Is the hardtail dead?

Most magazines would like you to think the hardtail is dead, but with urban riding on the rise, dirt jumping becoming more mainstream and number of MTB's riding skateparks these days are they correct? The number of burly freeride hardtails has more than tripled over the last 3 years is this a fad or is the hardtail truly a dying breed?

What do think?

[pk]

Definitely not dead.

pk

[AA]

It seems to me that freeriders on hardtail bikes are the riders with the most skill. Most free riders agree that you can "buy balls" in the form of more travel. I think that is cool when someone on a hardtail can ride all the nasty stuff. Just my $.02.

AA

[johnbryanpeters]

Let's turn the question around: What are the advantages of the hardtail, especially for jumping?

At the end of June, my nephew and I rode Borderland; we had a Joker and an old Specialized RockHopper, fully rigid, 7-speed, cantis... We traded bikes at the halfway point and came to the conclusion after the ride that neither was better, they were just different.

However - I rode most of the 24 hours of Great Glen last year on the Specialized, and rode it this year on the Joker. For that application, it's no contest - the dualie takes a lot less out of me over the long haul.

J

Whatever works. Sure if I had the cash I might have to check out some of the plushers rides out there, but for now I'm very happy only bouncing on one end.

Let's turn the question around: What are the advantages of the hardtail, especially for jumping?


One of the biggest advantages I find with a hardtail is control. This is especially apparent when dirt jumping, where you only need to worry about preloading your fork and not the entire bike. This makes rhythm sections (sections with more than one jump in a row) a lot easier to flow and your landings are more predictable because the rear end isn't continuously compressing and unloading. Also, most dirt jumps are built with 20 inch bikes in mind, hardtails tend to have shorter wheel bases, so you can ride stuff that a dually can’t. Aside form dirt jumping, hardtails are usually better for slower more technical riding and trails type riding.

I do find that riding my hardtail takes a lot more effort than my dually. I need to pick my lines more carefully and I need to use a lot more body English when landing bigger drops. When I ride my dually it’s like I’m on autopilot, I don’t have be too choosey on my lines, my landings can be a little sloppy and my margin for serious error is a lot wider. I definitely feel that I can go a lot bigger, steeper and faster (on the downhill’s that is) on my dually, but if wasn’t for the time spent on my hardtail, it probably would have taken me a lot longer to get there.

[CouchingTiger]

I don't think the hardtail will ever be dead. Certain folks will always be drawn to their simplistic allure, other will like their reliability and ease of maintenance and yet others simply want want or need a dually.

Personally, I find that riding a hardtail is the best way to become a better rider. It's funny how you forget skills when riding a big travel fully around. Things like riding the rough stuff with your weight suspended vs. just plowing through and letting the rear travel soak it up instead of your lower body. Sure, it means you have to work harder but it's an important lesson.

Doing drops on a hardtail are also a hoot. You really have to learn the technique because there is no suspension to counter your mistakes. The only problem is that the technique is so different (depending on the type of drop) from that with a fully that they don't really cross over well.

It's all good. If you want to enjoy your hardtail even more just do this, remove all but one gear then go out and hammer w/o having to think about it ;)

-Couch

[Mr_Cheeze]

As long as there are those of us wierd people who actually more enjoy the challenge of technical uphill riding there will be hardtails. Until I begin to develop lower back problems, it's all I'll ever buy.

[Mt.A TODD]

The Hardtail won't die anytime soon, but I do find myself riding mine less and less. I have to force myself to ride a hard tail at least once a month. No doubt a hardtail is better for some things, but personally I have way more fun on my full suspension. In a very unscientific study with a riding buddy, we have come to conclusion that we can ride much longer and cover greater distances on the fullies. Sure hartails are lighter and better suited to technical riding especially in the snow, but they are also more physically demanding, and force you to think more, I get enough of that from my wife and day job.

[knucklebuste]

I don't understand that hardtail thing, especially these bikes that look like BMX bikes with front suspension. I just don't understand that. Am I missing something? I only have two bikes, a specialized 3" x 3" FSR and a new gemeni 1000. I've never ridden a hardtail though, so what the F do I know. I just like dual suspension. PEACE

[Adam]

After seeing Bill clean most of the new FR tail @ Lynn, I'd never dare say that HT is dead!
The hardtail is not dead, but it's appeal to the masses of 'average' mountain bikers has diminished with the availability of moderately priced full suspension rigs. Just as FS bikes have seen beefy FR versions, HTs are seeing the same evolution. I'm all for people having the kind of bike that makes them want to ride more!
-Adam