Some tech gnar cannot be mitigated just by reducing speed. Variously because reducing speed adds it's own challenges, or because certain lines cannot be made without enough speed yet they make the whole thing smoother, or the risk factor of mistakes on a bike that can't handle said mistakes is far greater at any speed.
You say hardtails add challenge, because it sometimes forces you to pick lines and slow down. Except you can do that on any bike. Another way to add challenge to to try and use the entire trail at any speed, instead of one or two very specific ways that you also need to slow down for on a hardtail.
A more forgiving bike (I'm not saying "more capable bike" on purpose) doesn't preclude you from doing things "hardtail style", but certainly reduces the risk of the "try anything style".
Oct. 24, 2022, 8:03 p.m. - Justin White
Some tech gnar cannot be mitigated just by reducing speed. Variously because reducing speed adds it's own challenges, or because certain lines cannot be made without enough speed yet they make the whole thing smoother, or the risk factor of mistakes on a bike that can't handle said mistakes is far greater at any speed. You say hardtails add challenge, because it sometimes forces you to pick lines and slow down. Except you can do that on any bike. Another way to add challenge to to try and use the entire trail at any speed, instead of one or two very specific ways that you also need to slow down for on a hardtail. A more forgiving bike (I'm not saying "more capable bike" on purpose) doesn't preclude you from doing things "hardtail style", but certainly reduces the risk of the "try anything style".