How Hard Can You Ride A Rigid Bike? | Shredding A Bike Park On A Rigid Mountain Bike

Full-suspension mountain bikes are awesome for shredding big jumps and rough downhill sections at bike parks! It's also important to realise you don't need to spend a lot of money on fancy FullSuspensionization™️ as you can get almost equally SENDY on a hardtail MTB... But what about a fully rigid bike? Blake had some rigid forks from our Hardnose video so thought it was time to investigate! 🤘
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Leave us a comment below!

[@jordyskate1995]

Blake can even shred a canoe on the trails😅

[@YettiFrog]

In the winter when everything is been snowed over that’s actually very fun to take a kayak down the trail just a real cheap kayak

[@timmatthewson5804]

You should start a petition

[@kevinshort3943]

They make excellent sleds.

[@jasperbetty6889]

Dude Blake could ride a steam train

[@Cheapsh0t247]

the challenge has been set, can Blake canoe down Windhill?

[@dagasdas3]

Imagine Blake using this bike on Mega Avalanche 😂 It will be the greatest achievement in history of mountain biking. "Blake The 🐐".

[@mihkus]

RIP every joint in hes body.

[@yacoubhussain992]

Don't give him the idea

[@reuben911]

if he does i will sub😂

[@the_spanner_ch7mp]

Rigid fatty 😀 👍

[@jirosantos2587]

BMX USERS🧢

[@freeziree]

He just yeeted the suspension fork that is more expensive that my bike lol.

[@pearlsstuff2861]

haha 😂🤣 yeah i thought the same thing🤟

[@valesz4140]

True

[@ratchetwolf6336]

Same

[@registratedforever]

Yeeted ?

[@radzieckigraczproductions3]

@@registratedforever yeet means throwing something with a lot of force and power over a distance

[@grumpynerd]

This reminds me of an interview I once heard with a guy who directed a film about old-time alpine skiers. One of his big concerns was finding people who still knew how to ski in the old-school style he'd seen in vintage films. It turned out the solution was easy: put expert modern skiers in old fashioned equipment. Once they figured out how to ski in the stuff, they looked exactly like the guys in the old movies. Blake is rediscovering the way we used to ride before suspension forks. You want your connection to the bike at the pedals and grips to be secure, but your joints have to be super relaxed. You have to make quick but careful line choices on trails you'd ride in your sleep on a modern bike. You couldn't go too fast, but you couldn't slow down either or an obstacle your suspension fork handles now would send you OTB. I was particularly interested to hear is Blake mentioning moving his weight back. That's used to be a poor man's suspension fork; you shift your weight back to unweight the front wheel in the hope that it will float over obstacles rather than send you OTB. That's why you see old timers descending with their backsides way out over their rear wheel, although even back in the day you wanted to be as far forward as you dared so you had room to move.

[@icantgivecredit871]

I like this comment because you provide great supplemental insight (along with an interesting anecdote, to boot) without sounding out of touch with reality. On videos like this, I more commonly see comments wherein the commentator is arrogantly proclaiming that he - having ridden rigid in the '90s - can [allegedly] smoke newbies on their expensive enduro bikes, with his rigid '80s/'90s bike.

[@mircozelle]

@@icantgivecredit871 very original strawman

[@JohnBS75]

I want to see the pre production video where Blake tells everyone about his song idea

[@notyours6275]

I want to see his wife's reaction to these clips

[@NathanJEllerton]

Blake's gremlin laugh is my only source of serotonin

[@DAZLM]

his laugh sounds like a hyena to me.

[@rynematthewsuano5384]

My favorite part was 5:49 when blake was dancing and singing... He's bringing the hypes...

[@richcrompton6891]

That’s more like it! That’s the way I started back in the 80’s! Awesome!

[@DanuelNuel]

I love my cheep rigid "mtb" with nice fast cassette and pretty slim rubbers (2.0). And yeah imo it's better than gravels. You need to ride different - don't lock-up your elbows and take any uneven terrain on your arms. But you get some speed boost and climbing is much easier than on full-sus. And last I think rigid teach you how to ride better and more technical.

[@MangoJim90]

yep! and tons of additional emotions :> love it

[@brendanwagnersayshi]

Rode my rigid trek for 10 years beat it hard. Then I got a bike with suspension and I didn’t like it. I just feels better to me.

[@chronicallycycling6543]

I loved the little voice saying ‘just send it’.

[@jedisentinel1499]

Ride a 90’ ridged too… 30-45 min tops when on my ride. Hands go numb no matter what. Great torque and handling but your body pays for it if you push it to hard . Still love every bit! Great video 🤙

[@spinnekopje]

It is just a different way of riding and you can have just as much fun without suspension. My experience in a flat region is that for most people their suspension helps to smooth out their own shortcomings and mistakes and it helps to cycle longer before getting tired. Sure, there are tracks where it makes a huge difference, but realistically most riders won't cycle there anyways.

[@hadesmcc]

Props Blake, you really like testing out the limits and you always have so much fun and enthusiasm when you do.

[@humboldtoregonian9400]

This does answer questions about going full rigid. I don't use suspension to save weight; but then again, I'm never really trying to go so fast down hill. Its the up hill stuff that I really enjoy.

[@desmondchan4868]

"I need clips for my hands, so they won't bounce off"... Priceless! Blake, please try stand up comedy one day! Please! 😂😂

[@Durwood71]

That's why you carry spare zip ties.

[@peterides9568]

Oh mate. I started riding on a rigid bike, a late 80s Specialized Stumpjumper rigid... My dad's commuting bike. I remember the hand ache. From the bumps, but also, from the three finger braking one needed to do with ancient canti brakes. Good times.

[@neldanjansevanrensburg5085]

As a South African, I can confirm you've got the Greg Minnaar/South African accent down to a tee 👌

[@ivanbergman8685]

Music to my ears.

[@thelonewolf3515]

Isn't he south african himself 🤔

[@thelonewolf3515]

Zimbabwe it is

[@neldanjansevanrensburg5085]

@@thelonewolf3515 This is awesome to find out! Explains the unique personality 🤠

[@thelonewolf3515]

@@neldanjansevanrensburg5085 yeah, i love this guy and he can do all kinds of accents 😂🤙🏻

[@rickyrideboard]

I rode a rigid fork all summer this year as I was waiting to buy a full suspension. There was one long day of very bumpy trails, and for two weeks after I couldn't close my hands all the way. They looked like they were still holding the handlebars, so I can attest to his thumbs hurting there!

[@Tobias-]

Blake you have just made yourself immortal with that song.

[@marysullivan1588]

Still have my rigid Bianchi mountain bike I use it on flat trails and the road complete with old school bar ends and a front triple 🤣 still in perfect condition . Out ran some serious bad ass dogs on my old bike .

[@johnnydoe66]

Blake doesn't need front suspension, his front wheel hardly touches the ground.

[@Zedia949]

He doesn't even need a front wheel 😂😂😂

[@ericm8811]

Hey gmbn Blake! Thanks for reminding me of the Rocky mountain Blizzard I rode in the mid 80s when I was a bike tech in Whistler British Columbia Canada! You have it too easy with that new fangled geometry and those futuristic disk brakes and huge tires! Good to see you having retro fun! Ride ride ride!

[@andybucher452]

Doh, everybody did until the mid 90s. In my case for 2 decades before I got my first Rockshox 'long travel'. 80mm, LOL and then it was absolutely amazing! Nice vid and skillage as always Blake.

[@wendigolycan]

Best episode ever, not sure how you gonna top this... 😆 Blake's a beast on anything with 2 wheels!

[@robertcopeland7223]

I’ve recently gotten into MTB so I bought an early 90’s Schwinn with no suspension. By the end of the day I was able to do the black diamond trails at one of the local parks.

[@theymademepickaname1248]

I call bs.

[@thomas_welfare_mtb581]

BLAKE IS MY FAVOURITE!!!

[@paultrail-blocker6088]

LOL! I ride a fully rigid Kona Unit SS with an MRP carbon fork. Not always, but it's fun to switch it up sometimes. Granted, the trails here on Long Island NY are like carriage roads compared to what you were riding, but I feel like the bike reminds me to concentrate on my basic riding skills.

[@cmoakes18]

I love Blake's crazy attitude in these videos

[@paulomoutinho3755]

This is great. I am riding a full rigid carbon bike with cushcore and 2.3 tires. Who needs suspension!?

[@sbinnala14]

People who like hitting big jumps

[@paulomoutinho3755]

@@sbinnala14, you right man. I am 58 yrs old biker. No big jumps for me. But, it's great back to the "root bikes". And, Blake proved that it is possible to jump very nicely with a fully rigid bike.

[@sbinnala14]

@@paulomoutinho3755 I like hitting the massive drops. That’s where my issue is with rigids. But I can definitely see why you want want a rigid.

[@joelhenderson3723]

All bikes are awesome. I rode my dad's old hybrid starting out, on skinny 40c tires, and it was great fun. To be honest, though, I like the grip and comfort on my current full sus bike.

[@sbinnala14]

@@joelhenderson3723 mines a 2002 jekyl. It has 2.1 inch tires but I still ride the paint off it

[@ironked]

Fun video, couldn't pass it up. When I realized I needed a real MTB, my first was a used steel rigid. It was great to learn on, although I bashed into lots of trees. I was out with some mates one day coming fast down a rutted gravel road hill. I let it run. The rattle had me completely disoriented, when it went completely out from under me and I landed in a ditch face down in muddy water. They though I was dead, until I rolled over and started laughing. First comment was, "Dude, you need a bike with suspension." The alloy hardtail is better. I still have that rigid. Made some changes. It's more aggressive, twitchy. Don't ride it much. It's mostly a back up. I agree with someone above. It does make you ride smarter and take up more shock with your limbs. You can't be sloppy.

[@richcrompton6891]

Oh yes! Speed is your friend when on fully rigid, or a bike as we called them back in the day. Suspension was only provided by your arms and legs... we had the tyres pumped!

[@chiccorocker]

Are you kidding me? Rap Blake!! Oh my, I didn't expect that, I love it!

[@lowpowermodelife]

One of Blake’s best videos. I’m all for more rigid content.

[@lowpowermodelife]

P.S. ESI grips + (padded) Gloves = Clips for hands, chrome, fox, rapha etc

[@bradleyfuller2517]

Blake saying that you just gotta let the bike do its thing when riding over messy stuff. Me who has been riding a 100mm front travel hardtail for a year and a half and just bought a full susp yesterday, " you mean you dont just grab the bars and pray on rock gardens?? you can control that?!"

[@noahtadrous7115]

5:46- the best edit gmbn ever made! Cracked me up!!

[@saaslel5822]

i love videos with blake it´s just pure carnage then :D , more videos with blake !!!

[@briannhoy650]

Been wanted a video of them shredding a fully rigid as I have a rigid fatty. Nice to know it can be done.

[@ericthedesigner]

Blake kills it every time!

[@ANTheWhizkid]

I was crying 🤣🤣🤣 thanks for the effort that you´ve put into this episode guys^^

[@koppanyban9326]

Since I have a rigid bike, i was waiting for this video :D

[@rasmusadventures6070]

Loved this video! And loving the glases in the song! It made my day a lot better! :-D

[@rashb3994]

The performance of "I'm too sexy for my forks" was pretty epic! 😂

[@LeadMunitions]

All the kit in the world can never make up for lack of skill!! I got into mountain biking riding a fully rigid Gary Fisher Paragon! Looking back now and i feel like ...how the hell did i not kill myself! Taught me how to really ride terrain and develop my skills. Fast forward 25 years and a hell of a lot of miles, i find myself using those same techniques i learned years ago.

[@alansmith2593]

this filum is amazing, Blake your one stylish uplifting dude

[@andromeda160]

All I know is after riding rigid single speed this season, I’m looking forward to some suspension and gears next year lol really good way to train though

[@JimsObsessiveCyclingDisorder]

I still have, ride, and enjoy my 1994 LL Bean Approach rigid which so bought new. Basically, it's a rebadged Specialized Hardrock. With modest updates this bike still is a ton of fun to ride!

[@dsenunez]

Blake is to GMBN what Matt used to be for GCN. Please NEVER let him go. So funny video, just what I need for a hard day like today.

[@garycockbain6506]

Back hops 'martin will love it 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@sjf1981]

Just scored an older bianchi sass full rigged single speed and I love it! I love gears too but coming from a bmx background I'm loving the rigid!

[@davidjennings3462]

Now time for the mega avalanche????

[@KDog2264]

Great video Blake so funny. Full rigid not a chance, it what got me out of mtn biking in the late 80’s . Try riding a full rigid on the North Shore, scary.

[@Zimblake]

Thanks Kevin, glad you loved it. Riding the North Shore fully rigid would be a hell of a challenge.

[@DeadsetYT]

About as hard as you can push it... So long as your okay with mega arm pump haha.

[@psypsy751]

This is the greatest video on this channel. I don't even know how to ride, but it's fantastic.

[@Scottslookingabout]

I'm riding fully rigid to crush buddies times on strava, my hardtail weights 34lbs, my flatbar 40mm tire cyclocross weights 22lbs. they do climb like a goat.

[@bensieber6960]

Rigid on a 29plus is great .... for a while. And then my hands and wrists and shoulders and back all remind me I'm over 50. I rode many miles on many trails on a rigid mountain bike, but that was in my youth when rigid was the only option. I take my rigid bikepacking Krampus on trail rides every now and again just for laughs, but it doesn't take long to remind me of just why suspension is so important. Yeah, you can shred on a fully rigid, and if you're young and strong you can shred for a while, but eventually the pain in your body will wear you out when others with suspension can keep on.

[@AthelstanEngland]

Great video. Needed something to bring a bit of cheer after the news of The Queen. I still ride a 1989 Marin rigid bike which I've had from new... have to admit I have NEVER done a wheelie up a hill!

[@simon__3919]

Finally something original on the channel - best video this year in my opinion =)

[@edtsech]

Blake is simply amazing. Great jokes, great riding, great content.

[@whonoeszero]

That rap! Blake's got bars!!!

[@grahamleach9639]

Back hop Blake. My lad (8) just pointed out he rides a rigid bike all the time so stop moaning! 😂😂😂 We all love you really Blake.

[@jc_smith]

Literally the best of Blake! The guy is a legend. Oh and that tune.. Genius., it’s like a cross between Right Said Fred, Vanilla Ice and Je t’aime moi non plus by Brigitte Bardot. 😂😍👌🏻

[@houseofsolomon2440]

Love the look of the rigid 🧡

[@irvsstella]

HAHAHA 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Loving the Blake Rap. I'm too sexy for my forks 🤣

[@Aubreykun]

Ey Blake with winter coming up some people might be interested in converting their bikes to a "Half Fat" by swapping in a fat fork. Maybe get one set up so you can take it out for a video when the snow starts falling? (And maybe get a second video in with the opposite to see how that works - a fatbike using a front skinny wheel/fork!)

[@liamcochrane81]

Blake is the best presenter on gmbn hands down class act

[@TimMillernapavalleyfilmworks]

It's 2:30 am California, did i just see Blake rapping...? I'm must be delirious.

[@cjcarlos0323]

Can you make videos on how you film your vids?

[@gavvypatty]

My first mountain bike was a rigid bike and I had know idea that there were different types of bikes so I never really cared when there were lots of rocks and then I learned about bikes more and I just don’t understand how you can ride a bike with no suspension. It was still super fun and would recommend if you can’t afford a hard tail that is cheap and can’t afford a used hard tail

[@glennpettersson9002]

Fully Rigid, at last Blake goes hard! And he made it look so easy 🤩

[@mellissanash7517]

I ride a rigid Karate Monkey with a -1* Works Component headset with 3.0 tires and it's a blast! My wife is thinking of going Krampus or Kona Unit X cause she's 6'1'' tall and prefers 29, so 29+ is going to be a blast!

[@Bennyhanna7]

Reminiscent of Yoann Barelli riding dirt merchant on a road bike! You guys are maniacs!

[@loud479]

I'm going fully rigid on a fuji i got on the cheap, replaced the bb and the chainset all it needs now is the new fork and it'll be fit for all i need it for

[@chrisfoster3772]

Nice

[@awesometuscaloosa7203]

That Nukeproof is Hot, silver and black... Classy 👊🤩. 🔥🔥⚡️💥✨

[@MG-iu1sn]

Blake was born with a mountain bike attached to his legs. Later in life he eventually learned to crawl, then walk, then run. This man can shred XD

[@swordsinging1709]

Love you man for doing this trial. Reminds me of the simple pleases on life, albeit along with the pain. You are a jem!

[@mylesmackey2430]

Stay tuned! Next week, Blake shreds a $150 Walmart bike at Whistler Bike Park!

[@jeffs2031]

You too have a great day Blake~~°

[@tsurutom]

Holy crap, the ENERGY man! Infectious, love love love it! Blake

[@Fixed_Sprint]

it's fun when Blake is Hosting

[@jasonbannan4024]

Do it on a 90's rock hopper or Bridgestone MB with that slammed geometry. We want to see how the old bikes do on the modern parks you are on.

[@jonathandooling702]

In my club we got that guy riding full rigid bike. He climbs like a beast but slow on downs.

[@Bacciagalupe]

Blake's the best version of silly

[@curiousturtle3011]

I ride rigid single speed and this made me happy lol after a good rooty ride my forearms and shoulders feel it

[@EvilBonsai]

Blake makes the best videos.

[@curtisf.r6233]

Awesome video Blake! 🍻👍😎

[@DoodMangSpeaks]

I just got a 1998 rock hopper from a buddy been doing a lot of work to it. Its pretty light honestly. Im really excited to run a rigid mountain bike try something different. I figured its gonna beat the crap out of me and this video confirmed my thoughts. 🤣🤣🤘🤘

[@Fischer456]

One of the best videos you've ever posted. Not sure what I like the most tho. Your car of your rap skills 👍😅

[@kennybolt4337]

I jump a fully rigid Norco Ryde and I love it

[@scottlelliott8431]

You make the best videos Mr Blake

[@MEGAwarr777]

I love this type of videos ❤️🔥✊🏻

[@genisis53]

Love the music video! I’ll watch any video that Blake makes. He’s such an awesome character

[@RuanOrjustRu]

Flip your 'boet' accent plug in for Greg Minnaar made my day. Such a lekker vid!

[@dday-does-stuff]

At 1:50 - throwback to the 90s...

[@feliksssander1554]

Come back for the next video where Blake does Red Bull Rampage, The Megavalanche and a game of bike against Sam pilgrim at Whistler on a child's tricycle. All back to back.

[@danjdavison]

Keep it up Blake!! You’re videos keep getting better and better!!!

[@Tetlow]

I think this is the best GMBN video I have ever seen! Lockdown has done a number on Blake I think XD

[@noelius4481]

That rap: GMBN meets IFHT. Hahaha internet gold!

[@frontierfishingwithryanmac1981]

This video took a dramatic turn away from the bikes and onto Blake's dancing / rapping routine! hahaha

[@averykeelschexnayder6824]

Blake is rockin clip pedals

[@computerbob06]

Before the 2nd half of the video, I was going to comment that Blake needs to alter his technique to ride a rigid bike! Softer hands - letting the bike do its thing and bounce over the roots, not landing on the front so much etc! I wonder just how light a bike could get if its rigid? There was one XC bike that only weighed 10kg, so could they get lighter? How thin could the tubing get on a steel or titanium frame and does it have to be formed from tubes? Perhaps a lattice of super thin tubes or solid stringers?