Should I get a hardtail or full suspension trail bike?

For most trail riders, full suspension is the better choice. It provides significantly more traction, control, and comfort on rough terrain, and modern designs minimize the pedaling efficiency penalty. Hardtails make sense if you're on a tight budget (they're typically $500-1000 less for equivalent components), prefer simpler maintenance, or ride primarily smooth trails. Hardtails also teach better line choice because you can't rely on rear suspension to cover mistakes. However, for technical terrain with rocks, roots, and descents, full suspension is transformative.