Mountain Biking - Hardtails Are They Out?

the q's ive heard lately on the subject of hard tail moutain bikes is, are they fading away? in my opinion yes but for trail riding (which is what i do most) hard tails are for the extreme mt. biker who wants the rush and excitement from flying up and down trails and feeling the ruts and roots that are to be found. soft tails for me dont give me a very good feeling of the terrian well i just wanted to hear what your'e opinions are tell me, fading away or still strong?

Hardtails will forever be around. A quality hardtail is priceless.

Still going strong.

The hardtail will never die. There is strength in simplicity. In fact one might argue that it's stronger than ever. Who would have thought that kids would be bashing the hell out of them at skate parks, jibbing on the streets, dirtjumping them, hucking them off big stunts.... everything. They've gained new popularity if anything. It's just the magazines that are naysaying if you ask me.

my thoughts exactly

I love my '95 (or is it 94) GT Karakoram hardtail. upgraded all xt and ...well only the frame, bb, seatpost and headset are original. It's my street machine - fastest bike I've tried, that can still do massive jumps and drops. Other bike for serious damage is an Ironhorse SGS Expert.
If my GT ever dies, I will definetly get another hardtail.

My first ever freeride bike was a P3 a couple years ago, and I just got my 2004 RM Flow a couple days ago.

If I were to get back into serious cross country racing you would see me on nothing but hardtails. Have not met a full squishy that I can go faster on than my hard tail yet. I ride full sus for comfort and better downhill control but would race the HT.

But my Epic is on the way and it is supposed to be the best of both worlds.

He He

If I was serious about racing I would buy a light full suspension bike.They are faster they just don't feel like it.
I still like hardtails because they're so simple.I use my mountail bike for commuting to work,racing and even some 100k road rides Nov-Mar.
I have a twenty minute ride just to get to my trails.A full suspension bike just wouldn't make sense for me.I have a Judy fork but most of the year I ride with a rigid fork.My next bike would be a really nice hardtail like a Rocky Mountain scandium Vertex or a Trek 9.8.

Limba, I don't know about others but at my local trail my 8.5 mile lap times are a good 2 minutes faster on my F1000 hardtail when I was riding it than on the Scalpel I ride now.

I don't get as beat up but it does slow me down a bit on the climbs where it counts the most.

Most of the pros are still riding hardtails.

Most of the pros are still riding hardtails.


And for good reasons, power loss at the top level of competition can mean the difference between 1st and 2nd or even placing top 10.

Not to mention the fact that every moving part on a design is another possible component failure that can lose the race as well.

Steel (mostly lugged), Hardtails and Campy Forever!!

I don't see them going away as long as more than 50% of the riders don't do any riding that gives a FS bike an advantage. Especially as a comparable FS is about twice the price of a HT and 20% heavier. Even when the tires are full of helium. However, am sure the companies that make them and the folks that sell them would very much like you to believe that HTs are on their way out. More complexity means more money and more work when they break or need new parts.

KISS -"keep it simple stupid" applies to most everything in life. MTBs included.

SamDaBikinMan even the later laps are slower?You should be fresher on the Scapel.I guess it really depends on the course.I like hardtails,cross bikes and road bikes because they're simple.I just want to ride it,not spend all day tinkering with my setup.

If anything there is a resurgance. I use and ride both. Both have a purpose and both will always be in my family of bikes. I see many more people here riding ht's than the previous year. With street (including park) and djing becoming more and more popular, ht's have a distinct place in that line up. I don't much like ht's for trailriding but thats because of back and knee pain.

Agree with many of the people here. Popularity of HT's are rising again due to the growing market segment of dirtjumpers, hardtail freeriders, and urban/trial stunt riders.

The proof is in the pudding. Most of the big companies that started phasing out hardtails and have pushed full suspension have had no choice but to start making hardtails again to meet the demand of those growing segments, or else risk losing that marketshare.

Just look at Specialized. They have more variations on the P, and Hardrock than ever.

MTB is a slave to fashion as anything else. It's all about what's hot. A few years ago, the popularity of XC started to decline in favor of downhill, so all the bike companies started pushing big, burly full suspension frames.

Now, since a new freeride/stunt/dirtjump segment wants hardtails, the companies are all trying to corner that market with big tubed, hardtail bikes.

HT's are the work of the devil

;)

HT's are the work of the devil

;)


Don't you mean EVIL (as in Imperial)? :D

Nah, it can't be the work of the devil since the old adage says, "An idle mind is the devil's workshop" and you gotta be on your toes to ride a hardtail!

You can sleep while riding a full suspension... ;)

Well...... I just picked up a nice Kona Ku hardtail frame on Ebay and in the process of building it up. And my choice for the front end? A brand new Kona Project 2 CroMo rigid fork. Rigid!! Yes, rigid! It'll serve my purpose well. Pure function of rugged simplicity.

George

That's too hardcore for me. I might go without rear suspension but I have to at least have a suspension fork!

I've been having a lot of fun riding my hardtail the last two days (full sus. is in the shop).

P.S. I spend way too much time at this forum...then again, at least it keeps me away from porn! :o

I've been thinking of going hardtail after only ever riding a full susp. bike. I've been really looking for a single speed. then maybe from that get a ht. I think if I would of started on a ht I would be a much better rider than I am now.

It will make you a better rider without a doubt.

Hey Jim. I'm from a small town east of G'ville called Interlachen. Lived there 'til about 6 years ago. I use to make 8 or 10 trips back a year but have mellowed out to a couple times a year. Next time I'm down that way maybe we can hook up for a ride.

Hey Flbikerman,

I know that town. When I was at UF, I sold my Jeep to a guy from Interlachen.

Maybe you know the jeep. It was a 1980, all white, with tan interior and top, BIG Super Swamper 33" and big Iron Tube bumpers.

I loved that Jeep!

L8R

Dude, I am sick today, so I won't be at school, did you build those jumps at your house? I still went riding anyway, on Sunday, but I am glad I got your messege, how did you know my name was user imprezaman? I never told you that, anyway. Anyway, the weather sucked, and that last hill before you get into Vader, was all mud agian, and I almost lost it! My eyes were full of water, my glasses were cover in water and mud, and my hands were numb. But I still rode, and I had the flu, now thats pretty unreal...actually I didn't know that I had the flu, but I think it was the last straw, and it weakened my immune system, cuase it hit me as soon as I got home, anyway, what assignment do we have in Mrs. Farrars class? Oh and your post, hardtails are out? I don't think so, I love mine, I agree I like the feel, I don't like softtails, cuase every time you pedal, the whole bike sinks down, and I could really care less about comfort, the only problem with the hardtail, is that its easier to slide the bike in the corner, well I gotta get off, I'll see you tommorow. (hopefully, stupid flu. lol.)

Hey Jim. I'm from a small town east of G'ville called Interlachen. Lived there 'til about 6 years ago. I use to make 8 or 10 trips back a year but have mellowed out to a couple times a year. Next time I'm down that way maybe we can hook up for a ride.


Werd homie.. let me know some time and we'll ride.

I've been thinking of going hardtail after only ever riding a full susp. bike. I've been really looking for a single speed. then maybe from that get a ht. I think if I would of started on a ht I would be a much better rider than I am now.

For sure.

On a HT, you can't just sit in your seat and let the suspension do the work as you would with a "pogo stick".

After I went from full-sus to hardtail I discovered something...I suck at log jumps!

Hey Flbikerman,

I know that town. When I was at UF, I sold my Jeep to a guy from Interlachen.

Maybe you know the jeep. It was a 1980, all white, with tan interior and top, BIG Super Swamper 33" and big Iron Tube bumpers.

I loved that Jeep!

L8R

When did you sell it? Do you remember to who?

This was probably back in '88 or '89.

Don't remember the name of the guy who bought it, but he was also a student there!

L8R

Never been passed by a FS goin up, that's for sure...then again never really been passed...it's HT for me and my girlie makes 3!

This was probably back in '88 or '89.

Don't remember the name of the guy who bought it, but he was also a student there!

L8R

Does Francis sound familiar? Or maybe William? I think both of them had white jeeps at one time.

the q's ive heard lately on the subject of hard tail moutain bikes is, are they fading away? in my opinion yes but for trail riding (which is what i do most) hard tails are for the extreme mt. biker who wants the rush and excitement from flying up and down trails and feeling the ruts and roots that are to be found. soft tails for me dont give me a very good feeling of the terrian well i just wanted to hear what your'e opinions are tell me, fading away or still strong?

I'm surprised to hear hard tails being equated with extreme mt. biker. When I think of an extreme mt. biker, I imagine some freak taking 10ft plunges on some $5k dualie. You don't do that on a hard tail, well, not frequently anyways.

That said, I think hard tails are here to stay. They're lighter, simpler mechanically, more responsive and you get more bang for the buck component-wise. Additionally, riding hard tails, you're forced to learn some riding technique like how to handle technical junk. Some of that has been lost with people growing up on full suspension bikes, where you just point the bike and keep on pedaling. I don't have anything against suspension; everything has it's place. But for a do-it-all bike, it's hard to beat a good hard tail. Plus, us retro-grouches will be around for a long time, still reminiscing about the good old days of 7-speed rears, top of the bar thumb shifters, and.... we'll be buying hard tails.

One good thing about the new suspension bikes, now you can buy a top end HT frame for $300-$400. That's a plus. I still want my dual squishy though.

I'm surprised to hear hard tails being equated with extreme mt. biker. When I think of an extreme mt. biker, I imagine some freak taking 10ft plunges on some $5k dualie.



Ahhh.. the hardcore hardtail scene is getting big man. Russ Morrel (I think that's his name) recently hucked off something like a 40 foot cliff on a hardtail. Plus hardtails are the preference of dirtjumpers and urban assaulters. It's pretty versatile.

I'm surprised to hear hard tails being equated with extreme mt. biker. When I think of an extreme mt. biker, I imagine some freak taking 10ft plunges on some $5k dualie. You don't do that on a hard tail, well, not frequently anyways.



Someone better tell that to this guy here! http://www.snipesbicycles.com/pages/777982/index.htm

I'm not one to talk in jargon, or lingo, but that's "sick"!

Ahhh.. the hardcore hardtail scene is getting big man. Russ Morrel (I think that's his name) recently hucked off something like a 40 foot cliff on a hardtail. Plus hardtails are the preference of dirtjumpers and urban assaulters. It's pretty versatile.
i think they got a video of that huck on pinkbike somewhere. it was a huck to tranny though so the landing wasn't so harsh. still, it was impressive.

i think they got a video of that huck on pinkbike somewhere. it was a huck to tranny though so the landing wasn't so harsh. still, it was impressive.


I searched pinkbikes news articles for the video clips, but I couldn't find them.

34 ft on a HT...it was harsh. Clips of the whole day are on a vid called Statement. All the video and that clip proved to me was how stupid it is to do huge drops on a ht. That drop you guys are talking about was a nice one but he tried others and landed badly. His body is taking a beating. He might be able to take it but most riders couldn't take half of what he was throwing down (actually missing)...

http://www.pinkbike.com/modules/video/

Its in there Jim.

http://www.pinkbike.com/modules/video/

Its in there Jim.

The story about Russ Morrell's 30 foot drop is in there. The link to the video is broken, though. Check out the 'Statement' video teaser - they show footage of the drop in there.

I can see if you got money to drop and a very worn out body....

BUt not every biker has over a grand to drop on a bike.

As long as there are budget conscious people like me, a HT will be the first choice and do just fine.

I love my HT.

Ahhh.. the hardcore hardtail scene is getting big man. Russ Morrel (I think that's his name) recently hucked off something like a 40 foot cliff on a hardtail.

Would that be Russ Morrel or the late Russ Morrel?

34 ft on a HT...it was harsh. Clips of the whole day are on a vid called Statement. All the video and that clip proved to me was how stupid it is to do huge drops on a ht. That drop you guys are talking about was a nice one but he tried others and landed badly. His body is taking a beating. He might be able to take it but most riders couldn't take half of what he was throwing down (actually missing)...

http://www.pinkbike.com/modules/video/

Its in there Jim.


The point was that dual suspension is not a necessity, but a luxury.


;)


It's impressive either way, and that guy has got some serious skill.

The point was that dual suspension is not a necessity, but a luxury.


;)


It's impressive either way, and that guy has got some serious skill.

I got it.


My point was it isn't a luxury for everyone. Russ is a very unique individual. There aren't many riders who are capable of those drops with a ht. In fact if I were to hazard a guess I would say most of the top riders wouldnt even try.

I also agree about his skill. The man is a machine. :) I have a buddy with similar riding style on a ht. Huge drops on a .243...the guy is wicked to watch (he does a lot of 20 to 25 footers)...but even he is considering grabbing a dually as the mountain is taking its toll on him.

My knees are messed up from riding hardtails for so long. I haven't exactly been easy on my body. The biggest issue for me is weight. I can't ride a 50 pound freeride bike because I only weigh 140 pounds!! Hard to flick around a bike that weighs 1/3 of your body weight, and I ride mostly urban freeride stuff anyway. I'm still deciding what I want to do. It's so much cheaper to pick up a Snipes, 243, or even an Imperial than a nice freeride frame, and it would weigh less too.

A 243 built up for freeriding sits in the 35 pound range...and bighit comp with a sc fork sits around 38 or 39 pounds...not that big a difference :)

I wouldn't even want a 50 pounder...thats heavy :)...except for Crashing_Sux..his bike rocks :)

His bike is pretty cool... minus that goofy G-Boxx thang :D

Me likey the G-boxx...big fan of internal gears...except the cost

I know... I just like to give him a hard time :o

I think instead of a 243 I'd probably choose something lighter.. maybe a Snipes Elemental since I'm a cheap bastard and spending 800 bucks on a hardtail frame to beat the piss out of seems like overkill.