Yesterday I brought my first full sus bike, the Marin Wolf Ridge, and I want to say how fantastic it is. All you hard tail riders out there need to get to your local bike shop and test ride a full susser. The geometry and suspension give you the confidence to attack difficult sections that you thought impossible on your old hardtail. Plus getting a new bike means that you will ride more as the weather gets grotty and will be more skiing fit come december. I brought mine from Chevin Cycles in Otley, who gave me great service and provided the exact model to test ride before purchase.