You Don't Need A Full Suspension

Trail hardtails rule. Here are my 10 favorite reasons why.
Check out the Trek Roscoe : www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/ro...
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00:00 Intro
01:28 Reason #10 "You'll never blow your rear shock"
01:44 Reason #9 "Easier maintenance and cleaning"
01:55 Reason #8 "Can fit two Water bottle cages"
02:05 Reason #7 "Modern trail hardtails are legit"
02:38 Reason #6 "Hardtails make you a better rider"
02:59 Reason #5 "Good for learning to jump"
03:52 Reason #4 "Cheaper than full suspension"
04:37 Reason #3 "Boring trails are fun again"
05:36 Reason #2 "Hardtail-homie can't lose"
06:10 Reason #1 "Hardtails are classic. It's the original way to ride a trail."
07:16 My Trek Roscoe 9 build
10:41 Ray's MTB Park Cleveland Ohio -- random montage

[@Dorkbike]

As a longtime hardtail dude, this is the best top 10 list.

[@lopeztelloi]

100% agree. I'm 52 years old and started mountain biking in the late 80s on a hardtail 😬. After an array of boingers in the 90s and 2000s, I went back to my origins and now ride a modern hardtail. Cheaper, less maintenance and... more fun!

[@cosmickid1794]

well, I'm 65, ordered a Roscoe 7 in 2020 and it showed up two years later, July 2022. Fortunately, it's the 2022 model, got in plenty of rides till winter hit. I've never had a bike like this before, and loving it!! Now, getting ready for spring, just moved to Hamilton Ontario from Brantford, so new trails to explore!!!

[@PaweDrozanski]

I rode ht for maaany years and I was ultimately happy. But at one point I’ve decided to switch to enduro and lost all my passion to biking for many years. Yesterday I’ve tried Roscoe at my local bike shop and …. felt that old tingling and love to biking. Trail HT is a way to go ❤

[@Adventuregirl96]

My husband and I ride road bikes in the Seattle area and my twin has talked my husband into getting a hardtail by showing him this video. Now my husband keeps saying hardtail homie can't lose.

[@CamMcCaul]

Yes!! Hardtail homie can't lose. thats awesome.

[@anthonyarruda1145]

I absolutely love my Roscoe 9 it never gets old to me ever. Its so fun.

[@Chuck145]

Just when I was getting tired of my own trail hardtail i find this video. Thanks for getting me stoked again dude!

[@Tonon487]

Loving hardtail MTB riding. I started on an older surly karate monkey last year out of necessity and then moved up to a customized Ragley big al a few months ago. It's a blast every time I ride- always puts a grin on my face.

[@zette5115]

yeah, i also like the fender telecaster comparison-exactly understood the meaning. i own one and also a strat and i love this spirit of a clear and simple thing what defines the beginning of music history, thx leo!💪🏻

[@garyhutchin]

I got my first MTB last May (a Trek Roscoe) and absolutely love it. I've recently progressed onto some of the "easier" black graded trails at my local trail centre, it's been a great bike to learn the necessary skills on.

[@deividasradziunas3696]

I bought Roscoe yesterday, my first mtb. Very excited

[@danielcuckler2743]

Which one? Ive got the roscoe 8 and i absolutely love it

[@deividasradziunas3696]

@@danielcuckler2743 i also have Roscoe 8

[@danielcuckler2743]

@@deividasradziunas3696 im loving ny roscoe. Ive taken it on really rugged and rooted trails and it handles everything just fine

[@jasperhealy5830]

I have a trek roscoe 6 and this is a dream come true to see cam Make a video on this. KEEP SHREDDIN BRA🤟🤟

[@sbbeowulf8296]

I have a enduro bike and a xc hardtail and the hardtail is so efficient on smoother trails with tons of climbing and it’s so fun

[@theblishknovk]

I have a base model 2021 Specialized Fuse in 27.5+ and absolutely love it. Feels like a monster truck version of a bmx bike with gears.

[@claydogmadman6295]

Those red shocks is rocking with that matted tan and faded black, that was definitely the sick thing to do. You took it to a who nother level...👍

[@DoomedMidwestern]

The only reason I would get rid of my Chromag . . . would be to get a newer Chromag. Hardcore Hardtails are just the best.

[@mattsquatch412]

I just got a rootdown and can't wait to get some time in on it!

[@brunoalary6642]

That's a sweet looking ride!

[@my2017raptorhardtail]

Diehard hardtail rider here. Hell ya!! Love it.

[@treyelefsen1689]

hardtails are the best, I bought myself a Norco Rampage dirt jumper and its so much fun and just recently bought a Commencal Meta ht and its so fun riding things from jumps to downhill it does it all

[@bert3566]

How playful is the commencal? I’m thinking about getting that or a Nukeproof scout. I really want a playful bike that’s easy to bunny hop and hit jumps on. What spec did you get on yours? Thanks man

[@treyelefsen1689]

@@bert3566 the Commencals heaps playful with the low standover and bit shorter reach, if you want it more playful personally I put but smaller tyres on instead of the 2.8s that come on it, I got the essential spec I believe, it’s not crazy spec but it goes good

[@bert3566]

@@treyelefsen1689 Fast response thanks. I’ve been looking at the essential. The most for me is 2.5 anything bigger is to much

[@treyelefsen1689]

@@bert3566 yeah with 2.8s it doesn’t feel as nimble and feels a bit sluggish

[@User18dog]

@@bert3566 get the race over the essential, the fork is better and it’s only 400 more, if you were to buy the same fork it’s be around (1,100)it also has better brakes

[@jensthimmvalsted1000]

My Canyon Spectral frame finally gave up after many years of abuse. I just put all the parts on a Santa Cruz Chameleon, and I'm so excited about mountainbiking again!

[@bigbird2451]

Another great soundtrack.

[@workslippers770]

26'' hard tail rider here keeping the scene alive, airborne and white knuckled! That fakie nosebonk thing on the spine😮

[@tylercrippen6935]

I inherited my dad’s 1997 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo and have been riding that bike for years now with some minor upgrades (air fork made a huge difference). I recently purchased a 2021 Commencal Meta HT that thing is a totally different beast. Crazy geo and big travel up front makes for a good time over terrain I wouldn’t even think about on the Fisher. Hardtails really push you to learn good form and technique and can really make you a great rider before moving straight to full sus and over-biking yourself.

[@eatnosenuggets]

The Fender Telecaster reference is spot on.

[@auguste57]

Love your Philosophy!!!

[@justinbogart278]

Awww yeah, ragley mmmbop is making all the local trails more exciting. Can't wait to see how it feels on Redline this summer.

[@jasonmateus924]

After 25 years on FS, I just got my new HT frame, I just cant wait to get back to that feeling

[@SnootchieBootchies27]

Whack-a-mole is the best analogy for finding the creak I have ever seen!

[@kellyreed8714]

I’ve been saving up for a squishy bike, but I really do love riding my hardtail. Only time I get bummed is when I’m passed on the trail, but I think it has more to do with my fitness level than it does the bike. Just got to remember to say whatever, just have fun.

[@psychoholicracing837]

Great list. I actually got faster riding hardtails. Had the 3rd fastest time yesterday on Waterfall Trail in Santiago Oaks. Love beating all the Enduro Bros on black trails even though I’m an intermediate rider on a hardtail. .

[@ronlawson5819]

Waiting on my new roscoe 9 can’t wait

[@benji523]

Seeing Cam as an adult makes me realize how old I am lol! Last time I saw him was on Drop-In. Still loving the hardtails I see, but my body just can't agree with you haha

[@jkwon8703]

Love your garage setting. My garage is too small, planning on building a shed this summer for biks/shop :) And yeah hardtail rules!!! (still rocking my 90s, or early 2000s, GT Zaskar Black)

[@1_mensch]

#3!!! Probably the only reason why I will always prefer hardtails. They're just soooo much fun.

[@brandonhoffman4712]

Love the ending! "See don't give up kids" - a human being

[@amandal33]

great vid! love my Roscoe !

[@katsooba]

The ending had the best theme song ever made

[@nakitojimo2001]

I'm about to buy a hardtail 29er n this video made more convincing to to buy a hardtail.

[@MsHigheagle]

Your so dam right I started on one and went to dh but still have a trail ht, don't really need anything in between

[@robert50173]

I agree. #11 PNW has a new Coast 120mm dropper with 40mm of air suspension for some cush that helps a lot to bridge the gap between a full sus. #12 Less attractive to steal.

[@kellyreed8714]

I was looking at that one, but it wouldn’t fit for my bike. So I went with the Pine 27.2.

[@laralaa7957]

You rock! Good video!!

[@jasonlewis6914]

I freaking love hardtails so much fun. I just picked up a new niner air 9 aluminum hardtail it's a awesome bike super fast!

[@TheAllEngineering]

I Have a Bird Zero AM hardtail, 160mm fork and slack 64 deg ha so much fun to ride. These modern long travel slack hardtails are extremely capable and seriously under rated mainly by people that have never ridden them. I do not have a problem keeping up with friends on their full sus bikes.

[@DieterVanHolder]

I've been riding a Bird Aeris AM9 for years but it's too much for my local winter stuff. I've had my finger on the trigger for a Zero for months. Your comment is the drop that overflows the bucket. I'm ordering 😂

[@markt8262]

I bought a RM Growler with the same colour scheme... Man.. just wicked to be on a modern HT especially with the sand black and red colour.

[@mc540flip]

Ha ha, reason #2 was literally me 3 weeks ago. 6 dudes all on 140-150mm trail rigs and me on my Karate Monkey. No problem hanging with the group (mostly blue, sprinkle of black). So fun!

[@danwebber9494]

Even better being an old guy on a hardtail. If you get smoked by a guy over 50 riding a hardtail, you need to rethink your riding!

[@georgiaguardian4696]

Agree with you with all your points!

[@luca_cometti]

I never had a trail bike growing up. just a dirt jumper and dh bike and I still think I have my fastest time on my local trails on that hardtail with a high post. all the effeciency

[@trailonfire8581]

For the beginning hardtail's are the best, but I'm happy to ride my Remedy now.

[@LocoRigida]

Hardtails rule! Great video!

[@fullerblacksmithing7954]

Missed the best point ever! #0 has to be how well they pedal over a full suspension! I'll be going to Rays in may after I race the Mohican 100 this year!

[@tombreach]

His line 30 rims are iw29 with a 2.6 tire. That tire is a bit above ETRTO range and would give the tire a playful rounded profile. I'm running iw35 with a 2.8, which is the max for 35, rounded profile. I like leaning the bike back and forth to catch the size knobs.

[@chaotictattoo]

I have a roscoe 9 and a lynskey titanium I build up. Hard tails are just plain fun to ride

[@jacobhansonmtb9840]

great vid i love my hardtail

[@skimy619]

riding my hardtail since 2014 🤘

[@diveaddict6885]

I love riding my steel hardtail. Single speed very low maintenance

[@LenaCourtney]

i have a trek roscoe 9 2023, but because it's a size small i can't fit 2 water bottle cages inside the frame (even when i bought the smallest possible water bottles). to combat this, i got a fidlock anywhere cage and strapped it to the top tube. i actually really like the placement of the water bottle there

[@benlafaver5362]

I got the 2021 Roscoe, awesome bike but I am so jealous of the new 2022 frame!

[@jackjack-xi7je]

Ye I got the Roscoe 8 2021, and was a bit gutted when I saw the 2022, but it's my first MTB so it's more than enough! Also a lot cheaper than the 2022!

[@lukeneill1568]

@@jackjack-xi7je different geometry on the 22 roscoe than the 21

[@Nogui_Aramburo]

Bought a Marin Trail Boss and I agree. I didn’t like the full suspension I test drove.

[@pascualaguon5324]

Solid Build......by Far.....Hard Tails Rule....For-Rilz💥💥💥💥👌🏻

[@steffgofpv9681]

Sick bike! Eyeing up this frame right now too, what size brake rotors are you running?

[@mikea9365]

I came from a BMX background from the Midwest. Moved to Northern California (dirty 530) a decade ago and stay bombing on my hard tails. Weird looks while crushing downieville on a hard tail 😆

[@ricaaat]

reason #0: if you start out on a hardtail like me, you'll always dream of how fast and capable you'll be on a full suspension. For the past 2 years of my mtb journey I've been riding my trail hardtail and it was the first bike i ever got. You improve so incredibly fast and i smoke many full squish riders on the descends and of course on the climbs too if i want to!

[@phillusderpimmelpilz871]

Yes exactly, i switched to a full suspension downhill bike just to notice its the bike who catches my bad riding. The real good riders are on a hardtail like the roscoe

[@ricaaat]

@@phillusderpimmelpilz871do you mean you switched from the full suspension to a hardtail?

[@phillusderpimmelpilz871]

@@ricaaat nah i switched from hardtail to a fully

[@eddieknight2202]

Such a fun video

[@knightstemplar6243]

Hard tails are the original mountain bikes. I’ve ridden full susser bikes And tbh. I can do exactly the same on a hard tail.

[@viperdemonz-jenkins]

have a 2014 giant talon not sure if it is considered a trail bike, but Damm it rocks.

[@calvn8or543]

Reason #5 is so true. I cant even hardly bunny hop on full suspension, but i can bunny hop and jump my hard tail.

[@stephankoehler800]

Agree on all points. Did you mention that they are lighter and so you have less weight to pedal up every hill. Btw, I'm biased because I have a trail hardtail 😄 But these bikes are so capable. Full sus would make most trails boring as hell for me unless you have proper DH stuff to ride.

[@molecularbiologycentralhea56]

i own and ride both HT and FS. they each have their advantages. Having said so, Ht is more fun to ride and keeps you in check for skills, yet when racing XC, FS gives the edge.

[@mountaingoat8788]

I Only Own 2 Bikes right Now and they are Both Hardtails lol. NS surge built for AM and My Gf got me a chromag stylus Frame last Year and I Built her up with my stimulus.. I was going to sell my NS but I may keep it for a Buddy Bike/spear Bike or for Longer rides sense its a wee Lighter..

[@C_Haberstoked]

Don't give up!

[@bert6744]

Nice!

[@buckroger6456]

Reason #3 is so true and reason #2 is a classic. What's even more epic is a ridged frame Mtb crushing fullsus bikes.

[@mattgies]

Haha I have full squish and I have a dirt jumper. Maybe I oughta check out the middle ground. N + 1 and all...

[@user-hv8re9tu4y]

You can use long travel dropper post,

[@ibanez2010]

Hardtails are oddly addicting. You can't have just one. I'm up to three now and still want to add a few more - steel with gears, steel single 29er, and maybe a dirt jumper...

[@amdmg7]

Yeah, telecaster! Thanks, man)

[@francisdee9955]

just bought myself a commencal meta ht 29🥳 it rips! and its a great addition to my full sus!

[@bert3566]

How playful is it? I’m looking into either getting that or a Nukeproof scout. I really want a bike that’s playful and easy to bunny hop and hit jumps on. What spec did you get on yours? Thanks man

[@francisdee9955]

@@bert3566 I bought the race version from 2021 that cost 2350 euros! buy that one! better value for money than the 2022 race version. the deore breaks work very good and the whole groupset does a great job. i only changed the chain to a shimano one! way better shiftig! I am 1,78 cm tall and bought a large frame. I think its quite playfull. The M frame would have been too small for me.

[@francisdee9955]

@@bert3566 maybe take a look at the reach numbers…

[@shawnpritchard366]

Used to ride a hardtail, now riding a rigid for the same reasons. Under-biked rules. From Transition TransAM to Kona Unit.

[@heinrichkleist3473]

Also they're the most versatile bike you can possibly get! You can ride them anywhere - pavement, gravel, gnar, bike parks. Hard tails are straight up the best.

[@andersonnjayco647]

I have a Tele and a hardcore hardtail! Best of both worlds imo.

[@Ricobonito1]

Hear! Hear! Don't give up kids!

[@katiealdana150]

AwesomeRide👍

[@thomasvourch3904]

Please do a ride video on it

[@michaelfrymus]

I'm wondering if 140mm travel is good, if it's not too much or too little. But also what head tube angle is best. I'm thinking of this Roscoe 9, it's a bit pricy, but may consider it

[@stuart3744]

I think you’ve made my mind up on my next bike, have an old Gary fisher paragon which is past its sell by date but been a great bike, 95% I do road cycling but would like to do a bit more off road, don’t laugh but I’m 60 and still cycle fit as fuck, have looked at full sussers but obviously puts the cost up, so I’ll stick with hard tail, any advice on the sram against shimano groupsets.

[@rodbrown8306]

Yeah it's all about the No1 reason!

[@ElYesse]

Hey Cam, what kind of bike bag do you use for traveling?

[@flailhail]

What size frame did you go with as relation to your height? I resently got a rosco 8 and felt like I had to upsize as I was kinda batween sizes.

[@Daktw]

👍🏼 hardtail homie can’t lose is right

[@lilb34n_]

Where can i get a saddle like the one at 1:38? I know BMX bikes have great graphic designs on seats but I've never seen an option on MTBs.

[@gethappycyclingcampingoutdoors]

Cool video ☮️☯️

[@fishrideandski4910]

that looks like a gnarly hardtail

[@nickpethan3083]

Love my Salsa Timberjack XT!

[@Jose-sy1je]

That's at least a 2.5k hardtail bike. Why is it so expensive?

[@nickpethan3083]

@@Jose-sy1je great frame with modern geometry. And durable parts. The Shimano XT is a nice drivetrain. I paid a little less around $2000. Equivalent full sus bikes would be easily $1000+ more

[@Jose-sy1je]

@@nickpethan3083 Why didn't you go for full suspension though? I'm new to mountain biking and currently looking for a bike. I'd probably pay a little more than 1k. Been looking at the Roscoe 6 and the Cannondale Habit HT2. Do you know which one is better?

[@nickpethan3083]

@@Jose-sy1je I prefer the hardtail over full sus for the trails and my riding style. Just personal preference. I’d say ride both if you can and see which one you like more. Nothing wrong with full suspension bikes, but they do cost more and they just don’t fit what I’m looking for in a MTB.

[@Zac_Martines]

Makin me miss my 26" chromag hardtail the geo sucked but it still riiiiped and fast too

[@waldowsxxghostxx8577]

What size and brand upper and lower headsets are you rocking on this build?

[@IrieVibeSender]

nice Melodica

[@seanmolloy9422]

#5 & #6 !!!

[@residentemalditoful]

What bike do you have ? What frame is it? Nice color

[@waldowsxxghostxx8577]

Reason why I’m asking I just purchased a 2023 rosco 7 frame only and figured out all my components except the headsets upper and lower because I can’t find specific size?

[@Jcool721]

Great list, I would like to add one more. Get a good saddle like Brooks. I'm talking about not sitting on the plastic. You can have some suspension by the saddle :-) I have the SQlab active for winter rides and Brooks Cambium Carved for summer. I sold my 29er plus hd and I'm still riding my fatty. With the Manitou fork in front the weight of the bike is under 14 kg which is amazing.

[@shanea3956]

heck! my 1st mtb didnt have front suspension either!