>>2014563A decade+ ago I started on a late 90's hardtail with marzocchi suspension. It was fun up hill, taught line choice, and was a little nerve wracking on wet days, or descents with the v-brakes. I was in a club and racing at the time, and living in a middle class+ area I got a full suspension bike after. Xt/xtr, fox suspension, but a 3 year old model.
I was immediately faster on descents, had more confidence, techy climbs were easier, and disk brakes were leagues better in the wet, and more confidence inspiring in the dry.
For raw speed full suspension every day unless you are talking gravel bike tier trails. If you buy an XC bike it won't be a ton less efficient unless you always stand everywhere, and it will be more efficient on techy climbs since you don't get "bucked" around. All modern nice bikes have lockout, so you can do that. I would when I ride the road to the trails.
I would go xc bikes for sure. look for 100-130mm travel, with reasonable headtube angle and geometry. You don't need 64 degree head angles and super long front centers/wheelbase, but something around 68-66 head tube angle would be very good downhill, decent on the flat, and not ride like a truck.
That's where going to a bike shop and seeing stuff is good, there could still be sales going on at loacl shops.
