Lätt hardtail mtb
While there's no doubt that best hardtail mountain bikes are great options for beginners, they're also a top choice for experienced riders looking for the lightest bike possible or who want to experience the most direct trail feel. With a suspension fork but no rear shock, hardtails give better pedaling efficiency and reduced mechanical complexity, which makes for a more responsive and easier to maintain bike.
With advancements in frame technology, bike geometry , and wheel rim width, not to mention the best mountain bike tires that are now available in bigger sizes, hardtails are a lot less taxing on the body than was the case a few years ago. A carefully considered hardtail can deliver tremendous all-round riding ability for much less money than the best full-suspension mountain bikes.
The 5 Best Hardtail Mountain Bikes
The cost of owning a hardtail is cheaper too, as without a rear shock and frame pivots, there are less costly parts to replace and service. Basically, you can buy a much nicer hardtail for less money than an equivalent full-suspension build. As well as the conventionally powered bikes here, we also have a guide to the best hardtail electric mountain bikes — if riding with a motor is more your thing.
Keep scrolling to see our pick of the best hardtail mountain bikes, from cross-country whippets to proper hardcore trail blasters. At the bottom of the page, you can find our advice about everything you need to know about buying a hardtail MTB. Why trust BikePerfect Our cycling experts have decades of testing experience.
Find out more about how we test. The Chameleon has always been the most engaging and the easiest-on-the-wallet entry into owning one of this premium brand's bikes, and this eighth edition of Santa Cruz's most trail-friendly hardtail is the most versatile, confident and flat-out-fun incarnation yet. The Chameleon lives up to its name as it's able to run inch with a 2. It's also singlespeed compatible with swappable rear drop-outs.
Despite the finishing kit being a tad below par to that found on comparably priced bikes, the forgiving yet massively capable ride is so much fun that it won't ever cross your mind. For our full verdict, check out our Santa Cruz Chameleon review. Cannondale Scalpel HT is the American brand's newest lightweight racing hardtail with progressive geometry numbers. While the brand's previous XC hardtail featured a steep degree head angle, the Scalpel HT seeks to improve handling and technical performance with a much slacker That's combined with a To keep handling sharp Cannondale has specced the bike with an extra-long fork offset which reduces the trail figure to improve agility on tight sections of trail.
It weighs in at under 10kg claimed. Mondraker has forgone the unique profile of the last generation Podium for a more traditional look. Although Mondraker was among the first bike brands to champion longer bikes with its forward geometry concept, the Podium does not rank as an exceptionally long frame by modern standards. Its reach of mm depending on size is on the shorter side.
And compared to the new Cannondale, it isn't the slackest bike either.
Best hardtail mountain bikes 2024 – our testers pick the ultimate hardtails for trail and XC
It remains an impressively light bike suited to those who wish to register PRs on the climbs. With a built weight of only 8. The Yeti ARC has been around since the '90s, but the classic bike has been given a refresh. Boasting mm of fork travel, the ARC is a modern trail slayer for those that prefer the raw feeling of a hardtail.
13 Best Hardtail Mountain Bikes of 2024 for Beginners Mountain Biking Enthusiasts
Yeti uses TURQ carbon construction for a stiff, lightweight, and durable frame. This bike is not necessarily designed to be a World Cup race bike, but a talented rider could certainly make it go fast on any course. This is an ideal bike for trail riders who prioritize chunky terrain and even multi-day bikepacking adventures. Another contemporary carbon hardtail that runs a Santa Cruz established its reputation with trail and downhill bikes.
Plus, the Highball has single-speed compatibility for those who wish to add some power miles to their training program. The entry-level model weighs Many companies have embraced the do-everything capabilities of trail hardtails and Kona's Big Honzo has been leading the trail bike category for a long time.