Riding A Hardtail At A Downhill Bike Park!

[@MattLowne]

Feels like I'm a cheating spouse watching a Hardtail video from GMBN without Blake on the Nukeproof Scout in it 😂

[@neildonoghueMTB]

Embrace the feeling 😂

[@mctg9043]

ksp 🤝 mtb

[@underbikedoverconfident1142]

Ha! I was expecting a Blake when I saw the video title 😀

[@cloroxbleach9222]

Blake and his shenanigans is responsible for contributing to 100% of Nukeproof scout sales, I don't have the data but it's totally true

[@nebnollock5198]

Fancy seeing you here lol

[@raziz16]

I started with a hardtail & I have a soft spot for that. No doubt that a full suspension feels very comfortable but that feeling of controlling the bike under you makes you a better rider.

[@MaYbYl8eR]

You can control a full suspension wtf

[@Liqweed1337]

i love my black/gold hardtail. but if i had a Santa Cruz V10 29" 2021 Oxblood paintjob, i would love this one more.

[@hugohammond1301]

I love my scout 27.5 and the challenge of keeping up with my friends on their full sus rigs.

[@gethappycyclingcampingoutdoors]

I grew up riding BMX, or a modified bike to be a BMX. Now in my 50s I bought a hardtail mainly because of the price, I couldn't justify £3.500 upwards for a full suspension. From what I can gather the main difference at my level, is comfort. I love navigating rock gardens, roots etc. on my hardtail, I do like going fast downhill but skill is what turns me on. Being able to go fast downhill over rock gardens, roots etc. without navigating these obstacles in my opinion is not as much fun, although you can do it fast if you're a good rider but I'm not (yet).

[@Powerhugful]

Now go and do it at Fort William, something you should've done the first time around.

[@Nakidaii]

nice

[@uldi1s]

60 years old, 28 surgeries (and many more injuries that didn't require surgery) and a die hard hardtail lover here :)

[@gmbn]

WOW!! It's great to see you are still loving MTB and the hardtail life. Safe Riding!

[@nk-dw2hm]

I always think of Blake as the gmbn jumper and Neil as the downhill guy, then something like this comes out to remind me they're all great all around riders

[@effinareenwisy]

Me too! You guys are something else, man.. I would probably snap my shoulder or hips going down those trails so fast on a hardtail!

[@joesepicadventures666]

I'm a old school hard tail rider !! COMMENCAL 4 LIFE !!

[@JohnnyB.]

I love my hardtail!! I love knowing I'm one of the few left that ride hardtails. I always get respect at the local trails for riding a hardtail. Nothing against full suspension, I just love the predictability of the hardtail! Great video GMBN!

[@edgarcastillo7005]

Where im from the philippines you hardly see a full suspension

[@destinhook3826]

I ride both and love both equally

[@ROSE-by5su]

@@edgarcastillo7005 nah I see fullsus everyday in Philippines its about where you live

[@Sebsamazingcodmgameplay]

What hard tail if you don’t mind me asking

[@omarvlogzquad8204]

@@Sebsamazingcodmgameplay its. A bike that doesn’t have suspension air or springs That’s what I know

[@bingoberra18]

Rather a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow. Hardtails might be an entrypoint because of price, but skills wise I think its the next step from a full suspension if you want to be a great rider.

[@awesometuscaloosa7203]

Absolutely agree…

[@sandy_knight]

I'd agree, personally I'd recommend everyone starts on a hard tail, it'll force you to learn good handling technique, line choice etc, stuff that a full-sus bike will cover up, to a point... Also, IMO, some things are easier to learn on a hard tail such as pumping and bunny hops.

[@MaYbYl8eR]

Hard disagree. Just ride the fast bike fast also. Duh

[@bingoberra18]

@@MaYbYl8eR Yes but many people without much experience buy a fully loaded full suspension bike, but never really make use of it. They could easily make do with a hardtail and feel more involved. More speed means higher risk of injury and for most people who have a job, being able to work on monday is priority. With a HT you can feel more involved at lower speed.

[@chimps4gimps]

@@MaYbYl8eR until the talent runs out and they end up in A&E. Speed is not everyone’s friend 😂

[@MrDTrain194]

I love my hardtail and am by no means the fastest but race all the enduros on it. I find it sad that there aren't more high tier events where hardtails have there own dedicated category. In races where there is a specific category usually between 5-10 turn out and I will more than likely podium or be just off. This year I will endeavour to change this and hope to get more hardtail riders to events. I think with the lure of big expensive enduro and DH bikes takes too much attention away from the people who stick to the hardtail and master the skills instead of just jumping on a full sus and pretend to ride fast. I don't think hardtail riders get enough credit for riding in competition and would love to see this change.

[@gethappycyclingcampingoutdoors]

Yes, that's what I tried to explain in my comment. I love the skill of navigating rock gardens, roots etc. on my hardtail not just fly over them on a full suspension bike. Where do you enter events?

[@SprSonik13]

race non-hardtail category, the organizers won’t care, and you’ll have fun beating people on squishy bikes while proving it is the rider that matters most.

[@kaedeschulz5422]

I for sure will try to find some events to ride on my hardtail! I'm just a beginner but hey why not? I don't care if i don't win. Riding with faster ppl will improve skills wich is more important.

[@gethappycyclingcampingoutdoors]

@@kaedeschulz5422 if there are no events maybe we need to start one! I'm in the UK.

[@kaedeschulz5422]

@@gethappycyclingcampingoutdoors Sadly far away in Germany XD

[@atanasbozhilov6043]

Great job Neil. It's a pleasure to see you on a hardtail. It would be great to see you again with Blake bike packing with your hard tails and after long ride to the campsite, to do some black trails, just to prove how versatile is a hardtail.

[@gmbn]

Glad you loved the video, Atanas! We love making hardtail content so we're definitely going to have more on the way! Cheers for the support!👍

[@chrisridesbicycles]

I love my hardtail for muddy conditions (less time wasted cleaning) and for learning stuff because it feels the same every time.

[@TimbuktuWilliams2]

I hear this a lot. But I just got my first full suspension after riding hardtail for a few years, and I don't think there's that much difference. It rains quite a bit where i live, but I just hose (not high speed) down the linkage and it's fine.

[@JohnnyB.]

What I love about starting off with a hardtail is it really forces you to choose your line wisely so you have the smoothest/fastest run possible. Full suspension is a lot smoother and more forgiving, but we all will eventually encounter a difficult rock gardens where choosing the correct line is extremely important! Great vid!

[@charlesb7831]

I've always loved Hardtails, I refuse to go dual suspension where we live. And I'm not far off pushing 50 years old with serious spinal injuries. You can make some changes to make it a little easier on your self by swapping out some parts, even tire pressure and tire type. Fantastic videos as always!

[@endianAphones]

I'll be 37 in a few months and I have a 27.5" Stoic (S). It feels like it's more than enough bike for me. Super fun, lo-fi, doesn't feel like I would need more for the local trails. I would see myself going for something like a Kona Honzo ESD before going for a full squishy, which by then it will probably be an ebike because I'm not getting any younger and the fun part is going down. For going up I prefer my gravel bike anyway.

[@orionlightheart640]

I've been riding a hardtail for years now. I would say, full suspensions are still nice, but one thing I like about the hardtail is the more versatility of climbing, and I like a challenging climb.

[@darcyphillips70]

Hardtail is all I ride & I love it… I ride with groups who are all on full sus, I can hold my own & keep up. I love that “seat of your pants” & direct feeling of knowing exactly what’s happening. I’ve ridden full sus and enjoyed it, but my hardtail makes me smile so much more and it keeps me honest & focused… after all, they are far less forgiving when it starts to go southbound 👊💥

[@ThunderStruckMTB]

My only bike is a 2019 Sant Cruz Chameleon in 29er mode. I'm 54, been doing this sport since '87 and will never own another full suspension bike again...... at least until my health forces my onto a motorized MTB, but hopefully that won't happen.

[@gavinturrell]

Love the video but please fix the audio volume differences between music and speech. It's really annoying having to keep adjusting the volume.

[@SteelR4t]

Yup.. big hard tail lover for all the reasons you mention; primarily simplicity and versatility. I once said in one of Blakes videos that I rode my hard tail more than my full suss and someone responded, "Maybe you've got the wrong full suss". Thinking about that now, maybe I've got the right hard tail?

[@tyb8402]

I have a full suss as well and it just gets boring on some of the local trails in my area. Even when I do ride it I end up keeping the rear suspension more firm. My HT is a Giant Fathom, and I truly love the bike and how it feels on trails!

[@abshassan]

After 37 years living on this earth, I got into the world of MTB biking and I have owned my hard-tail (trek marlin 8) for about 8 months now and absolutely love it. I've learned alot in my 8 months of ownership and I am still learning. However I am at the point now where I think a decent full suspension bike is on the cards, that being said, I will not get rid of my first hardtail, it means the world to me. :)

[@lucaluthi2498]

I've started with a 100mm XC Hardtail went to a Trek Remedy with 150mm rode it for 5 years and now i went back on a 140mm Orbea Laufey h ltd Hardtail and I love it

[@DH-xx3my]

My Trek Marlin 6 that I have had for a little over a year ignited my passion for MTB, it was really a fantastic bike to start on. Now a few weeks ago I just got a new full suspension (Santa Cruz 5010) and it's incredible, and at first I was planning on selling the Marlin, but I really don't want to let it go! Glad to see I'm not the only one who gets attached to my bikes :)

[@80sAudiSport]

I still have my (mildly used) old Gary Fisher HT for nostalgic reasons, intermediates as Rockhopper etc before a Trek FS ... now for Xmas just went back to basics with a Stoic I am preparing for the spring. Enjoy your marlin. Keep it, potentially bring some fun with a Markhor to it and other simple upgrades.

[@geodelgadillo3486]

I still have my first hard tail, which was my first MTB😂 commencal meta HT🤘 like Neil said they make great winter bikes, I won’t get rid of mine either even though I forget about it in the warmer months.

[@cameronjohnson2309]

I started riding with a friend so we could get into shape and lose weight, got 120 dollar giant revel 3, the thing weighed a metric ton and has unbelievably narrow bars. Fell off of that a lot and bought my first "expensive" bike, a 120 mm 2019 Giant Fathom 1 hardtail. Never thought I would want anything else. I bought a 2020 Kona process 153 DL and have been riding and upgrading that for the last 2 years. I turned 37 last year and I'm going on my 4th season of riding. I love riding and the cool people I know because of it. It's a great sport.

[@orchestratedpassage9468]

Might want to change your edit style 'cause I saw no problems..you vocalized probs but showed none

[@tonywilson5468]

I've ridden a 26" wheeled hardtail for over 25 years and love it. It taught me how to read the trail, pick the right lines and have fun. I recently bought a 27.5" Whyte 905 hardtail and it is epic!!! It's handled everything that I've thrown at it and rolls better over rougher terrain than my 26" but is still playful. I've also got myself a full suss bike now which is ultra forgiving and capable, but so much less fun.

[@justinkinkade2063]

Riding my HT fast over chatter and technical areas is resulting in my rear popping up more than I'm used to on my FS. I've been having to break then to maintain control. I've been using the methods suggested in these videos, especially de-weighting and hanging loosely but it sounds like it is what it is on a HT.

[@chrisbalser3808]

I just got into MTB'G last year with a Schwinn Boundary hardtail. Made a few improvements to it. Fell in love with the sport and love the ruggedness on singletrack. Now looking to upgrade to a hardcore hardtail. Check out the Jamis Komodo.

[@tonyhruzek4250]

I ride my hardtail about 80% of the time. It just feels right compared to the full squish!

[@ThatAverageMTBguy]

I absolutely love my hardtail (Fuse Comp 29) and rode it exclusively while waiting for my new enduro rig to arrive. That 8 months of hardtail riding improved my skills so much, I now feel faster than ever, all thanks to the hardtail!

[@c436237]

Nice! Always great to see Neil shredding any trail, hardtail being a bonus.

[@92barton]

I believe riding a hard tail at a downhill bike park is called ‘Samsoning’

[@gmbn]

That has a good ring to it! 😅

[@lowcosttravelclub]

I'm 47 and I bought my first hardtail 🤣

[@stephengraham6194]

I love my hard tail I have a Nukeproof Scout with 170mm travel up front absolute weapon.

[@wesr1409]

Moved from the canadian rockies to the maritimes and moved from 150mm full sus to progressive hardtail... smaller terrain = smaller bike keeps everything interesting and pure!!! No regrets!

[@canatv2162]

Welcome to the Maritimes!

[@eduardonunez2946]

Good thing about hardtails is that they can make "easier" trails feel a lot harder since you have to work more on the bike to ride at the same speed. This is good for more average riders that don't live near huge bike parks or super nice trails. If I would ride the same trail on a full-sus I'm sure I would get bored pretty quickly of my hometrails.

[@joppek77]

100% agree. I'm not a racer so I don't care about being the fastest. My goal is to have as much fun as possible, and I feel that it's (arguably) more fun to be underbiked rather than overbiked. That said, one day my knees and hips are not going to stand up to the punishment anymore and that day I'll probably get myself a plush full sus. :-)

[@mattschm5486]

I was told that on the hardtail you learn to ride clean and with good technique because you don't have the error margin of a fully

[@hardtailharry6812]

Hardtails all you need 🤟

[@luxuryshine8507]

Always loved the Scott Scales and will always own one, hardtails are just lots more fun , less forgiving and much more hardcore ;-)

[@deancapewell8927]

I miss my Scott Scale, beautiful hardtail. Now the owner of a Trek Procaliber.9.6

[@stuartspilling6509]

I've always ridden a hardtail and love it, need alot more skill on the gnarly stuff as you do feel everything, I've pre ordered a trek slash full suspension so I've got both. my hardtail is a nukeproof scout 390

[@nigelbrownwellington6514]

I love my hardtail ‘cos I came from a love of BMX to mountain biking. Just feels more natural.

[@massimoamodeo2455]

I have a steel hardtail on 27.5+, and have given many full riders a scare. That is a trail hardtail in my book.

[@MaYbYl8eR]

Why scare other riders

[@jamierokny1146]

Steel is real

[@orangeapple681]

Giant Fathom 27.5 hardtail owner here. I definitely beat my bike to hell and my body feels it the next day. What's always been important to me though, is riding things correctly and getting the technique right while pushing my abilities. Once I get that dialed in, I'll definitely get a full suspension, but I'm also waiting til I'm older (40s) before treating myself. 60s will be when I switch to eMTB 😆

[@dpugh39]

Drives me nuts when they say upgrade to a full sus 🤬🤬 In my eyes if you own a full sus you should upgrade to a HARDTAIL 🤣😂

[@thebrowns5337]

I still remember, many years ago, riding my steel hardtail (with rigid Project 2 forks, 26" wheels and V brakes) Kona LavaDome at Monkey Trail, Cannock. Not the nicest experience but doable. My current bike, still a hardtail - so much easier and more fun to ride and copes with all bikepark I can handle - Gisburn, Grizedale, Whinlatter, Cannock etc and local singletrack. Uphill I can still beat folk half my age on their full sussers - that point got missed in the advantages section...climbing. Amazing what difference disk brakes, front suspension forks and slightly bigger wheels (still 'only' 27.5" with 2.35 tyres) can make vs the old rigid bike! The shocker for me was a dropper though - just being able to move the saddle out of the way...golden. I can't justify the cost of full sus or even a newer 29" hardtail (which would be my absolute dream) but appreciate the best thing is to still get out there and have fun and hardtails make that so simple.

[@kyboy9730]

I love my hardtail

[@miN-Min-mIn005]

Hardtail is real MTB cuz I can feeling all of Road surface.

[@yengsabio5315]

I'm an HT boy since it's the only one I have! Having said that, I adore my HT MTB. I understand its limits as well as mine esp. as a beginner. But, mate, I always have fun riding in it, learning MTB skills with it, and enjoying the trails & off-roads together with fellow bikers. Lots'a love, cheers, & Mabuhay, from tropical Philippines! #KeepBiking

[@joshdesj]

Great video, thanks for the content. I picked up a Commencal Meta HT about a year ago and have been loving it. It's really made me a better rider, and jumper as well. A great compliment to my full suspension bike

[@Spoolingturbski]

I just returned my full suspension Cannondale habit for a Specialized Fuse Sport 27.5. Because of the saving I was able to throw a Fox 36 Kashima coated on it immediately. I will soon upgrade everything else. Full suspension is so expensive to upgrade. I can’t justify spending more than 3k on one bike.

[@balazsjancso2744]

I've just got a Rockrider ST540 v2 and it's an awesome hardtail i can't complain against hardtails

[@rnburley]

Judging by the comments you should maybe specify a proper aggressive HT. Not a 100mm XC HT. Big difference.

[@matthewspring2496]

I love my Whyte 905. having the 650b + 2.8 tyres makes it more comfortable and loads of grip

[@Everyday-man]

The biggest question have you made any modifications??? Ive heard the chain slap is pretty crazy on this bike due to derailer and clutch, you’d think at the price point of $2500 Aud you’d get Decore , even Polygon Xtrada $1500 hard tail seems to have some better components

[@ltrtg13]

It just occurred to me. Was this video filmed before Blake "borrowed" Neil's Canyon?

[@sleds365]

Looking at getting a stoic 4 and am right between medium and large, 6-foot, 36-inch inseam. What size would you guys recommend? Thanks

[@willardbruce4396]

Unpopular opinion: hardtails are better for 70% of the current people that think they have to have full-suspension builds. More $ and tech does not always equal better. How many people actually race or plan on racing their full-squish designed for enduro racing? Or even push them to their limits?

[@meliodashadeyoshi2115]

Best way to describe a hardtail vs full suspension.. full suspension is like pressing the Bluetooth pairing to your headphones wait wait paired.. Hardtail connect the headphone jack to the phone connected..

[@MajorKirrahe]

Would a hardtail be ok for blue graded tracks? I was just seconds away from checking out to buy a low-end full suss bike, but I'm wondering if it's worth the extra cost for someone of my limited ability, since I am pretty new to mountain biking.

[@elliotyamamoto38]

You mainly rode flow tracks lol. Next time fully send Roots Manoeuvre on your hardtail at BPW 😉

[@nathankleber9150]

Hardtails are the best. For certain things. The Stoic is a dope bike for sure tho. Just order mine, I hate waiting for delivery tho, it's so painful.

[@harcherboy]

still love my hardtail, you can commute with it, you can go offroad with it, and you can buy it cheaper.

[@RidgelineJames]

I love my hardtail dirt jumper which I ride the most mostly due to having 4 small kids and they love bumming around at the pump track. But the FS trail bike is king.

[@evigvandrare]

Amazing video, but this song is also an absolute banger. 🤘

[@CraftDauphinMC]

I only ride Hardtail mtb because i don't really like the feeling of rear suspension I'm saving to buy a canyon stoic 2

[@edjack1993]

Just bought this bike, in the exact same frame size. If I can’t ride it like you can, I’m blaming you. 😁

[@mtb_linda1821]

I am just starting out & looking to buy a decent hardtail, but I don't no which is best. 1x10 , 1x11, or 1x12

[@Dan-uy2ld]

I once had the unique opportunity to take a giant Talon to bike park Wales. The thing shook itself to pieces by the end of the day 😅 Not ideal but a really good laugh, especially with the pedals it comes with

[@Thankful_n_Grateful]

What helmet are you wearing? Manufacturer, Model, Name?

[@Vikturus2k6]

I’m building a custom trek roscoe. Can’t wait!! Just a little sore over the cost haha. 🤣

[@garyboyle695]

Full Sus are all well and good but they can suck the fun out of riding as it's just point and shoot, they just plough through stuff. Give me a hard tail all day, it's more engaging and fun.

[@BelieveInYouNow04]

I often watch this channel one ting i can guarantee i won't skip adds.

[@01tangodown]

Just picked up a santacruz nomad v5 and I've noticed on most trails besides double blacks it's so stable and cush that it's almost boring. A hard tail may be just the ticket.

[@tonyparkin3379]

Oddly I'm a 60% HT 40% foo sussa. It just calls to me in the garage.

[@kaltonian]

yeah i like my hard tail, don't get me wrong would love a full sus mtb & maybe one day, exspecially what you get with these vitus bikes value wise, i found with a good strong rear wheel with inserts helps to cut out some of the punishment & cost, i can't go as fast on the trails as my full sus brothers & sisters but i still have just as much fun., hardtails are also good for those bike packing rides exspecially going solo as you can fix most break downs, for me a hard tail is as good as the rider

[@gavinjones1070]

Got my Orbea Laufey last year and would not swap it for anything! Well, maybe a nice yacht.

[@dynodyno6970]

So could you argue that riding a hardtail on downhill tracks is more of a workout than full suspension? Since you need to have your core and arms engaged so much more in order to control the bike.

[@axelchuecaleon177]

Someone knows the name of the first background track?? 👀

[@RicardoPetrazzi]

I think my Bike Shed needs 3 bikes, I have one them so far. A Dissent, a Mega, and a Scout.

[@srstrand01]

It must be nice to be able to add a $2000 bike to your stable so you can ride it . . . Occasionally!?!?!?

[@slade3696]

Can’t ride anything other than a hard tail it’s my bread and butter I raced my mate on my cheap hardy vs his more expensive dually and I flogged him time wise despite being the lesser rider they just so much faster in smoother flow trails

[@TToxvehi]

This considered more like a hardtail commercial to me for Canyon stoic. Jajaja

[@Zerochilluwu]

personal opinion obviously but I think your always better of to start learning on hardtails then when your looking for that extra go full suspension

[@jewsefjones]

Hardtail for xc and mellow trails Enduro Bea to get sendy with the boiz

[@symz4665]

Well of course when you got godlike skills you can ride a hardtail at a downhill park lmao.

[@ArthurMac15]

I'm a complete beginner and I wanna learn but idk if my bike can take it, can anyone help? I got a barracuda as a gift for my birthday and I can't find any info on it anywhere, and im not sure whether I can learn how to ride downhill on it and whether it will withstand the abuse from it or if it will be safe enough etc.

[@martinwhitney4351]

You forgot to mention how much lighter they are!!!!! you can throw them around sooo much easier.

[@theavangelist]

That's how you make a paid for advertorial. Slow golf clap

[@dirkg.950]

(Dis)advantage: You got be Hardcore 💘

[@reezone2310]

I ride a cheap hardtail on trails n also on road to my workplace. But I also ride a foldie when im out with me family on a weekend fun ride at the lakeside.

[@thatguy199212]

when is this product going to arrive I ordered it on 4/19/20

[@joaobranco8405]

Were you clipped or with normal pedals?

[@loupbouchard1652]

I sold my enduro bike for a Hardtail yesterday I may be an idiot 😅

[@jasongebow8094]

What are my favorite videos and soundtracks

[@francisdee9955]

My commencal meta ht is arriving tomorrow🤪🥳

[@giancarloespejo2223]

That music though sounds perfect for this video

[@erikfarkas7868]

As a beginner, i'm don't even wanna go faster lol. :D

[@PatrickDennis-t8r]

I have a canyon stoic and absolutely love it

[@JordanBotsov]

Canyon Stoic is the best hardtail! I have the same bike and it's gorgeus!

[@DrewJ79]

Me too, bought mine in 2021. I put a wtb volt saddle, wolf tooth dropper lever, odi grips, and a rock shox fender on it. Its an awesome hardtail.

[@jacobgoodwin3274]

I’m sure I watched this video before.

[@Mtbdiyshedpage]

Neil finally got himself a 29er canyon