[was_hellbanned]

I would say that if you're riding on rough terrain (e.g. rocky, boulder-strewn, heavily rutted, etc.), you would be shocked at what you can do on a full suspension bike. I know I spent the first couple of months with a F/S bike just riding over random obstacles out of sheer amazement. If you're riding mostly smooth dirt trails where your primary obstacle is occasional tree roots and ruts, then a hardtail is probably fine.

[collyw]

I have a hardtail (its a 4 X steel framed tank). Big forks at the front, and a bit of effort, I haven't seen much that full suspensions would make me do that I won't on the hardtail.

http://www.bikemag.com/news/guy-wins-megavalanche-division-o...

(Admittedly, full suspension is probably a bit more forgiving than a hardtail, but I have more fun on a hardtail).