Due to various back problems over last 12 months I’m thinking a full-sus might help take the sting out of some of the hits – at the moment an off-road jaunt on my hardtail from home (Peak District) leaves me with quite a bit of back pain

Am I right in thinking a full-sus could help?

If so what’s the current recommended frame/bike – strictly XC only no jumping?

Whilst I’m sure a full suss will definitely help with managing the symptoms of your back problems, I personally would be investing new bike money in some professional help to identify and fix the cause of those back problems. Also, I think nailing technique to be a smoother rider will be more effective than buying a new bike. That said, if ever there was a good excuse to buy a full susser, back pain is up there with the best. It will certainly take the sting out 🙂

As one becomes older it is probably wise (speaking for myself) to swap to a full suspension bike like I did. In my mid to late thirties and own a Giant anthem to take the shock out of riding long term. Why not let the shock take the damage than your body. I will not go back to a hard tail for these reasons though most of the back pain I have comes from tight gluteus. In my experience driving a 4wd vehicle on rough terrain daily or weekly is much worse than the shock of a hard tail mountain bike does to your lower back and spine. In my own opinion!

FS for traction, not comfort

Your back will benefit from less time spent in the saddle and more time riding smoothly. Much more suspension in your legs than any FS bike

*rides off on high horse*

I’d say that fit is more important than bouncy for back problems.

Raise the front end with riser bars and/or a high angled stem.

And then consider a fat bike. 😆

I damaged my back about 8 years ago (air ambulance, in ability to walk etc etc) and now regularly get lower back muscle spasms. I do find riding a hardtail results in more aching and it going in to spams quicker than on my Nomad.

Some of this is down to the FS taking out some of the harshness as I have tried a number of hardtails over the years but I think some of it is also to do with the Nomad being a better bike fit overall.

I’d try and get a proper bike fit on your current bike and see if you can alter your current set up to alleviate / improve it at all.

That said it can’t hurt to buy a full sus – N+1 and all that.

EDIT: As a proviso – I do still get back ache on the full sus but only really on long draggy climbs which suggests that that part of it is body position rather than just the harshness of the ride however on the HT it wasn’t restricted to the climbs.

As above get a diagnosis of the back problem, you do not say where the pain is.,…is neck, between shoulders, lower back….check out what it is.

Then look at mobilisation this could be anything from physio, osteopath or chiropractic – everyone has some type of practitioner they like best personally osteopath and I would never ever use a chiropractic again.

Get into a routine of stretches for the body and back. Look at developing core muscles and hip flexors plus losing IT bands down your legs. This may alleviate the problem.

Bike wise yes full size does stop some of the battering bit, fit and sizing is really important, but a good steel hardtail with a suspension post (use or thudbuster) or a carbon post may also work.

If you go for a full suss then 29er 100mm travel with 120 mm fork is a hugely capable bikes,

Rocky Mtn element, wonderful bike owned one
Anthem, owned in 26 flavour
Specialised epic or camber { more travel}
Santa Cruz super light

Good luck

Think fit is more important than the brand of bike. I’d check my seat post isn’t to high, reach to long, seat etcTry some different changes to the setup. I’d agree FS is a better option than HT.

Bad back sufferer for 40yrs now 🙄
A FS bike only helps a little, as I have aged I am less flexible. I have a manual job which includes lots of stairs, heavy lifting, stretching etc. Advised 30yrs ago to find a less strenuous job and hobbies(gave up squash)
Really struggle on the ht nowadays. Anyone want an unloved, beaten up Blue Pig?

I had a spinal fusion in my lower back 18 months ago, and although it improved things a lot, including muscle weakness in my quads, I find that my back is very stiff and painful after strenuous climbing. I ride a hardtail and don’t notice any problems from descending with a lack of full suspension, but I do wonder whether the improved traction of a full suss would take somne of the strain off technical climbs?

I loved my last hardtail (Blue Pig) but realised last Summer that my back ( broken in a motorcycle accident 30 years ago) just couldn’t cope with it any more.

Went back to full sus (Commencal Meta Trail) and whereas a 3 hour ride used to leave me feeling beaten up and with a sore lower back for the next couple of days, now I can ride pretty much all day on very rocky terrain and feel fine the next day.

For me, my hardtail days are over.