

When you’re rolling over pea- to walnut-sized rocks on a rough trail, the fork and shock absorb vibration, staving off fatigue, so you can ride for longer, or at least enjoy a really good beer post-ride without falling asleep.

Modern suspension forks and shocks are super responsive to both big and small variations in the trail, so they’ll smooth out the ride. Modern geometry and suspension also improve the descent. Combined, they let you pedal uphill without bouncing around, saving energy and keeping your wheels on the ground, which helps you negotiate technical terrain. If you want to keep up with your trail-riding friends, become a better rider and keep bumps and bruises to a minimum, a modern mountain bike is an essential tool to add to your quiver. Older ones can be functional enough to get you from one point to another, but newer ones have features and upgrades that make the ride safer, more comfortable and more fun. Buying a mountain bike is somewhat like buying a car.
