Do Hardtails Make You A Better Rider?

The argument goes that hardtails are harder to ride so they make you a better rider, but is this true? Will Anna become a faster rider after only riding her Nukeproof Scout for a month? There's only one way to find out! 🎬
⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 - Intro
2:21 - Run 1 Nukeproof Mega
3:04 - Run 1 Nukeproof Scout
4:32 - A month on a hardtail
12:20 - Run 2 Nukeproof Scout
13:00 - Run 2 Nukeproof Mega
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[@fourocker]

At 57 just recently I got back into mtb on hardtail exclusively (Trek Roscoe) 10 years ago I rode dual sus(Specialized Stumpjumper) I have found a new love for mtb on the hardtail, that direct and connected experience where every ride is interesting and I'm not simply plowing over everything, I don't care how fast I am at this age but simply enjoy being outside picking my way through trails exploring and navigating obstacles, they both have their place, different tools to do the same job but in different ways.

[@DevinDeVore]

Having both, I always feel like the hardtail takes more focus and intensional effort. Line choice, spotting braking spots, and traction make things a lot more interesting. Hardtail has made me a lot more comfortable getting loose, sliding, and finding the edge. Hardtail edge window is a lot smaller than full sus. And the state at which the bike gets to that, what I call "float state" where the bike is on top of the bumps and edge of traction comes quicker and faster and remain constant while a full sus seems to recover and get back to stability. So the full sus is in and out of that edge with a wider edge window, while the hardtail stays more on edge with a thin edge window. Others relate?

[@raheemgahelable]

You can learn ALL that on full suspension as well.

[@GuinessOriginal]

@@raheemgahelable nowhere near as quickly and not to the same degree at all. Like the man said, the hard tail edge window is narrower and longer, than the wider and much shorter full sus edge window

[@jsmith1649]

I think we could sum it up as full sus being MUCH more forgiving of imprecise riding than hard tail - hence the reason for the increased confidence.

[@jcam4071]

Interesting analysis

[@jcam4071]

@@raheemgahelable True, however that level of precision in his analysis can only be achieved by riding a hardtail and having both experiences compared.

[@engine3724]

Awesome video. My thoughts: -It’d be interesting to see how the times would compare, if each test run had been repeated a few times. Hard to know what the baseline is with only a single run. -Hardtails can help develop/refine skills in ways that may not be reflected in race times too. Being a slightly smoother rider, as an example, might help you avoid punctures during a race, even if it doesn’t dramatically impact your race time. -Who says being a “better” rider means your times will be faster, or why that matters? :) It would be great to hear more detail about your subjective experience after making this video. On future rides on the full sus, do you notice any differences in your riding? Great job Anna, as always…..and props for racing a hardtail!

[@TechSucht]

I second that, "better" and "faster" are not the same.

[@jcam4071]

Also true.

[@koreydeese890]

Also hard tails are about fun! So tired of everything being about times in the bike world. Loads of people run for fun, but everybody seems to think all biking is about speed. Also no way I’d never ride a race like she did on 27.5

[@anthonyparson2493]

I feel like there’s so much difference in the 2 bikes it comes down to practice. Totally different ride ability.. my first bike was 5 rides on my full suspension were kinda scary. It was my first full suspension bike. But 3 months later. I regretted getting back on the hard tail. Full was in the shop about a week waiting on parts. After getting reacquainted with my haardtail I knew it’s just what you get used to. I love them both in different ways for different reasons. Feels like polygamy a bit I guess. ❤❤❤😂😂😂😂

[@swansmeister]

it's so simple, what do you use the bike for mostly, offroad trails beginner or advanced doesnt matter buy a fully, if you ride cross country or more on the normal road buy a hardtail, if you are rich buy both and use em for what they are made for. In general it seems like a hardtail is the better option if you can only afford one bike. She saz she's having fun on the hardtail but she's looks terrified as fuck and bet she aint having fun at all.

[@marcstolk6682]

I agree with Blake... Silver spoon reference is spot on

[@Galactico42]

One step further, I spent the beginning of this season riding a 30-year-old rigid bike. When I got my hardtail put together and back on the trails I was definitely a better rider than where I left off last winter.

[@toxicmale1744]

On the splitting of the run in to two halves, I think it would've been interesting to know these times for the hard tail, too. It's likely that you went faster in both halves as the month progressed on the hard tail but, I think more so on the first half. As you gradually altered your style to accommodate the way the hard tail rides you likely restricted your speed in the second half yet, still went faster there also. You then transfered this new style over to the full suspension which slowed you in the rough, as you pointed out. All very interesting. You gave up your full suspension for four weeks for this test. Quite the sacrifice - I bet you really missed the comfort and capability.

[@carrotman2871]

The next step up is riding a fully rigid bike for a month 😂

[@not-fishing4730]

It's also a great way to resurrect an older mountain bike, like my '84 Fischer Hoo-koo-e-koo. You really learn to use all your body's suspension.

[@interceptor7905]

@@not-fishing4730 Just in the process of rebuilding of Hoo Koo E Koo 2000 model myself can't wait!

[@snoopdutt1985]

Unicycle episode is going to be banging

[@SamuelLudden]

@@snoopdutt1985 full suspension unicycle first just to be fair

[@Dorkbike]

I think she might have been. That fork wasn't moving much at all in those POV's.

[@Stussy787]

I think it would be more accurate if both bikes ran 29" wheels and the same travel on the front suspension.

[@AnnaOnTheBike]

Yes, I wish it would have been more “fair”, but I only had access to these bikes

[@Stussy787]

@@AnnaOnTheBike a good comparison would be say a Santa Cruz Blur against a Santa Cruz Highball or a Yeti A.R.C against a Yeti SB115, Both these examples are aimed at XC/trail and all should have the same set up component wise. That way you could make a much more accurate comparison. I actually went back to an XC hardtail from a full suspension XC rig (both the same brand, size, set up ,etc) and got better race results over similar XC race circuits over two race seasons. I felt much more in control with the hardtail and less fatigued but would probably put that down to the hardtail being lighter than the full suspension bike. You do need to set the same fork (Fox 34 Stepcast) up differently on a hardtail to a full suspension rig though. Servicing and maintenance costs were cheaper with a the hardtail.

[@jimi272]

@@Stussy787 I guess I have to make a video about my NS Bikes excentric vs Pivot firebird. Both run 29ers in a similar categpry

[@Stussy787]

@@AnnaOnTheBike and Tom Pidcock just won the European Championships in Munich on........a hardtail.

[@GuinessOriginal]

Yeah I find the difference riding 29” to 26 on a hard tail as big as the difference between hard tail and full sus

[@racingbeats1493]

This a good video all around. I like the more in depth analysis in the end finding out where the true advantage might be other than significantly better ride comfort on full suspension. Its cool you joined a race with it as well!

[@waynephilbert]

Thanks for the video Anna! You're a braver rider than most taking on that race on a hardtail. I find riding an aggressive hardtail is great fun but definitely slower and less controlled than riding on my Full Suspension bike. They both have their merits and compromises.

[@seatography]

Great video especially as a novice progressing with a hardtail (a Scott Scale 29er). The showdown at the end is inspiring to hear as you say you have more confidence with the full sus, and that's great news as I move to one in 12months time. Great video - and Ard Rock looked epic!!!

[@stujm8376]

What a fantastic video, you need to more of there. I ride my hardtail like I ride my dual sus, to the limits but would never give up my hardtail, it has helped me progress drastically. Like I say, I hope you do more of these vids, they’re fantastic

[@mattmitchell5320]

As someone who rides a full suspension, but also loves riding my aggressive hardtail all the time too, I can definitely say it makes you a better rider. Plus variety is the spice of life. Love this video as a hardtail enthusiast.

[@ltrtg13]

I'm starting to wonder if Blake has been giving Anna ideas. Blake races the Megavalache and the EWS 100 at Innerleithen on the Nukeproof Scout. The Anna races the Ard Rock on a Nukeproof Scout. Or is it something in the Bath water.

[@Grunge_Cycling]

That Megavalache video was so memorable! Definitely made me believe you can do everything on a hardtail.

[@chris4536]

Love the wordplay at the end haha!

[@Yoda-em5mt]

@@Grunge_Cycling you can .

[@AliasHSW]

Appreciate Anna doing ride videos

[@brendontaylor7420]

Well done Anna for taking on a challenge like this. It's been a very long time since I had a hardtail (a Giant Cadex CFM 3) I'm sure at the time it was preparing me for future bikes. I really don't think I could go back now.

[@ronnyoutlaw]

From the results it looks like training on a HT makes a difference only on a HT. Maybe the riding style and technique required by the two kind of bikes is more diverse and different than we think. Nice interesting video 😊

[@KevinT3141]

I love it when we get to watch Anna or Doddy shred. They're great behind the desk, but deserve their fun too.

[@ksor_mtb3359]

Awesome video! Cool to watch the test and even in a race!

[@russellparker4568]

My old hardtail held me back MASSIVELY. snapped frame, pedals, cranks. I’ll never own one ever again.

[@alexh.4068]

I find both are useful so good to have in the quiver. I tend to dial in the details of techniques on the hardtail whereas the full sus gives me the confidence to initially hit larger jumps and drops as well as hit certain sections of the trail faster. Over time I've found that having both has improved my riding more than just the one.

[@richardruns4cake]

Great and interesting film . Definitely your best film so far on your GMBN journey 👍👍👍

[@mrhankbotful]

Notice the laughing on her first lap with the hardtail? I didn't hear that on the full sus... Sometimes fun trumps fast.

[@martinsero685]

Good parallel. Good perspective and comparation. - Question: Perhaps you Anna and your teammate Doddy could make a video about your decisions (your work, preperations, considerations) in relation to bike geometry and your choices concerning your riding-styles. Kind regards from Denmark

[@galinkarlov]

It will be interesting what the time will be after of couple of descents, when you bring back confidence with full suspension bike.

[@TechSucht]

Yes, that she was slower on the less smooth part was probably cause riding the hardtail taught her that she cannot ride as fast in that section as she in fact could with the full suspension bike.

[@Milessongs]

Brilliant experiment! Anna does a great job of keeping her determinations to a practical level. Way too many variables involved to actually Prove the initial premise of ‘hard tails make you a better rider’. But the detailed course breakdown and Anna’s personal input keeps this really useful and interesting!

[@z33tanner]

Awesome video, impressive how close you got your hardtail time to the full sus! I think less experienced riders would gain more from hardtails than an experienced rider like her also.

[@winklertribe5268]

When I finally got a full sus bike after riding a hardtail for a few years, I had to learn to ride completely differently. I didn’t find that my hardtail riding skills translated very well to the full sus bike.

[@jeremytee2919]

scientific method specifically avoids observing things in the way you just described for a reason. Your belief that your described experience has informed you of anything at all, is the lesson here. Not everyone could benefit from a hardtail, But the less you understand why it would help, The more you probably need it.

[@winklertribe5268]

@@jeremytee2919 not sure what you mean with this comment… I’m just saying that, for me, riding a hardtail is a different experience than riding a full suspension bike.

[@fredrikholmgren4182]

Great video! Your videos are so inspiring because seem to be about the same level as my mates and me. On a good day maybe I could keep up with you, and thats inspiring! And you seem like such a nice person wich really shines thru! Thanks a bunch from Sweden!

[@Brett0206]

Love this video! I think hard tails will always lose out when pointed downhill. I ride a chromoly frame Hardtail (Norco Torrent S1) and a carbon frame full suspension (Norco Sight) on Vancouver’s North Shore, both with rockshox Lyric Ultimate forks. Rumour has it that the Torrent was designed to test the geometry for the Sight, so they are pretty similar setups. I keep falling in love with the hard tail because it makes me focus 100% on the trail and gives me more of a precise feel in the janky climbing trails and other spots where balance is key. Then I fall in love with the Sight because it is some much more comfortable to ride and so fast on the downhill sections, even if handling can feel a bit vague. Did you find that difference between your bikes? I’m happy with the full sus bike and ride it more often, but I absolutely love my hardtail and will never give it up. Could not tell you why I feel so different about the two bikes, but one is like a family member while the other is the like a reasonably entertaining co-worker. Go figure!

[@julianw5692]

Really cool video. Also it's mighty impressive that there was only a 5 second difference on the hardtail. 🙌

[@jcam4071]

It depends on the type of rider. For casual riders a hardtail is enough, since they dont ride often nor have difficult trails to conquer. For the amateur but serious mtbiker both bikes are a must, a hardtail will teach you faster about how to decifer a trail (where to bunnyhop, where to break, when to absorb, etc.) and the full sus will be the execution machine. For the racer, type of track and competition fomat will decide things, to race a dh track to choose a hardtail over a full sus would be suicidal, for racing a "speed and style" competition the hardtail is a must because of the pumptrack sections. Also, this lady definitely doesnt bunnyhop, if she did the roughest section of her test track would be easier and her times super short.

[@JAvellino669]

Wish I saw this video a few days ago! I bought a Norco Fluid HT1 this week, partially because I'm new to mtbs, and heard over and over that a hardtail was the best way to learn. However, you seemed to be beaten up by the bike. The onboard footage had you consistently upset with the bike, and it makes me wonder if I, as a beginner, will hate my new bike as much as you resent your hardtail. This isn't a criticism of you! In fact, I mean the opposite. It seems that the common line is to push a hardtail on beginners, and all the while, the same people who push them are leaving you behind on their FS bikes. It's almost like an artificial handicap to both hold back new riders, and make them more miserable without the comfort and confidence afforded by a FS. You were honest about the benefits, and that's admirable.

[@madbassist2004]

Awesome video idea!

[@theblishknovk]

Great work.

[@stuartpotter4923]

interesting vid... would love to know the time splits for the hard tail in the top and bottom sections, compared with those of the full bounce.

[@sergioseixas7153]

Hello, there! Greeting from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Well, I simply love HT's and I cannot explain why. Anyway, I've got a new bike about 45 days ago, switching from a HT XC MTB to a Full suspension Trail. It is a heck of a change. This New bike is my first Full Susp. Actually, is also the very first time I even tried a full susp. So, I don't know how the HT helped my development as a biker but I do fell more confident in the trails. Also, in my HT, frequently I was more concerned in saving my arse from falls instead of simply having fun. The Full Susp is all about fun. I am not able to ride in the top positions in my category when competing, but this is not because Full Susp/HT discussion....it's because the type of the MTB but I am in peace with that. Well, sorry about my noob points but I really enjoy your channel. Final point: I do miss my old HT XC MTB. On any given day, I will get me a third bike: XC Full Susp MTB just for competition since we have several XCO and XCM here in Brazil.

[@IanThompsonmohaanozz]

love the channel

[@Taj203]

This is so awesome and encouraging

[@stevekeith8261]

I ride full suspension and hardtail. I am no slower on hardtail and even ride hardtail in Scotland. Hardtail makes you feel more alive.

[@skunkape8326]

My opinion would be that its all down to intelligent line choice and learning what is a good line is. Not suprised at all that an experienced rider like Anna doesn't benifit from that test. A new rider that rode, lets say a month on a full susp then a month on a hardtail and then went back to full susp would like benefit greatly.

[@rofferdal]

I love my hardtail, but that competition terrain looked really rough, and even I would consider full suspension for that kind of tracks.

[@oscarlangley7887]

I think that perhaps alternating between the bikes over the month may have yielded different results. It would mean you would have maintained confidence on the full sus while increasing confidence on the hardtail. I find I need a few rides to get used to a bike and this may have been that. Loved the video!

[@kaedeschulz5422]

I feel like it improves one as a rider. I guess it's a matter of getting confident full send with the full squish again. With the hands i can recommend Spank vibrocore bars. For me it was an absolute game changer! Before i atleast felt it till i was home 30mins after i got out of the woods and a 2hour ride. With those bars. Absolutely no hand pain what so ever.

[@edwhite6574]

Made a hell of a difference for me too! Coupled with ergon ga3(?) fat grips!

[@kaedeschulz5422]

@@edwhite6574 In my case GD1 HT party likes em and i had GA on the old bike so i thought might as well try them. They are good yet when riding om the street the GA were better for without gloves

[@simonguard5087]

I enjoyed that Thankyou as I’ve just come back over from the dark side back to mountain biking - new bike to get me back into it - Nukeproof Scout comp 290! Looking forward to bad hands, numb wrists, crocked ankles and a bad back.

[@TheShavedleggs]

Most of my skills I developed in autumn when I switched to a rigid training bike with slicks and rode the same trails as in summer with the enduro bike

[@waynegiles9320]

Ard Rock on a hardtail 💪 Loved my P7 29er, never thought I’d go full sus, now Orange Stage Evo ❤️❤️

[@lulagus6846]

I personally say yes, especially on rougher and tech trails, if anything it at least increases your tolerance and endurance for really rough sections of trail

[@fra93ilgrande]

I've always been a hardtail guy since I started riding (but I do xc only lol) 😎👊🏻🔝

[@GuinessOriginal]

Try doing xc on a full sus 😂 the beauty of hard tails is that they make you a better rider, and if you’re a good rider you can do anything on them well. Full sus are one trick ponies and the majority of people who ride them most of the time don’t ride them on trials where you really need them, unless you’re a crap rider

[@TwistedAnimator666]

I got my first full sus this year, as I've learned what it's capable of my choice of lines has really opened up. I've no idea if riding a hardtail first made me a better rider but it definitely made me appreciate full suspension.

[@nickwoods5150]

I think some of the biggest improvement to my handling skills came from riding my CX bike regularly on single track. The hard tail still lets you get away with a multitude of sins given the wide tyres and front fork, where there are no get out of jail free cards with narrower tyres and a fully rigid bike.

[@alexdoner3641]

Having started out on a 27.5 hardtail I would definitely agree with starting out on the hardtail and then moving up to a full suspension bike and I know for me it was more so really getting used to the bumps on the hardtail and then I was able to prepare for the bumps on this full suspension set up better

[@debsluckey7516]

This is awesome!

[@ironcobra83]

I think that the improvements will be more evident in the medium/long terms. The point is that the HT is more difficult to ride, so you have to be more focused (and probably more skilled) to do the same things that you make in a full. However this is not necessarily a good thing, is just a fact: HT are more hard to ride than full bikes. It depends on a lot of others things too, like what you said, the confindence. In my case a think that helped, after a lot of years riding hardtails a finded really really easy going con full bike.

[@iulian2548]

I appreciate the effort put into this, very good work! As a long time rider who never owned a FS (I spend much more time climbing than descending where I ride), I have noticed that the riders who make the switch continue use the same technique on the HT which is totally understandable. In my view, you have to move your weight much more on the HT, and when it gets steep and gnarly the rider's bottom should be as rearwards and low as possible. The front should be loaded to the minimum and the wrists an elbows as loose as possible without losing control. Also tyre pressure should be set as low as safely possible, and tyres with thinner supple sidewalls tend to absorb the bumps much better (a good idea is to go with an even thinner carcass on the front, which is less prone to sidewall damage). Having the saddle a bit higher than the maximum insert helps me control the bike better with my thighs.

[@fireblade1986]

You should do a recap after getting back on the full sus for a month Hardtail skills make you more conscious of your lines for shure... An it takes time to develop the kind ofquick deliberate line choosing for smoothing out the trail. Going back to the full sus you will probably end up putting a thousand tiny line changes, where you could have relied on suspension. Also it takes time to get back into the handling and timing you need for each bike. ... For me the big suprise really came this year in the alps on really steep and rough trails, where i could just let my full sus get up to speed and then just dance in-between lines on the go even on new to me trails. ... You just read the trail on a different scope as the suspension makes other lines viable at speed... And speed puts the energy into the system to flick around a bulkyer bike, as you would already need to with the hardtail on less severe terrain. The trail you where on kind of didn't really necessitate linechoice. (i still have a lot of trails where my best strava times are on the 140mm-hardtail, just because of rolling speed and pumping, and because there is little to be gained from full sus)

[@TheYeti2112]

Great Video and content. I’ve been riding a SS hard tail for about a year. Last weekend I rode a 15 mile loop with an average speed of 8.9. Lots of climbing and hilly rocky terrain. I rode the same loop on my Full Sus with gears and was actually slower 8.7….I attack more out of the saddle and line choice is important on my Single Speed HT. You don’t wear gloves!?! Your hardcore!

[@FatboyAussie]

First ride in a month so I think you might of been extra cautious in the rough. Try another run on your mega to compare times. Just bought a hard tail to practice on for this reason.

[@lylehoanshelt179]

I love riding my hardtail, I'm used to the rooty terrain and rough terrain

[@BasicBodThor]

Riding a HT has taught me the value of good line choice. I also have one so that I can ride more mellow terrain and still have a good time

[@andrewlovell9930]

Re-familiarise with the full sus for a week or two and then do the timed run again. Some left over hardtail reticence to hit the rougher stuff could well have hindered.

[@David-np4vo]

Well done 😊👍👍

[@hallstewart]

Possibly my FS riding improves my short travel HT riding by building up my body English and commitment which pays dividends on the lighter, livelier and more fun HT. But on brutal rough trails you start suffering fast on the HT! The issue with the FS is not just the weight and slow handling but the unpredictability of the suspension and geometry which I find upsets my front back balance and cornering precision. I’ve never been able to get the bloody thing set up right! Great fun video BTW Thanks

[@ddevineisofine]

I think this is missing the point where if you’re already a great rider you’re still going to be a great rider. The advice to get a hardtail is for someone beginning, beginning on a hardtail 1000% makes you a stronger rider

[@alexthomas7935]

Silver Pike with the yellow frame👌😍

[@twinshock175]

Coming from a HT rider myself, I agree with the fork setup observation, I like the initial firmness and suppleness overall, as you tend to ride the full stroke of the forks. But overall you could improve further by riding clipped rather than flats for HT. You should have a better climb ability and pedaling any trails that undulate for HT advantage. You should be able to pick a better line generally than just smashing it, as at the end of the day less tired. Depending on the trail, jumps are the main difference.

[@JulianMoon]

Loved this one! Well done Anna

[@jackridestrails]

I’ve only ever owned a hardtail currently a nukeproof scout and I’m almost nervous to go onto a full sus because I’m really comfy and used to it, I know exactly how it’s going to react and I almost think I’d be slower on a full sus 😅

[@XxWWWSAM2xX]

I own both and honestly it really depends what you normally ride. If you enjoy talking your time through tech trails and don't do much jumps, HT is really enjoyable. FS on the other hand is super forgiving, so if you enjoy speed (especially over rough terrain) and jumps, FS is much more enjoyable. Personally the trails and rides i do are much more fun on a HT (FS honestly takes the fun out of it by mellowing it all out) so I'm going back to HT for the foreseeable future. Also I'm too lazy to service the rear of a FS...

[@user-yv2cz8oj1k]

I prefer my hardtail to my expensive full suspension. Learn to do most jobs and you can make improvements as you go, maybe hire a mtb or try a test day for the exotic stuff.

[@DarkJaxter]

I'm a Florida rider who barely knows the meaning of downhill, but I recently went to Pisgah and met a guy on the climb who rides downhill regularly that grew up in the area and was staying in New York. We rode Upper, Middle, and Lower Black. He was on a carbon full sus and I was on a 2019 Ragley Marley with an MRP Ribbon air fork that I can't get tuned properly for some reason. I was, more or less, able to keep up with him on my first time riding downhill ever. I wasn't able to follow a lot of his lines, and he was definitely just a faster rider so he stopped and waited for me at a few points, but I was with him most of the way down.

[@isellonlineme]

It would be interesting to know how you felt about your test runs after the month was up. Either way I thought the video was really well done, with none of the standard “are hardtails better” guff 🤓

[@user-yv2cz8oj1k]

The hardtail is an entirely different technique, I started out on hardtails as a kid, with technique and line choice you can cut that disadvantage, and elsewhere you can leave a full suspension in your dust.

[@kisilvan]

After having ridden hardtails for most of my 35 years on an MTB then adding an enduro/trail FS a year ago I was cautious on the FS initially riding it like the hardtail but now I am finding I am riding the FS faster on harder trails as I realise it's capabilities and using the hardtail more for speed on smoother trails. I will always love a hardtail. It would be interesting to get one of the lightweight FS XC bikes and see how that would be.

[@jurisx85]

Very interesting experiment and cool video! congrats! Rough stuff is for a full sus. You can do it on a HT no problem but the ideal way is a full sus. Cornering and flow is best on HT. Both bikes can do everything and is up to you and what you can afford what you get. For me, is definitely a hardtail.

[@neonedge9]

I'd suspect that you'd learn a lot more on uphills and flat technical sections from the hard tail that would very likely make you a better rider on the FS.

[@jinavl]

Awesome awesome video!!!!!!👍👍

[@davidziemelis1593]

You should do pro on hardtail vs amateur on trail bike vs beginner on enduro bike

[@AnnaOnTheBike]

That’s a great idea!

[@michaelfleming4015]

I love my hard tail, but it’s a 29r and you rode a 650B. That may have squirreled your results a bit. I used to have a full sus Cannondale that was great but had seen many seasons. After watching Blake take on Megavelanch on a hard tail I used the full sus as a trade in. I got a great Andante hard tail with h disc, dropper post, and excellent one by Mech. Love it.

[@nickmassey9104]

These how to improve .,skills videos really help 👍

[@chrisridesbicycles]

I guess a hardtail can make you a better rider on smooth slopestyle stuff but on rough trails with a lot of random roots and stuff, it just soaks up so much of your concentration that it holds you back from learning. I still go much too slow on many trails because deep in my brain there is the ancient fully rigid bike with 56cm bars program.

[@user-yv2cz8oj1k]

You can do that on a hardtail, I grew up on them, a lot is learning to pick good lines, and not having to think about it, you might be overthinking it, and I've ridden we sections covered in exposed tree roots and rock gardens on a hardtail.

[@rpiian]

I've kinda had this experiment over the last few years with a fat bike. I've actually learned to wheelie and whip with the fatbike. The lethargic, gyroscopic effect of the rear wheels, aided in me not overwhipping, and the stability of a nice wide wheel while trying to wheelie. I've also used it in tech gnar - the floating feeling of the rear wheel takes some getting used to, and it makes the full sus much sweeter going back to it. Strangely, depending on the track, the massive grip of the fattie on off camber roots and small bumps made it pretty capable compared to full sus (easier to commit). But for bigger rocks, compressions, jumps, blown out tracks or faster tracks the fattie got overwhelmed. In a lot of cases the rolling speed is just much slower on the fattie so it's hard to compete there. It's been a fun experiment.

[@vlbz]

Huh. Never really thought about it, but my fs and ht have almost the exact same geo, and I do run the ht fork a lot stiffer.

[@foofy4494]

To really get an accurate result, you would need to give yourself some time to apply the skills learned on the hardtail to the full-suspension. For example, to ride a hardtail fast, you need to pick smoother lines and jump over roots and rocks to maintain momentum. When getting back on the full-suspension, you are going to tend to ride the same way you rode the hardtail. You are going to pick smoother and slower lines. You need to readjust to the increased capabilities of the suspension. Picking straighter lines and rougher landings is where time can be saved with a full-suspension.

[@Mk3Lew]

I cut my teeth riding hardtails. I used to only have a dirt jump bike when I started and would hit the local downhill tracks on that with only a rear brake, stiff fork and tyres with questionable traction and I’d keep up with most of my riding buddies at the time who were on full sus bikes. Last year I got my first full sus bike, and loved it. But I’ve just bought a hardtail frame and will be going back to a hardtail because I actually miss having to work the bike and how the rear can kind of just do whatever it wants to do while the front does as it’s told. I’ll probably not be faster but I don’t race so lap times mean nothing to me. I know I’ll have more fun riding the hardtail and all the sketchy sideways moments it brings with it. A 15mm shorter chainstay length will be a welcome relief too. These 29er wagon wheels don’t snap into the corners as freely as the 26” wheels I was used to.

[@ResilienceOnPurpose]

I think a few more runs on the soft tail so you could get used to trusting it again would help. You were slower on the chattery stuff you'd instinctually take slower on a hardtail.

[@apexclip3458]

On flowy single track is always faster on a HT. And on climbs nothing beats a HT. Most riders don’t need 150mm travel rear suspension bikes. Keep in mind a HT is a cross country bike with CC geometry so riding it like AM is quite dumb.

[@petec811]

Nice content Anna 🤘

[@tdaubner]

Awesome job congratulations

[@adowdell]

I ride hard tail and chase a LOT of full suspension bikes of different levels. I carry a lot more lean in corners, especially fast flowy corners. In rough stuff I skip around, bobbing and weaving through finding the smoothest path. That means my travel distance and energy consumption is higher. In rough stuff I get out of the seat more using my legs as suspension. Again slightly higher energy consumption. I tend to accelerate harder out of the corner than full suspension riders that do better at maintaining corner speed (less picking around) high energy burn. Full suspension can stay seated longer and more often, but have a slightly higher weight bike. I don't know that practicing on a hard tail and picking around makes you faster on a full suspension that doesn't need to pick around. Blundering over the rough with full suspension saves energy compared to picking around on a full suspension. To sum up: I think practicing on your bike whatever it is will make you faster. Trying a new bike here or there to help you get an idea of what you want to buy next is a good idea. And fitness... fitness improvements are king over all.

[@benmecklenburgh5682]

Great video and always good to show riding hardtails compared with full sus bikes. More please

[@glen3509]

Anna, Great video🤘🤘. I've never gotten the chance to ride a dual suspension bike; they definitely look fun🤘🤘. It took me awhile to get threw the video, I kept pausing it🙆‍♂️😄

[@glen3509]

I'm riding a Trek 4300 with chromoly forks, so no off roading for me. The bike came with low end RST shocks, but the lower tube cracked. I'm hoping to get a pair of Rock Shox Recon's; this is a 26" frame and these are the only shocks I know of that will work for my frame. I'm also still using XT V-Brakes.

[@Formula1875]

Goodness! The audio for the run on the hardtail didn’t match what I was watching. Nudge nudge 😂

[@michaels8607]

I rode trails with riders who mostly had full suspension, and climbing or smooth sections hardtails rocked. Going down and across rocks.roots, that rear wheel bounces all over the place. I recall i was using my thighs to grip the bike from flying away.

[@mosiowaty1573]

Nice vid. I think riding a hardtail made you faster on the flows. I'd assume it's because while riding a hardtail you've been looking for fun, and you found more fun on the flows. So you either a) have been ridng more flowy trails, or b) have put more focus into the flowy sections on your rides/workouts

[@ByronWWW]

I use my hardtail for the winter, cheaper spec on it as I'll go through a casette and couple of chains over the winter months.

[@kennethcampbell7263]

Not needing a nap is probably down to being able to relax a bit more with the tune up. Anna I think a lot of it comes down to preference. Those that start with a hard tail learn to read and pick better lines, Yeah I'm quoting Blake Sampson, but it is a fair statement and then they can transfer that trail reading to a full sus and get smother. I think your right though in your statement that if you did more on the hard tail over a longer term you would develop better skills, and that has to influence you speed both on and off a full sus bike.

[@colinl2908]

I suppose it depends on your local tracks too as to what people purchase? If faster/flowy hardtail would be great. If more technical and rough, then full sus.

[@simonlarkin6347]

I felt that my scout hard tail would of suited me better over my Oiz at the Ard Rock event. Also Ard rock should do a full rigid like 90s mtb’s category 🤣

[@pympin87]

i think the best thing about hartails is they make easy trails more fun ... and full sus gives you confidence to charge the rough stuff

[@mixification]

From my strava times at my local I'm faster on my full sus overall, mostly because the 29" wheels and suspension gives me more confidence to push the bike harder thus making me faster. Love my hardtail but I only really use it in winter on milder trails or on local bike rides.

[@johndef5075]

Exactly. Hardtails can be fun but when I try to ride one like I ride my full sus it gets sketchy quick😅

[@user-yv2cz8oj1k]

29er on a hardtail helps smooth it out.

[@waynebrowne4383]

It's not what you ride but how you ride it. TBF Anna that was a really good challenge and you came away with a first place at Ard Rock so a win win result. Oh and you make great addition to the GMBN crew