| Comment | I'm old enough that when I got into MTB there wasn't yet any kind of suspension (at least not that any normal person could afford) - a hardtail can do anything a full suspension can bar full-on downhilling, you just need confidence :)
I've never owned a bike with rear suspension and regularly do all the seven stanes red routes, and my wife (a beginner) learned at Cathkin Braes on an entry-level hardtail just like yours
I'd recommend a beginners course where you can learn the basic ideas of shifting your weight around to deal with different obstacles, it'll build your confidence and skills really fast
Almost all trails will allow you to bypass individual obstacles you're not yet comfortable with
If you have a car, I'd really recommend the Blue trail at Kirroughtree - it's the next step up from basic trails, very few proper obstacles (and all optional) just lots of sweeping singletrack that's really really fun. I've done it on a no-suspension gravel bike just to reassure it's not hard |
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