I’m a hardtail forever kind of rider. The nice about hardtails is once you find the one with the right geometry for your riding area you do not have to replace it. You don’t have pivots or extra suspension pieces to wear out.
My Hardtail is the main bike. My full suspension trail bike, is only when its needed depending on the terrain and if I’m feeling soft that day. Hardtail’s for Hard Men💪
Happy riding hard tail , grew up riding them, no front suspension at the beginning, no doubt made us better riders . Check out the retro bike racers at races like Cannock winter classic, very aggressive and physical, like cyclo-cross I think.
For me The best Hardtail is Trek Procaliber 6 Red 😎 because it has everything good look, geometry, and Specs. All of it for just 1000 quid it's a Bargain 🥳. Site 99spokes have option to compare it to other bikes like Polygon, Marin, Cannondale, Dartmoor. None of these bikes come near in terms of Specs for money. 🙂
It's titanium, and they take twice as long to make vs.other titanium bikes due to the double pass welding. Moots is definitely a forever bike frame. Consider it an investment.
The problem is that hardtails get a bad reputation as a cheap/starter bike. Modern hardtails have evolved and are way better now. If you want good/high quality in anything you have to pay for it. And some people like me prefer their mountain bikes as hardtails over any full suspension. That said everyone has a different budget.
@@mikej1348 I have a good high quality carbon full suspension enduro bike and the entire thing cost less than that titanium frame. You are paying for a name and marketing buzz
Being a heavier rider at 6',2" and 250 lbs, I got the chromoly RSD Middle-Child. Same geometry as the Banshee Paradox and I didn't have to wait on a list for a year to get it. FANTASTIC frame. Mated with a bunch of parts I have accumulated over the years and I got a great bike. Suspension is fun but let's be honest, for most rides you are better off on a hardtail and do not really need full suspension. Makes you a better rider having a hardtail.
I still have from about 2 years ago XL Merida Big Nine 200, punctured those MAXXIS tyres but replaced them with some Continental Raceking, they got thinner sidewall but feel rly fast and easy to ride.
I raced xc on a 1990s Saracen Kili last weekend, steel is real and not that heavy in this case. I avoided the big drop offs but launched it through the single track ... 26" wheels and narrow bars still have their place in racing if the course is more old school and not akin to dh . Result was crap as lost 10 mins due to snapped chain but still not last😂
Funny how all these best hardtail mtb TH-cam posts are all elite brands that are unaffordable for everyday people who want to just get out there and ride.
Lot of MRP forks on display in this one - actually, with Pidcock's Axon, the Push on that Moots, and a jumble of SIDs, Pikes, 34s, and even an Xfusion McQueen on display on the Mason - I'd be interested to see a roundup review of all these 120-140 forks for trail hardtails. Since a lot of these are available frame-only and a hardtail really spotlights the fork performance it would be a valuable group test to see what forks are high-value.
I want a hardtail mtb for the forest and normal rides (no hardcore downhills) max. Budget is 1000€, any advice for me ? Cube aim slx is my favourite so far 🤔
I have one of those - it is the carbon one from say 2019 / 2020. Still good to watch / read reviews to see what other options are out there, in terms of new bikes etc.
Love hardtails. All of the ones listed on the video are amazing. The prices have ballooned but what can you do. I am still on my old school 2012 Yeti bigtop 29er. Upgrading her to a 100mm fox 34SC fork and wider bars. Hopefully this keeps me from pulling the trigger on a new bike.
Those Big Tops were great looking bikes and its nice to see you're still running it! An angleset might help slacken it out a bit to keep with the times a bit more!
For me The best and Hottest Hardtail in 2024 is Trek Procaliber 6 Red 😎 because it has everything good look, geometry, and Specs. All of it for just 1000 quid it's a Bargain 🥳. Site 99spokes have option to compare it to other bikes like Polygon, Marin, Cannondale, Dartmoor. None of these bikes come near in terms of Specs for money 🙂
This list is clearly pandering to a very small minority of bikers, because the rest of us wouldn't pay those prices (especially for the last bike) even if it was a full sus. I recently bought a hardtail! Steel frame with great components and with great geometry for under £1500, unlike some of the bikes in your video that would make you feel like going over the handlebars on a mild slope.
5 grand. No thanks. I'd rather build a bike for that. You can buy the best frame. Best wireless groupset. Best wireless dropper post. Best brakes. Best Suspension
Lazy pointless.reporting. Get out and ride a bike and do a proper review or don't bother. I have just bought a brand new frame to build up a bike for my 2 oldest boys to share. It cost me £110, an On One Scandal. The bike I build will use parts from my current hardtail and will cost probably another £100-200 in parts for a very cool, very lightweight modern trail capable and user friendly bike. What's more, it will grow with them, starting with 27.5"+ wheels and 120mm travel and going on to 29er / 140mm. I am seriously considering starting up a YT channel to show.people how to get the most from bikes and not to be duped by a lazy, greedy narrow minded industry which lacks ideas and real drive. Bike companies are out of touch. Most people who ride will spend less now to feed a hobby they like just as much after the pandemic, Brexit, etc as they did before it. Stupidly priced bikes will become rarer. If a new electric full susser from 2022 is not selling for sub £3K,, it is an indication of the current market. If bikes reduced by half aren't selling, its an indication of the market. Do something different and try to help younger riders get decent bang for their buck, put some bloody effort in.
Yeah put your money were your mouth is 😂. The market is the market and that will dictate the cost of bikes. Many riders simply don’t want to upgrade their bikes whether you think they should or not. Stop being so Butt Hurt Frances 😅
@@deanemberley2333 I dont have the money to put anything anywhere. I guess my original comment is borne from personal frustration at not having the money to buy a good bike for my boys, even to share, or a better bike for my aging body. I am doing something about it though and am trying to learn more mechanical skills off my own back
@@bikeradar That's why the LBS has had 3 of them sitting on the shop floor since before COVID, its not highly desirable at all and having ridden one, its average at best.
In what regard? 29s have been standard in xc for quite some time, and enduro has largely followed suit on the basis that they’re generally faster. I personally have a mullet and a 29er, and I’ve ridden several 27.5s. Not a world of difference between the two wheel sizes, and I find that people who say there is usually don’t have much of a basis for their opinion.
@@dkumagai30 I own a Polygon Siskiu T7 full suspension with 29 inch wheels. The bike is considerably slower than a 27.5 full suspension. Not a speedy bike at all. I use my hardtail for everyday commuting
@@Madbomber2024 I don’t know how you gather this data in a statistically significant fashion, but this flies in the face of professional racing. I’m not saying one is better than the other, but it’s well established that 29ers are faster when compared like for like.
Some bikes are very expensive, but there are still great budget bikes available! We've done several videos on cheaper bikes recently, check them out on the channel 😁
![TOP XC Hardtail Bikes 2024 [2]](/img/n.gif)
Would you buy a hardtail in 2024? Or are you a full-suspension-forever kind of rider?
I’m a hardtail forever kind of rider. The nice about hardtails is once you find the one with the right geometry for your riding area you do not have to replace it. You don’t have pivots or extra suspension pieces to wear out.
My Hardtail is the main bike. My full suspension trail bike, is only when its needed depending on the terrain and if I’m feeling soft that day. Hardtail’s for Hard Men💪
Happy riding hard tail , grew up riding them, no front suspension at the beginning, no doubt made us better riders . Check out the retro bike racers at races like Cannock winter classic, very aggressive and physical, like cyclo-cross I think.
For me The best Hardtail is Trek Procaliber 6 Red 😎 because it has everything good look, geometry, and Specs. All of it for just 1000 quid it's a Bargain 🥳. Site 99spokes have option to compare it to other bikes like Polygon, Marin, Cannondale, Dartmoor. None of these bikes come near in terms of Specs for money. 🙂
I love hardtails! Just not the plastic ones. Prefer steel but Alu and Ti is just fine.
Videos like this are a great example of what is wrong with the bike industry. £5000 hardtail frame... What a joke.
It's titanium, and they take twice as long to make vs.other titanium bikes due to the double pass welding. Moots is definitely a forever bike frame. Consider it an investment.
A Scott hardtail is 12500 euro. And thank god otherwise everyone would have them. The more expensive the better
The problem is that hardtails get a bad reputation as a cheap/starter bike. Modern hardtails have evolved and are way better now.
If you want good/high quality in anything you have to pay for it. And some people like me prefer their mountain bikes as hardtails over any full suspension. That said everyone has a different budget.
@@mikej1348 I have a good high quality carbon full suspension enduro bike and the entire thing cost less than that titanium frame. You are paying for a name and marketing buzz
@@ericbeech2652 Why not 1M$? 9kg titanium > 1M$....... madness.
Banshee Paradox all the way!!! 😃 🚴 💪
Please can we see some affordable bikes?
Trek Roscoe 6 or 7. Norco Fluid HT. Both awesome bikes that won't break the bank.
I’ll save you a video: Giant, Surly, Salsa, Cannondale. Affordable
Trek procaliber 8
There are no affordable bikes anymore
Prices are coming down. Depends on your budget.
Being a heavier rider at 6',2" and 250 lbs, I got the chromoly RSD Middle-Child. Same geometry as the Banshee Paradox and I didn't have to wait on a list for a year to get it. FANTASTIC frame. Mated with a bunch of parts I have accumulated over the years and I got a great bike. Suspension is fun but let's be honest, for most rides you are better off on a hardtail and do not really need full suspension. Makes you a better rider having a hardtail.
Just got a totally kitted out nukeproof scout off crc for 800 quid - down from 1900 & it rips. 4k + for a hardtail is straight up madness
That is a deal and a half!
@@bikeradar aye yer not wrong to be fair!
2021 BMC twostroke AL one. Got it down to 24 pounds with an alloy frame and midrange parts! Love that bike🔥
Same with a Specialized chisel, fork and wheel upgrade and 23.45 lb bike. Owes me less than 2k all in...
Both great bikes! Check out our video on the TwoStroke if you haven't already - th-cam.com/video/z_xTKw0R9YM/w-d-xo.html
@@gravelDavewhich wheels? I upgraded the fork but mine still weighs around 27lbs.
Built up a NukeProof Scout 27.5 last season and I love it! I only have one bike…
Still love my Ragley Bigwig, hasn't had much use recently, really need to change that!
Get that rig out to the trails!
I still have from about 2 years ago XL Merida Big Nine 200, punctured those MAXXIS tyres but replaced them with some Continental Raceking, they got thinner sidewall but feel rly fast and easy to ride.
Pro Caliber is a worthy add to Hot hard tails that go fast. The Roscoe is worthy of this list cause it's just too much fun. Cheers!
As someone who owns a Procal, it could use some updating 😅
Both nice bikes, the Marlin is a great starter bike too
is dartmoor available in UK? the hornet pro is a great AL HT
They don't appear to be anymore, but they always looked decent bikes in the CRC days!
@@bikeradar you should check them out, import one from poland or china whatever is cheapest
Massive fan of the ARC
Genuinely capable HT. The MBUK
Review was a bit contradictory so it was good to see it featured on this video.
Such a nice bike!
I raced xc on a 1990s Saracen Kili last weekend, steel is real and not that heavy in this case. I avoided the big drop offs but launched it through the single track ... 26" wheels and narrow bars still have their place in racing if the course is more old school and not akin to dh .
Result was crap as lost 10 mins due to snapped chain but still not last😂
Still rocking my Sworks HT
Nice, we remember the old aluminium M5 S-works frames!
I'll choose the Banshee Paradox over the Yeti ARC any day...
Funny how all these best hardtail mtb TH-cam posts are all elite brands that are unaffordable for everyday people who want to just get out there and ride.
I just put my Xizang circa 2012 back into service, think I’m living in the past but it’s enjoyable.
Love my Moots Womble! Such an awesome XC/Trail bike!
They are gloriously pretty!
Lot of MRP forks on display in this one - actually, with Pidcock's Axon, the Push on that Moots, and a jumble of SIDs, Pikes, 34s, and even an Xfusion McQueen on display on the Mason - I'd be interested to see a roundup review of all these 120-140 forks for trail hardtails. Since a lot of these are available frame-only and a hardtail really spotlights the fork performance it would be a valuable group test to see what forks are high-value.
We have exactly such a thing coming up later in the year, so make sure you don't miss out!
love my Yeti ARC!!! the best bike ever!!
Video starts at 4:10 & ends at 7:36
Both are very sick bikes!
I want a hardtail mtb for the forest and normal rides (no hardcore downhills) max. Budget is 1000€, any advice for me ? Cube aim slx is my favourite so far 🤔
Check out the Trek Marlin and Canyon Grand Canyon, both good bikes for the money and more up to date geometry wise than the Cube
Specialized Rockhopper Elite, is probably THE best hardtail at 1000euro.
I have the Marin El Roy and I personally love it
I'm getting Santa Cruz Chameleon because of it's versatility, geometry and lifetime warranty!
Its a very compelling package!
I have one of those - it is the carbon one from say 2019 / 2020. Still good to watch / read reviews to see what other options are out there, in terms of new bikes etc.
Love hardtails. All of the ones listed on the video are amazing. The prices have ballooned but what can you do. I am still on my old school 2012 Yeti bigtop 29er. Upgrading her to a 100mm fox 34SC fork and wider bars. Hopefully this keeps me from pulling the trigger on a new bike.
Those Big Tops were great looking bikes and its nice to see you're still running it! An angleset might help slacken it out a bit to keep with the times a bit more!
@@bikeradar Good idea! Might do that. Thanks!
Can you please reccomend a hardtail with around 150mm suspension for a heavy rider 120kg???
Steel would be a great choice, you don't mention wheelsize preference, but Cotic's BFe or similar might be worth a look for you!
@@bikeradar I would preffer 29, this cotic looks dope. Can you give few more alternatives?
@@hammerhead28 They do the BFeMAX as well which is full 29er. The Banshee Paradox in this video would also be a great shout!
Banshee Paradox V3!
I’ll keep my 2017 Honzo CR DL 🤘🏼
Those carbon Honzo's were gorgeous ❤️
I run a Pivot LES , however, very fragile for the rocks of Arizona
This Bikes r gorgeous while i'm here with my K2 frame lol
For me The best and Hottest Hardtail in 2024 is Trek Procaliber 6 Red 😎 because it has everything good look, geometry, and Specs. All of it for just 1000 quid it's a Bargain 🥳. Site 99spokes have option to compare it to other bikes like Polygon, Marin, Cannondale, Dartmoor. None of these bikes come near in terms of Specs for money 🙂
Its a good little bike for the money, and the main thing is you love it and that is all that matters!
Never succumbed to the mtb marketing push for dual suspension. Hardtails are where it’s at, grassroots!
Where is the nukeproof?
Ya'll are dummin' with these $9k hardtails, good luck selling them we're going into recession, already in one it's just lagging.
Best value hardtail has got to be planet x hello dave Sram gx axs steel 29er frame £1600
COMMENCAL META!
Lovely hardtails! And full sus bikes too 😉
The gt agessor pro should have been #1
Ozark Trail Ridge.
Interesting looking budget bike!
Trek Roscoe 9 is good price with good specs
Trek make some great hardtails for sure!
Ibis DV9 rocks
New merida big9 💯
Lesser known for the more traily hardtails, but they still make a great bike!
Nukeproof Scout 275
Great little bike, be interesting to see if they do a mullet one!
Big fan of the Santa Cruz Highball.
Great bike, kinda old school geometry but a rapid machine!
This list is clearly pandering to a very small minority of bikers, because the rest of us wouldn't pay those prices (especially for the last bike) even if it was a full sus.
I recently bought a hardtail! Steel frame with great components and with great geometry for under £1500, unlike some of the bikes in your video that would make you feel like going over the handlebars on a mild slope.
5 grand. No thanks. I'd rather build a bike for that. You can buy the best frame. Best wireless groupset. Best wireless dropper post. Best brakes. Best Suspension
Banshee.
I hope Moots pay their welders top dollar if charging that much for a kitted out bike.
Wtf hardtails over $4000 lol let's hear the justification for that... better fall from space with me on it and take the landing
Wow. And I thought road bikes were expensive.
Many bikes are expensive these days, but you can still get great budget bikes too if you that's what you want/need
moots cost more then my motorcycle...wow
Lazy pointless.reporting. Get out and ride a bike and do a proper review or don't bother. I have just bought a brand new frame to build up a bike for my 2 oldest boys to share. It cost me £110, an On One Scandal. The bike I build will use parts from my current hardtail and will cost probably another £100-200 in parts for a very cool, very lightweight modern trail capable and user friendly bike. What's more, it will grow with them, starting with 27.5"+ wheels and 120mm travel and going on to 29er / 140mm. I am seriously considering starting up a YT channel to show.people how to get the most from bikes and not to be duped by a lazy, greedy narrow minded industry which lacks ideas and real drive. Bike companies are out of touch. Most people who ride will spend less now to feed a hobby they like just as much after the pandemic, Brexit, etc as they did before it. Stupidly priced bikes will become rarer. If a new electric full susser from 2022 is not selling for sub £3K,, it is an indication of the current market. If bikes reduced by half aren't selling, its an indication of the market. Do something different and try to help younger riders get decent bang for their buck, put some bloody effort in.
You should start your own channel. Look forward to seeing what you make
yeah it wouldn't be as plushly edited but Id feelmit was helping people@@bikeradar
Yeah put your money were your mouth is 😂. The market is the market and that will dictate the cost of bikes. Many riders simply don’t want to upgrade their bikes whether you think they should or not. Stop being so Butt Hurt Frances 😅
@@deanemberley2333 I dont have the money to put anything anywhere. I guess my original comment is borne from personal frustration at not having the money to buy a good bike for my boys, even to share, or a better bike for my aging body. I am doing something about it though and am trying to learn more mechanical skills off my own back
ARC is expensive and quite long in the tooth, so many better options out there
It is arguably both of those things, but it is still very desirable. For some, the heritage, looks and brand mean more than cost or performance
@@bikeradar That's why the LBS has had 3 of them sitting on the shop floor since before COVID, its not highly desirable at all and having ridden one, its average at best.
I have a Yeti ARC and it is bada$$. Goes anywhere and is a ton of fun to ride. Always a bunch of Yeti haters out there.
These prices are a joke.
Got Banshee Enigma hardtail I feel the direction MTB are overpriced therefore the industry is going downhill
Please don't recommend a 29 inch wheel hardtail. 27.5 is better for speed
In what regard? 29s have been standard in xc for quite some time, and enduro has largely followed suit on the basis that they’re generally faster. I personally have a mullet and a 29er, and I’ve ridden several 27.5s. Not a world of difference between the two wheel sizes, and I find that people who say there is usually don’t have much of a basis for their opinion.
@@dkumagai30 29 inch wheels are usually thicker and heavier than 27.5
@@dkumagai30 I own a Polygon Siskiu T7 full suspension with 29 inch wheels. The bike is considerably slower than a 27.5 full suspension. Not a speedy bike at all. I use my hardtail for everyday commuting
@@Madbomber2024 I don’t know how you gather this data in a statistically significant fashion, but this flies in the face of professional racing. I’m not saying one is better than the other, but it’s well established that 29ers are faster when compared like for like.
the whole fucking industry is way overpriced
Some bikes are very expensive, but there are still great budget bikes available! We've done several videos on cheaper bikes recently, check them out on the channel 😁
@@bikeradar NOT REALLY
The real world please, no thanks