4 Finest Hardtail Mountain Bikes

Finest All Round Hardtail

Commencal Meta HT AM Important

Wheel Dimension: 27.5+ or 29″ | Weight: 30 lbs 4 oz

The Commencal Meta HT AM actually knocked our socks off throughout testing and was a blast to experience in nearly all conditions. The versatile hardtail rolls on 27.5+-inch wheels however may be arrange as a mullet or 29’r and expenses arduous in aggressive terrain. The bike is tremendous playful and a blast to experience. Its geometry is aggressive sufficient to be secure at pace and confidence-inspiring on gnarly trails, but it is not so lengthy or slack that it turns into a handful at decrease speeds or in tighter terrain. The 27.5-inch wheels and average attain and wheelbase additionally assist to offer the bike an eagerness to get off the bottom, handbook dips within the path, and slap some corners. It is also a cushty and comparatively environment friendly climber that appeared to encourage our testers to get out of the saddle and keep on the fuel. Commencal’s consumer-direct gross sales mannequin signifies that you get loads in your cash, and the Important construct we examined blows the doorways off most different bikes on this value vary.

Given its plus-sized tires and comparatively slack entrance finish, the Meta HT AM is not the world’s zippiest or most effective hardtail. These huge ol’ tires present a pleasant damp experience really feel, however they are not the quickest rolling, and this bike can really feel somewhat boring on mellower trails and terrain. That mentioned, this is not meant to be an XC bike, and most of the people using the Meta HT will in all probability be having an excessive amount of enjoyable to care. We had been actually impressed by this bike, and we really feel it could be a fantastic addition to anybody’s bike quiver or as a low-maintenance each day driver. Commencal presents a number of fashions of the Meta HT with Mullet wheel packages, and that 29″ entrance wheel will solely improve this bike’s versatility.

Learn extra: Commencal Meta HT AM Important evaluate

Finest Hardtail to Serve As A Path and Cross Nation Bike

Ibis DV9 NX

Wheel Dimension: 29″ | Weight: 26 lbs 8 oz

The Ibis DV9 is a light-weight bicycle that may slay a path experience and is simply as nicely suited to getting into a cross-country race. This bike has comparatively upright, conservative, cross-country-oriented geometry. This bike prioritizes pedal effectivity and fast dealing with over downhill prowess. The result’s super climbing effectivity, zippy acceleration, and razor-sharp steering. The NX construct we examined is budget-oriented, however Ibis did not skimp the place it issues with a fantastic fork, tires, wheels, and dropper submit that enhances its all-around efficiency. This bicycle is a good selection for the rider who needs a flexible hardtail and ceaselessly rides primarily easy and flowy trails.

The draw back? The DV9 is not your best option for riders who experience tough or chattery trails. The stiff, light-weight carbon fiber body transmits extra of the path floor to the rider. If you’re motoring over uneven terrain, you actually really feel it. Consequently, this bike is finest piloted by skilled riders who can use correct kind and soften their elbows and knees to finesse downhill.

Learn extra: Ibis DV9 NX evaluate

Finest Aggressive Hardtail

Rocky Mountain Growler 50

Wheel Dimension: 29″ | Weight: 31 lbs 3 oz

The Rocky Mountain Growler craves excessive speeds and rowdy terrain. This hardtail has super-aggressive geometry sometimes discovered on squishy enduro race bikes. This lengthy bicycle is remarkably secure at excessive speeds and has the angles to really feel exceptionally assured on steeper terrain. The Growler responds nicely to an aggressive pilot and, regardless of its size, likes to spice up off rolls and bumps within the path. Some meaty 2.6-inch WTB tires highlighted the construct equipment with a hard-charging angle to match the Growler’s outlook on life. Climbing up mellow and buff climbs was surprisingly nice, because of a steep seat tube angle that places you straight over the cranks. In case you are the sort of rider who enjoys getting rad and going quick, this can be a nice bike.

The Growler does have some noticeable shortcomings. We discovered technical climbing to be lower than ideally suited regardless of the spectacular skill to climb mellow grades. The mix of the lengthy wheelbase and super-slack entrance finish makes it tougher to deal with in tight areas, leading to a barely awkward feeling. Even on the descent, tight corners and awkward maneuvers may be extra irritating than hitting the downslope on a shorter, steeper bike. Moreover, the construct equipment was a little bit of a combined bag. The Rocky Mountain Toonie dropper submit failed on us however was changed shortly below guarantee. Additionally, the brakes are barely too weak for the way arduous this bike needs to cost. Other than that, there was little to not like about this hard-charging hardtail.

Learn extra: Rocky Mountain Growler 50 evaluate

Finest For Versatility and Journey

Marin Pine Mountain 2

Wheel Dimension: 29 | Weight: 33 lbs 15 oz

The Marin Pine Mountain is a flexible metal hardtail that does all of it. This rig was clearly designed with an emphasis on bikepacking. The body has loads of mounts, and the metal development creates a easy and damp experience. The pedaling place is rock-solid, and the Pine Mountain is a surprisingly competent climber. Whereas this bike clearly prefers journey rides, it holds up fairly nicely on the typical after-work path experience. The center-of-the-road geometry avoids being too lengthy and slack or too steep and twitchy. It descends confidently, corners nicely, and scoots again up the hill surprisingly quick. Oh yeah, the construct equipment is rock strong, given the worth, with highlights like a Shimano SLX 12-speed drivetrain and 4-piston brakes.

The Marin is a bikepacking/journey bike that holds up fairly nicely as a path bike. It ought to be famous that there are significantly better choices for riders on the lookout for a hardtail mountain bike for each day path using duties. As a path bike, the Pine Mountain is somewhat bland and boring and by no means stands out as significantly spectacular. The fantastic thing about this bike is in its versatility and can-do angle, not its trail-riding prowess.

Learn extra: Marin Pine Mountain 2 evaluate

Examine Merchandise

Examine choose as much as 5 merchandise to check

	Rating	Product	Value
	84	Commencal Meta HT AM Important Finest All Round Hardtail	$1,999
	82	Rocky Mountain Growler 50 Finest Aggressive Hardtail	$1,899
	80	Ibis DV9 NX Finest Hardtail to Serve As A Path //and// Cross Nation Bike	$3,499
	79		$2,099
	76	Marin Pine Mountain 2 Finest For Versatility and Journey	$2,499
	69	Salsa Timberjack NX Eagle 27.5+	$1,999

Why Belief GearLab

Our testing course of is extraordinarily tedious, specializing in all the main points. Oh yeah — it is also fairly enjoyable. Relaxation assured, we put these bikes via the paces in our lab and, extra importantly, on the path. We spend time rigorously measuring every bicycle with our personal instruments and processes to see if the producers differ considerably from our measurements.

Subsequent comes the enjoyable half. Every tester takes every bike on a number of check rides. We check these bikes on trails with which we’re extraordinarily acquainted. This familiarity means we experience the identical actual strains on every bike and might simply discern between the experience properties of every mannequin. Our check rides usually are not fast, 25-minute, scorching laps. They’re substantial, multi-hour rides.

We additionally do switchout days the place had been bounce on bikes again to again in fast succession. That is an especially necessary ingredient of our testing course of. Using totally different bikes on the identical path, one after one other makes the relative variations and strengths and weaknesses extraordinarily obvious.

Pat Donahue, one in all our longest-standing Mountain Bike testers at OutdoorGearLab, leads our hardtail evaluate. Pat has ridden nicely over 150 bikes up to now 15 years. Whereas he has spent a number of years on downhill and enduro race tracks, he prefers to simply exit and experience. He’s joined by skilled skier, singletrack fanatic, and bike mechanic Kyle Smaine; our Senior Mountain Bike Assessment Editor, Joshua Hutchens, who has spent his life on two wheels, from racing to retail, teaching to consulting, this man lives for using bikes.

Is a Hardtail Mountain Bike Proper for You?

Mountain bikes are costly. In truth, mountain bikes can get actually costly actually shortly. Each mannequin yr, the costs appear to creep greater and better as new know-how is launched.

Hardtail mountain bikes actually have an enchantment. The value tag will likely be the very first thing that catches your eye. The dearth of a rear suspension linkage and shock makes these bikes inexpensive to supply and simpler to take care of. Hardtails are a superb possibility for newer riders to construct expertise as they pressure correct kind and comfortable knees/elbows over tough terrain. Additionally, hardtails may be strong second bikes for full suspension house owners who desire a easy, hearty bike for moist and sloppy circumstances. It isn’t all sunshine, although. Using hardtail means you’ve gotten a far narrower vary of trails you possibly can experience comfortably. Moreover, they supply a far much less forgiving experience by extra straight translating the path floor to the rider’s physique.

An entry-level full-suspension bike usually sells for someplace within the neighborhood of $2,000. Fairly well-equipped bikes will normally begin above $3,000. In the event you experience frequently, all the bearings and pivots on these full suspension bikes require upkeep to maintain them working easily and quietly. This upkeep will seemingly run you a number of hundred {dollars} a yr. The large upside to full suspension bikes is they provide far superior efficiency in virtually each space of the path in comparison with hardtails. Nice climbing traction, way more aggressive descending skills, and all-day consolation are all advantages of full-squish rigs. Riders who intend on stepping into mountain biking for the lengthy haul will sometimes profit from dropping the additional coin for some rear suspension.

Which is best for you? Having a look at your targets is important.

In the event you’re hoping to go out on a calming experience as soon as every week on mellow terrain with only a few technical options, a hardtail is a strong selection. Newbies seeking to construct their expertise are additionally nice candidates for these bikes. In the event you’re on this camp, know that mountain biking can doubtlessly be extra enjoyable on a full-suspension bike. Riders who wish to experience a variety of trails ought to strongly think about rear suspension. If you are going to experience a number of instances every week and push your skillset, a full suspension bike is usually the most suitable choice.

Some riders merely choose the simplicity and effectivity of a hardtail. They’ve fewer transferring components, usually weigh much less, and you may by no means lose vitality via rear suspension motion. The added problem of using with out the crutch of rear suspension appeals to many riders as nicely. It is actually about private choice. So, whether or not you are simply beginning out otherwise you’ve been using for many years, there are extra kinds of hardtail mountain bikes in the marketplace than ever earlier than, and one thing certain to match any rider’s wants and finances.

What is the Finest Worth?

If the worth tag related to a top quality mountain bike has you choking, look no additional! Hardtails are sometimes a reasonably good worth in comparison with their full-suspension counterparts. We do not price the bikes we check primarily based on their value, however we do love a very good worth. Bikes such because the Commencal Meta HT AM Important characterize what we imagine to be a superb worth with a good value for a top quality construct equipment because of their consumer-direct gross sales mannequin. Keep in mind that there are sometimes a number of construct choices out there, so riders can usually spend kind of cash on a given bike mannequin.

Wheel Dimension

Fashionable hardtails sometimes have one in all 4 frequent wheel sizes. Every wheel dimension has strengths and weaknesses.

• 27.5 — Nice for many who desire a fast and playful experience. These are the smallest wheels which are being extensively produced. These ninja-like wheels produce a fast, agile, and playful experience. These could also be higher suited to smaller riders or for knowledgeable riders who’re expert pilots.

• 29 — Finest for many who wish to experience quick. As they are saying, huge wheels carry on rollin’. These bigger diameter “wagon wheels” roll very quick, carry a great deal of momentum, and keep out of holes within the path. It is more durable to disturb the momentum of those huge wheels. You sacrifice a little bit of agility in comparison with 27.5-inch wheels. These are your best option for these involved about pace and overlaying floor.

• 27.5+ — 27.5+ wheels run 27.5 x 2.8 or 27.5 x 3.0 wheels. These ship boatloads of traction. As well as, you possibly can run these tires at a lot decrease pressures, and so they add a component of cushion or damping to the experience. This may be extraordinarily necessary on a hardtail.

• 29+ — A couple of bikes run 29+ wheels. This runs a 29 x 3.0 or 29 x 2.8-inch tire. These are actually, actually huge wheels that ship insane stability and roll very quick. These are nice wheels for exploring and possibly a bikepacking mission. Given the sheer mass of those tires, acceleration is just not a robust swimsuit, and so they can really feel fairly clunky in tight areas. As well as, they’re about as removed from playful as you may get

Observe: Tire selection could make an enormous distinction inside a wheel dimension — for instance, a 29 x 2.3-inch tire rides very otherwise than a 29 x 2.6-inch tire. Including a little bit of width could make for a extra aggressive really feel and supply a little bit of damping.

Carbon Fiber vs. Aluminum vs. Metal

Body materials is necessary. Every body materials has inherent strengths and weaknesses that may have an unlimited impact on efficiency and value. Your finances will largely dictate body materials, however here’s a transient rundown of the strengths and weaknesses of every materials.

• Carbon Fiber — The lightest, stiffest, and strongest possibility. It is also one of many costlier supplies. Carbon fiber transmits your energy and physique actions most successfully. The stiff experience is responsive, and the decrease weight is a big bonus. Carbon fiber ages nicely, that means it retains its integrity higher than aluminum, which weakens over time. It’s also the strongest of the body supplies. The catch, whereas carbon fiber is extraordinarily robust, it would not get up nicely to being crashed into rocks. Additionally, it is not eco-friendly because it has no method of being recycled.

• Aluminum — This dependable metallic is inexpensive and would not age in addition to carbon fiber. Whereas aluminum is just not as stiff as carbon fiber, it responds higher to getting dropped in rocks. Moreover, it sometimes is not fairly as unforgiving as carbon fiber, which leads to minor quantities of body flex. No huge deal. This flex can work in your favor by softening the cruel really feel of a hardtail. This materials is well recyclable.

• Metal — Some hardtail bikes, significantly from smaller producers, are constructed with metal. Metal is much less stiff than carbon fiber and aluminum, leading to a little bit of body flex. The upside? It supplies a extra damp experience than the opposite supplies. Moreover, metal may be repaired if a weld fails.

Geometry

Hardtails are sometimes related to a extra old-school experience really feel and that is associated to their inflexible rear ends and body geometry. Fashionable mountain bike geometry tendencies are slowly however absolutely making their method into the design of hardtail mountain bikes, and there are at present extra totally different kinds of hardtails in the marketplace than ever earlier than. Manufacturers have been diversifying their body geometries to attain totally different experience traits. Almost all hardtails are environment friendly climbers on account of their lack of rear suspension, though there are variations in uphill dealing with primarily based on the size of the wheelbase and attain in addition to the pinnacle tube angle.

As of late, you may get a quick-handling carbon fiber framed mannequin with a middle-of-the-road geometry, just like the Ibis DV9, which is light-weight, environment friendly, fast-rolling, and eats up miles and vertical prefer it does its job. Within the case of the DV9, it is a versatile trail-worthy bike that would simply double as an XC race bike on the weekends. Average geometries lend themselves nicely to versatility, and bikes just like the Commencal Meta HT are nice examples of this. The Meta may be very well-rounded, and it performs impressively nicely in nearly all conditions. You may additionally discover fashions with extra conservative geometry, just like the Marin Pine Mountain, to be higher for much less aggressive path using and nicely suited to bike packing and journey using.

On the opposite finish of the spectrum, we now have firms bringing lengthy and slack to the designs of their hardtail frames. The phrases aggressive and enduro have not been related a lot with hardtail mountain bikes till extra lately as manufacturers like Rocky Mountain and Norco have began producing hardcore hardtails. These bikes have slack, 64-degree head tube angles, lengthy attain, and wheelbase measurements, and so they come to life at pace and deal with steep and tough descents impressively nicely. Equally, the Commencal Meta HT AM has a slack head angle and a 160mm fork that give this bike the flexibility to get rowdy, but its average attain and wheelbase preserve it maneuverable and fun-loving.

Conclusion

There you’ve gotten it, our complete evaluate of the very best hardtail mountain bikes. There are many causes to purchase a hardtail over a full-suspension mountain bike. These much less forgiving bicycles train correct kind and approach, as there isn’t a rear suspension to bail you out. As well as, the dearth of rear suspension requires far much less upkeep than an advanced full-suspension bike with a ton of creaky bearings, and so they are usually extra reasonably priced for the lots. Oh yeah, they’re additionally actually enjoyable.

The Meta HT is our favourite hardtail mountain bike. The Meta is extremely enjoyable, and it presents steadiness and a well-rounded efficiency. The Ibis DV9 is a no brainer for riders who worth a light-weight and environment friendly hardtail. The Ibis climbs just like the wind and depends on its razor-sharp dealing with to slice and cube via tough sections of the path. The Rocky Mountain Growler dominates the descent. The Growler is one aggressive bike and is unbelievably secure at excessive speeds. The Commencal Meta HT AM is a fun-loving hardtail for riders who wish to handbook, increase, and drift their method down the path and has the chops to deal with aggressive descents. These on the lookout for a flexible bike that’s equally at residence on informal path rides and bike packing adventures alike ought to give the Marin Pine Mountain 2 a glance.