How Rough is a Rigid Hardtail on Singletrack? First Ride on My Winter Binary Maniak Hardtail Build

[@dgriffinm]

Great to see you out riding. Hope you have more of those days

[@hardtailparty]

❤

[@tonymartin7010]

48 years old, been riding since the ‘90’s. Riding fully rigid on a Jones SWB. My favorite bike ever. It’s the perfect bike for most of the riding I do here in Minnesota. I laugh at the full suspension bikes I see on the trail around here.

[@hardtailparty]

Im hoping to get a jones swb and lwb soon on the channel

[@tally2312]

Got an swb a few months ago. I keep taking it on more and more technical features. No dropper and 2.8 speedsters . I enjoy it more than my full sus. Might end up selling the squish

[@hardtailparty]

@tally2312 i hear this from so many jones owners. I think he's on to something

[@tally2312]

@@hardtailpartyyouth recaptured

[@GregAspenson]

@tonymartin7010 Where do you take your Jones in Minnesota? I'm interested in a fully rigid as a second bike to my Gen7 Chameleon. I'm from west central Wisconsin.

[@philipparris4287]

Amazing isn't it that no matter how much technology progresses so many still any this from a bike.I ride a rigid fork singlespeed and have done for years .I'm happy .

[@RideYearRound]

Happy to see you out riding so much! Now get an LWB in...I think you'll love it haha

[@hardtailparty]

Working on it!

[@jg2wheels]

I love the idea of just forgetting times and PRs and just going riding. I recently ditched my Strava account and considering throwing some 27.5 x 3.0s on my Pipeline and get back to having fun. 🤙🏻

[@miketatreau2347]

I rode a singlespeed hardtail for a total of 20 years. I went back to having gears for a short time when I got my new Trek Stache in 2016, but I turned that into a singlespeed as well. The 3.0 tires were indescribably amazing on the Phoenix area trails, but as I've gotten older (I'm 64), my style of riding and tire needs have changed. For the past 4 years, I've been on a rigid singlespeed, and my tire selection has gradually gotten narrower. I'm currently running 2.2s on my singlespeed titanium Why Cycles El Jefe with a rigid carbon fork. My riding consists of tarmac, light trails, and gravel roads.

[@danwebber9494]

I’m 55 and have always had a SS in the quiver. I enjoy the look I get as young E-bike riders slowly pass a gray haired guy grinding away out of the saddle.

[@Michael-fi6ve]

You absolutely nailed it with this build, perfect east coast bike.

[@hardtailparty]

Thanks. I ended up loving it far more than I expected.

[@bertkreft9689]

😀​ i can imagine that 👍@@hardtailparty

[@colinthacker3819]

Our winters in Montana need flexibility from our bikes. One day we could be in fresh snow, the next we could be on icy singletrack. I have a fat bike for the snow days but my main winter ride is an Esker Hayduke 27.5x3 with studded tires. It lets me ride the same trails all year round.

[@bongmayor4828]

That’s why I love my old trusty Niner ROS9+ 29x3.0 tires. Riding with low pressure just a pleasure to ride.

[@icantgivecredit871]

I've enjoyed riding rigid but I always return to using a hardtail with suspension fork. None of my rigid bikes weigh all that much less than my bikes with suspension fork, and I find that that extra theoretical maintenance is worth the additional comfort and control. The engaging feel of a rigid bike in my opinion is fun on occasions rather than for daily riding. It's just amazing getting back on a hardtail with suspension fork and again feeling what you initially took for granted.

[@hardtailparty]

Great perspective. I won't be selling my auspension forks. What part of the world do you live in?

[@icantgivecredit871]

@@hardtailparty I ride my local coastal mountain range trails in CA, which were no doubt dominated by rigid bikes in the 1980's. Some trails are tame, others arguably require a modern rig for controlled riding. It's fun experimenting with different bikes and seeing what's possible on a given trail!

[@hardmtnbiker]

I would love to build up a Jone LWB frame and especially love to build up his wheels, perhaps with Berd Spokes and ONYX hubs. That would be a dream wider wheel set! Anyway, it’s great to see you riding and hope to see more of these videos here or for your Patrons

[@oliverascher213]

Super excited for a Jones review! Maybe your review will be what finally convinces him to switch away from that annoying 27.2mm seatpost diameter.

[@eviltaz78]

I have never ridden a 29x30 but man I do love my 27.5x2.8 tires on my commercial meta HT!!! Yes the rolling resistant is noticeable but super fun to ride! The winter her in Charlotte, NC are not too harsh but it does tend to ride a lot so muddy rides is where my pressure comes to be more important. I run 18 in the front 19 on the back in the winter but 19 and 20 in the summer. I would love to get me a titanium HT.

[@MatthewHashim]

We'll miss you in AZ but happy to see you out there on the trails!

[@hardtailparty]

Thank you Matthew. I miss arizona too

[@Vasyapetrov666]

Jones bike review when?

[@hardtailparty]

Hopefully soon, he's open to it, and I love his philosophy and mindset. It's definitely on the agenda for 2025

[@jackcarter233]

I started on 26 inch wheels with 2 inch tires back in 1991. 2.4 tires seem big. I ride a rigid 2005 Vassago Jabberwocky 29 SS w/ Soul Cycles chromo fork. I love pure simplicity.

[@lsh-zi2lc]

started about the same time, always a hardtail.

[@yugen0o]

Rigid is highly underrated nowadays with 29" wheels/tires and compliant carbon forks, handlebars and wheels. I know it's not 'modern geo', but I still own and ride a Niner Air9 (

[@hardtailparty]

@@yugen0o i think it really comes down to terrain. Some areas really support rigid riding well. Other areas... not so much. But I'm having a blast riding rigid on Bentonville's smoother trails

[@Daniel_Yang_ARTEFACT]

Happy to see you out riding again Steve! ❤ I agree, plus tires never got a chance to shine. My favorite bike of all time was a 27.5 plus bike!

[@austinsp00l24]

I may have to find some chubby 26's for my troll, I have a velocity dually wheelset gathering dust that needs to be put to use. AR in December looks like early October in here in MN. Excited to see these kind of trails on the channel, looks a lot more relatable to what we have to ride on this side of the country. Looking forward to some new reviews when you're feeling up to it.

[@markkindelspire8375]

Love my stache 5. Fully rigid and 3 inch tires is definitely special. It really brings the trail alive. It also really teaches body English and using yourself as suspension. Getting back on my full suspension is fun but it feels dumbed down and like I’m cheating.

[@johnwesely]

Glad to see you enjoying the trails!

[@ianfurqueron5850]

Pressure is definitely key when it comes to Plus tires. I learned that running 27.5 x 2.8 tires on my old Vassago. 1 PSI can make a big difference.

[@GregAspenson]

It's great seeing you ride trails similar to my local trails. I can relate a lot more now watching your videos. We just got dumped on with almost 8 inches of snow up here in Wisconsin. Probably won't be out on the bike until mid-April.

[@velo.voyageur]

My first trip to Bentonville in 2018 I rode rigid on an RSD Mayor set up 29x3. Was a great trip and enjoyed the trails on that particular bike. Went back a couple years ago with a short travel ful sus 29er and it was also great, but ya, lots of ways to enjoy the trails down there. You can smash through the rocks or pick your way through. I remember the Back 40 trails seeming particularly suited to the rigid setup, hardtail would probably be perfect.

[@glenlyman2882]

Fun to see. My winter bike is a "fully rigid" Jones Spaceframe LWB. Most of the time I'm rolling on the 29" X3.25"s, but in the snowy winter months here in Cedar City Utah, I put a 27.5" X 4.5" on the front (since the Jones Truss fork can fit it, and it matches the circumference of the rear tire). This seems to be the perfect setup!

[@hardtailparty]

@@glenlyman2882 sounds amazing

[@cujomtb250]

I have a rigid Surly Karate Monkey with a 29 x 3 up front and a 27.5 x 2.6 in the rear. I absolutely love this bike for my trails.

[@davidmorris8121]

*Excellent* stuff! In a sense, tyres work by mimicking the surface they're in contact with. So with those low pressures, the tyres literally wrap themselves around the contours of the ground! I still remember the first time I ran tubeless on my XC hardtail (with low pressures). The thing felt like a hovercraft! Nice to see you back out on the trails, where you belong, dude!

[@watertankhikes]

As someone who has owned five Jones LWB's, I can relate! I've never owned a full suspension bike, and only ride my hardtail about 10% of the time.

[@cewatkins4049]

Working at Boom Boom Bike Room in Santa Barbara, we build a lot of bikes with Acolyte--shockingly great groupset, but watch out for the jockey wheels after a couple months. Winter bike is a 1992 Diamondback Ascent EX, 26x2.2 conti racekings. Great bike, just wish early mountain bikes agreed on 27.2 seatposts so I could run a dropper.

[@slimjim4ever]

Just took out my custom built Trek Stache 9.8 fully rigid and it was a blast!

[@petercroce]

Looks like such a fun build. I've been all in on my Stooge MK4 with a Duro Crux up front and a Terrene McFly out back. I added Cushcore Plus up front and Cushcore in the back and now it's a profoundly capable bike despite being rigid. I'm a huge fan. Andrew Major thinks that you can run 30i rims with 3" tires but you gotta run inserts to support those sidewalls. I wouldn't know-- I run wide rims and inserts. Enjoy your double hardtail!

[@hardtailparty]

I really respect Andrew Major, but I'm a fan of really wide rims with really wide tires. They may be perfect for his terrain though.

[@jonmarshall1502]

Good to see you out and about on 2 wheels.

[@mtb7018]

It’s a blast to mess around with psi on plus tires. To much and the bike bounces all over, and is harsh, not enough and it can feel a little squirmy. When you get it dialed it is 😍

[@jackpittens796]

29+ on wide rims is such an awesome setup for almost everything but fast and rough, and lots of snow. I really wish more options were available on the market for hardtails, FS, tires, etc.

[@hardtailparty]

100%

[@kisilvan]

Thanks for taking me back a bit to the 80s/90s in the UK when we were mostly riding rigid MTBs although as you know with steep geometry and narrower tyres. Honestly don't know how we managed on rough singletrack back then, but we did probably due to being young and malleable. :)

[@hardtailparty]

I think being young and made of rubber has a lot to do with it! I was also riding much slower then

[@hansschotterradler3772]

Been riding bikes since 81, MTB since 5 years because I wanted to get away from the roads. Our trails here in Montgomery Coundy, MD are fairly tame, so I switched from a full-sus to an XC hardtail. So much fun with 2.4". Often I ride with the fork being locked.

[@bertkreft9689]

thank you for this review - i love rigit bikes - but they must have the right geo - like your build - it is nearly perfekt yes - you tested it on the right terrain - such bikes are made for this - love it ❤

[@zethjugos1250]

Ive always kept one of my bikes full rigid and full mechanical. its just a diff feeling. Coming from a bmx background that bike is fun specially when hooning around town...

[@bushflyr7335]

Ahhhh! You're killing me. Everything about this bike is EXACTLY what I'm looking for except that it needs a Pinion gearbox, especially for sloppy PNW winters. Please do a run of these with a Pinion.

[@hardtailparty]

@@bushflyr7335 sorry, you cant get chainstays this short with a pinion. Plus it would add $2k to the cost of the frame. Check out the priority 600hxt and viral bikes for pinion hardtails

[@georgekrpan3181]

I got no love from other trail riders when I got my no suspension 29+ back in 2015. Now it's a thing, lol. I run ghetto tubeless with an split open innertube as a rim strip. I converted the hubs to bolt on axles, poor man's thru axles. The rear axle was made from a piece of allthread because no axles are available for a 170mm wide hub, worked perfectly.

[@tlister67]

On my 1980s bikes rooty trails are what really hammer the wrists. Trails like this video really don’t need suspension.

[@Thatonesillykitty]

Love this setup. Very versatile for xc and lite trail

[@louis-philippecorriveau4725]

I ride an RSD Mayor V5 rigid fatbike with Terrene studded tires (Jonhy 5/Wazia) or my old Salsa Blackborow (2015) with Bud/Lou when trail are too soft. We get lots of snow in Québec City area and I mainly ride at Empire47 and Sentiers du Moulin

[@danconnell4723]

I'm riding a FRAMED Wolftrax fat bike and I have a second wheelset in 27.5 plus. I'm in Michigan and this will be my first year of focusing on winter riding. We can have a bunch of snow one minute and then have a thaw followed by freeze cycle. So I run fat (3.8 Surly Nates) in the snow and plan on running the 27.5 wheelset with studded 45 north Wrathchild for when the trail ices up (probably) late Jan/ Feb. This has been my only bike for last four years after getting back into riding at 50 years old. In summer I run 27.5 wheelset with Maxxis Rekons. Right now I'm eyeing a couple different hardtails for spring. But I love the Wolftrax and plan on keeping it for winter. On side note I still own and ride my 93 Trek 970 that was my main bike in the 90's. Although set up with Surley Sunrise bars and Maxxis DTH tires. Still love 90's hardtails.

[@hardtailparty]

Those sunrise bars are amazing on vintage mtbs

[@lgrankin]

Lots of ice and snow up here in the Great White North so it's all about the fatbike for me. Norco Big Foot 1 with the Mastodon fork. I have 2 sets of wheels... one studded and one without. I added the Mastodon fork a couple of years ago after I blew up my shoulder. The extra cush helps!

[@hardtailparty]

I see a fatbike in my future

[@lgrankin]

@@hardtailparty It's worthwhile if you get enough snow in Arkansas. Great to see you out on some new trails! Looks like your starting to get your mojo back.

[@tico78742]

Looks like a fun trail you’re on.

[@DontWorryImAPilot]

Stoked to see you out riding! I'm currently staring down the barrel of "heavy snowfall" and under 15ºF for the next day or so. I need to get 4 more miles in to hit a mileage milestone for the year so I'm probably going to go and fight with whatever conditions I find out there. I live right on an emergency snowplow route so it might just be a snowy road cruise. Regarding what you had said about human suspension on a rigid fork: that's kind of how I feel about riding my hardtail vs riding my steel fixed gear bike. The suspension you have to have with your legs on a hardtail and the weightlessness you have to find/create for rough terrain is similar to how you have to deal with some of the bumpier stuff on the fixed gear. There's a little unweighting of your body on the bike and loosening of your joints to let the bike work. I haven't ridden a rigid mtb but it makes perfect sense! I'm excited to see you out on your bike! Thanks for posting the video!

[@jeremyatkinson4976]

A friend of mine was similarly fixated on completing a certain mileage each year. it was part of his unbalanced mania. He isn't with us any more....

[@DontWorryImAPilot]

@@jeremyatkinson4976 I wouldn't call myself fixated. Someone asked how many days I rode this year so I checked Trailforks and saw I'm 4 miles short of a milestone. Not a big deal...but I'm definitely going to go get those miles on my hardtail tomorrow or Sunday. Sorry to hear about your friend.

[@taknname]

I've got a Seido BPS fork on its way to rigid-fy my Cotic SolarisMAX. Looking forward to a Jones LWB review (that seems more your speed than the SWB) fingers crossed with the more compliant unicrown fork than the brutal but precise truss. Happy Holidays to your viewers & Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[@mikej1348]

I love to see you running plus tires on that build. I have been a fan of 27.5 plus for a long time. However, lately I’ve noticed a smaller selection available. Can you share your source for plus tires? I’m sure fellow plus fans would appreciate that. Maybe with additional interest in Plus tires/wider rims(35mm+) manufacturers will continue making them.

[@weirdo5345]

I Started on hardtails but rigid all the way on both my bikes now with those nice enve forks. Love the simplicity and make great all rounders for most terrain apart from excessively rocky terrain like Sedona. I'm from the UK, so now that your riding similar trails to what we have here is there any chance you could test the Neuhaus HBSL and compare to the Hummingbird steel and titanium. Great to see you back out on the trails.

[@hardtailparty]

The hbsl definitely has my attention. Id love to test one someday

[@fpeter01]

Microshfit 8s is a really interesting choice. I run it on an ebike. Some plastic parts are already broken (cheap gear indicator), and you need to get used to the shifter, and it needs a lot of place on the handlebar, but overall it works. Other negative maybe that you need an allen key to engage the clutch. The cassette looks amazing and the 12-48 cogs are spot on for ebike usage. I have never really liked the 9-11 smallest cogs. Most of the time you get tired on steep hills, and you can coast in any gear on a downhill section. I got my hands on a sram ex1 set, so the days of my 8s system are numbered. It was fun to try, but there are better groupsets on the market.

[@hardtailparty]

Great feedback over time. Ive got the higher end shifter that doesn't have the gear indicator window. I've been extremely impressed with mine. I've currently got it on an ebike and it's been fantastic for that

[@anthonyharris483]

I'm riding single speed rigid steel monstercross, Microshift Advent 9 speed drivetrain with their Advent 9 speed barend shifter, Vittoria Mezcal 27.5x2.1 tires, 32tx21t geared for the hills

[@jeremyatkinson4976]

Dryer than an English summer drought, so this would be a great UK summer trail bike

[@danwebber9494]

I’ve got two rigid mountain bikes in the quiver, a geared timberjack on 29x2.8 for Bikepacking and a Stooge dirt tracker single speed also on 29x2.8. I should build another wheel set with i45 and 3.0’s. Damn, now I have another project.

[@kevinclark9176]

Snow riding where I am so full fatbike. But I am quite curious on trying some ice spikes on my new Enigma for the early spring when snow melts and refreezes and the trails become an ice rink.

[@mountainlessmtb9940]

Almost the same weather here as bentonville but slightly colder and recently way too much rain i had to dig the fat bike out to ride 😂

[@PaulSmith-e2i]

Great to see you on the Maniak once again Steve. What size stem is on your Maniak filmed in this video as noticed it looked pretty short. Thank you 😊

[@chubsound]

I'm riding Specialized Ground control 27.5 X 3.0 with duroc 50 wheels on my RSD Middle child. I didn't go rigid though, Manitou Mezzer Pro up front. I have the same fork and wheels in 29, I could only find WTB Ranger tires in 29 X 3.0 and didn't care for them vs. the 27.5 X 3.0 specialized ground control tires

[@hardtailparty]

@@chubsound surly and a few others still make 29x3.0

[@csn583]

This is me several times a week, but my tires are 26x4.8". 😅 (Surly 🍦🚚) 15psi for smooth climbs. 7-8psi for most mixed single track. As low as 5 for crazy-chunky stuff. Traction for days. I do want to get a 29+ setup with sus fork for it though.

[@ReebDweeb]

I do love the 29+ tires for sure; I wish I could run them on my Myth Cycles Zodiac or Reeb Redikulous !

[@hoobash]

I have a rigid fat bike se f@e that I upgraded for a winter beater box 9 and sram brakes I ride trails,beach and snow in the winter on long Island the simplicity is awesome no worries

[@clint2627]

Winter riding here in MO is tough. Basically can only ride early morning while the mud is frozen. After the sun comes and thaw happens, the trails are unusable

[@burningatthetrailhead]

Southern Ontario Canada. You ride when you can and don't when you can't (jan-beginimg of March) I just ride my regular bikes. They're on 2.5 tires

[@dennisfloyd8514]

Cheap Mongoose Argus Ridged Frame 1x10 MicroSHIFT advent X Shimano MT200 brakes PNW 760mm bars 26 x 4.0 tires at about 6-7psi I just wanted a cheap fat bike to get me on the snow groomed trails here in Massachusetts. It’s a short season so I didn’t feel the need to get a more expensive rig.

[@Beesno]

I've been having a great time on my rigid fatbike. Obviously different tires than this build but a similar ethos. This build kinda looks like it needs one of the microshift thumb shifters, though I'm not sure if they make them for their own derailleurs.

[@hardtailparty]

@@Beesno they do make em

[@petedog9581]

Still riding great man. My Fatbike is a rigid. Pretty much only ride it snow and slop.

[@stephenking2869]

Hey man! Sick setup 😍! That looks so fun! What chain ring do you run with the 8 speed setup? I miss the 8, 9, and 10 speed days haha.

[@fulgenciomanzano2452]

I have idea... review stooge dirt track, please. 🥳

[@wizardculture]

All hail rigid!

[@zap...]

You need to hop aboard a drop bar Salsa Fargo Ti with 3.0 tires.

[@mattmiller6629]

I so feel like I’m missing out on living in Bentonville. Everyone is moving there.

[@kyletarr4340]

It’s over crowded at this point

[@hardtailparty]

I miss AZ, but Bentonville has been good for mellower riding

[@njohnson3331]

Honestly, I want to try mountain biking, but I have some past injuries and a skinny wallet. I'm thinking about getting a hardtail since I think it's the best choice for me. Full suspension is complicated, and the price escalates too quickly.

[@erik-g9d]

I've been running Microshift Advent X 10 speed--no issues--works great.How about a segment on how low PSI tires can go--brands & models--you hear alot about maximum PSi, but rarely minimum PSI...,

[@hardtailparty]

@@erik-g9d how low you can go depends on terrain, rim width, and riding style. Im sure I could get around with 7 psi on these, but I'd have to ride slower and more cautiously

[@nosamsemaj]

Hey Steve - Check out the new Pace RC429. Some killer design choices!

[@hardtailparty]

I've been trying to get one in for review for over a year. Very intrigued by this bije

[@nosamsemaj]

@@hardtailparty I built one up last night. First ride this evening!

[@mulenine9867]

I'm 58, ride a similar build single speed 27.5x3.0 on a vassago

[@mazescopak405]

Try it with a Jones loop bar, you will see.

[@hardtailparty]

Thanks for the suggestion

[@nick_john]

I’m thinking about converting my fat boy with 4.8’s to a rigid plus bike because I’m getting tired of all the bouncy-bouncy. I’ll need new wheels with fat hubs though.

[@maxsmith3335]

I rigid bike feels more balanced front to back vs a HT imo.….On 29x3 tires around NWA I run 9psi front and 9.5psi rear.

[@philhunt1442]

What's your internal rim width?

[@hardtailparty]

45i

[@bigtrucklittlerv7969]

Acolyte cassette is 12-46T

[@hardtailparty]

Thank you for the correction! Sometimes i get the little details wrong when I'm not in front of a computer

[@sickmak90]

Did you move to AR?

[@kyletarr4340]

That’s what I’m wondering also. Weird to see him riding local trail

[@sickmak90]

@ looks like he did. I missed the video a few weeks ago about it.

[@hardtailparty]

@@sickmak90 yes

[@HenchickHarrigan]

Rigid Hardtail = Jumbo Shrimp

[@bryanmyers4970]

the trails look more than primo conditions

[@reggieringgoldjr68]

Nice, Steve. Glad to see you back in the saddle. 🤝🏾🇺🇸💪🏾🙏🏾🫡

[@MrJoemanjd]

Bella vista local. rigid rider almost year around. I have a yeti arc that I run with a whiskey, carbon fork. I do put a suspension fork on occasionally as well. A light hard tail even with a rigid fork is an absolute weapon on the trails around here. HMU we can ride BV.