Mountain hardtails are taking the cycling world by storm. This is an exciting development, as hardtail mountain bikes have long been popular with dedicated cyclists and first-time riders alike for their durability, reliability of function, and of course, affordability. Mountain hardtails offer all the features of a full-suspension mountain bike but at half the price. Thesehardtail bikes can handle almost anything from hard climbs to technical descents with nary a flinch between them.
In this hardtail mountain bike buyer’s guide, we’ll cover all the basics you need to know when shopping for your hardtail mtb.
What is a hardtail?
Mountain hardtails are also called “hardtails”, and hardtail mtbs are sometimes called “naked hardtails” or even “hardcore hardtails”. A hardtail mountain bike is a non-suspension bicycle frame, which means it does not have front suspension forks. The hardtail mountain bike frame typically bears the weight on the rear wheel only.
How do hardtails ride?
Hardtail bikes are great for casual riders who want to explore paved trails, dirt roads, gravel paths, and light single tracks in the woods near their homes. Hardcore hardtails can handle moderate off-road conditions including mud, rocks, sandpits and small creek crossings.
As you might expect from an unpowered version of a full-suspension mountain bike, hardtail 29ersare not ideal for hard-core downhill riding. However, hardtails are excellent climbers due to an efficient power transmission system that doesn’t lose any energy through suspension action.
Features of hardtail mountain bikes
Modern hardtails typically come with many features and add-ons that were once reserved for full suspension bikes. For example:
– Hand brakes on both handlebars instead of just one on the handlebar stem
– Hydraulic brake levers on the handlebars
– Alloy or steel rims with high spoke counts (32, 36)
– Tubeless tires with high thread counts (120, 180)
– A front derailleur hardtail mountain bike with triple cranksets
– Wide handlebars, low rise stems and short-reach brake levers to accommodate smaller riders
Hardtail mountain bikes are available in hardtail 29er, hardtail 27.5″, hardtails 26″ or hardtails 650b
Size hardtails come in men’s hardtail mtbs, men’s hardtails for sale, hardtail bikes for sale, hardtails kids, hardtail women’s bike size chart size is based on frame size (the distance between the seat post and top of the head tube). Since most hardtails use the same front fork dimension (steerer tube length) but have different rear triangle geometry (chainstay length), you must choose a frame that fits your standover height. The hardtail mtb frame that fits you best is the one that’s closest to the top of your kneecap when straddling your bike with both feet flat on the ground.
If any hardtail mountain bike measurements are significantly different from those of a hardtail 29er you currently own, please visit the hardtail 29er size chart before buying hardtails for sale.
Hardtail Mountain Bikes: Road vs Trail
Modern hardtails offer great versatility and can be used for road riding as well as dirt trails and even some single track in limited conditions. However, there are still clear differences between hard tails intended for hardcore trail riders and those designed for casual, recreational cyclists who mainly stick to pavement and gravel paths. Trail hardtails have longer chainstays to help improve bike handling on tight trails. Trail hardtails are also sturdier hardtail mountain bikes with beefy forks, rear triangles and rims. On the other hand…
Road hardtails sacrifice some off-road durability for lighter weight and better aerodynamics. They typically use thinner wheels (700c), skinnier tires (23 or 25 mm), lower bottom brackets, narrower handlebars, road stem/handlebar combo and drop style handlebars for easier alternate hand positioning while riding on paved surfaces.
Lower price hardtails like these hardtails don’t come with as many gears because they’re intended for casual road biking where you won’t need that many different speeds to choose from.
Hardtail 29ers: The Best Mountain Bikes Under $600
There are hardtails under 600 dollars as well as hardtails under 500 dollars and hardtails under 300. Prices vary widely based on factors such as frame material, wheel size, weight capacity and components. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $300 hardtail mtb to $2000 for a high-end hardtail bike with lightweight materials and the latest technology. There are also plenty of hardtails for sale around 100 dollars that can serve as a good starting point if you’re looking to get into mountain biking or just ride on dirt roads near your house.
The hardtails listed above range in price from about 300 dollars hardtails for sale up to close to $2000 hardtails for sale – so it’s up to you to choose the hardtail mtb that fits your budget. However, bikes around 500 dollars hardtail mtb are designed with more durable components and weightier wheels that can withstand abuse off-road, while hard tails under 600 dollars hardtail 29er tend to offer lighter weight materials and thinner wheel rims – which makes them faster but less sturdy than hardtails in the 500 dollar hardtail mountain bike price range.
Hard Tail Mountain Bikes Review
I love riding hardtail mtb because they’re faster than full-suspension models and don’t bob as much while pedalling up hills. They can take some abuse off-road but aren’t as durable since their components aren’t designed for rough conditions. Riding a BMX freestyle bike across hardtail mtb trails is hard on the rims, hardtails for sale and hardtail 29er tires. One time I turned a corner too fast and accidentally dropped my hardtail mtb over a ledge and destroyed it (my fault) – but that’s really my only hardtail mountain bike review experience because hardtails are great for riding around town as well as up and down dirt roads.