It all matters what’s the terrain you ride the most. Don’t think about the trails that are 4/5 hours away because you will barely get to ride those. The closest trails to me are very easy and flowy. Nothing chunky or super steep. A fullsus will erase all those bumps and I really like to feel the terrain under me. Sure there are some cases where a full sus would be better for but those moments are just a few. So for the most stuff i do a nice trail hardtail is all i need.
I live in the PNW, and my town is surrounded by mountains and very big hills (buttes) to ride around, and a hard tail wouldn't cut it for me. Sure, I have to drive one hour or two just to get to them, but the drive is worth it. Hard tails work great on trails like Phil's Trail (boaring), which is just a 10 too fifteen minute bike ride from my house, but riding a hard tail down Scottys Creek which is about an hour +drive out of town would be the worst. I'll take a full suspension over the latest long travel hard tail any day.
Enduro Steel Hardtail 4 life 😍 Makes Home Trails and other calmer trails more fun even tho I can shred black diamond trails. I wanna add that I love tech trails until it gets really chunky With that said, full sus are more suitable, when it gets really chunky with baby head rocks and carpets of roots! Even with a full sus, I doubt anyone has come to like riding that chunky stuff 😜 So I will stick to my humble Hardtail, because I can ride even the gnarliest trails I consider to ride and still have fun on my more calm home trails 🤙🏾
As a 55yr old dude who has been doing this sport since 1987 and still chooses to ride a hardtail as my one and only bike, I got a chuckle out of the title. Those that get it, get it and those that don't have never ridden a good hardtail.
totaly. I just built a new bike in 2022 and guess what it's a hardtail with a RockShox ZEB160mm. riding a hardtail makes you more conscious of the trail and not just rely on your rear suspension to compensate for your mistake (wrong line choice, casing, not perfectly timed hop). but a dropper post is a must on all Hardtail.
I’m with you! Been riding hardtails since they were called MTB’s and suspension was a futuristic idea! I still forget to turn the front shock after a climb! 😂
I really don’t want to live in a world where hardtails are dead. An XC hardtail is one of the most versatile designs ever created in cycling history. Look around: you can see commuters, trail riders, XC racers, gravel riders, bikepackers, tourers etc. All riding XC bikes. The term “mountain bike” can mean so many different things to people, and because of this, I don’t think the hardtail will ever die. Actually, I think we are very close to having a renaissance of XC hardtails as gravel bikes are getting ridiculously close to them in evolution :)
im a hardtail enthusiast. The main attraction for me is once all of your components are up to the standard that you want then all you have to do is buy a new frame and you have a new bike providing you get the same fitments of headset etc which most manufacturers are standardising now, typically hardtail frames range between £400-£700 compared to full sus starting at £1500 upwards. Riding hardtails gives you low cost variety.
Great point! It's definitely harder than it used to be, but I did just this four times with my first custom hardtail. Went from a Kinesis, to an OnOne, to a Stanton and then finally Cotic, all with the same (well mostly, it evolved over the years!) bits and pieces! Glad you liked the video! Tom
Just did this. Decided I needed to update my frame from classic XC to more of a trail spec'd ride. Just swapped over all my high end kits to budget bike with great frame and fork. Could not be happier.
Specialized Epic and Rockhopper owner here, I see hardtails as the most efficient way to pedal, maintain, and upgrade your bike. I don't think I'll ever own a full suspension rig because I value simplicity and efficiency above all else, (especially something I have to propel) and there's nothing better for that than a hardtail when you're talking mtn bikes. Don't count them out yet!!
If you ride Dh and enduro get a full suspension...if you ride mild enduro,xc and a bit of road,get an aggressive hardtail.If you got the money get both and apply the n+1 rule to get a proper bike for every discipline you ride.
One of the reasons given for how full suspensions are better is the EXACT reason hardtails will never die. Full suspensions are a world's away from the simple shocks of yesteryear. They're too damn complex. Hardtails are easy to maintain. Not everyone wants to deal with bushings and linkage. Especially in places with harsh winters. Full suspension tools and parts may be cheaper, but theyll NEVER be cheaper than the cost of rear parts for a hardtail. Wait, hardtails don't have rear parts? Exactly. Cheaper is still more expensive than no cost at all.
48 and when i started mountain biking my first bike was a Kona Firemountain...I loved the idea always of being able to ride a simple machine across gnarly terrain in the peak district or anywhere... The essense of mountain biking to me is relatively simple tech, and using your fitness and body to absorb the impact, and skill to manoeuvre the bike.. It also taught me how to ride..I spent 2 weeks in French alps with BikeVillagr holidays doing epic day long rides down pretty technical trails fully rigid in 2001 and only at that point I realised that 100 mm firk up front would allow me to keep control of tge bars without falling off and breaking my elbows... 120mm fork and discs is perfect...I loved and still do ride a steel On-One, and likely my next bike will be a Curtis, Planet X or Cotic. The BMX style geometry , basically a big BMX with gears is just epic... Now...I recently tried a full suspension. And sure, it made things very easy and controllable so i see the benefit if you really want to ride massive rocks, drops bike parks n stuff...But i just dont see the point unless you're competing. If you want to ride that sh#t, just forget biking and go ride a motocrocross motorbike...You can smash you ribs and face in all day long like that. I'd rather just ride SLIGHTLY less extreme terrain, with less risk, have the same, if not MORE fun going a bit slower and less risk (i e had enough broken wrists, gashes and a pin in my left elbow thanks...!) save a sh#t load of money, less complexity, i.e. less parts to go broken, not have to go miles for a decently challenging track AND i burn more calories and make my body more capable/ fit... So in conclusion Ill stick with hardtails, save a wad of cash and get fitter in the process, while my 20-30 year old compadres wheeze their way up hill and fiddle with their linkages and electric batteries😅
Nope. Been riding hardtail rigs since the dawn of MTB. Just bought another one this past month. I ditched the gears too a few years ago and I have never looked back. Cheap, light, minimal maintenance, and most of all just fun. Having a blast and staying in great shape.
I recently got a Nukeproof Scout. That thing RIPS on XC and downhill jump trails. I’m simply smitten. I do plan to eventually get a full sus to have in addition to my HT. But for now I’m more than happy with my single bike .
so many people are overbiked with 140-160mm bikes for xc trails and people on e-bikes bemoaning the fact that the local xc loop is dull and boring - reality is on a nicely sorted hardtail, you'll re-discover the joy of a simple bike, charging through the woods.
Horses for courses. There are still many easier, pedally trails out there for which a hardtail is more fun. Overbiking is less fun than underbiking. As someone who does everything but prefers to pedal long distances over seeking out super gnarly stuff, while I don't think a hardtail could be my only mountain bike it is nice to have one in the stable.
I went back to a HT from FS... had a 2018 Stumpy Evo and now ride Norco Torrent. With the advent of the 'aggressive' geo, evolution of components, and incredibly tunable, supportive, long legged fork... you get all the stability and capability to ride DOWN just about anything. Just much more reliance on rider Ability. With the same things that contribute to making an FS great, is probably even more pronounced for a HT... Good tunable compression and progressitivity on the forks, strength of modern brakes, quality tire casings, tread and inserts. Also, even though my bike ain't light, nor would any long/slack/steep steel HT, I really enjoy the climbing as it is incredibly effecient. You never feel like there is any waste, though you do have to work harder at body positioning on tech. All I can say is... I have a steel DJ and a steel HT and Steel is real and hardtails have made me a better rider.
Also I do want to add... FS provides rider forgiveness - talent and error. Not saying you should ride a HT at rampage or darkfest, but you can't tell me that a FS would make up for a competitive 4x rider's mistake or lack of talent, like it does for most recreational rider.
Mountain bikes have reached significant evolution in the past couple of years. I recently bought a hardtail 29er. Cross country but most significantly bike packing friendly were the main reasons for choosing this bike. We also don't have that many downhill location options where I live. I also have a rigid hybrid on gravel tyres. Mostly it's about your intended use
Although it is true we are seeing more and more new full suspension mtn bikes in the mountains, a true hardtail riders will hang onto their hardtail bikes. Now, most full suspension bikes are all on a major sale. Thus, a deal on a full sus bike is the best deal going on now.
I've been riding road bikes for all of my adult life and wanted to do more offroad riding. I figured a gravel bike would be too similar to a roadie and an xc hardtail would be far more versatile. In the end I chose a Specialized Chisel and couldn't be happier. I used Lee McCormack's RAD measurement to find my size and I can already tell the bike is far more capable than I am. Being a HT it feels great while pedalling but can handle itself on reasonable techy stuff so long as its not too steep or you're not going too fast. Perfect for helping me develop my skills. Maybe I'll opt for a full sus in future but the low cost of entry and cheap/ easy maintenance is a plus for me right now.
Sounds like a perfect fit for you! Has a half way house between a road bike and a full suspension bike, a hardtail is great. Not everyone can have more than one bike, but if we could a road bike, hardtail and a mid-travel full suspension bike would be a great little collection
With prices for a good full suspension bike getting closer to that of e-bikes, surely its full suspension bikes that are in danger. Hardtails are a different and significantly cheaper option whereas someone who wants a full suspension bike would surely be tempted by an e-bike for a similar price.
Hmm, PFP did the XCC & XCO World Championship double again on a Hardtail, Loana Lecomte won a XCO World Cup on one, and so did Mona Mitterwallner...... They're more than capable enough.
The low weight and incredibly efficient power transfer are benefits difficult for top XC racers to ignore ... ~ Will
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I just built up a new TransAM, I'm going back to my hardtrail roots! Love it! Simple, fun, and it's always fun to hit the same line as the big squishy bikes, and see looks on peoples face like "you're nuts riding that thing here!"
Have both full sqish and hardtail, love my steel trail hardtail, with 2,6 tires, but it takes more effort, as I only sit lightly, and hover pedalling over roots and uneven terrain 😍🤘
Hardtails will always be around until the end of time. They can be a cheap entry to biking and for some it's all they want. I ride HT and FS. Getting older means I need a bit of comfort. Long rides it's the FS for me.
The cost argument is a great one: Cheaper to buy, less moving parts, less maintenance and complexity! But the comfort of a full-sus is hard to miss out on! ~ Will
“Ownership costs” is a term for cars, not for bicycles. A friend paid almost £300 to service her full sus bike. My 23 yr old Lotus Elise costs almost the same to service.
Handrails will outlast the suspension bike, two of the very best female xco racers have been running hard trails last half of the year , the fact any channel wants to chat about things like are hardtails dead is embarrassing to say the least 🤦
As long as proper XC is still a thing, so to will hardtail be. 95% of my riding in England is done on my 100mm Bianchi Methanol. For most scenarios it is all the bike you could ever need. Unless they can make a full-sus weigh 9kg, then it's a nope from me.
Prefering rather sporty XC-ish riding up to 2 hours on my local rather natural trails with no big jumps or rockgardens I am considering a "downcountry" HT as my next bike. As for the moment Yeti ARC and Merida Big Nine 8000 TR (2024) are my favourites. Keep on posting hardtail riding videos, please
I have two hardtails (a 2007 GT 26er and 2017 Boardman 29er) and a full suss (2020 Calibre Triple B= bloody heavyweight) and, for what I do = muddy flat bridleways, the hardtails always win as they're quicker....They won't die for people on a budget....it'd be a shame if they did... I started on a fully rigid Kona back in 1992, so am a tad drawn towards the humble hardtail......I can, however, see the benefits of a full suss eBike for an old man such as myself at 60 years old......Was on a walking weekend in the Peak District last month and it was full suss eBike overload.....That's the sort of terrain I'd be using a full susser.....You don't exactly need one in the flatlands of NW Cambridgeshire..... Great vid as always.....
This title is fish bait! The hardtail will never die and @bikeradar knows it! I own both a Upgraded 140F/120R Giant Trance Full Sus and a 120F BMC two stroke AL 1 hardtail (same one in a previous BR video but red), and enjoy both bikes equally but for different purposes, Full Sus for Trail riding and more rugged terrain and XC hardtail for cross country style riding and racing (Gravel/Green/Blue trails). The hardtail will always be in my stable!😤
The title got you to comment though 😉 We do think that despite the arguments for the death of the hardtail, they'll still be around yet. It's great to see they still have so much love in these comments!
I get what your trying to say. But it’s the exact opposite in Real time. bike brands ALL have a aggressive trail hardtail or XC hardtail in there lineup. The hardtail will NEVER die.
Well i still remember me, thinking all the disadvantages of a full suspension MTB...after riding it ( was 26" inches wheel) i had never found anything bad apart from maintenance. My next Generation MTB also solve this issue, no special tools, just hands 🙂! There absolutely no reason for a Hardtail. Got many friends that are still on HT for weight, but even them, they are now switching to FS, and they all say! Wow 🙂 why i was riding a HT 😂.
Well I have a titanium and a carbon fiber mountain bike. Both hardtail. I don’t even like full suspension. Took my full suspension apart to use some of the parts. This title is funny though.
Most , indeed the vast majority of people that use bikes never go anywhere near a ' mountain ' ? As a child we mostly start of on rigid, might progress to BMX then a hardtail ,hybrid or gravel or road bike all have limited suspension. So even of full on mountain bikers might want full sus , most indeed the vast majority of bikers won't bother . So no the death of the hardtail is not imminent.
Because hardtails are objectively better. Those super aggro gravel bikes are meant to be taken further off road and the rougher the terrain the more the shortcomings of drop bars become apparent. Meanwhile it's easy to install aero bars or inner bar ends on a hardtail to get the aero position gravel bikes have if you ride it on pavement, so that weakness becomes moot
Dead in the tiny mind's of the cutting-edge conformists who can't help but follow the herd maybe. I ride a 3" HT, a 6" HT and a 7" FS, each are very good at different things. But as most of the terrain I ride has barely changed since before bicycles were even invented how is one or the other "dead"? (Oh yeah, all have 26" wheels, Jesus wept..) Competition is the obvious exception as every little advantage counts, but there's no mention of that here.
Not a fan especially at high speeds on gnar, but I do like the simplicity especially as a winter bike. They do nothing better than FS… 99% of XC pros race FS. That said, they will always have a place as it’s a great budget option.
I call BS! A hardtail will always be lighter! Always pedal more efficiently, and will always be more well rounded.. gravel, commuter, pump track, dirt jump and more… not to mention you get much more Respect on the trail bombing down a Enduro/downhill track using a hardtail! The hardtail will never die! “Yes I have both a Trail bike Full SUS and a XC hardtail, and enjoy both equally for different purposes”
@@joshuaallswang8016go watch any mens, womens XC/XO race. FS rule and are simply faster and less fatiguing than HT. Maybe 5 years ago I would agree, but FS are so much better now and are making HTs extinct on the World Cup race circuit.
@@frienduro24Bro did you not hear the bike radar guy? An XC race was just WON recently on a hardtail. Not to mention 75% of the XC racers still use hardtails depending on the course conditions, if it’s smoother and less technical, A hardtail will dominate any day of the week! The full sus will NEVER be more efficient then a hardtail! Period.. and I’m not just blowing smoke 💨 I own a short travel full sus 140F/120R trail bike currently at 30 pounds and a XC hardtail at 24 pounds, and I’m way faster on the climbs and flats using my hardtail. Of course the full sus is better on technical decents and jumps, but they BOTH have there place.
Hardtails are going nowhere, you bozo's just like to showcase bike's you like to ride and most people can't afford. I watch this chanel for everything but bike reviews.
This isn't a review, just a discussion. While we do think there are some great arguments for more people choosing full suspension bikes, the hardtail is still a great way to get out on the bike! Sure we do like the higher-end bikes we're fortunate enough to ride, but we love budget bikes just as much!
Blah,blah,blah.Tomorrow I'm going out on my singlespeed rigid fork hardtail.Oh and it's made of steel.The same questions,debates and Bull goes round and round .
What are your thoughts on the humble hardtail?
It all matters what’s the terrain you ride the most. Don’t think about the trails that are 4/5 hours away because you will barely get to ride those. The closest trails to me are very easy and flowy. Nothing chunky or super steep. A fullsus will erase all those bumps and I really like to feel the terrain under me. Sure there are some cases where a full sus would be better for but those moments are just a few. So for the most stuff i do a nice trail hardtail is all i need.
I live in the PNW, and my town is surrounded by mountains and very big hills (buttes) to ride around, and a hard tail wouldn't cut it for me. Sure, I have to drive one hour or two just to get to them, but the drive is worth it. Hard tails work great on trails like Phil's Trail (boaring), which is just a 10 too fifteen minute bike ride from my house, but riding a hard tail down Scottys Creek which is about an hour +drive out of town would be the worst. I'll take a full suspension over the latest long travel hard tail any day.
I don’t think it’s going anywhere , always see kids about on hardtail bikes
Enduro Steel Hardtail 4 life 😍 Makes Home Trails and other calmer trails more fun even tho I can shred black diamond trails. I wanna add that I love tech trails until it gets really chunky
With that said, full sus are more suitable, when it gets really chunky with baby head rocks and carpets of roots! Even with a full sus, I doubt anyone has come to like riding that chunky stuff 😜
So I will stick to my humble Hardtail, because I can ride even the gnarliest trails I consider to ride and still have fun on my more calm home trails 🤙🏾
@@woduk watch HardtailParty’s 95% percent rule video. It will change the way you look at hardtails.
As a 55yr old dude who has been doing this sport since 1987 and still chooses to ride a hardtail as my one and only bike, I got a chuckle out of the title. Those that get it, get it and those that don't have never ridden a good hardtail.
If you know, you know 😉🙌🏽
100%
totaly. I just built a new bike in 2022 and guess what it's a hardtail with a RockShox ZEB160mm. riding a hardtail makes you more conscious of the trail and not just rely on your rear suspension to compensate for your mistake (wrong line choice, casing, not perfectly timed hop). but a dropper post is a must on all Hardtail.
What model u got sir?
I’m with you! Been riding hardtails since they were called MTB’s and suspension was a futuristic idea! I still forget to turn the front shock after a climb! 😂
I really don’t want to live in a world where hardtails are dead. An XC hardtail is one of the most versatile designs ever created in cycling history. Look around: you can see commuters, trail riders, XC racers, gravel riders, bikepackers, tourers etc. All riding XC bikes. The term “mountain bike” can mean so many different things to people, and because of this, I don’t think the hardtail will ever die. Actually, I think we are very close to having a renaissance of XC hardtails as gravel bikes are getting ridiculously close to them in evolution :)
Right on, commuter bike, gravel bike, bike packing bike and trail bike, can't beat it.
Thanks for your comment: Hardtail's sure are versatile!
Gravel bikes are evolving into mountain bikes, and mountain bikes are evolving into electric dirt bikes.
Exactly. The flexibility of a good hardtail is hard to beat. Jack of all trades and a simple wheel swap will let you go anywhere.
the hardtail will never die
im a hardtail enthusiast. The main attraction for me is once all of your components are up to the standard that you want then all you have to do is buy a new frame and you have a new bike providing you get the same fitments of headset etc which most manufacturers are standardising now, typically hardtail frames range between £400-£700 compared to full sus starting at £1500 upwards. Riding hardtails gives you low cost variety.
Great point! It's definitely harder than it used to be, but I did just this four times with my first custom hardtail. Went from a Kinesis, to an OnOne, to a Stanton and then finally Cotic, all with the same (well mostly, it evolved over the years!) bits and pieces!
Glad you liked the video!
Tom
Just did this. Decided I needed to update my frame from classic XC to more of a trail spec'd ride. Just swapped over all my high end kits to budget bike with great frame and fork. Could not be happier.
What a fluff piece of a vid. The hardtail will never die
72 y.o. just got my 3rd hardtail. Cheap, functional, durable & versatile.
A modern geo / light hardtail is next on my want list
Specialized Epic and Rockhopper owner here, I see hardtails as the most efficient way to pedal, maintain, and upgrade your bike. I don't think I'll ever own a full suspension rig because I value simplicity and efficiency above all else, (especially something I have to propel) and there's nothing better for that than a hardtail when you're talking mtn bikes. Don't count them out yet!!
For sure, some great points!
If you ride Dh and enduro get a full suspension...if you ride mild enduro,xc and a bit of road,get an aggressive hardtail.If you got the money get both and apply the n+1 rule to get a proper bike for every discipline you ride.
One of the reasons given for how full suspensions are better is the EXACT reason hardtails will never die.
Full suspensions are a world's away from the simple shocks of yesteryear. They're too damn complex. Hardtails are easy to maintain. Not everyone wants to deal with bushings and linkage. Especially in places with harsh winters.
Full suspension tools and parts may be cheaper, but theyll NEVER be cheaper than the cost of rear parts for a hardtail. Wait, hardtails don't have rear parts? Exactly. Cheaper is still more expensive than no cost at all.
That's certainly a compelling argument! Zero rear suspension and linkage servicing costs sounds almost too good to be true!
~ Will
48 and when i started mountain biking my first bike was a Kona Firemountain...I loved the idea always of being able to ride a simple machine across gnarly terrain in the peak district or anywhere... The essense of mountain biking to me is relatively simple tech, and using your fitness and body to absorb the impact, and skill to manoeuvre the bike.. It also taught me how to ride..I spent 2 weeks in French alps with BikeVillagr holidays doing epic day long rides down pretty technical trails fully rigid in 2001 and only at that point I realised that 100 mm firk up front would allow me to keep control of tge bars without falling off and breaking my elbows... 120mm fork and discs is perfect...I loved and still do ride a steel On-One, and likely my next bike will be a Curtis, Planet X or Cotic. The BMX style geometry , basically a big BMX with gears is just epic...
Now...I recently tried a full suspension. And sure, it made things very easy and controllable so i see the benefit if you really want to ride massive rocks, drops bike parks n stuff...But i just dont see the point unless you're competing.
If you want to ride that sh#t, just forget biking and go ride a motocrocross motorbike...You can smash you ribs and face in all day long like that. I'd rather just ride SLIGHTLY less extreme terrain, with less risk, have the same, if not MORE fun going a bit slower and less risk (i e had enough broken wrists, gashes and a pin in my left elbow thanks...!) save a sh#t load of money, less complexity, i.e. less parts to go broken, not have to go miles for a decently challenging track AND i burn more calories and make my body more capable/ fit...
So in conclusion
Ill stick with hardtails, save a wad of cash and get fitter in the process, while my 20-30 year old compadres wheeze their way up hill and fiddle with their linkages and electric batteries😅
Nope. Been riding hardtail rigs since the dawn of MTB. Just bought another one this past month. I ditched the gears too a few years ago and I have never looked back. Cheap, light, minimal maintenance, and most of all just fun. Having a blast and staying in great shape.
I recently got a Nukeproof Scout. That thing RIPS on XC and downhill jump trails. I’m simply smitten. I do plan to eventually get a full sus to have in addition to my HT. But for now I’m more than happy with my single bike .
so many people are overbiked with 140-160mm bikes for xc trails and people on e-bikes bemoaning the fact that the local xc loop is dull and boring - reality is on a nicely sorted hardtail, you'll re-discover the joy of a simple bike, charging through the woods.
That's a great point Shaun. Riders have to be that bit more precise and react more quickly when riding a hardtail!
~ Will
My rigid single speed is alive and thriving. Thank you very much!!!
That's a hardcore setup! 😎
~ Will
29er hard tail is the answer to all of life’s problems😉 I love mine and don’t really need a FS bike for the type of off road riding i do.
Horses for courses. There are still many easier, pedally trails out there for which a hardtail is more fun. Overbiking is less fun than underbiking. As someone who does everything but prefers to pedal long distances over seeking out super gnarly stuff, while I don't think a hardtail could be my only mountain bike it is nice to have one in the stable.
That's a good summary! In the n+1 bike stable there's always room for a hardtail!
~ Will
The hardtail will never die.
They still have their place and plenty of fans!
I went back to a HT from FS... had a 2018 Stumpy Evo and now ride Norco Torrent. With the advent of the 'aggressive' geo, evolution of components, and incredibly tunable, supportive, long legged fork... you get all the stability and capability to ride DOWN just about anything. Just much more reliance on rider Ability.
With the same things that contribute to making an FS great, is probably even more pronounced for a HT... Good tunable compression and progressitivity on the forks, strength of modern brakes, quality tire casings, tread and inserts.
Also, even though my bike ain't light, nor would any long/slack/steep steel HT, I really enjoy the climbing as it is incredibly effecient. You never feel like there is any waste, though you do have to work harder at body positioning on tech.
All I can say is... I have a steel DJ and a steel HT and Steel is real and hardtails have made me a better rider.
Also I do want to add... FS provides rider forgiveness - talent and error.
Not saying you should ride a HT at rampage or darkfest, but you can't tell me that a FS would make up for a competitive 4x rider's mistake or lack of talent, like it does for most recreational rider.
We do love a proper aggro steel hardtail 🤘 Tom's ridden a slightly less aggro Fairlight Holt recently and really, really enjoyed it! 🤯
Mountain bikes have reached significant evolution in the past couple of years. I recently bought a hardtail 29er. Cross country but most significantly bike packing friendly were the main reasons for choosing this bike. We also don't have that many downhill location options where I live. I also have a rigid hybrid on gravel tyres. Mostly it's about your intended use
We totally agree! It's horses for courses and there are plenty of great applications for hardtail frames!
~ Will
Although it is true we are seeing more and more new full suspension mtn bikes in the mountains, a true hardtail riders will hang onto their hardtail bikes. Now, most full suspension bikes are all on a major sale. Thus, a deal on a full sus bike is the best deal going on now.
I've been riding road bikes for all of my adult life and wanted to do more offroad riding. I figured a gravel bike would be too similar to a roadie and an xc hardtail would be far more versatile. In the end I chose a Specialized Chisel and couldn't be happier. I used Lee McCormack's RAD measurement to find my size and I can already tell the bike is far more capable than I am. Being a HT it feels great while pedalling but can handle itself on reasonable techy stuff so long as its not too steep or you're not going too fast. Perfect for helping me develop my skills. Maybe I'll opt for a full sus in future but the low cost of entry and cheap/ easy maintenance is a plus for me right now.
Sounds like a perfect fit for you! Has a half way house between a road bike and a full suspension bike, a hardtail is great.
Not everyone can have more than one bike, but if we could a road bike, hardtail and a mid-travel full suspension bike would be a great little collection
I’ve recently built one up. Great fun for UK riding.
With prices for a good full suspension bike getting closer to that of e-bikes, surely its full suspension bikes that are in danger. Hardtails are a different and significantly cheaper option whereas someone who wants a full suspension bike would surely be tempted by an e-bike for a similar price.
Hmm, PFP did the XCC & XCO World Championship double again on a Hardtail, Loana Lecomte won a XCO World Cup on one, and so did Mona Mitterwallner......
They're more than capable enough.
Yep, Pauline is just one example, you're right, they still have a place!
As a current xc hardtail Owner they are plenty of Fun and i love the way they ride
After this, Tom rode another hardtail on our local XC loop and had a surprising amount of fun on it!
I have both a steel hardtail and a nice Fuel Ex, and have not touched the Fuel EX in years. I grew up with hardtails and it just feels good to me
Steel would be Tom's choice for a hardtail for sure 🤘Are both the same wheelsize?
yes, they are. And the other antique quality about me is that I still enjoy 27.5 @@bikeradar
Loana Lecomte has also been using a hardtail successfully this year.
The low weight and incredibly efficient power transfer are benefits difficult for top XC racers to ignore ...
~ Will
I just built up a new TransAM, I'm going back to my hardtrail roots! Love it! Simple, fun, and it's always fun to hit the same line as the big squishy bikes, and see looks on peoples face like "you're nuts riding that thing here!"
loving my meta ht. very trusty. need it cause the fullsuspension bike breaks a lot
Have both full sqish and hardtail, love my steel trail hardtail, with 2,6 tires, but it takes more effort, as I only sit lightly, and hover pedalling over roots and uneven terrain 😍🤘
Having the option of both is so nice to have! 🤘
I have a Paradox V3 with a Pike Ultimate 150mm and XR4 2.40 both front and rear. Best bike i have ever had.
Sounds like a sick little rig!
The hard tail has its place,always will in my opinion
For sure, they might get less and less common, but they'll be around in one form or another
A lot of my rides at the moment tend to be from work or local which a full suspension is overkill.
For sure, on some terrain, a hardtail can be more fun and less effort!
Hardtails will always be around until the end of time. They can be a cheap entry to biking and for some it's all they want. I ride HT and FS. Getting older means I need a bit of comfort. Long rides it's the FS for me.
The cost argument is a great one: Cheaper to buy, less moving parts, less maintenance and complexity! But the comfort of a full-sus is hard to miss out on!
~ Will
I ride hardtail 95% of the time because my Fox X2 rear shock is always torn apart being rebuilt
They do seem to have their issues, but hopefully they can sort you out!
27.5 Hardtails are the best MTB`s ever!!!!!
It will never die. Its the heart of Mtb
Cant put my hardtail down at the moment! Love the trail feel! ❤️
I have both a FS & HT and if I had to pick just one it would definitely be the HT.
U'r troling bro...HT will never die..
“Ownership costs” is a term for cars, not for bicycles. A friend paid almost £300 to service her full sus bike. My 23 yr old Lotus Elise costs almost the same to service.
That's a cheap service on an Elise! Lovely cars 😍 Tom's dream track day car is an Exige
Handrails will outlast the suspension bike, two of the very best female xco racers have been running hard trails last half of the year , the fact any channel wants to chat about things like are hardtails dead is embarrassing to say the least 🤦
Trek has the marlin, roscoe, X-caliber, and the procaliber. Not going, it seems.
There's some great hardtails out there on sale, from manufacturers big and small!
~ Will
As long as proper XC is still a thing, so to will hardtail be. 95% of my riding in England is done on my 100mm Bianchi Methanol. For most scenarios it is all the bike you could ever need. Unless they can make a full-sus weigh 9kg, then it's a nope from me.
Prefering rather sporty XC-ish riding up to 2 hours on my local rather natural trails with no big jumps or rockgardens I am considering a "downcountry" HT as my next bike. As for the moment Yeti ARC and Merida Big Nine 8000 TR (2024) are my favourites. Keep on posting hardtail riding videos, please
Find myself in the same place. A lively hardtail on 45 minute to 1 hour blasts pushing at 110% are perfect for me.
I can never concentrate on what Tom says with his arms flaling around haha
We have told him he needs to sit on his hands 😂
I have two hardtails (a 2007 GT 26er and 2017 Boardman 29er) and a full suss (2020 Calibre Triple B= bloody heavyweight) and, for what I do = muddy flat bridleways, the hardtails always win as they're quicker....They won't die for people on a budget....it'd be a shame if they did...
I started on a fully rigid Kona back in 1992, so am a tad drawn towards the humble hardtail......I can, however, see the benefits of a full suss eBike for an old man such as myself at 60 years old......Was on a walking weekend in the Peak District last month and it was full suss eBike overload.....That's the sort of terrain I'd be using a full susser.....You don't exactly need one in the flatlands of NW Cambridgeshire.....
Great vid as always.....
We have more choice than ever and it's awesome! And we do think the hardtail has it's fans for good reason!
Glad you enjoyed the video!
At my skill level, the last thing I need is a bike that makes me go faster than I realize. My hardtail keeps me reality-based.
Tom basically uses full suspension bikes as a skill compensator 😂 He does like a good hardtail though!
This title is fish bait! The hardtail will never die and @bikeradar knows it! I own both a Upgraded 140F/120R Giant Trance Full Sus and a 120F BMC two stroke AL 1 hardtail (same one in a previous BR video but red), and enjoy both bikes equally but for different purposes, Full Sus for Trail riding and more rugged terrain and XC hardtail for cross country style riding and racing (Gravel/Green/Blue trails). The hardtail will always be in my stable!😤
The title got you to comment though 😉
We do think that despite the arguments for the death of the hardtail, they'll still be around yet.
It's great to see they still have so much love in these comments!
I just bought a Trek Roscoe 9 to replace my Marlin 8. Hardtails are far from dead.
It's dead. The Industry cannot push unneeded pricey crap on the limited hardtail market.
I get what your trying to say. But it’s the exact opposite in Real time. bike brands ALL have a aggressive trail hardtail or XC hardtail in there lineup. The hardtail will NEVER die.
Well i still remember me, thinking all the disadvantages of a full suspension MTB...after riding it ( was 26" inches wheel) i had never found anything bad apart from maintenance. My next Generation MTB also solve this issue, no special tools, just hands 🙂! There absolutely no reason for a Hardtail. Got many friends that are still on HT for weight, but even them, they are now switching to FS, and they all say! Wow 🙂 why i was riding a HT 😂.
There is a big difference between them when you ride! Neither are right or wrong, but they sure are different!
My one bike quiver consists of a Kona Unit set up as a rigid single speed.
In the Netherlands plenty of people still ride hardtails
They definitely still have their place for many riders and locations!
Well I have a titanium and a carbon fiber mountain bike. Both hardtail.
I don’t even like full suspension. Took my full suspension apart to use some of the parts.
This title is funny though.
Glad you like the title!
Say that to my face while i am on my beloved Pole Taival!.... Or my Trek Procaliber... Or my Last Fastforward....
That is an awesome collection!
“Hardtails are dead”. Meanwhile 85% bikes you see everywhere are hardtails 😂
You do see a lot on the trail, though full suspension eMTBs are catching up! 😳
Been talking about the death of the hardtail for 25 years. Still here
The debate that will never die. Just like hardtails 🤘
Kona unit X - my only bike!!
Hardcore hardtail 🤘🔥🤘
R/hardtailgang
Hard tail and no electric is fine for me 👍
Keep it simple! 🤘
Cotic Solaris max for me 🚵♂️👌🏻
Long live the hardtail 🤘🏻
Most , indeed the vast majority of people that use bikes never go anywhere near a ' mountain ' ? As a child we mostly start of on rigid, might progress to BMX then a hardtail ,hybrid or gravel or road bike all have limited suspension. So even of full on mountain bikers might want full sus , most indeed the vast majority of bikers won't bother .
So no the death of the hardtail is not imminent.
Y hardtail if u have superaggro gravel/adventure bikes.
Because hardtails are objectively better. Those super aggro gravel bikes are meant to be taken further off road and the rougher the terrain the more the shortcomings of drop bars become apparent. Meanwhile it's easy to install aero bars or inner bar ends on a hardtail to get the aero position gravel bikes have if you ride it on pavement, so that weakness becomes moot
they've morphed into gravel bikes LOL
Do not tell Tom Marvin this!!
Never...
❤ Identiti AKA ❤
Hardtails forever...
Dead in the tiny mind's of the cutting-edge conformists who can't help but follow the herd maybe.
I ride a 3" HT, a 6" HT and a 7" FS, each are very good at different things. But as most of the terrain I ride has barely changed since before bicycles were even invented how is one or the other "dead"? (Oh yeah, all have 26" wheels, Jesus wept..)
Competition is the obvious exception as every little advantage counts, but there's no mention of that here.
I actually prefer a hardtail, and with the new economic crisis provided by our goverments more that ever, even without front suspension.
always hardtail!
If you need a full suspension,well ,I am sorry you can ride🤷
Not a fan especially at high speeds on gnar, but I do like the simplicity especially as a winter bike.
They do nothing better than FS… 99% of XC pros race FS. That said, they will always have a place as it’s a great budget option.
I call BS! A hardtail will always be lighter! Always pedal more efficiently, and will always be more well rounded.. gravel, commuter, pump track, dirt jump and more… not to mention you get much more Respect on the trail bombing down a Enduro/downhill track using a hardtail! The hardtail will never die! “Yes I have both a Trail bike Full SUS and a XC hardtail, and enjoy both equally for different purposes”
@@joshuaallswang8016go watch any mens, womens XC/XO race. FS rule and are simply faster and less fatiguing than HT.
Maybe 5 years ago I would agree, but FS are so much better now and are making HTs extinct on the World Cup race circuit.
@@frienduro24Bro did you not hear the bike radar guy? An XC race was just WON recently on a hardtail. Not to mention 75% of the XC racers still use hardtails depending on the course conditions, if it’s smoother and less technical, A hardtail will dominate any day of the week! The full sus will NEVER be more efficient then a hardtail! Period.. and I’m not just blowing smoke 💨 I own a short travel full sus 140F/120R trail bike currently at 30 pounds and a XC hardtail at 24 pounds, and I’m way faster on the climbs and flats using my hardtail. Of course the full sus is better on technical decents and jumps, but they BOTH have there place.
All solid points, FS bikes have their pros and cons, so do hardtails, we can still get both, so everyone wins!
Hardtails are going nowhere, you bozo's just like to showcase bike's you like to ride and most people can't afford. I watch this chanel for everything but bike reviews.
This isn't a review, just a discussion.
While we do think there are some great arguments for more people choosing full suspension bikes, the hardtail is still a great way to get out on the bike!
Sure we do like the higher-end bikes we're fortunate enough to ride, but we love budget bikes just as much!
Nonsense! Maybe you can’t find anycontent ✌️😂
I do know what is dead, this whole TH-cam narrative that hardtails even went away let alone dead..I get it CLICK BAIT HAPPENS.
Made you click though didn't it 😉
The amount of copium
Blah,blah,blah.Tomorrow I'm going out on my singlespeed rigid fork hardtail.Oh and it's made of steel.The same questions,debates and Bull goes round and round .
Nope
Narp!
First
Congrats have a million bikeradar points!! ⭐️
the hardtail its Immortal!...
Mountain biking is dead 😅