[Closed] Riding a hardtail again after a broken leg/dislocation

Depends on loads of things fella, not least your ability to heal fully or to what extent, how hard you’re prepared to work to get leg strength back, how much you enjoy riding a hardtail vs full sus, how much you want a full sus.
I’d at least work hard to get back on the Stanton and see how you feel after a few rides.
In my 50s and still riding hardtail after breaks/injuries.

If you're asking if you need a new bike then the answer is yes no brainer.

A more nuanced response would be to say is that you should be fine on the hardtail so long as you obey the doctors advice and do any physio that may be asked of you.

I had a savage break and dislocation in my right leg/ankle and nearly lost my foot but since then I've run a half marathon, climbed and descended Snowdon on a rigid singlespeed, walked up Ben Nevis, competed in several solo 24hr races and am generally better than ever.

I hope this brings you a spot of comfort.

@boxwithawindow
That is what i want to hear. Love my Stanton, literally perfect for me until this. Physio wise I'm doing the surgeons physio work plus work from my private physio. Desperate to regain fitness and for this to be an opportunity for me to be a better and stronger (physically and mentally) version of myself.

My top tip would be to start out on a static bike of some sort as soon as the doctor says it's okay, this negates any danger of falling off or even impact from stepping off suddenly etc... and gets the mobility back in your ankle and strength in your legs. Then move up to spin classes, when the doctor says it's okay.

I'll do turbo work and Rd riding to build up. No spin classes

I did a bunch of indoor stuff on zwift before venturing outside. I had a bit of stiffness in the ankle initially, but was pleasantly surprised at how quick I came back. That was on a full suss though, I didn't get my hardtail 'till a few months back and got a few twinges for a few weeks when riding it. All seems good at present.

For ref, I had a plate and screws in my ankle. Injured it tail end of september last year, started the zwifting at the end of novemeber and did my first ride back at the very end of december.

Riding itself isn't much of an issue, but the feedback through the pedals as you clatter over stuff is what hurts, so if you've got access to some nice smooth trails or some bridleway to pootle on to ease you back in then it should be fine.

I've a plate and screws too in my fibula. Feedback is what I'm worried about from the pedals. Looking at doing some turbo work with my physio a week Friday which will be 30 days post operation.
Live and ride in Sheffield and access to smooth roads never mind trails (as all Sheffield locals will testify) is minimal. It's going to be a go hard or go home situation 😅

After snapping my femur in half I don't think I would've got back so quickly without a full suss - however 6 years later my only mtb is a hardtail.

Listen to your body, learn when to push & when to protect the injury.

All great advice above, in addition to this I’d advise on a foam roller which will aid muscle recovery and help with the flexibility side. Best of luck.

Got a foam roller
What am I doing with it

Subject to all of the above you could just look to pick up a cheapish secondhand full suss frame (if you can find one) that has all the same standards as your Stanton and just swap the kit over to that. Keep the Stanton frame and when you’re all better you could switch it all back over again and sell the fs frame on. Minimal outlay - you could always sell the road hybrid to find the full suss frame 😝

Another thing to think about is to work with a decent PT (degree level not a 2 week college course) who will be able to work along side the Physio to help rebuild you stronger. This is aimed to complement your bike work and help prevent injury later on. I did this after wrecking my shoulder in a high speed OTB and am now reaping the rewards as I am no longer worried about landing on it again.