THIS IS WHY MTB HARDTAILS ARE SO IMPORTANT!!

The new Marin San Quentin has launched and it’s an unreal hardtail MTB. Hardtails are a key ingredient to learning to ride mountain bikes properly and even experience downhill or enduro riders would agree that aggressive hardtails add an element of fun and involvement to all styles of riding. Check out my review of the new San Quentin bike that I’ve done a custom build on.
Legends
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Intro music by Damtaro -
Music from freetousemusic...
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• Damtaro - Nothing [FTU...

[@kylebruna142]

You're on the money Matt. I built a hard tail after years of riding full suspension and after 1 summer it became my primary bike and my enduro rig collected dust. I equate it to driving a manual vs driving an automatic - hardtails make you work for it and truly feel the experience of the bike.

[@catalickconverta6823]

When you peddle and pump a full suspension bike all the energy is lost into the shocks so your constantly working twice as hard just to stay at a speed thats enjoyable half the time i lock my front forks out and ride my bike like a proper jump bike or big bmx unless your doing stair sets you dont really need alot of travel in the forks ive done some pretty big jumps and drops wrapped the edrailer gear selecter thing into my back wheel loads of times but never snapped or broke any forks and there just bog standard exc amazon forks exaxt same as rockshocks

[@hardtailjefe]

Man you said it! My favorite bike is my hardtail. So many skills you learn as well. I love this San Quentin I must have one

[@eamonmartin9289]

@@catalickconverta6823 they’re not the same as rockshox

[@hunterdean11]

Easy to fall in love hardtails crazy how long the full sus has been on the ceiling

[@catalickconverta6823]

@@eamonmartin9289 ride the same cost the same and look the same🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕

[@SecretSpots]

This might be my favorite hardtail build I've ever seen to date! What a SICK bike Matt! This just inspired me to invest in upgrading my 27.5 Kona hardtail I have sitting in the garage.

[@alexisastrie]

The hold segment is absolutely hilarious 😂

[@thegingerfredman]

Hardtail go brrrrrrrr. Got time for HT rigs. Modern HT geo made me sell my 2016 fs bike, then buy an up to date geo fs bike. I still pick my HT for all sorts of riding. Torrential dh runs, why not. Hts were made for winter laps. Quick clean downs and some easy progression.

[@mattjones05.]

🔝🔝 Thanks for the feedback, Expect more videos very soon send a directly message I have gifte for you 🤩🤩🎊📦)

[@uroslangus5362]

I'm getting the 2023 sq frame sometime this month. I'll be setting it up singlespeed and no dropper. You should do a video where you in one day ride a skatepark, a pumptrack, a bikepark and some trails that need a bit of pedalling. All of it on the sq ;)

[@powdertrax9742]

Anytime my son and I go for a ride he grabs my hardtail, a Kona Honzo steel frame and I’ll take my Transition Smuggler, and on every ride that we run into other riders they swarm around my son stoked on the Honzo and start asking questions about it. The first thing he always says is “I don’t know anything, it’s my dads”.

[@wilsarno]

Kryptotals for the win!

[@cgarcia650]

Your bike is named after a State prison in Marin county. \w/

[@Later_Nerd]

That Fiesta ST vs Hardtail comparison is spot on. If you've ever heard someone say it's more fun to drive a slow car fast then a fast car slow, the same kind of applies to the hardtail. But the hardtail isn't the slow car. It's just different. Plus as a BMX rider, there are SO many MTB riders who are quite lacking with their bike skills riding like $6,000 bikes on rather basic trails. I mean anyone can spend their money how they see fit. But people should really start out on a hardtail. Even if you know you are going to want to go to full suspension 6 months down the line and spend the extra coin. Take 2 weeks and scour the internet for the best used hardtail in your price range you can find. Ride that for at least 6 months and build up those skills. Learn how to use your body to absorb landings to flat without relying on the bike to do it for you. Street BMX riders can take insane impacts straight to asphalt without any need for suspension. The top level are insane athletes of course, but anyone can learn to do it down a 6 stair for example with enough practice. If you know you want to go straight to full suspension, I said to buy used because then you can just sell your bike and either break even or lose $100 or so. Then you can take that cash and put it towards the full suspension and you will be a much better rider for having done that. I'm not trying to be a dick, quite the opposite I want to help people be set up for success. But the whole dentist bike mantra exists for a reason. I'm nearly 30 and I can still send a 360 down a 6 stair on a fully rigid 20" with relative ease. Where a lot of mountain bikers would feel the need to use a full suspension to send that level of drop out in the woods (without the spin added in.) It's just not true. It's just a lot of people in MTB want the bike to do the heavy lifting for them when technique could carry them so much further than they even know. You don't have to go out and ride BMX to learn this stuff. I'm transitioning away from it and towards MTB because I'd rather bail on loam than concrete when I'm approaching 40 lmao. But if you want to learn to absorb an impact, take your bike to the local skatepark and learn to pump the bowl/half pipe correctly. Doing so is the same motion as absorbing impact from a big drop. You can also find stair sets around your city to drop down. Start with a curb. Then a 2 stair, 3 stair, 6 stair, etc. I promise proper technique will take you so far and it's the reason why people like Matt Jones and Sam Pilgrim are so absurdly good. They could shred a Walmart Hardtail harder than 99% of us could shred a $10,000 Enduro.

[@JustJake77]

As a lifelong hardtail rider.... I approve of this content!

[@Rusty6n2]

😂

[@banjorowe9519]

@JustJake77 Same here mate and I still love 'em

[@wesr1409]

I couldn't agree more!!! Bought a san quentin a few years back and just got rid of my twice the price full sus and don't regret it in the slightest. It is easier to have fun on a hardtail. Btw Love the fiesta reference it so accurately describes the feeling. We need more hardtail vids from you, it always seems like you enjoy it that little bit more when you are on one.

[@darrenwright6713]

Jesus matt... this looked like it was run at 1.5x speed. Gives me hope for me and my trusty hardtail.

[@melwalshmtb9121]

The main thing I noticed with it from press photos is how low that standover is! Looks so good

[@uroslangus5362]

that low standover and short chainstays make me think if i'll still be needing my dirt jump bike. that's why i'm setting the 2023 sq up singlespeed and trying to get it sub 12kg.

[@melwalshmtb9121]

@@uroslangus5362 sounds like a sick build man. Had my Stanton Switchback setup singlespeed with some lighter tyres and carbon wheels a while back and it was sick. Built up a new frame only recently though and it's back to a full enduro rig again!

[@The80shilling]

I've been riding a hardtail since 1987, and still love them. Even at 61 years old, I'm loving the riding; just got back from one today (the rain finally stopped falling as if someone dumped an entire ocean on top of us.) Lovely, if muddy day, Mt. Tamalpais and the Lakes are so beautiful. Had to hike-a-bike around some fallen trees, got home muddy, wet and happy.

[@mattjones05.]

Thanks for watching and listening✓✓ you're have been selected among my winners 🏅 🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊 message viabs telegram up 👆

[@powdertrax9742]

Got you beat, my first mtn bike was a ‘85 Shogun Prairie Breaker, I didn’t get my first full suspension bike until ‘94 which was a Cannondale Super V 1000 with maybe 2” of travel and my first disc brake bike was the Cannondale Super V2000 with the terrible CODA disc brakes.

[@calilife805]

You have to have a hard tail for sure. Helps with style. Plus dirt jumps. My full suspension always feels like it’s bucking me 😂

[@StanleyKubick1]

then your rebound is set too stiff, or you're sitting down too much ;)

[@SavageAudits]

Rear-sus causes so many wrecks, even at Rampage.

[@calilife805]

@@StanleyKubick1 naw I like riding stiff. The terrain I’m in is better for it. Just a lot of dirt jumps where I live are built for dirt jumps and bmx !

[@olly7867]

When riding jumps you should slow your rebound speed on your suspension

[@st4555]

@@SavageAudits But imagine what would have happened to some of the riders at rampage if thet didnt have thee big DH Bikes. They all would be on wheelchairs by now.

[@hansghunter]

Full sus is like a Formula 1 car. Doesn't slide, but when it actually slides, you have a big issue. Hardtails are more like Rally cars. Faster if you don't drift, but if you do drift, it's a lot of fun, too.

[@venroxslip6032]

Second video in a row Matt is wearing a TLD helmet...? New sponsor?

[@Jesticles85]

i like the rainbow cranks! Im always a fan of one or two mismatched parts on a bike

[@diltd3989]

Hardtails are very important and such a massive tool for building bike control & confidence. In the end of the day its always going to be dependent on what you are trying to accomplish with each variant of bike. When my enduro rig was out for the count and I rented a economy spec'd Rocky Mountain Growler (aggressive Hardtail). I had the aim of keeping up with the boys on DH bikes on DH tracks and it was extremely punishing. Hardtails provide a great value and I truly believe everyone should start out on one to provide a strong foundation and understanding of what a bike is doing underneath you. I have learned however that there is a point where it becomes quite strenuous on your joints and limbs to try and do everything on a hardtail.

[@jbee4892]

Matt you should put crank protectors on the eewings so the color doesn't wear off

[@waydeb1664]

I'm still riding my San Quentin 2 after like 3 years, and I absolutely love it. That new frame looks insane; the way the seat stays lines up to the top tube is nuts.

[@dillonhayes3402]

It's no San Quentin budget doesn't allow at the moment but got a giant talon 1 inbound should be here next week.. I don't think I'll ever get a full squish I know they're a lot better these days but I always hated pedaling the stupid things as a teen and losing what I was putting into it... Not riding again for a few years after getting rid of my Alcatraz about 2 years ago I'm going to be Soo rusty gonna be fun relearning

[@TimRusson]

Amazing. I have a Fiesta ST and a Marin Bike. They both truly bring such a smile to my face.

[@mloskot]

Matt, what's your height and what size of the new SQ are you riding? The sizing/geometry changes are awesome, but feel a bit disruptive :) ...even crashing on it is a nice experience - brilliant! :)

[@Mezzarino]

guess im getting a hardtail now

[@TimEdwards]

Can anyone explain to a newbie why the noisy hubs are "better"?

[@SuperKeenan95]

Love the hard tail content! It would be awesome to see your impressions on the Marin El Roy versus the San Quentin. I ride an On One Hello Dave, which is pretty similar to the El Roy. Would love to hear your thoughts!

[@mtbweekly8344]

I’m riding a custom hard tail atm an it’s still going strong, don’t know if I’ll get a full sus yet

[@bentoth2494]

If you think that’s a slack/aggressive hardtail, try a Kona honzo ESD 😅 best hardcore hardtail I’ve ever seen

[@JonasNymanMTB]

Everyone needs a aggressive and fun hardtail 🤘

[@hollyfroehnelt]

Matt how many red bull did you a on the drive You were flying

[@thediamondcar]

the video start at 2:58

[@isaacdunson2989]

0:26 I don’t think so m8 lots of way better hard tails out there it is a great bike tho

[@IsnortWizzFizz]

I was watching this video when my San Quentin 1 arrived

[@jkp245]

What is that sticker on frame, pls link for order 😁

[@Stew2122]

Your review comparing this bike to the Fiesta ST has me sold on it! I’ve been driving mine for 7 years and I love driving it. Always a fun ride! ❤ Legends!

[@jackmast6983]

Matt, your channel convinced me to buy a San Quentin. I love my SQ2

[@PEPlourde]

How tall are you and what size frame do you ride?

[@TeddyParker]

I think the interesting bit about an aggressive hardtail is how good it looks to jump on. How good a rider with style looks. DJers you can get stylish but the bike profile isnt big enough to really accentuate like a whip or table or anything. Then full suspension bikes like enduros and DHs are hard to really get perfect on smaller jumps so then people are hitting bigger jumps where they are moreso surviving than properly riding. A smaller 275 hardtail bike just looks GREAT on a wide variety of jumps from 5 foot tables to 25 foot gaps and everything in between. Can even be ridden in a large skatepark if it was built with large transitions. Definitely torn between a 275 hardtail or a short travel 275 trail bike in the future.

[@jamiefagan3430]

I started on a hardtail 14 years ago. Progressed to a trail bike, enduro and then a DH bike. I’ve came full circle with a new hardtail on its way 🤷🏻‍♂️ we can’t all be wrong

[@dolphin-studio]

IMO hardtails are more fun, they are not the fastest but make old trails fun again. Plus for regular flowtracks you dont need a full sus, heck BMX are rigid and they jump.

[@Onkernokkel]

Your style on a hardtail is soooo steezzyyyy 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽

[@lincolnclamp1117]

Yea but how much did the hardtail cost

[@mattjones05.]

Thanks for feedback.🤗 Message vies telegram!🆙 Congratulations 🎊🎉 I have something special for you🤝🎁

[@nicholasleoni2886]

The fiesta st comment was spot on!

[@georgem4671]

it is sick to see u back on the hardail been wanting to see this for a whille

[@georgehugill1502]

That whistle at 9:38 sounds ace

[@notfamous_yt1630]

Agreed you have got to start with a hard tail

[@nvire5202]

Just saying, this made me want a hardtail

[@earthcoaster6]

Man you’ve inspired so much! I started riding in August last year & i came across your videos in december & i bought the 2023 SQ 1 & i love it! I even started a KZbin Channel! Can you please add the list of parts you added? i’m sure i’m not the only one who’d like to see what you’re running as i want to upgrade mine too! Cheers bro!

[@ManWalksDogs]

Maybe skip the grand+ titanium cranks...

[@hoytoutdoors]

I’ve got the San Quentin 1 that I’ve upgraded some components! And I love it! Added a pnw dropper. Went tubeless. Smaller bars. Gonna ride the fork till it reaches its limit and then upgrade that! But I love it!!

[@acwvaleting3291]

How’s the hub/freewheel holding up? Now on 4th one and only option is to spend £300 on a new wheel because of the awful 9x141 sizing

[@bikekb2289]

@@acwvaleting3291 141 hubs are the same as 148 hubs, most can be converted from one standard to another. All Hope, DT swiss and Novatec hubs can be converted to 141. Shimano also sell a few options if you need cheep ones.

[@uroslangus5362]

I just bought a cheap suntour xcr34 boost coil fork which is what you probably have on your sq1. If you put foam rings under the dust/oil seals and oil in lower legs they work really good. You can also get an air spring for them. In that case it's a very decent fork.

[@uroslangus5362]

@@acwvaleting3291 If i read correctly, the 2023 sq1 has a rear hub with sealed cartridge bearings which on a bike in this range usually means that the ratchet is a 3 pawl servicable design.

[@hoytoutdoors]

@@acwvaleting3291 so far so good for me. But we’ll see.

[@tomhughes1948]

Anyone else read the title as ‘handrail’ and thought Matt had become a lunatic

[@gregwilldoitllc]

Bit of a con really when you are reviewing a bike you’ve literally changed everything on!

[@NanoDex]

Being on hold 30ft in the air is a brag I've never even considered!! You were the only person on hold that day flying a bike in the air haha

[@thedownhillerboy]

👍🏻Yup no doubt about, that Marin San Quentin is pure badass who seemed to have escaped San Quentin's prison facility! I also have been riding a dirt jump bike for long years as my multi purpose street bike when I ain't doing downhill on my DH rig,I take the Djumper everywhere while getting to do leg training at the same time and still I can take it to the dirt jumps in case I feel like doing a little Dj session,already took down Dh trails and you know how it is, you flow really well on smooth sections🙂,but then you loose a great deal of your energy while going through rough sections,you take bigger risks of sustaining a fall since the bike doesn't absorb most of the impacts and roughness in general and as a result you end up not enjoying your descend that much🤷🏻‍♂️👍🏻🇵🇹🙋🏻‍♂️.

[@NanoDex]

Your right about hardtails but isn't it odd? I have a full sus bike I feel no connection to but all my ht and ridged mtbs I'm emotionally attached to. One would think it would be the other way around given the money.

[@SV_Photo531]

As an owner of a 2021 SQ3 it is my go to bike! I can ride anything in Southern California and not have any issues. Greer ranch is my daily spot and people cannot keep up on their full blown 10k 160+mm enduro rigs. Mine is not as slack and does amazing on jump lines. I may have to upgrade to the 23’ model 💸🤙🏼

[@ilanpi]

San Quentin is where the state of California does its executions.

[@mattjones05.]

Thanks for feedback.🤗 Message vies telegram!🆙 Congratulations 🎊🎉 I have something special for you🤝🎁

[@matinfellani8187]

Hi Matt! I’ve been wanting to get a San Quentin and the 2023 looks like the one! I know there is slight change in geometry and it seems like the Marin dealership in Singapore hasn’t bring in any for me to try. I am 1.72m tall, which size should I get for this model?

[@elijahroberts9703]

Back on GoPro so much better quality, good job

[@vanisfs7492]

i cant believe my friends got a pic with you

[@mattjones05.]

Thanks for feedback.🤗 Message vies telegram!🆙 Congratulations 🎊🎉 I have something special for you🤝🎁

[@hollyfroehnelt]

Matt that was probably the fastest video you ever made with the way you were ripping down them lines.

[@karlosxzy]

Hardtails, especially 26 or 27.5 wheeled, are so much more fun. They make a trail that's fairly mild on a 29er full suss so much more spicy. The main downside is getting smashed when going fast through rough stuff. And also your back and legs can get pretty sore. There's always a spot in the quiver for a good quality trail/AM hardtail.

[@finwilson9672]

I have never had a good bike before but I wish I had one but can’t afford one rn cause my parents have to pay for everything else😢

[@StrongerThanBigfoot]

Go to a local bike shop and they will let you make payments.

[@ROSE-by5su]

Ride what you have

[@fredridesmtb2637]

Hard tails are the best bike to learn the basics on beacause you don’t rely on a rear shock or lots of travel to get you out of trouble it improves your technique for when you eventually get on a full squish

[@anthonys3906]

Shout to the hundred or so dudes I beat on Strava on my local trails going uphill. I beat full carbon full squish e-bike riders with my old piece of shit specialized pitch that’s stuck in the highest gear 😂. Someone recommend the best hardtail under 2k for technical trail ripping. Uphill downhill roots rocks speed and pavement to ride home needs to do it all well. I’m tired of Frankensteining this fuckin thing lol

[@aturn124]

A lot of you will probably think I'm batshit crazy, but I actually sold my Pivot Firebird XX1 so I could buy one of the most solid hardtails ever made, (Dartmoor Hornet) and customise it. Going down from a race level bike to a rowdy hardtail was a huge transition, but so, so worth it. There's something about them that dual suspension rigs just can't replicate as well (I think it's called arthritis? Haha). There is something so rewarding about bombing down a tech trail and still keeping up with the dually rigs. Wouldn't change it for anything.

[@mikelafferty5253]

I want one now!!

[@jonnyscaiff1413]

Where is this???????

[@jamesbashford1693]

I’ve actually bought a fiesta ST this week😂 I can confirm it is a cure for depression that car, you can’t help smiling driving it it’s just so much fun

[@SharrodVisuals]

Is it possible to get the San Quentin 1 and upgrade to the marzocchi bomber z2 fork on the San Quentin 3 for the extra travel down the track? Or is it incompatible. Thanks

[@Jiglo71]

With so many parts swapped out, maybe we should just buy the frame. Or maybe Marin should sell the Matt Jones' specced bike (apart from the cranks)

[@Triumphstreettriplewheelies]

On point 💯 It’s like having a factory 450 but prefer ringing a 125 🤘🏼

[@Chopperdog]

The right hardtail mtb is way faster to ride.

[@mattjones05.]

Thanks for feedback.🤗 Message vies telegram!🆙 Congratulations 🎊🎉 I have something special for you🤝🎁

[@weedfreer]

Hard tail? I started riding on fully rigid, 2.2" (Kenda Smoke) tyres, standard caliper breaks, and 18 gears

[@gerardvandijk1173]

With the right tools (I used a simple bike tool kit kzbin.infoUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L that you can strap to the bike) it's simple to assemble. As a 270lb guy looking for a way to get more exercise that's easy on my feet I have been impressed by this bike. The tires ship with air in the tires, but before you ride you need to pump them up som more, but once you do you can ride with confidence. You'll definitely want to replace the seat if you're going to ride for any real distance, but that's the case with most bikes. I'm loving it and it has given me a hobby from my youth back.

[@jonlavigne3270]

I’d like to see you ride the bikes with all the stock parts on them.

[@mwboost]

I heard that noise again like the older vid of the red SQ3 lol. I was looking at the new SQ3, was thinking of maybe going up a size to medium. I usually ride a small if riding an SQ.

[@stephanbranczyk8306]

I only clicked on the thumbnail because I thought Matt was doing the course on a unicycle. I'm kind of disappointed.

[@Elim_84]

Matt if you want the cranks to fit, and let's face it they are a crank of beauty, get them anodised 👍

[@rustyrazor2851]

San Quentin 3 is almost 2 grand though, just saying, awesome bike but hardly "cheap"

[@safekraka]

When I decided to ride DH I bought the best bike I could afford at the time and don't get me wrong I had a ball but was pretty average. My awesome mate coached me on the off season and I bought a 24inch DMR full rigid dirt jumper. It taught me to be smooth and precise with my jumps or face the consequences. That next season was my best ever and riding my full sus DH bike seemed like cheating.

[@therealmeachy71]

Sooo, who's the next person to pull a Sonny Bono and get cozy with a tree after a messed up landing? 🤔 Hopefully no one. Huge fast air amongst trees is not my idea of fun.

[@mdoe1053]

My 2023 SQ3 should get to me tomorrow. Can't wait!!!!!!!

[@vacdx4704]

Nicee!! OMG where's your gloves? Its 27.5 right?

[@dj44frestyle85]

I love hardtails they are my favourite bike and keep posting thanks for the video 😮

[@timtamtom2832]

I've had a san quentin 3 for a few years and I absolutely love it. I am a little keen on trying out a dual suspension bike like a rift zone but im not quiet sure.

[@Hunter-sm7vz]

I want this bike but I'm 6'8 I'm wondering if anyone could tell me if this bike would be too small for me?

[@danielb8373]

I mean with no rocks or roots and just beautiful dirt all going downhill... Sure that's fine. Come ride in New England on a hard tail and get back to me lol.

[@vyankateshadhau2406]

dream bike 😍😍😍!!! please give one away to me🥺🥹🥺broke my frame

[@liamgill-hanlon2709]

You don’t know fun until you’ve thrasher a fiesta st. Especially if it’s got a big turbo 😂

[@andrewrivera4029]

If you’ve got 3 bikes+ then fine a hardtail should be in the collection but if you have one bike and you take the hardtail to a bike park the first huck to flat you’ll realize why everyone needs full suspension.

[@jonnyscaiff1413]

Please please PLEASE make a video about the best spots in england. I live in cheshire and theres almost no where within an hours drive :(

[@FabianNibbe]

Like the Mona Lisa - It's not great artwork, but people fly from all over the world to see it. xDDD

[@hellojrod]

You would think they would give a % off code or something to entice new buyers... they gave you nutting.

[@corne_crous]

Hi Matt are you joining darkfest this year

[@roygj7142]

Matt how tall are you, and what size is your bike... Keep up the good work 👌👍

[@ryanharrison6246]

I'm 6 foot tall what size frame would you recommend???

[@dirttdude]

Oh, i'd say that i probably ride my hardtail 75% of the time. its the best way for me to keep myself smooth on my FS bikes

[@JZStudiosonline]

Marin needs to make the San Quentin in XL. I wanted to get one, but they just flatout don't have my size.

[@alexkoi4life914]

Where do you get the stickers for the top of the frame from? Any links? 😎👍🏻

[@sulleyfc]

I agree wholeheartedly, cut my MTB teeth on a couple of hardtails back in '06-'07 and kept one to use for jumps and winter riding till about 5-6 years ago, it became too painful on my knee (old injury), I do miss riding a hardtail but these days it's not worth the pain.....! Great vid though....!