What is a hardtail?
#1
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4
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From: Richmond, KY
Bikes: Mongoose D40r
What is a hardtail?
I was just kinda wondering what makes a bike a hardtail. Feel free to explain any other types of bikes too. I am not sure what my bike is but its a mongoose D40R.
#3
...is my hero!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 864
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From: Edmonton, Alberta
Bikes: 2008 Kink Whip, 2006 Specialized Enduro, 2006 Norco Wolverine, 2006 Iron Horse FsZ
HT (hard tail)- front suspension...no rear
FS (full suspension, fully, squishy, dully, ect.)- but front and back suspensions
Rigid- no suspension
FS (full suspension, fully, squishy, dully, ect.)- but front and back suspensions
Rigid- no suspension
#4
B*ck From Th* D**d
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,527
Likes: 8
From: Lower Mainland, BC
Bikes: 2015 Kona Process 153
Has no Rear Shock.
#6
B*ck From Th* D**d
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,527
Likes: 8
From: Lower Mainland, BC
Bikes: 2015 Kona Process 153
ahhh, the pictures for the ilertate people like me.
#7
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4
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From: Richmond, KY
Bikes: Mongoose D40r
Thanks for the replys guys, so i am guessing mine is full suspension, which i am assuming is good..lol
would you guys reply to my thread in bike mechanics? Please, if ya know.
would you guys reply to my thread in bike mechanics? Please, if ya know.
#9
Moar cowbell


Joined: Oct 2004
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From: The 509
Bikes: Bike list is not a resume. Nobody cares.
A hardtail is a throwback to an earlier time, like when motorcycles were regularly raced on board tracks at state fairs
.
.
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RST Suspension | Canfield Bikes | 7iDP Protection | Maxxis | Renthal | Hayes | VonZipper Optics | GoPro
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#11
Moar cowbell


Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,480
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From: The 509
Bikes: Bike list is not a resume. Nobody cares.
Originally Posted by biker_lad
Why are full sus better?
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RST Suspension | Canfield Bikes | 7iDP Protection | Maxxis | Renthal | Hayes | VonZipper Optics | GoPro
Originally Posted by Mark Twain
"Don't argue with stupid people; they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience."
Last edited by dminor; 08-09-06 at 05:48 PM.
#12
Not all full suspension bikes are better than hardtails though. I would rather have a cheap hardtail than a cheap full suspension any day.
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I may be fat but I'm slow enough to make up for it.
#13
Originally Posted by kyboyatheart
Thanks for the replys guys, so i am guessing mine is full suspension, which i am assuming is good..lol
__________________
I may be fat but I'm slow enough to make up for it.
#14
Banned.
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Moncton NB
Bikes: Trek Jack...trials bike soon.
Originally Posted by biker_lad
Why are full sus better?
#18
Originally Posted by Roxter
I'd take a hartail over a full suspention XC bike any day. Excpt for the Specialized Epic.
Oh, I would take my Truth over an Epic any day as well. This is just personal preference though.
__________________
I may be fat but I'm slow enough to make up for it.
#19
Originally Posted by Jason222
Hardtail:

Full suspension:

(this one's for you gastro
)

Full suspension:

(this one's for you gastro
)
Full Suspension a.k.a softtail...(note that the tail is suspended and this, soft, compared to a HARDtail...)

the 'tail' of the bike or rather the frame is not suspended, thus hard-tail.
each one has their own advantages, but starting out in most mountain biking disciplines i highly recommend a hardtail.
#20
Banned.
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Moncton NB
Bikes: Trek Jack...trials bike soon.
Cream Soda, that's not what a soft tail is. A soft tail is a bike without pivots, and a very short amount of travel in the rear.

And I think my pic was closer to Gastro's because he has an 06 66 fork on his bike, and a new rear shock. But the colouring is different.

And I think my pic was closer to Gastro's because he has an 06 66 fork on his bike, and a new rear shock. But the colouring is different.
#21
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 410
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Alright no fighting before this goes any further.
I currently own a full suspension, and I'm ditching it for a decent HT. KonaRider does downhill riding on a HT.
I see a HT as harder to handle then a FS. It's all in the skill, and the jelly legs!
I currently own a full suspension, and I'm ditching it for a decent HT. KonaRider does downhill riding on a HT.
I see a HT as harder to handle then a FS. It's all in the skill, and the jelly legs!
#22
Mullet Boy!
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 690
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From: Adelaide
Bikes: a giant upland 03, old europia road bike or something and soon to be getting a Norco Bigfoot or something of the sort
Originally Posted by Defiance
Alright no fighting before this goes any further.
I currently own a full suspension, and I'm ditching it for a decent HT. KonaRider does downhill riding on a HT.
I see a HT as harder to handle then a FS. It's all in the skill, and the jelly legs!
I currently own a full suspension, and I'm ditching it for a decent HT. KonaRider does downhill riding on a HT.
I see a HT as harder to handle then a FS. It's all in the skill, and the jelly legs!
#23
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 410
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Originally Posted by Pink_Ninja
I'd kill for a FS in adelaide, we got some REAL rocky trails and DHing hardtails with 120mm forks isn't the best thing for sore wrists
Recover and absorb some of the shock with your arms. Or get a better fork then 120 mm...
#24
Senior Member

Joined: May 2004
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Define Better ???
Originally Posted by dminor
Why are pneumatic tires better than solid rubber ones? Why are disc brakes better than coaster brakes? Because we are living in the 21st century now 

For relatively smooth singletrack, a full suspension bicycle is not required. Even for choppier stuff a full suspension is not required. What is typically required is more riding skill.
For rough as hell downhills, full suspension is typcially required. Horses for courses.






