most challenging terrain. They’re good for ambitious beginners who want to take on gnarly trail challenges without sacrificing speed or control.
Fork
Regarding full-suspension e-MTBs, the fork and shock are critical to how well your rig rides. The ideal division should make big bumps disappear and provide plenty of reserves. However, if you’re a full-on all-mountain rider, you want something that can handle trail challenges in the Alps as quickly as it does your local bike park rounds and weekend trail blasts.
Until recently, budget full-suspension machines struggled to spec forks and shocks that can hack it on modern artificial trails. They also tended to tip the scales too far towards climbing efficiency, making them less suited to alpine tours and more suited to hardtails with more slack angles. But, recently, a few brands have been able to buck the trend and deliver a fully sorted mountain bike for under PS1,000. The Boardman MTR 8.6 is a prime example, with its top-of-the-range geometry and spec that equates to trail bikes costing much more money. The result is a full-suspension e-MTB that can handle any trail you throw at it. Tektro brakes, an SR Suntour fork and instantly recognisable components such as Maxxis Minion tyres mean it’s more than up to the task.
Shock
Unlike hardtails, full-suspension bikes have a shock in the back of their frame to smooth out bumpy trails and boost traction. Unfortunately, a surprise also dampens the force of the rider’s pedalling to reduce fatigue on long mountain bike rides and technical XC races.
The shock on a modern mountain bikes NZ full suspension is sophisticated and uses spring and damping technology to deliver excellent ride quality. The shock can be adjusted to different riding styles and conditions to optimise the rider experience. Some riders prefer a stiffer shock for efficiency and control, while others prefer a more plush feel on rough terrain. The more suspension travel a bike has, the more challenging the landscape it can handle.
Full-suspension bikes are generally heavier than hardtails, but the rear shock helps manage the heft by keeping your tyre planted on the ground for enhanced traction when climbing. For this reason, full-suspension bikes come into their own on a wide range of trail and mountain bike disciplines.