Buying the hardtail MTB frame is a big decision. It may be with us for years, so already at the stage of choosing a particular model, it’s worth getting familiar with some of the rules that determine us.
- Part 1: Introduction
- Part 2: Buying Guide
- Part 3: Recommendations
- Part 4: Selection Guide
- Part 5: Frequently Asked Questions
Part 1: Introduction
Hardtails are increasingly discipline-specific bikes designed to cope with the most demanding mountain biking conditions. The simple construction of hardtails, with a front-mounted shock absorber only, allows many changes to be made to the bike’s overall geometry to suit the riders’ requirements.
Hardtails enduro adapted to the toughest trails thanks to the high travel of the front shock. Manufacturers have specified as much as 160 mm of travel, ensuring confident handling of the bike on the biggest bumps, even at high speeds downhill.
Trail hardtails are designed for dynamic riding on varied mountain trails, focusing on trails with many uphills and downhills. The strengths of trail hardtails are the front shocks with 110-140 mm of travel and the durable brakes that give a sure ride on dynamic descents. Trail hardtails are touring bikes, less specialized than enduros, but prepared for tough challenges.
Bike Frame Hardtail
Bike frame hardtail e-bikes, depending on their geometry, can be used on gentle mountain trails and very demanding, bumpy trails or enduro trails. In addition to the well-developed geometry, electric power is a definite plus here, making it easier to conquer tough climbs and more fun to ride without tiring.
Bike frame hardtail cross country XC bikes have riding dynamics written into their nature. Everything here is built for high riding dynamics and easy cornering. With a little less travel than an enduro or trail bike, CX bikes with straight handlebars, 80-100mm of travel, a narrow saddle, and a light frame make for a fast and dynamic cross-country ride.
As a type of mountain bike, hardtail mountain bike frames are used for cycling in terrains and environments. Its versatile and proven nature means that it is well in place for riding. Suitable terrains for riding a hardtail mountain bike include trails, fire roads, and pump tracks.
However, hardtails are also suitable for less experienced riders and even shine on less urban trails such as gravel and rocky trails, forest paths, and streets!
If you are interested in riding downhill scooters on jumps, you can or does mountain biking with mountain biking.
Hardtail Mountain Bikes
Construction of MTB hardtail MTB frame allows to use in very specific, demanding terrain, but also to create based on the front shock absorber a universal, recreational bike suitable for riding on any terrain. Typical hardtails are lighter and more durable than full-suspension bikes and offer much better manoeuvrability and grip tailored to the needs of amateur and experienced riders. They work best on easy to intermediate trails with bumps that don’t require maximum protection from the dual suspension level.
Hardtail MTB Frames
Hardtail MTB frames can be specialized or made for all-purpose riding – you can even find simple mountain touring bikes in hardtail versions, reflecting the nature of the first mountain bikes treated as all-purpose bikes only a dozen years ago.
The agility and dynamics offered by the hardtail mountain bike frame will depend on the specific geometry of the bike – the use of a single shock absorber upfront does not in any way interfere with the manufacturers’ ability to adapt the bike for dynamic descents or difficult climbs. A good power to pedal ratio ensures that hardtails are much easier to ride uphill and on straight sections of a trail. This is why enduro and MTB hardtails are still much more popular among racers and recreational riders despite the popularity of full-suspension bikes.
Part 2: Buying Guide
There are two primary materials used to build bicycles; aluminium and carbon fibre.
Aluminium is cheaper, heavier, and more durable than its carbon fibre counterpart. You can afford to take a few knocks, bumps, and crashes without seriously affecting the frame’s structural integrity.
Because aluminium has such a tolerance for violent behaviour, it has a slight advantage in vibration damping and impact absorption. On the other hand, carbon fibre is generally more expensive and lighter. Carbon is incredibly strong but brittle, so it cannot offer the same tolerances as aluminium. Because of this, collisions and rock hits are more likely to crack the frame than dent it.
However, the strength of carbon fibre compensates for the brittleness.
Of course, you may encounter other less common frame materials in your hardtail MTB frame research; steel and titanium. Steel frames provide strength and comfort while riding, while titanium frames are very light and durable.
Steel
Traditionally, all bikes in steel because of their durability, strength, and comfort. However, it is now less common due to its comparative weight and stiffness-to-weight ratio than other materials such as carbon fibre and aluminium.
Aluminium
The most popular material used for bicycles in today’s market, aluminium is lightweight, strong, and offers much better power transfer and stiffness-to-weight ratio than steel frames. We shade higher-end aluminium frames (with varying tube thicknesses) to reduce overall weight without compromising overall frame strength.
Carbon Fiber
Quite rare on the market, except for higher-end hardtails on the market. Carbon fibre is the lightest and strongest material used to create bicycle frames. The choice of professional cyclists, carbon frames offer an unparalleled stiffness-to-weight ratio and fantastic rider comfort due to the material’s vibration-dampening properties.
Bike Frame Sizes
How to choose a bike size depends largely on the preferences of the individual cyclist. It doesn’t matter that one user is comfortable with the chosen geometry and size, as the other rider may not like them. The adjustment available is generally for the seatposts and handlebars, but the frame remains the same, so it makes sense to choose it once and right. It’s a component that you can then match with accessories and add-ons – it’s hard to do it the other way around.
hardtail mountain bike frame accessories alone will not guarantee proper comfort. As far as optimal comfort is concerned, a proper size and geometry frame are more important than good derailleur gears. If the frame is too tall, you won’t be able to pedal, and an unsuitable length may cause back pain. The rider should match the size of the frame to his height. We had to adapt the geometry to the proportions of the body so that the cyclist could enjoy the use of the unicycle and appreciate the quality of the other components.
When choosing a bike, we should consider how we will use it most often. We will choose a different one for sports training and another for recreational riders. A smaller bike with a shorter head tube will be suitable for the first type. The second option should have a higher head tube for greater comfort.
The Different Types of Bikes Differ in the Shape of the Frame
One will be suitable for mountain riding in difficult terrain and a separate one for those dedicated to road or gravel riding. That is why the former gives the dimensions of the seat tube in inches and the latter the dimensions of the top tube in centimetres.
Before buying, it is advisable to check the official size chart provided by the specific manufacturer. Our infographics in the further part of the article will help you choose the optimal size for you. Please note, however, that the information contained therein is approximate and averaged.
– Rider Height: 152cm to 171cm – Frame size: S
– Rider Height: 169cm to 180cm – Frame size: M
– Rider Height: 178cm to 187cm – Frame size: L
– Rider Height: 185cm to 193cm – Frame qize: XL
Hardtails Cost Less
You can almost always get a better return on every penny you invest with a hardtail. A simpler design allows manufacturers to either lower the overall price of the bike or include better components than a comparably priced full-suspension bike.
Part 3. Recommendations
MTB frame size affects the speed of traversing hilly and forest terrain. The rider should pay attention to the seat tube angle. If it is steep and the cyclist is closer to the front, it is easier to ride up in a seated position. The seat tube length is of little importance with an adjustable Seatpost, the popularity of which in MTB bicycles continues to grow.
How to Choose My MTB Frame Size
For beginners and shorter people, the diagonal, i.e., the length measured from the top tube to the ground, is important. It is worth paying attention to it if we want to practice dirt. Regardless of the type of activity planned, the length of the top tube and the distance between the axis of the head tube and seat post parallel to the ground should be considered to ensure a comfortable ride. This parameter determines how much the cyclist’s position will stretch in height.
The two most often quoted parameters are Reach and Stack. The former is the distance led horizontally from the head tube to where the crank mechanism is located. This feature is important if you ride standing up. Stack is vertically from the pedals up to the height of the sternum. Together these two parameters determine how upright the standing position will be. This is important for a variety of MTB disciplines. The proportion between these two dimensions changes according to the trends in a particular type of riding. It is often difficult to find a bike that meets the above criteria, so many cyclists decide to buy a frame and choose accessories for it themselves.
Part 4: Selection Guide
For the past few years, few people are buying rigidity into consideration. But is this approach right?
Can riding a hardtail mountain bike frame teach us something that we won’t learn on such a full frame? Is the statement “every cyclist should start with a hardtail” true or is it just one of the cycling myths repeated by cyclists who started with hardtails because, in their time, suspension bikes simply did not exist yet? It is hard to unequivocally point to the right answer. Certainly, both bikes have their pros and cons, but as you probably know yourself – even the most expensive, most advanced bike will not ride itself.
Part 5: Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Measure My Bike Frame Size
Find the top of the seat tube (this is where the seat pillar is).
Find the centre of the bottom bracket (it connects the crank arms).
Measure the distance between these two points.
Write this down in centimetres and inches to find the right frame.
Are Hardtail Bikes Good for Mountain Biking
As a type of mountain bike, hardtail mountain bike frames can be used in a variety of terrains and environments. They’re versatile and durable, which means they’re good in most places you can ride. Suitable terrains for riding a hardtail mountain bike include mountain trails, fire roads, and pump tracks.
How can I make my hardtail mountain bike more comfortable? If your rims can handle it, the easiest way to ride your hardtail bike more confidently is to put big, fat tires with DH tread on them and on them as wide as possible.
What Is a Hardtail MTB Frame
“Hardtail is the name given to bikes with front suspension but no rear suspension. Lighter, simpler, cheaper, more durable, and more reliable than a frame with rear suspension.
