You should start mountain biking on a hardtail when you're a beginner.
Beginning mountain biking on a hardtail allows to you learn the proper mountain bike techniques and become more connected to the terrain and you develop a better riding skill due to the lack of rear suspension.
The hardtail is also more affordable than a full suspension mountain bike.
But if you plan to ride over very rough terrain or you want comfort then a regular full suspension mountain bike would be a better option.
Hardtail mountain bikes are bad for your back, especially if you don't sit properly on the hardtail mountain bike or your saddle height is wrong.
A hardtail mountain bike also makes you stand up more, which also puts more strain on your back and can lead to back pain and back injury.
The disadvantages of a mountain bike are the mountain bikes are harder to pedal and are not great for commuting and mountain bikes can cause injuries such as headaches, bruises, dehydration, joint sprains and broken collarbones.
Mountain bikes can also have mechanical issues such as a snapped rear gear cable, tire punctures, worn out treads and improper tire pressure.
Mountain biking can also lead to trauma, nerve compression, bone loss, heel pain, foot pain and lower back pain.
Mountain biking is increasing in popularity although the participation among core mountain bike riders have been declining since the year 2018.
However participation amount casual mountain bike riders have been increasing with an average annual increase of around 2.4 percent over the past 5 years.
The reason why mountain bikes are harder to pedal is mainly because of the low tire pressures and geometry.
Mountain bikes also have thicker tires, different gearing and a heavier frame than other bikes which also make the mountain bike harder to pedal.
As a result of the thicker tires, heavier frame and different gearing of the mountain bike it makes the mountain bike slower and requires more energy to pedal than a regular road bike.
Mountain bikes also typically have wider, knobbier tires that are designed for traction on uneven terrain.
These types of tires create more rolling resistance on smooth pavement, which make it harder to maintain speed compared to the thinner, smoother tires of road bikes.
Mountain bikes can also be used for both, road and trail riding, which is why mountain bikes are a great option for someone who is into off roading as well and urban riding.
When comparing their prices, mountain bikes are also in general the expensive option out of the two and this is because they have more specs and features.
On a mountain bike a small chainring, such as a 28t or 30t, will give you the lowest and easiest possible gear on your mountain bike for climbing.
A big chainring, such as a 34t or 36t, will enable you to pedal your mountain bike faster in the highest and hardest gear.
Most mountain bikes also come with a 32t chainring as standard, because it provides a solid middle ground.