I'm no expert by any means but if I bought an XC bike again I'd go for full suspension. When I demoed XC bikes a while back I would always do a brick. The single track I rode on was root infested and I my legs were noticeably fresher after riding on a full suspension bike. I ended up buying an F-Si (hardtail) only because I got a smoking deal on it.

Maybe I'm not hip with new terms but...what is an Elastomer bike?

I *think* he's talking about something like the Trek IsoSpeed decouplers used in the Domane (among others). I have no idea what MTB might use an elastomer, though.?.

For my local trails, no way would 30mm be sufficient (for me). Hell, I want to move to 120mm from my 100mm FS for XC.

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Steve

"If you ain't first, you're last." Reese Bobby Talladega Nights

I would guess OP is referring to a Moots Ybb of some sort. Usually the bike has a normal suspension fork but then a 10ish mm elastomer that ''connects'' the seat stays to the seat tube and acts as a mild form of suspension. Used to be called a "soft tail" I think.

OP - in my opinion, that's a fine enough choice. But I'd rather have a hard tail or a full suspension. Not a compromise. If this is the bike you are referencing anyway.

I have a hardtail because I wasn't sure (still not sure) how much mountain biking I planned to do and didn't want to spend a ton. So I got a good deal on a entry level mountain bike. But same as you, I have a trail that is really all roots and I just take a beating on that trail with a hardtail bike. I feel like those roots are going to rattle my bike and myself apart

Yes, that would be fine. One of my friends is a professional category xc mountain biker and that's what he rides (BMC teamelite 01). With that and a dropper post he also crushes technical downhill that most people are riding FS bikes for. He used to ride a Giant Anthem and was unsure about going to the softtail but loves it now.

That's actually the bike I was offered. I am certainly not a pro mountain bike, or even a mountain biker at this point. Do you think having a higher level of expertise would make a bike like that more reasonable vs. FS?

I'm getting a hell of a deal on it and I figure since I've never even been on a FS or that much time on a hardtail, I really won't know the difference? Ignorance is bliss, right?

Starting on a hardtail will make you a better mountain biker in the long run. You get a more instant feedback to incorrect line choices. Having less experience makes a hardtail a better choice for learning on. It's an amazing bike. You'll have fun on it. Also it's certainly a better choice for racing than most hardtail. An equivalent full suspension bike will be much more expensive as well.

I'd definitely say go for it

You could go full rigid like this clown...sheesh!
http://www.xterraplanet.com/...al-champ-hans-ryham/

That BMC is an awesome bike. I vote yes. The Moots I would say no to.