>>1614587If you stick to actual trails rather than gravel or jumps or urban riding then I’d go for a short travel full suspension myself, even a little suspension does a lot and can make the ride more enjoyable to a casual
I own a 150mm full suspension, 180mm full suspension and 160mm hardcore hardtail
The hardtail is awesome and I use it all the time, but it’s never the “right” tool for the job. It handles bike parks but my 180mm enduro handles more in a faster and less stressful way, it handles XC rides but it’s made of steel and like 34lbs (and rear suspension actually helps you in mtb climbs imo), it handles jumps and urban but it’s got huge wheels and it’s long as fuck, you’re always dragging behind in some way equipment-wise on the hc hardtail
I will admit I really want to put slicks on it and use it for road/jumps for a little while though
