The ONLY Mountain Bike You Need, The Humble Hardtail

[@bikeradar]

Which bike would you prefer? XC race whippet or all round trail bike? Let us know in the comments!

[@richdyer2000]

Context dependent. - If I could only have 1 bike then definitely an XC hardtail. - If I can have 2 it’s a progressive XC fully and something on the road/gravel boundary - 3, it’s 2 plus an enduro - 4 it’s 3, but with a distinct gravel and aero road - 5…..nah, I’ll save my money….

[@harimathur2191]

@bikeradar I have a Titan Racing Done Dash Hard Tail. I don't see any MTB channels covering that bike. It's an amazing bike at an amazing affordable price

[@harimathur2191]

Full sus is nice. BUT a faff setting PSI on shocks. Plus I can service my own HT. The squishy I need send to bike shop: too many parts.

[@Yoda-em5mt]

Sorry Bmc these lovely bikes have a press fitt bb and internal cables so the only place in my mind is the tip ie rubbish .

[@bikdav]

I’d say the all around trail bike. I’m more of an explorer instead of a wannabe stuntman.

[@ThunderStruckMTB]

As a rider who has been doing this sport since '87 and still chooses to ride a hardtail as my only bike, I really enjoyed this.

[@bikeradar]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@ilanpi]

Please note that Pauline Ferrand Prevot won XCC and XCO worlds last year on this exact bike. Given the technical nature of contemporary XCO and that it beat all the full suspension competitors, this proves this bicycle's versatility.

[@bikeradar]

Great point that we missed out! She also won Worlds this year on Pinarello's new Dogma HT, so I think it's fair to say she shreds on any bike!

[@bikdav]

Finally, someone defending the hardtail. I never got use to full-suspension.

[@bikeradar]

They can feel a bit odd after years on a hardtail!

[@runbluelizard]

I got a BMC Twostroke 01 and an old Stumpjumper thats been rebuilt for enduro use. Those two bikes can handle any and everything.

[@marcgv]

I have two bikes: a XC hard tail and a trail full suspension. For me is the best combination.

[@andypaul999]

Spot on.

[@joshuaallswang8016]

I couldn’t agree more💯 got the same setup. Same BMC hardtail XC alloy version and a Giant trance full sus.

[@dirtyforksmtb]

Hardtails are awesome! HT supporter here! They can do any trail. Maybe slower and maybe more harsh but way more fun! IMO of course:)

[@bikeradar]

They were both certainly a lot of fun on our test loops!

[@ttambm8639]

Last year I sold my full suspension and went for a carbon hard tail. I have not regretted it at all.

[@bikeradar]

Nice!

[@joshuaallswang8016]

Two bikes. Hardtail for XC (have the same exact one in the video red alloy version ) Full suspension for trail riding! Perfect combination👌💯

[@bikeradar]

Great combo if you can have two bikes!

[@benefiet]

I live in a flat landscape in Belgium. Winding singletrack in the woods and sand dunes are the only option in the area. XC hardtail is the best option for me + enduro bike for trips.

[@theycallmebernd]

My Orange P7 & Lyrik with 150mm does everything for me!

[@emercxkcorsa]

I love this. Can you do an XC to Gravel comparison? I feel like vides that test a XC bike to a gravel just keep things stock. I would love a video that explores the possibilities of an XC bike with gravel wheels/tires and maybe different gearing.

[@bikeradar]

We have done exactly that! www.bikeradar.com/features/gravel-bike-vs-hardtail-vs-cx-bike-at-grinduro-scotland/

[@giulianos9345]

I got my twostroke a couple of months ago and I also started to modify it to a more trail capable version and I really love it. Very light, good to control and great to ride and stunning to look at 😅

[@flatorange]

I have a Mason Bokeh, which I rode for many miles, including the Dirty Reiver 200. However, a year ago, I bought a BMC Twostroke AL because the Mason struggled on off-road club rides with friends, given the presence of a fair bit of single track. Unfortunately, I am afraid I have only used the Mason twice in the past year. As Triggers broom its now a mixture of these two bikes, more like the XC one but with a dropper.

[@Maccaboy1984]

Specialized Epic HT is my only bike, covers all of my needs and is great fun

[@bikeradar]

Hardtails are perfect for a lot of riders, and if you love it that's all that matters!

[@vonWeizhacker69]

Thx for the Hardtail content! ;) Any notes on the garbaruk cassette?

[@bikeradar]

It is very, very light and cheaper than SRAM equivalents. Shifting isn't quite up the standard of SRAM/Shimano, but really not far off at all. Very impressive!

[@drdubs6762]

Love the BMC Twostroke, the geometry is incredible. Only have the AL 2 tho, not sure if the carbon one is worth the extra money?

[@WilliamrikerNCC1701]

I love hardtails. Unfortunately my back doesn’t.

[@bikeradar]

You and a lot of other people!

[@charleskelly1887]

My Tom Ritchey hardtail 29er (the one he built for NAHBS) is my nicest bike.

[@bikeradar]

Lovely, lovely bike!

[@cebuanostud]

If they put single 52teeth chainring up front I'll get one. Yes, my quads told me so. 😎

[@bikeradar]

We could see some bodging having to be done to achieve that!

[@frienduro24]

Unless you are racing XCO World Cups. They are good learning bikes, winter bikes and back up bikes. I would agree if it was 2010, not anymore with how great short travel fs bikes are now

[@bikeradar]

Great to have options! You're right, short travel FS bikes are very capable and efficient, but some just like the feel of a hardtail

[@phenofinder9145]

Hardtails!

[@Ghostina1]

Love my YT Capra. It´s great but i do love my Sworks EPIC HT even more!

[@pingpongballz5998]

I have a gravel bike and a hardtail. That's all a man needs!

[@MrChristiangraham]

Every time someone mentions bikes as weapons, my mind tends to go to Nathan Barley 🤣

[@JamesRobertMTB]

Would love a rip on a modern aggressive hardtail. Just to see how capable they are.

[@bikeradar]

Way more capable than a lot of people think!

[@freddycool68]

Why didn't you put a dropper post on both bikes? It's a minor weight penalty compared to gains. Especially that dropper post is common in Xc world. For me this test doesn't make too much sense. However kudos for a good subject to discuss😊

[@siriosstar4789]

I believe it's better to learn on a hard tail because you will feel the impact of ALL of your mistakes . you simply won't be able to get away with taking the wrong line without some consequence . On a full suspension you can plow through and over all kinds of things that would make you crash if you were on a hardtail. when you've become proficient on a hardtail THEN move on to a full suspension .

[@bikeradar]

An oft said point! Tom did exactly this and largely agrees, definitely teaches you a lot, similar to flats vs spds!

[@spinnetti]

I find, the better the bike the more extreme the trail needs to be to keep it challenging (maybe more risk of injury?). Pretty happy with my hardtail, though I cut 6" out. of the handle bars, dunno why they are so stupid wide these days.

[@ahmedrais1994]

the best bike all time❤❤ al1 2 bmc

[@robborland290]

What was the weight of each bike as tested?

[@bikeradar]

The carbon bike was 9.33kg without pedals, in a rush to film we didn't get a weight for the alloy one! Fair to say it was a chunk heavier either way

[@azadnyer]

Why the turquoise bike did not use a pair Victoria Syerra tires since it is being labelled as a Hardtail down country MTB?

[@Goldiie65]

Can you fit a dropper on the carbon frame ?

[@ChunkyCat2]

I have the TwoStroke AL with a Rockshox SID SL 100mm and a dropper. Is it just me or did the riders seem to not use lockout on their way up the fireroad climb? I often debate when to use lockout or not...

[@ehywa9799]

BMC😍😍😍👍👍👍👍

[@colincoulthard3021]

Where was your test loop please?

[@bikeradar]

Whinlatter forest was out main loop!

[@tomassanesson902]

Awesome bikes

[@bikeradar]

They were great fun to ride!

[@tmayberry7559]

So how an xc bike do on strictly gravel and on urban roads let's see that Toms

[@yukiko_5051]

The only bike that i need is full rigid one

[@bikeradar]

A gravel bike? 😉

[@shaun1900]

Great advertorial for BMC

[@the.communist]

Hardtail is the best allrounder

[@janihocevar6387]

both should have dropper for fair competition

[@RatluBoogerbag]

95% of my miles are done on my 9.16KG XC hardtail bike. I really only use my full sus for uplift days.

[@Диванныйэксперт-й9ц]

На карбоновой версии, трудно приобрести подсидельный штырь, так как он не в каждом магазине есть и это нечестно.

[@alfrednOObel2]

Apart from that I have also gone through some midifications of my hardtail trying to make an enduro bike of it. Which came out pretty good. I must say that you both guys really have to do something about your voice recording. It hurt to hear as your voices get overdriven each time you raise your voices.

[@bikeradar]

Your hardtail sounds ace fun! We'll work on the audio, thanks for highlighting the issue!

[@maxfish2301]

My 2011 specialized Stumpjumper sworks ht ( large frame ) was 7.4kg out of the box. Nothing will compare to that bike.

[@bikeradar]

That's mad considering we weighed one at 8.91 kg...

[@michaelguerrera1463]

You brits snd those carbon wheels. Light is better yeah yeah. We're talking about a modern-day mountain bike I don't think 30 g is going to make a difference

[@Hector_virilha_1901]

First 😊

[@bikeradar]

1,000,000 BikeRadar gold stars are on their way! 🥇⭐

[@arbjful]

@@bikeradargive him a hardtail..

[@Alessandro72X]

Rigid from 1988. Front from 1992. thats all.

[@Tequila628]

67 head angle? Hardtail? No, thanks =)

[@joshuaallswang8016]

lol your too soft for a hardtail🤣

[@Tequila628]

I value my knees, brother@@joshuaallswang8016

[@bikeradar]

They're no downhill bikes but they were way more capable than you'd think!

[@the.communist]

My hardtail has 70 degree head angle.

[@titaniumgravel]

PressFit.... ugh.

[@joshuaallswang8016]

There threaded bottom brackets bro. At lest on the aluminum version.

[@bikeradar]

Don't that to our own Simon Von Bromley - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIa3nZZris2kb5I

[@tuxtoo1]

Jeez, entitled or what. Money is no object in regards to what bikes we ride. Considering the price of these bikes, they are definitely not in "The Humble Hardtail" category. Try riding a real "humble" hardtail.