Every time I watch Tom ride, I am sure he is having more fun that anyone else. Love how he laughs no matter if he is stoked or scared. Thank you Tom for being so fun to watch.
Fr. I kept putting off going for a ride on my diamondback hardtail even after i upgraded the forks and brakes, and then when i convinced myself, i realised how simple and fun it was
Spending time on my HT always makes me a better rider on the FS. This is such a great video, all the nervous yelps and laughing epitomises whats so fun about a HT in this kind of terrain.
I have ridden mtn bikes for almost 30 yrs, owned several full suspension bikes, but I somehow always end up back on a hardtail. The Plus Hardtail was perfect for my style of riding....
I started mountbiking in the pre-suspension era. Then went directly to full suspension exclusively for the next 40 years. I finally bought my first hardtail at age 65. Love the simplicity and power transfer to the rear wheel when climbing, light weight, and line challenge when descending. No plans to go back to full squish.
My hard tail is a single speed. Absolutely love the bike and it teaches you to learn the track. I also have a full suspension trail bike and it is faster and a lot easier on my body but I will be rocking the single speed for several more years. (I will be 59 in August)
I'm 33 & just started, sometimes I regret not starting MTB earlier and riding all through my youth but I love seeing dudes like you post about riding in 40's, 50's, and beyond! Makes me look forward to years and years more riding. Hell yea man.
@@jimmy8x541 Please tell me it gets better. I just turned 50. I was 102 kg's at 1.77 metres and lost 10 kg's (92) in 3 months but I still struggle up hills.
I've been back on the bike for 2.5 months. Have lost about 6kg. I'm still struggling to stay on the bike thru a 3.5 mile roller coaster green, though this past weekend my momentum totally got killed by a couple riders going downhill, while not a wrong way situation just unusual and unfortunate . I hope it gets better. Am a very competent hiker though mtb feels like it uses ALLLL my muscles
After 20+ years of FS bikes, it was a welcomed eye-opener when I got a SC Chameleon last year. The pedaling efficiency and immediate feedback you get from a hardtail is awesome! I love riding that bike, and it's usually a tuff decision on which one to choose when going out for a ride.
As a life long HT rider, I'm currently shopping and really torn on getting a FS bike. I'm excited to try out full squish, but you know I'm not selling the old HT for any reason.
I've converted to hardtails. Not only does the trail feel more alive but i find the 2.6 width tires at the right psi provide all the shock absorption i need. Without a rear shock nearly all your power is transferred to the rear wheel and overall less maintenance. No settings to adjust. No flipping of a switch to lock out on climbs. It just works. They are also far less expensive!
After 15 years on a FS...I switched to a SC Chameleon 27.5 hard tail last year. Haven’t had this much fun since I was a kid. Good FS bikes are just so darn expensive these days. Added maintenance, weight, and rear shocks that go out of date within a couple of years have pushed me back to HT.
25 years ago I did things on the Hartail that I would not dare today on my Enduro. Great material. It's fantastic to watch a man who derives genuine joy from everyone everyone has. by bike and on any terrain.
I got rid of my enduro and only ride a hardtail now, my riding has improved tremendously and I ride the same trails I would on my enduro, feels a little sketchy at times but nothing beats the feeling I get when I'm riding in sink with the trail and my bike🤙
I always love seeing some hardtail love! As an exclusively Hardtail rider, I was gifted an old 90s huffy mountain bike recently, which I'm keeping full rigid and turning into a single speed with some cockpit modernization. I'm actually really excited about about having a full rigid bike with 90s geometry. To me, running a "less capable" bike is like turning "assists" off in a racing game, and turns the focus of the ride more on you and less on your bike. Riding the same trails will definitely be slower and rougher, but it will be fun in a whole new way.
Great video! I'm 49 years old, been been mountain biking off and on for ages, starting with my first Rockhopper Comp in the 90's. I'm mostly trail riding and now doing some XC racing. Never have owned a full suspension bike. I have a Santa Cruz Chameleon on order, supposed to be here in a week or two. I'll get around to a full suspension eventually :D
You convinced me to hop on my old diamondback hardtail again. Even though the no-name shimano brakes are nothing compared to my hope e4’s on my trail bike, it was probably the most fun i’d had on my local trail in a while, it was like a brand new experience
Replaced the fork on my hardtail recently and rediscovered how much fun it is. Haven’t been on my Epic for at least a month. Not really missing it either. The responsiveness is amazing!!!!
Depends on how the company markets the bike. Sometimes 150 front & back is "enduro", sometimes 180 front 170 rear is "enduro", and sometimes thats "freeride". You just gotta ignore the marketing and look for the specs + geometry youre looking for in a bike that will suit your preference and trails (with some test rides if possible).
After salivating after full suspension bikes, I finally got one that fits all my needs at a bargain, but after a season, found myself longing for the simplicity of a hardtail... then I went almost full hipster and did a steel single speed, but opted not to go fully rigid 🤣 I’m loving it!
I'm not gonna say I'll never ride a full-suspension MTB. In fact, I've ridden on one but only once. Out of 100 rides, I'm on a trusty hardtail 99/100. I'm enjoying every sec of moment on my hardtail MTB esp. on a trail. In fact, I'm dazzled by the simplicity of hardtail MTBs! Somehow, HTs teach me to always be one with the machine. It's like moving into the groove and flow of the machine as you drive it on the trail, and in the process, learn how to deal with the limitations of the bike by using the full suspensions that you have on your body. I heard this from a mountain biker (sorry, I can't remember his name at this time), "My full suspension is my body. My ride is my hardtail mountain bike." And I think that concludes the very senses that I have with my HT mountain bike!
I went from a 1998 Trek Y5 to a 1999 Trek 820 (that's right, no suspension. It was a tight time financially). Then just about a year ago built up a GT Zaskar 9r Comp. Mullet. Dropper. 130mm up front. Upsized the tires to 2.4 from the factory 1.9 (yikes!). Made it in to a bit of a down country bike. I tell you what. I can't get enough of my ghetto down country hardtail. I can send it off of some pretty gnarly stuff. But give me a hill and I will fly up it.
The improvements I have made on my hardtail are endless. This vid is spot on and I think could of even been taken further. There is a lot of truth to this similarly to that in moto where riding a 125 vs. a bigger bike teaches you similar skills as well.
I have a Vitus Sentier Vrx and a specialized Camber, both trail bikes, but for riding hardcore trails or technical stuff I prefer the long low slack hardtail. It's so much fun. I only use the FS for fast rolling in broken trails.
Hardtail rider in the 90s for 20 yrs. Switched to full sus enduro in 2012. Now im back to hardcore hardtail...for life. Simple, more challenge, it is classic mtb riding. Unless you are pro rider and competing, real hardcore riders ride on hardtails!
Hardtails are more capable than people think because we’ve been sucked in by the idea that a full sus makes everything better. They don’t, they just make things more comfortable :/
lol, well... they do and that's even without mentioning that it saves your health from repeatable hits to your spine, knees, etc. also, they save quite a big amount of rims :) so they are generally better for this style of riding.
I really like the direct feel and playfulness of hardtails, but on the other hand I really learned to enjoy the comfort a full suspension bike offers. I rode hardtail only for a long time, but then I bought my first full suspension bike and now I enjoy it more on daily rides. It’s more forgiving and I don’t have to be hyper concentrated all the time, because the full sus is able to break in almost every situation, just like Tom explained, which is a huge safety feature to me. Also it’s a lot easier on my back especially when riding sit down, which makes up about 75% of my local rides because I don’t have to much steep descents in the area I live in. It eats the roots and rocks up instead of transferring them straight into my spine. But I have to add that my hardtail is a fairly old Kona, so I’d like to try one of these modern very capable hardtails. My Kona is from the era where they build them like tanks, to outlast the apocalypse. Needless to say that makes the frame super stiff and even „pingy“ when going over rough stuff. Maybe the new hardtails have much more flex in them, which could lead to a ride that’s not that hard on my spine. I hope this bike craze slows down and my bike shop is able to provide test bikes again. If this happens then I’d like to take the Carbon Santa Cruz Chameleon for a spin! I’m not able to afford it any time soon, but I just want to know if a modern hardtail could be third bike option (besides my full suspension Nukeproof Mega 290 and my old Kona Hardtail which I’ll keep forever out of nostalgic reasons and because the resale value is just nonexistent) I’m longing for.
Tom is terrific. Totally relatable, hilarious, and just having fun. Needs English subtitles, but my favorite presenter on any channel. And BTW, that was an interesting video.
As a long-time MTB'er I can honestly say that full-suspension isn't better than HT, it's different. On a smooth fast trail I'd take a HT over FS, the light weight, responsiveness and feedback is just so much fun. Also in the winter HT's are ace, especially if you can find a 29+ frame. And it's a ton less maintenance having no shock and linkage in the back.
I've just started learning to MTB. doing it on an entry level (cheap) hardtail!! I had my first go on a full squish (200mm downhill bike) and it felt waaaaaay easier. I'm skint at moment so no chance of a bike upgrade this year, so i will have to keep learning on the hardtail!
Great vid. Did a lower skilled version - after 15 years away from MTBing in road and track world, jumped back on an Anthem, which I love. My MTB experience prior to the road/track hiatus was hard tail and before that fully rigid. So I bought a gravel bike, and started riding it on XC trails that I would usually ride the Anthem on. Early days but it does make me more mindful of line, braking and not smashing over rocks and hooky roots during climbs - much more of a workout and much more of “thinking” ride. I do find that after gravel bike riding for a while I get back on the Anthem and seem to be (relatively - I am not quick) quicker.
The final thing you should do is run the full suss again now that you have sharpened your skills properly on the hardtail. No doubt you will be even quicker. A hardtail should be a major part of any riders training. You’re not supposed to plow on a full suss just because you can; ride it like a hardtail and you will be lightning quick!
This was a good video. Concise , simple numbers, what a hard tail does and doesn't do and someone riding more than talking. Other mountain bike channels should take note.
Great breakdown of the HT/FS comparison. One aspect that I really notice on SoCal trails (coming off Giant Trance 29, now on Giant Fathom 29) is the acceleration i can generate coming out of corners on the HT whereas the FS kinda slogs.. Also running 2.5 tires @20psi is a significant pain sponge. But in the really rough stuff - ouch, time for me to slow it down!
the big thing here is line choice and how much you get over the front end and pump and push your way through the trial. the hardtail keeps you honest and is always unforgiving! But if you put in the effort and ride the trial you will end up fast and stealth!
I just got a trail bike this week (Norco Sight) after riding a hard tail for a year. After riding it on the North Shore yesterday on trails I know well, my times were pretty average. The bike felt super smooth, but I need to work out what to do with my new found travel. Works both ways!
You've been an excellent addition to the PB team Tom and I've thoroughly enjoyed all your videos. This one is my favourite yet, really useful and relevant analysis of hardtail riding. I'm lucky enough to have a hardtail (Cotic BFE) and an enduro bike (Ibis Mojo), they're both amazing in their own right but there's something uniquely joyful about riding the HT and it's made me a much better rider.
I went from a Walmart bike to a ksi for 700 then finally upgraded to a Roscoe 8 by trek. As I got better I made the decision to buy the carbon chameleon by Santa Cruz for almost 4,000 and I can say by each upgrade between the bikes it has made a huge difference in my riding abilities and being able to do much more.. I never went to full suspension do to the fact hardtails are better climbers and I live in a area where there are a lot of hills.. but overall hardtails would be my recommendation.!
Great video! I am still waiting for my preordered commencal meta HT. Very excited. Coming from a 12 year old beginner GT hardtail. Even on that old HT I have been able to learn a lot and hit gnarly stuff. So much fun!
Honestly everyone should go back to a hardtail with flats at least once and a while. People might complain but it’s what I ride all the time and it’s so good for maintaining proper technique
Reminds me of fast all mountain skiing on my park skis which are what I use 95% of the time. Look ahead for soft spots where the dull edges will grip and you'll be fine.
Yup, absolutely, nice to have different tools to try and do the same job with, keeps things interesting. Love the laughter, the more nervous it gets, the more you hear :-D What didn't you try? You didn't try some bigger rubber, that's what. Schwalbe make those in 2.6" as well and they really are a sweet setup, just gives that bit more edge off than a 2.4", but don't get that bouncy feeling you get a lot of the time on the true PLUS sizes. Of course if you're running 2.6", you want at least an i30 rim, but preferably an i35 to give those sidewalls proper support.
For me its the " you crazy mfer, why the death wish"? Type of laugh that sounds just like that. Finishing chunk on a HT puts me in humbled state of mind
yep, you have 2 types of people, people who ride hardtails for that reason, and the people who don't ride them for that exact reason. if my wrists don't feel like folding in half I'm defiantly person type one
Love Tom’s videos. Glad to see him on after the competition a few months back. Tom - Is the “you little beauty” thing an Australian saying? Fisher (the dj) always says that.
Thanks Peter, appreciate it but you know I'm from NZ hahaha Scholars have been debating the origins of "You Little Beauty" for centuries, I don't think we'll ever know.... - Tom
I've had my hardtail for 13 years. Never rode anything else on trails. Might go FS one day but don't see any point right now. Can't afford it anyway. Cost me £1100 to build in 2009, would definitely cost more than that to buy a new FS bike with similar level spec. Ain't nobody got money for that shit! One annoying thing tho, I want a dropper post but that would mean upgrading the entire drivetrain to accommodate the shifter. So I'll probably just end up converting it to a commuting bike one day when my commuter finally packs in
I love this comparison, although not scientific, it is roughly the same as I've found. I'm approx 10 seconds difference between the two bikes. It would probably be beneficial to train on the hardy and race the FS.
I'd be really interested to see you do a 3rd comparison with a set of Rimpact Pro inserts in your wheels on the HT. I am betting it would make a huge improvement in braking and handling, as well as dampening to keep some of that HT chatter down. I bet this would end up in an even faster run getting you closer to the trail bike's time.
I’m watching this video because my coworkers tell me that as a “newbie” it’s fs or nothing. They laugh when I mentioned a salsa timberjack. After watching this I discovered, I’m scared shitless of riding that trail on either bike. Now I’m really confused 😂
I have a hardtail and a full suspension bike, both trail bikes. The main difference I notice between them is the level of exhaustion I feel after riding them... the forearm pump and leg fatigue while riding a hardtail on rough tracks can be immense. I think that hardtails also benefit immensely from inserts and wider tires. You put 2.6" tires and CushCore on your hardtail you will really notice a difference. Also, great work Tom! So stoked on all your content!
Very true. My steel Chromag hardtail bike gave me so much arm pump and whole body soreness even at somewhat XC-grade downhill trails. I recently got my first FS bike, and my body doesn't feel sore at all while going faster.
I ride strictly hard tail only and with low front travel 120mm fox step cast I ride all kinds of terrain rocks roots bulls up and down Stopped riding full suspension last year. Just love riding hard tail so much more And wait for this shocker that will make some cry and say oh it’s a game changer!!! No dropper either!!! Oh my god!!
Hardtails are fun but you can’t ride this kinda trail all day on them - you just can’t. Feels like car crash the next day. I love my squish because I can ride for hours and hours and still get stuff done the next day, but the HT is certainly fun to rip on the reg!
The fun part of going downhill with a hardtail is that you probably know you shouldn’t be going down those hills with that bike since it doesn’t have a rear suspension and that just makes it release more adrenaline since technically is more dangerous and that’s when the have fun, I know, we are crazy humans, lol, we like speed and danger, this is a healthy one I guess🤣
Every time I watch Tom ride, I am sure he is having more fun that anyone else. Love how he laughs no matter if he is stoked or scared. Thank you Tom for being so fun to watch.
agree! favorite pinkbike presenter already!
Haha thanks Brian maaate! Here's to many more screams of stoke - Tom
We need tom to do a grim donut for 30 days...
@@ffBkLee how good!?
I was thinking that he sounds like me on the trail! I can't help but hoot and holler, having too much fun on my hardtail
Before i read any comments or watch, I am going to tell you hardtails are fun AF
Can confirm! - Tom
Fun is the key for me
True
Fr. I kept putting off going for a ride on my diamondback hardtail even after i upgraded the forks and brakes, and then when i convinced myself, i realised how simple and fun it was
th-cam.com/video/nGZhEhx6pmE/w-d-xo.html
Pinkbike: what I learned from riding a hardtail for 30 days.
Me: what I learned from riding an entry level hardtail for 2 years.
What Ive learned riding my '92 Klein Rascal since I built it up in '92. After 12 or 13 rebuilds still faster than I need.
😂😂😂
True
Love it, got to start somewhere you legend Isaac - Tom
2 whole years? lol
Try a few decades then come back to me, we grew up on hardtails.
It would have been interresting to see if riding the hardtail also improved your time on the FS
Spending time on my HT always makes me a better rider on the FS.
This is such a great video, all the nervous yelps and laughing epitomises whats so fun about a HT in this kind of terrain.
I agree I would like to see how much faster Tom is on his FS trail bike.
FS=Farming Simulator
it absolutely does.
Agreed 👍
I have ridden mtn bikes for almost 30 yrs, owned several full suspension bikes, but I somehow always end up back on a hardtail. The Plus Hardtail was perfect for my style of riding....
Bring back 29er plus!
@@GiArK I haven't ridden a 29er plus, but I love my 27.5 plus with its 2.8's. It climbs like a crawler and rolls great on the techy stuff that I ride
I started mountbiking in the pre-suspension era. Then went directly to full suspension exclusively for the next 40 years. I finally bought my first hardtail at age 65. Love the simplicity and power transfer to the rear wheel when climbing, light weight, and line challenge when descending. No plans to go back to full squish.
Hard tail gang🤙
ay
Proud member of the hardtail squad.
here
Yessir
Always. Nobody likes to carry more weight uphill than necessary.
My hard tail is a single speed. Absolutely love the bike and it teaches you to learn the track. I also have a full suspension trail bike and it is faster and a lot easier on my body but I will be rocking the single speed for several more years. (I will be 59 in August)
I'm 33 & just started, sometimes I regret not starting MTB earlier and riding all through my youth but I love seeing dudes like you post about riding in 40's, 50's, and beyond! Makes me look forward to years and years more riding. Hell yea man.
You are a rarity!!!! Gave up SS ‘bling a decade ago
@@jimmy8x541 Please tell me it gets better. I just turned 50. I was 102 kg's at 1.77 metres and lost 10 kg's (92) in 3 months but I still struggle up hills.
@@dave.h4075 it will for sure. congrats on the weight loss man that is excellent
I've been back on the bike for 2.5 months. Have lost about 6kg. I'm still struggling to stay on the bike thru a 3.5 mile roller coaster green, though this past weekend my momentum totally got killed by a couple riders going downhill, while not a wrong way situation just unusual and unfortunate . I hope it gets better. Am a very competent hiker though mtb feels like it uses ALLLL my muscles
After 20+ years of FS bikes, it was a welcomed eye-opener when I got a SC Chameleon last year. The pedaling efficiency and immediate feedback you get from a hardtail is awesome! I love riding that bike, and it's usually a tuff decision on which one to choose when going out for a ride.
As a life long HT rider, I'm currently shopping and really torn on getting a FS bike. I'm excited to try out full squish, but you know I'm not selling the old HT for any reason.
I've converted to hardtails. Not only does the trail feel more alive but i find the 2.6 width tires at the right psi provide all the shock absorption i need. Without a rear shock nearly all your power is transferred to the rear wheel and overall less maintenance. No settings to adjust. No flipping of a switch to lock out on climbs. It just works. They are also far less expensive!
Tom is one of the best additions to the team so far, love that he’s just always having fun and smiling
Cheers Tom, fantastic riding. Pinkbike is lucky to have you, you bring a lot to the company. Hopefully we can ride hardrails together one day...
With a name like that, let's party soon! - Tom
After 15 years on a FS...I switched to a SC Chameleon 27.5 hard tail last year. Haven’t had this much fun since I was a kid. Good FS bikes are just so darn expensive these days. Added maintenance, weight, and rear shocks that go out of date within a couple of years have pushed me back to HT.
hardtail + flats make the most skillful rider XD
25 years ago I did things on the Hartail that I would not dare today on my Enduro. Great material. It's fantastic to watch a man who derives genuine joy from everyone everyone has. by bike and on any terrain.
I got rid of my enduro and only ride a hardtail now, my riding has improved tremendously and I ride the same trails I would on my enduro, feels a little sketchy at times but nothing beats the feeling I get when I'm riding in sink with the trail and my bike🤙
I always love seeing some hardtail love! As an exclusively Hardtail rider, I was gifted an old 90s huffy mountain bike recently, which I'm keeping full rigid and turning into a single speed with some cockpit modernization. I'm actually really excited about about having a full rigid bike with 90s geometry. To me, running a "less capable" bike is like turning "assists" off in a racing game, and turns the focus of the ride more on you and less on your bike. Riding the same trails will definitely be slower and rougher, but it will be fun in a whole new way.
Great video! I'm 49 years old, been been mountain biking off and on for ages, starting with my first Rockhopper Comp in the 90's. I'm mostly trail riding and now doing some XC racing. Never have owned a full suspension bike. I have a Santa Cruz Chameleon on order, supposed to be here in a week or two. I'll get around to a full suspension eventually :D
You convinced me to hop on my old diamondback hardtail again. Even though the no-name shimano brakes are nothing compared to my hope e4’s on my trail bike, it was probably the most fun i’d had on my local trail in a while, it was like a brand new experience
I have a pretty decent full squish but I always keep going back to my hardtail. I love hardtails!!!
Got to love the hooting and hollering that only comes from riding a hardtail on the edge and getting away with it haha! Great video
i found the more compliant you run the fork the rowdier the back gets. more hardtail vids please!
The looser the fork, the harder you send it.
Replaced the fork on my hardtail recently and rediscovered how much fun it is. Haven’t been on my Epic for at least a month. Not really missing it either. The responsiveness is amazing!!!!
Ew, cross country
I can’t stop going back to riding my HT. Something raw and edgy, just feels good.
"Trail bike" 170mm fork, 150 rear... What's an Enduro or All Mountain bike then?
dont worry it will be fine
Depends on how the company markets the bike. Sometimes 150 front & back is "enduro", sometimes 180 front 170 rear is "enduro", and sometimes thats "freeride". You just gotta ignore the marketing and look for the specs + geometry youre looking for in a bike that will suit your preference and trails (with some test rides if possible).
Nothing is real. Just ride your bike and have fun
depends on the geometry
It's all made up.
After salivating after full suspension bikes, I finally got one that fits all my needs at a bargain, but after a season, found myself longing for the simplicity of a hardtail... then I went almost full hipster and did a steel single speed, but opted not to go fully rigid 🤣 I’m loving it!
I bought A Norco Torrent S2 last year, I've never had as much fun as I have on that bike.
I'm not gonna say I'll never ride a full-suspension MTB. In fact, I've ridden on one but only once. Out of 100 rides, I'm on a trusty hardtail 99/100.
I'm enjoying every sec of moment on my hardtail MTB esp. on a trail. In fact, I'm dazzled by the simplicity of hardtail MTBs! Somehow, HTs teach me to always be one with the machine. It's like moving into the groove and flow of the machine as you drive it on the trail, and in the process, learn how to deal with the limitations of the bike by using the full suspensions that you have on your body.
I heard this from a mountain biker (sorry, I can't remember his name at this time), "My full suspension is my body. My ride is my hardtail mountain bike." And I think that concludes the very senses that I have with my HT mountain bike!
I went from a 1998 Trek Y5 to a 1999 Trek 820 (that's right, no suspension. It was a tight time financially). Then just about a year ago built up a GT Zaskar 9r Comp. Mullet. Dropper. 130mm up front. Upsized the tires to 2.4 from the factory 1.9 (yikes!). Made it in to a bit of a down country bike.
I tell you what. I can't get enough of my ghetto down country hardtail. I can send it off of some pretty gnarly stuff. But give me a hill and I will fly up it.
I love having my full squish bike but my hardtail is my go to bike. I feel more in the present on it.
"Trail" Bike lol 170/150 isn't a trail bike, that's Enduro for sure. Love watching Tom! Such a great addition to PB
Tom is a real asset to PB on this TH-cam Channel!
The improvements I have made on my hardtail are endless. This vid is spot on and I think could of even been taken further. There is a lot of truth to this similarly to that in moto where riding a 125 vs. a bigger bike teaches you similar skills as well.
I have a Vitus Sentier Vrx and a specialized Camber, both trail bikes, but for riding hardcore trails or technical stuff I prefer the long low slack hardtail. It's so much fun. I only use the FS for fast rolling in broken trails.
I autoclick when I see 'Hardtail'
Sweet!
Hardtail rider in the 90s for 20 yrs. Switched to full sus enduro in 2012. Now im back to hardcore hardtail...for life. Simple, more challenge, it is classic mtb riding. Unless you are pro rider and competing, real hardcore riders ride on hardtails!
Tom's best video yet. He's getting more comfortable in front of the camera.
Hardtails are more capable than people think because we’ve been sucked in by the idea that a full sus makes everything better. They don’t, they just make things more comfortable :/
I'm building up a 130mm hardtail to compliment my enduro rig. I can't wait to ride the HT and dial in my skills!
full sus grip way more. You don't lose back wheel traction all the time on the rough stuff.
lol, well... they do
and that's even without mentioning that it saves your health from repeatable hits to your spine, knees, etc.
also, they save quite a big amount of rims :) so they are generally better for this style of riding.
I really like the direct feel and playfulness of hardtails, but on the other hand I really learned to enjoy the comfort a full suspension bike offers.
I rode hardtail only for a long time, but then I bought my first full suspension bike and now I enjoy it more on daily rides.
It’s more forgiving and I don’t have to be hyper concentrated all the time, because the full sus is able to break in almost every situation, just like Tom explained, which is a huge safety feature to me.
Also it’s a lot easier on my back especially when riding sit down, which makes up about 75% of my local rides because I don’t have to much steep descents in the area I live in.
It eats the roots and rocks up instead of transferring them straight into my spine.
But I have to add that my hardtail is a fairly old Kona, so I’d like to try one of these modern very capable hardtails.
My Kona is from the era where they build them like tanks, to outlast the apocalypse.
Needless to say that makes the frame super stiff and even „pingy“ when going over rough stuff.
Maybe the new hardtails have much more flex in them, which could lead to a ride that’s not that hard on my spine.
I hope this bike craze slows down and my bike shop is able to provide test bikes again.
If this happens then I’d like to take the Carbon Santa Cruz Chameleon for a spin!
I’m not able to afford it any time soon, but I just want to know if a modern hardtail could be third bike option (besides my full suspension Nukeproof Mega 290 and my old Kona Hardtail which I’ll keep forever out of nostalgic reasons and because the resale value is just nonexistent) I’m longing for.
Great video to show the doubters that us hardtail riders can compete. So much fun riding my HT. 🤙
Absolutely love my hardtail, they're so much fun.
Tom is terrific. Totally relatable, hilarious, and just having fun. Needs English subtitles, but my favorite presenter on any channel. And BTW, that was an interesting video.
As a long-time MTB'er I can honestly say that full-suspension isn't better than HT, it's different. On a smooth fast trail I'd take a HT over FS, the light weight, responsiveness and feedback is just so much fun. Also in the winter HT's are ace, especially if you can find a 29+ frame. And it's a ton less maintenance having no shock and linkage in the back.
My main bike is a Ragley BluePig, it's sick as hell I put a ZEB on it. Shreds the bike park.
I've just started learning to MTB. doing it on an entry level (cheap) hardtail!! I had my first go on a full squish (200mm downhill bike) and it felt waaaaaay easier. I'm skint at moment so no chance of a bike upgrade this year, so i will have to keep learning on the hardtail!
Great vid. Did a lower skilled version - after 15 years away from MTBing in road and track world, jumped back on an Anthem, which I love. My MTB experience prior to the road/track hiatus was hard tail and before that fully rigid. So I bought a gravel bike, and started riding it on XC trails that I would usually ride the Anthem on. Early days but it does make me more mindful of line, braking and not smashing over rocks and hooky roots during climbs - much more of a workout and much more of “thinking” ride. I do find that after gravel bike riding for a while I get back on the Anthem and seem to be (relatively - I am not quick) quicker.
Love watching this guy! Well done Pinkbike, you've stuck gold.
The final thing you should do is run the full suss again now that you have sharpened your skills properly on the hardtail. No doubt you will be even quicker. A hardtail should be a major part of any riders training. You’re not supposed to plow on a full suss just because you can; ride it like a hardtail and you will be lightning quick!
I would recommend switching your rear wheel from 29 to 27.5 and running a wider tyre for more traction
i heard that before, kind of like a motorcycle set up, thats interesting
I swapped my 160mm enduro for an orange p7 2years ago .. never regretted 👌🏻
Looks like a fun bike. Mine is a Rocky Mountain Growler. Fun, aggressive ht.
This was a good video. Concise , simple numbers, what a hard tail does and doesn't do and someone riding more than talking. Other mountain bike channels should take note.
Can you do another timed run on the trail bike? To see if the HT skills transferred over?
I was disappointed that wasn't part of this video. Really curious to see if the hardtail forced you to be a better rider.
haha you're right, this was a C+ science experiment - I'll happily do more timed laps in the name of science, stay tuned! - Tom
Do a time run on the HT again, but clipped in
@@tavojuarez1987 yep i am way faster clipped in espicially on a htail on rough trails.
Thanks Tom... nice segment.. some may be interested in climbing performance trail bike vs hardtail
Great breakdown of the HT/FS comparison. One aspect that I really notice on SoCal trails (coming off Giant Trance 29, now on Giant Fathom 29) is the acceleration i can generate coming out of corners on the HT whereas the FS kinda slogs.. Also running 2.5 tires @20psi is a significant pain sponge. But in the really rough stuff - ouch, time for me to slow it down!
the big thing here is line choice and how much you get over the front end and pump and push your way through the trial. the hardtail keeps you honest and is always unforgiving! But if you put in the effort and ride the trial you will end up fast and stealth!
I just got a trail bike this week (Norco Sight) after riding a hard tail for a year. After riding it on the North Shore yesterday on trails I know well, my times were pretty average. The bike felt super smooth, but I need to work out what to do with my new found travel. Works both ways!
Great video! Amazing to see someone so fast who is also a natural presenter stoked on bikes!
Hard tail and jandals - perfect combo
Hahaha
You've been an excellent addition to the PB team Tom and I've thoroughly enjoyed all your videos. This one is my favourite yet, really useful and relevant analysis of hardtail riding. I'm lucky enough to have a hardtail (Cotic BFE) and an enduro bike (Ibis Mojo), they're both amazing in their own right but there's something uniquely joyful about riding the HT and it's made me a much better rider.
Thanks Tom appreciate it - nice bikes and nice name, cheers - Tom
I went from a Walmart bike to a ksi for 700 then finally upgraded to a Roscoe 8 by trek. As I got better I made the decision to buy the carbon chameleon by Santa Cruz for almost 4,000 and I can say by each upgrade between the bikes it has made a huge difference in my riding abilities and being able to do much more.. I never went to full suspension do to the fact hardtails are better climbers and I live in a area where there are a lot of hills.. but overall hardtails would be my recommendation.!
His laughs are sooo contagious!
Great vid love my hard tail. However how is 170/150 travel a ‘trail’ bike?
Not as much rear travel, long travel trail bike, also probably a lot less burly and the geometry is a bit more chill
@@chrisrides2203 sweet bro thanks for the reply!
It's probably just overforked and still has trail geo
@@benjacobson7490 nost likely not because putting a 170 fir on a bike that was made for something smaller would mess it up quite a bit
@@chrisrides2203 that's what I was thinking also, but maybe they switched to 27.5 also or has a flip chip that makes it bearable
Great video! I am still waiting for my preordered commencal meta HT. Very excited. Coming from a 12 year old beginner GT hardtail. Even on that old HT I have been able to learn a lot and hit gnarly stuff. So much fun!
You're going to love it!! My Meta HT is one of the best purchases I've ever made
@@jarnold1789 I'm excited! Seemed like a really good all round fun bike.
I ride a Kona mahuna with a dropper all the extra suspension I need is in my arms in legs :)
Next step: ride a full rigid 😜
Honestly everyone should go back to a hardtail with flats at least once and a while. People might complain but it’s what I ride all the time and it’s so good for maintaining proper technique
Nukeproof ards and 2.6 tyres transformed my ragley. I recommend trying them.
Reminds me of fast all mountain skiing on my park skis which are what I use 95% of the time. Look ahead for soft spots where the dull edges will grip and you'll be fine.
I'm definitely hardtail-curious and that Meta looks sweet.
It's way cheaper than a full squish in the same level, moreso if you build it yourself. Go for it!
They're super fun! I have a big boy full susp and a hard tail. I'll always have a HT, just because they're so fun.
Wooh! HT’s FTW
It is a wild fun ride I will have to say I have a Vitus sentier 29er hardtail and I luv it! I'm working on my wheelie presently
Always nice to see my bike ripping - love the meta HT.
My hardtail showed me how to use my front brake as well as my arms and legs as suspension.
TMacs for best pedals period
i agree, braking skills and body reflexology helps the rider all around
Yup, absolutely, nice to have different tools to try and do the same job with, keeps things interesting. Love the laughter, the more nervous it gets, the more you hear :-D What didn't you try? You didn't try some bigger rubber, that's what. Schwalbe make those in 2.6" as well and they really are a sweet setup, just gives that bit more edge off than a 2.4", but don't get that bouncy feeling you get a lot of the time on the true PLUS sizes. Of course if you're running 2.6", you want at least an i30 rim, but preferably an i35 to give those sidewalls proper support.
Hardtail user since 2014 🤘😊🤘
Have full rigid 29er XC bike and Santa Cruz Hightower, n+1 will probably be 160mm travel steel hardtail
That uncontrollable guttural laugh @2:53 is why I only ride a hardtail.
For me its the " you crazy mfer, why the death wish"? Type of laugh that sounds just like that. Finishing chunk on a HT puts me in humbled state of mind
yep, you have 2 types of people, people who ride hardtails for that reason, and the people who don't ride them for that exact reason. if my wrists don't feel like folding in half I'm defiantly person type one
Hardtail - party at the front, business at the back, the classic reverse mullet of bikes and pure fun.
You're right! I would've smashed the trail bike time with the proper cut - Tom
Love Tom’s videos. Glad to see him on after the competition a few months back. Tom - Is the “you little beauty” thing an Australian saying? Fisher (the dj) always says that.
Thanks Peter, appreciate it but you know I'm from NZ hahaha Scholars have been debating the origins of "You Little Beauty" for centuries, I don't think we'll ever know.... - Tom
I've had my hardtail for 13 years. Never rode anything else on trails. Might go FS one day but don't see any point right now. Can't afford it anyway. Cost me £1100 to build in 2009, would definitely cost more than that to buy a new FS bike with similar level spec. Ain't nobody got money for that shit!
One annoying thing tho, I want a dropper post but that would mean upgrading the entire drivetrain to accommodate the shifter. So I'll probably just end up converting it to a commuting bike one day when my commuter finally packs in
Now you need to do another run on the trail bike to really see how much the HT has improved your riding.
I love this comparison, although not scientific, it is roughly the same as I've found. I'm approx 10 seconds difference between the two bikes. It would probably be beneficial to train on the hardy and race the FS.
Meta HT, a F#$% Rocket!!!! Love it
You gotta put 2.6s on that HT. It will be life changing.
i thought my 2.2s were fat .. i would rather have less sidewall though
Chromag gang checking in. Love the ht vid
I would be curious to see what you think of adding a token and lowering the pressure like you mentioned.
I just sold my chromoly Rsd Middlechild not because I wanted to. My next bike will still probably be a Hardtail when that time comes.
You should have run the trail bike after 30 days as well to see if all that hardtail time improved your speed in general.
I'd be really interested to see you do a 3rd comparison with a set of Rimpact Pro inserts in your wheels on the HT. I am betting it would make a huge improvement in braking and handling, as well as dampening to keep some of that HT chatter down. I bet this would end up in an even faster run getting you closer to the trail bike's time.
I’m watching this video because my coworkers tell me that as a “newbie” it’s fs or nothing. They laugh when I mentioned a salsa timberjack. After watching this I discovered, I’m scared shitless of riding that trail on either bike.
Now I’m really confused 😂
Your co-workers are wrong. Salsa Timberjack is a great bike!
I have a hardtail and a full suspension bike, both trail bikes. The main difference I notice between them is the level of exhaustion I feel after riding them... the forearm pump and leg fatigue while riding a hardtail on rough tracks can be immense. I think that hardtails also benefit immensely from inserts and wider tires. You put 2.6" tires and CushCore on your hardtail you will really notice a difference.
Also, great work Tom! So stoked on all your content!
Very true. My steel Chromag hardtail bike gave me so much arm pump and whole body soreness even at somewhat XC-grade downhill trails. I recently got my first FS bike, and my body doesn't feel sore at all while going faster.
You hard tailers are badass. I'll get there.
I ride strictly hard tail only and with low front travel 120mm fox step cast
I ride all kinds of terrain rocks roots bulls up and down
Stopped riding full suspension last year. Just love riding hard tail so much more
And wait for this shocker that will make some cry and say oh it’s a game changer!!! No dropper either!!! Oh my god!!
Great video! Long live the Hardtail! :)
Love the hardtail series!
Awesome video,thx a lot for sharing.fun watch for sure bud👊👍
Hardtails are fun but you can’t ride this kinda trail all day on them - you just can’t. Feels like car crash the next day. I love my squish because I can ride for hours and hours and still get stuff done the next day, but the HT is certainly fun to rip on the reg!
Be interesting to go do a run on the trail bike and see if the hardtail has made you faster there as well?
Would like to see you ride the same trail again at the end of the 30 days on your FS bike.
The fun part of going downhill with a hardtail is that you probably know you shouldn’t be going down those hills with that bike since it doesn’t have a rear suspension and that just makes it release more adrenaline since technically is more dangerous and that’s when the have fun, I know, we are crazy humans, lol, we like speed and danger, this is a healthy one I guess🤣
Great video now try back to back runs trail bike vs Hardtail see if you've gained anything (skills,power ,confidence )
Up next, "what I learned riding a rigid mountain bike for 30 days" 😝
How about what i' ve learned riding a hardtail for forty years ha ha i sound old or what old but not slow.