I thought the opposite, probably a bias since I'm looking to move to a full suspension.
For two reasons: my friend is faster on a full suspension. He was a hard-core hardtail like me.
And it makes a more versatile bike, to go on more mountainous trails.
Maybe a third reason could be comfort, I don't suffer yet, but this could come with age.
I'll watch RedBull TV differently now.
He is faster on an FS? This is interesting. I found the FS to be a touch slower, mainly due to:
1 - Pedaling Efficiency. The suspension robs power, it may be very little but is compounded over time and distance.
2 - Weight. The FS will always be heavier due to frame design.
Now, what I did find is I am faster (considerably) downhill and over technical terrain with the FS, but also you have to consider I am riding the Fezzari Signal Peak now which is classed as a marathon XC bike. It has a 68 degree head tube, longer reach and wheel base, more upright seatpost, and 120mm front and rear travel. This bike is definitely more capable over terrain than a true XC FS. This was another reason I avoided a Chinese FS frame. I couldn't find anything that was progressive enough into 'Trail' discipline territory.
So I guess it's a bit of what you are doing. For me over a long ride with climbing and descending, the HT is faster, mainly because more time is spent climbing than descending due to travel speed (obviously). But yeah, I get it. Until I got my FS, I was struggling to keep up with my buddy on the descents at Bear Creek/P1 and P2. And on the climb up, I'm no longer waiting on them at the top.
Also, the fatigue thing you mentioned is very evident - especially over long rides. Under an hour ride, I am usually locked out or in mid travel for the rear if there are lots of roots. Over an hour, I start spending a lot more time in mid travel an will choose full squish on the rough stuff. I feel like I can last longer and there is something to be said for the amount of energy you expend absorbing rough trails. It will wear you out in a hurry!
Totally agree. That stagnation probably helped move my interest to full suspension bikes.
Yeah. Unfortunately, I feel kinda the same for the XC suspension bikes too. One or 2 new offerings and that's about it. Most are static CC (center of curvature) single pivot. Not much in the way of linkage driven, Horst, dual pivot link, etc... Basically almost nothing in the way of IC (Instant Center) designs. It would be nice to see more of these, but I'm also aware that some have patents, so it may never happen.