To have an exciting and joyful mountain biking experience, you will need sufficient knowledge about mountain bikes, specific gears, and of course an appropriate bike. In order to find the best hardtail mountain bikes, we’ll inform you of the four types of them.
- Part 1: Product Overview
- Part 2: Product Advantages
- Part 3: Product Classification and Introduction
- Part 4: Buying Guide
Part 1: Beginning: Product Overview
Mountain biking has become a common activity for certain people. It is not something uncommon or luxurious to do. The problem is probably about finding the right one for you. The one that is suitable to your needs and purposes of your biking. There are two kinds of mountain bike: full-suspension and hardtail. Mountain bikes with full-suspension means that there is suspension at both the front and rear while hardtails only have one fork suspension at the front.
The term “hardtail” refers to the fact that their rear wheels are directly attached to the frame. If you need an MTB that can be used in a variety of road conditions, a hardtail is a good choice. You don’t need to be an expert to be able to ride a hardtail. You only need the basic skills to handle it. Your skills will develop as you get familiar with the bike.
Hardtails are famous for their ability to ride in a variety of conditions. You can go biking on a hardtail from the park to mountain terrain, even the extreme ones.
However, hardtail bikes are primarily intended for off-road use. A hardtail bike only has one suspension at the front without the rear shocks. A hardtail bike’s front suspension helps riders navigate challenging off-road terrain. The front suspension will take in some of the impact when riding over bumps and jumps, reducing the strain on the rider. The control, traction, and comfort of best hardtail MTBs are all affected by the type of suspension it has.
Part 2: Product Advantages
Some people might think that riding a hardtail MTB is not as comfortable as riding a full-suspension one. However, a hardtail has quite many advantages more than people can think of. Because of their adaptability and durability, they can be used in a variety of riding environments. Mountain trails, difficult roads, and bumpy tracks are great places to go hardtail mountain biking. Riders of all skill levels can ride hardtail bikes.
Not only experienced bikers but also less experienced ones, or even newcomers, can ride hardtail bikes without any difficulties. Hardtails force cyclists to pay more attention to the position of their body, balance, and trail choices than full-suspension bikes. This is one of the features that makes them great for beginners. Because they are lightweight, hardtails are ideal for climbing hillsides appear in competing of most mountain bike races.
The benefits of a hardtail mountain bike include greater responsiveness, lightweight frames, adjustability, cheap and easy maintenance, and great power transfer. Hardtails are simpler to maintain if compared to full-suspensions, and they are more efficient when pedalling. Aside from that, hardtail mountain bikes are less expensive than full-suspension mountain bikes. Hardtails are faster on smoother trails and ascents, but slower and less grippy on rough terrains. They don’t absorb bumps as well as other materials, but it does provide more trail feedback. Regardless of the terrain, hardtail mountain bikes provide a smooth ride. They’re quick, precise, and have excellent handling skills.
Part 3: Product Classification and Introduction
There are many kinds of hardtail mountain bikes with a variety of prices and materials. Within the broader category of hardtail bikes, there are several sub-categories. You need to be specific about which one you are going to purchase. Each bike is made for a specific purpose or discipline, with geometry and components that are best suited for that purpose. By knowing your biking purpose, you can choose which type of hardtail MTB that is suitable for you. Here are the four types of hardtail MTB that will help you narrow down your search to the model that is best suited to the type of riding you intend to do.
1. Cross Country (XC) Hardtails
These types of mountain bikes are designed for riders who prioritize pedaling performance. This discipline includes rolling single-track, varying terrain, and long-distance routes. These are uphill crushing, lung-busting machines bred for endurance and efficiency. Due to the need for a stretched riding position that is comfortable for long periods in the saddle, XC bikes frequently feature 75-100mm front suspension and a steep head tube angle.
Cross country mountain bikes are ideal for riders who plan to pedal for long periods of time and who prefer climbing to descending. These bikes come with 29” wheels. The best hardtails bikes of this kind among others are: Scott Scale 970 complete mountain bike that costs $1,499.99; Revel Ranger GX complete mountain bike with the price of $5,799.00; and the more pricey one is Santa Cruz Bicycles Blur CC X01 that costs $7,349.00.
2. Trail Hardtails
When most people think of “mountain bike,” they would think of this category. Trail hardtails have slacker head tubes, shorter stems, wider bars and gear ranges, and 100-150mm front travel. Trail bikes have more suspension, gravity-oriented components, and a more relaxed geometry than XC bikes, making them more capable on a variety of terrain. These bikes are built with enough suspension to allow for efficient descents while not compromising climbing ability by being too loose.
Trail bikes come with 27.5″ or 29″ wheels. Some examples of this type of hardtail are: Marine Rift Zone 2 complete mountain bike that costs 2,349.00; Santa Cruz Bicycles Bronson CR complete mountain bike which comes with the price $5,049.00; and the more expensive one is Revel Rascal X01 complete mountain bike which costs $7,999.00.
3. Enduro (All mountain)
Enduro is a race discipline in which you are timed on your descents but not on the bits in between like climbing and getting to and from different downhill sections. Enduro bikes emphasize the descending aspect of off-road riding, which, when combined with a long wheelbase, long top tube, and shorter stems, allows for an aggressive riding style and excellent rider control at high speeds.
Enduro mountain bikes come with 27.5″ or 29″ wheels. Sometimes the wheels are mixed sizes with 29″ in the front and 27.5″ in the rear. There are some best hardtail of this type such as, Rockshox Recon RL 29 that costs $1,249.00; Shimano Deore M6000 GS with a quite reasonable price of $949.00; SRAM NX Eagle that costs $1,899.00.
4. Downhill
Downhill bikes are good at speed, big drops, and jumps, as well as steep, gnarly terrain. They are simply not good at traveling in any direction other than downward. With these bikes, you’re usually looking for an alternative to hiking, shuttles, or a chairlift to get to the top of the trail. Downhill bike tires are good at provide traction and durability, with 2-ply (double-thick) casings. For examples, Transition Spire Alloy NX complete mountain bike which costs $3,999.00; Norco Shore 42 complete mountain bike that comes with the price $4,499.00; Transition Spire Carbon GX complete mountain bike that costs $5,999.00.
Part 4: Buying Guide
Buying an MTB, especially one that is considered as one of the best hardtail mountain bikes, is not as simple as that. You need to put some things into consideration. For example, your needs and purposes of biking. What will you be doing with the bike? Is it for riding around the city? Around the housing complex or in the mountain tracks? Are you going to use it to go to work? When you have decided the bike you want, create a budget. What is the maximum amount of money you are willing to spend on the bike? After you have made up your mind about the kind of bike and the amount of money you want to spend, find the information about it.
For example, if you want to purchase a hardtail MTB, you can find the information about MTBs online or you can ask someone, maybe your friend or family, who knows a lot about hardtail MTB bikes. Other than that, you can directly visit a bike store. If you can, find a trusted bike store. You can ask the seller for the specification of the bike that you want to buy. Stick to the plan about the bike you want to buy, don’t get altered just because of what the seller tells you. Tell the seller about the track you want to ride and your riding abilities. He might be able to help you find the best hardtail bikes for you. If possible, ask for a test ride.
(1) In Terms of Price
The price of the MTBs are in a variety. From the lowest to the highest. If you are on a tight budget, you can find one with a reasonable price. But, when you have enough money, you can buy a more expensive one with better specifications. There are many factors that can influence you in choosing the best hardtail bikes for you. Hardtails are typically less expensive than full-suspension bikes, but it can also be expensive. Hardtail mountain bikes come in a wide range of prices. They range in price from $450 for entry-level bikes to $7000 for carbon fiber XC racing bikes with high-end components. The decision to buy one is based on both price and riding style.
(2) Frame Material
The frame of a hardtail MTB plays an important role in determining the price. Hardtail mountain bike’s frames in different materials, such as aluminum, steel, carbon fiber, or titanium. The choice of the frame material depends on how much budget you want to spend on a bike. Steel is strong and very durable since it doesn’t break easily. It will bend first before it breaks. For a low budget, you can choose a steel frame for your hardtail, but this does not mean that a steel hardtail is cheap.
Some steel frames can be expensive, too. Aluminum can also be an option. It is unlikely to fail completely, despite being easily dented. Although good aluminum can last a lifetime, it is susceptible to corrosion and fatigue, and it can cause a jarring ride. Even so, a high-quality alloy frame will outperform a low-cost carbon frame.
Carbon fiber can make the best hardtail frame because it is much lighter than aluminum, steel, or titanium at any given stiffness. Because carbon frames have a lower density, they absorb (rather than transmit) road vibrations, resulting in a more comfortable ride. The last one is titanium. Titanium has a high tensile strength, which contributes to its long-term durability.
Titanium can also withstand a blow without causing damage to the tubes’ structure. So, if you want to have a hardtail MTB that lasts a lifetime, choose a titanium frame. On a hardtail, the choice of frame is especially important to remember because the frame dynamics are the only thing that protects your back end from the jarring bumps and hits that the rear wheel encounters.
(3) Wheel Size
When buying a bike, one of the most important features to look for is the wheels. It’s because they have an effect on performance. For extra stiffness and performance, look for double wall rims at even the most affordable prices, and thru axle hubs at the higher end. The size of the wheels can be 26″, 27.5″, or 29″. Size 26″ is a bit slower, so you might want to avoid it. Wheels size 27.5″ are more agile and accelerate more quickly. A 29er is more stable, keeps momentum, and rolls over obstacles more easily. The 27.5″ wheel mountain bike may be a better fit for smaller riders than the 29er mountain bike. All in all, it depends in part on the trail conditions in your area, as well as whether you use a hardtail for commuting and urban riding.
