There are definitely some extra limitations or challenges with a hardtail, but that's part of what makes them so addicting and amazing for skill building. Everything takes just a bit more precision and commitment. We won't be getting rid of our full-squishies ever but we often reach for the hardtail to keep things interesting. Another amazing video. Keep pedaling!
Kinda like driving stick. Sure, new automatics shift faster and have a performance advantage, so on paper, there's no benefit to driving a manual transmission. But I'll always have one because I enjoy it.
I have both and love both. Something really satisfying about a hardtail though, I just feel more in tune with the terrain rather than it being muted by a rear suspension. I ride the same trails with both bikes, one is faster, one is more difficult, both so rewarding.
I’ve been on a full squish for 15 years. But my skills have progressed enough that 90% of the time it’s too much bike on my flatish local trails. So finally pulled the trigger on a Banshee Paradox frame and will build up over winter for spring ‘22. Can’t wait!
Jeff, I've always been impressed with your bike handling skills, the content you put out and your authentic passion for the sport of mountain biking. You are a true ambassador of the sport. While I know that you are a creative guy who probably has a stockpile of topics you plan to discuss in the future, I wonder if you've ever considered doing a video based on reach. Having been a mountain biker since the early 80s (and a bmx rider before that), I see a benefit to longer, slacker, bikes, but I also see the limitations. Like the majority of people watching your videos and commenting, I am admittedly not the caliber of riding you are, but I do notice that really long reach numbers tend to make it more difficult to unweight or lift the front end. Is this a symptom of longer top tubes, reach, or both? Although I am sure you could manual any bike, I'd like to hear what you have to say about longer bikes, especially for the kind of playful riding you do on tight, twisty, bumpy stuff where you're not usually hitting high speeds. Perhaps you could find and ride a really long reach numbers bike and present your findings? Because I know that you probably need to say something positive about all of the bikes you test, you could ride this long reach bike on really fast, open, groomed stuff where length is a benefit, but also take it on the trails you usually ride. Just a thought. Thanks again for the content! Bern
That trail was dope as hell. Loved seeing the alternative way of riding through that root section. So fast. I would love to ride with you guys and have someone tell me how I should be riding any specific area of the trail. Mtb is insanely addictive. I watch these videos and get so motivated to go out and rip a trail.
Perfect timing for this video. Just bought a nicely built up Kona Honzo ST. The terrain here in NW Arkansas is a bit rocky for this to be used often and it’s hard to NOT ride my FS ebike BUT it is fun on the really flowy stuff and makes for a super comfy commuter as well.
@@radagascar1 I love it, and found I'm faster on the down than I was with my Rocky ETSX. Took a long time to get, but it's a thing of beauty! Paint customization from Stanton is unmatched as well!
@6:52 you are right on the money Jeff! Having a full squish and a hardtail is indeed a great setup. I can't ride nearly as hard as you, so I can run 2.8's for some extra compliance on my hardtail without the tire squirming enough to really bother me.
I had one and only fully as my first MTB bought with my own money when I was 16 round about 16 years ago. After that I only hand Hardtails. Since I startet biking 2 or 3 years ago, I built up a touring steel hardtail on my own. When I started MTB a year ago I went for a XC Carbon bike and quickly changing to a aluminium Trail bike. Now I am happy not risiking to split the carbon trail on some jumps, resulting in two unicycles 🤣 The next step will be a a high quality steel frame one day. Maybe a Stanton or something
This past autumn I built up a Chromag Rootdown as a "Midgethawk" as the Doctahawk really doesn't work for people below ~5'10. I've barely ridden my FS bike since. I like the FS a lot, and particularly if I'm eyeing up a drop I've not hit before I like the "insurance" that the FS provides - but a modern HT is amazing and I can't really imagine giving it up. PNW for life!
HD4 and DV9 - I have been enjoying going back and forth to compare and surprised that the dv9 doesnt beat me up as much as i thought it would - i think if you can , its nice to have both !
The ARMY called they want their HD5 back, looks awesome whith the Trust fork and brown Chromag saddle just needs some OD grips. That was a great comparison too by the way.
I can only afford one bike at a time and I usually keep that bike for several years. I was torn between the HD5 which is similar to my 6 year old Pivot Mach 6 and the Ripmo V2. I ended up going with the Ripmo because I wanted to try something different and it really fit that "one bike to do everything" role. I started riding on hardtails back in the day and would totally get one for a second bike if I had the budget for sure!
Both fully ridged fat bike💪 and full suspension 29er. The full squish makes life easier and faster but the ridged one makes easier trails seem more fun 🤘
Jeff, it is such a pleasure watching you ride! I love your control and you flick the bike around. I have to think you’ve had your share of crashes and mishaps to attain this skill level. Anyway, thanks for yet another great video. Richard in Seattle
I think that more important than the pros and cons of both HT and FS will be the type of terrain you´re ridding on. Getting a FS to mellow trails will be like getting a bazooka to a fistfight. Overbiking will be soon realized along with less fun on the descents and more peddaling effort on the uphills. Been there so i swap my orange stage 5 to a yet-to-come kingdom vendetta x2 LE titanium HT.
That angle on the fork....reminds me of the numerous bmx bikes I've had after lots of high air landings... Just makes me think that even having suspension on them...they are close to failing. On the one hand... Having ridden my early nineties rigid everything Specialized on some rough terrain.... I can appreciate the suspension...but I always had more airtime on my lighter no suspension bike than my newer (to me) 1999 full suspension FSR. Although.... The full sus bike IS a 20.5" and my rigid is a 17"...so I am looking for another full sus bike in my size. 😇😎
Hardtail can teach sooo fucknig much (got Stylus -017 on fox36 160) absolutly love it! After years without riding DH bikes i building new one to see what i ve learned on Hardtails just for fun (cuz i have time eating job) keeping my HT prepared for chillout rides. First thing i will notice without sitting on DH will be super soft landings and great chosing of lines cuz hardtail will not forgive you anything and thats its where magic happens :D
Awesome video Jeff, as always!!! I'm internally conflicted on this topic for a one bike quiver (at least for now). Ibis DV9 XT build or Ripley NX for flat rooty and twisty South Florida. I've only ever ridden hardtails so I'm sure I can make it work but of course everyone seems to say spend the extra grand and get the RIpley...even without the gnar it will run circles around a hardtail...for some reason though I keep coming back to the sexy simplicity of the DV9. What would you get if you lived in a flat sandpit like South Florida?
“You’re heavier on a hard tail because you have more money in your wallet”. 😂😂. I’ve only ever ridden a full sus bike once for about two hours. My hardtail will continue to get shredded a few times a week till next year, then I think I’ll invest in a full squish.
My dilemma is, I never ridden a full suspension. I’m finding it hard to choose between a high-end Hardtail “Chromag Rootdown” with 160mm of travel vs A full suspension in the $2500 price range. Riding style is 25% road 50% light to medium trails and 25% downhill bike park. My last bike was a trek stache 7
@@itsvaren1054 I decided just to go with a Chromag it could do everything I want to do, with less maintenance. That commencal is a nice bike to, check out that polygon n9 nice build for the money. Good luck with whatever you pick.
Good evening Jeff... I have a Chromag Rootdown frame that I’m going to build up. I was wondering what is your opinion on coil forks? I’ve been thinking of an öhlins coil fork. I have a fox 36 on my Pivot Mach6 and it’s a great fork but I think that I really want to go a different route and give a coil a try.
I like hardtail more than fullsquish. Hardcore hardtail aren't easy you need to learn how to ride them you need to understand how section works. I got both when I want to ride some massive burn and nasty stuff I took the san Quentin 3 when I want to relax I take the fullsquish
I can jump so much higher and easier on my hardtail. Unless your shock is completely undamped, it doesn't make much sense that you can get more energy out of your stomp/preload. I'm guessing it's more of a timing issue.
On steeper jumps, like at the dirt jumps, the hardtail can boost WAY higher. But on these flat, mellow jumps on the MTB trails, it's surprising, but I'm almost always going higher on the FS. Weird, huh!
Yeah really a no-brainer. I mean the hard tail will be a bit more maneuverable, give better feel but also provide a bit harsher feedback through the tires Wheels and frame. A hardtail and a full suspension are really two different animals, mostly designed for two different types of riding. Even though you can ride nearly everything on a hardtail, a full suspension is wasted on typical non-technical single track trails. It's also worth noting that the type of writing you are doing discount probably 95% of all mountain bike riding and riders or possibly even greater. Latasha is only relative to your skill level and Riders at or above your skill level. Anybody below your skill level this provides little to no bearing. It's not that the test isn't worthy it is only just worthy to a very small fraction of riders. 👌
The ARMY called they want their HD5 back, looks awesome whith the Trust fork and brown Chromag saddle just needs some OD grips. That was a great comparison too by the way.
There are definitely some extra limitations or challenges with a hardtail, but that's part of what makes them so addicting and amazing for skill building. Everything takes just a bit more precision and commitment. We won't be getting rid of our full-squishies ever but we often reach for the hardtail to keep things interesting. Another amazing video. Keep pedaling!
Kinda like driving stick. Sure, new automatics shift faster and have a performance advantage, so on paper, there's no benefit to driving a manual transmission. But I'll always have one because I enjoy it.
I have both and love both. Something really satisfying about a hardtail though, I just feel more in tune with the terrain rather than it being muted by a rear suspension. I ride the same trails with both bikes, one is faster, one is more difficult, both so rewarding.
I’ve been on a full squish for 15 years. But my skills have progressed enough that 90% of the time it’s too much bike on my flatish local trails. So finally pulled the trigger on a Banshee Paradox frame and will build up over winter for spring ‘22. Can’t wait!
Jeff,
I've always been impressed with your bike handling skills, the content you put out and your authentic passion for the sport of mountain biking. You are a true ambassador of the sport.
While I know that you are a creative guy who probably has a stockpile of topics you plan to discuss in the future, I wonder if you've ever considered doing a video based on reach. Having been a mountain biker since the early 80s (and a bmx rider before that), I see a benefit to longer, slacker, bikes, but I also see the limitations. Like the majority of people watching your videos and commenting, I am admittedly not the caliber of riding you are, but I do notice that really long reach numbers tend to make it more difficult to unweight or lift the front end. Is this a symptom of longer top tubes, reach, or both?
Although I am sure you could manual any bike, I'd like to hear what you have to say about longer bikes, especially for the kind of playful riding you do on tight, twisty, bumpy stuff where you're not usually hitting high speeds. Perhaps you could find and ride a really long reach numbers bike and present your findings? Because I know that you probably need to say something positive about all of the bikes you test, you could ride this long reach bike on really fast, open, groomed stuff where length is a benefit, but also take it on the trails you usually ride.
Just a thought.
Thanks again for the content!
Bern
Great analysis Jeff, very well done.
Thanks Steve! Maybe I’ll bring the hardtail to Sedona this fall!
@@JeffKendallWeed hit me up, I'd love to ride with ya here no matter what bike you're on.
You are a true rider's rider, Jeff. You are a joy to watch. Press on!
Black Chromag Stylus here. Definitely has a special place in my Heart over my Full suspension. Not sure why.
Hardtail everyday. Good simple fun.
That trail was dope as hell. Loved seeing the alternative way of riding through that root section. So fast. I would love to ride with you guys and have someone tell me how I should be riding any specific area of the trail. Mtb is insanely addictive. I watch these videos and get so motivated to go out and rip a trail.
Perfect timing for this video. Just bought a nicely built up Kona Honzo ST. The terrain here in NW Arkansas is a bit rocky for this to be used often and it’s hard to NOT ride my FS ebike BUT it is fun on the really flowy stuff and makes for a super comfy commuter as well.
Stanton Switch9er hardtail here! Of course, coming off a 15 yo Rocky Mountain ETSX, the modern geo alone is an amazing upgrade!
Looking at that one hard! I've heard great things
@@radagascar1 I love it, and found I'm faster on the down than I was with my Rocky ETSX. Took a long time to get, but it's a thing of beauty! Paint customization from Stanton is unmatched as well!
I ride hardtail and fullsuspension. But I take the hardtail whenever it makes sense for more progression for me.
@6:52 you are right on the money Jeff! Having a full squish and a hardtail is indeed a great setup. I can't ride nearly as hard as you, so I can run 2.8's for some extra compliance on my hardtail without the tire squirming enough to really bother me.
I have a Commencal Meta HT and it never fails to put a smile on my face. Makes everything a little more fun and is 10x better for my budget.
I had one and only fully as my first MTB bought with my own money when I was 16 round about 16 years ago. After that I only hand Hardtails. Since I startet biking 2 or 3 years ago, I built up a touring steel hardtail on my own. When I started MTB a year ago I went for a XC Carbon bike and quickly changing to a aluminium Trail bike. Now I am happy not risiking to split the carbon trail on some jumps, resulting in two unicycles 🤣
The next step will be a a high quality steel frame one day. Maybe a Stanton or something
This past autumn I built up a Chromag Rootdown as a "Midgethawk" as the Doctahawk really doesn't work for people below ~5'10. I've barely ridden my FS bike since. I like the FS a lot, and particularly if I'm eyeing up a drop I've not hit before I like the "insurance" that the FS provides - but a modern HT is amazing and I can't really imagine giving it up. PNW for life!
HD4 and DV9 - I have been enjoying going back and forth to compare and surprised that the dv9 doesnt beat me up as much as i thought it would - i think if you can , its nice to have both !
I was a died in the wool hardtail guy for years, and I still declare they have a place..but a well designed full squish is SO much better to me now!!
Still rockin my 97 Giant atx860. I think any modern hardtail would be an improvement. Full susp would be like a magic carpet ride. Love the vids Jeff.
The ARMY called they want their HD5 back, looks awesome whith the Trust fork and brown Chromag saddle just needs some OD grips. That was a great comparison too by the way.
The saddle looks great on the HD-5
I know both the bikes in this are 27.5, what are your thoughts on the feel of those vs. 29ers? Or maybe mullets?
I can only afford one bike at a time and I usually keep that bike for several years. I was torn between the HD5 which is similar to my 6 year old Pivot Mach 6 and the Ripmo V2. I ended up going with the Ripmo because I wanted to try something different and it really fit that "one bike to do everything" role. I started riding on hardtails back in the day and would totally get one for a second bike if I had the budget for sure!
I've got both a hardtail and a full squish. Both are tons of fun. H
Yes! Hard tail to accompany full suspension. Been having fun riding my hard tail on flowy Wilder Ranch stuff and big bike in UC.
I have a Scott 27.5+ hardtail 65 degree HA. I like it but want to go FS eventually
Both fully ridged fat bike💪 and full suspension 29er. The full squish makes life easier and faster but the ridged one makes easier trails seem more fun 🤘
Both: 29 HT (150) and 27.5 FS (180/165). HT is enough for trail and fullsus for enduro/DH
Jeff, it is such a pleasure watching you ride! I love your control and you flick the bike around. I have to think you’ve had your share of crashes and mishaps to attain this skill level.
Anyway, thanks for yet another great video.
Richard in Seattle
How does the Trust shout feel and perform on a hartail? Where does it shine more on your own idea?
I think that more important than the pros and cons of both HT and FS will be the type of terrain you´re ridding on. Getting a FS to mellow trails will be like getting a bazooka to a fistfight. Overbiking will be soon realized along with less fun on the descents and more peddaling effort on the uphills. Been there so i swap my orange stage 5 to a yet-to-come kingdom vendetta x2 LE titanium HT.
That angle on the fork....reminds me of the numerous bmx bikes I've had after lots of high air landings... Just makes me think that even having suspension on them...they are close to failing.
On the one hand... Having ridden my early nineties rigid everything Specialized on some rough terrain.... I can appreciate the suspension...but I always had more airtime on my lighter no suspension bike than my newer (to me) 1999 full suspension FSR. Although.... The full sus bike IS a 20.5" and my rigid is a 17"...so I am looking for another full sus bike in my size. 😇😎
Really liking these type of videos! Keep it up Jeff 🤘🏻
Hardtails baby!!!!!!
Hardtail can teach sooo fucknig much (got Stylus -017 on fox36 160) absolutly love it! After years without riding DH bikes i building new one to see what i ve learned on Hardtails just for fun (cuz i have time eating job) keeping my HT prepared for chillout rides. First thing i will notice without sitting on DH will be super soft landings and great chosing of lines cuz hardtail will not forgive you anything and thats its where magic happens :D
Cool bikes. You guys shredding hard. Love the filming too. What editing software do you use?
just did build my hardtail yesterda,y now i got both
Awesome video Jeff, as always!!! I'm internally conflicted on this topic for a one bike quiver (at least for now). Ibis DV9 XT build or Ripley NX for flat rooty and twisty South Florida. I've only ever ridden hardtails so I'm sure I can make it work but of course everyone seems to say spend the extra grand and get the RIpley...even without the gnar it will run circles around a hardtail...for some reason though I keep coming back to the sexy simplicity of the DV9. What would you get if you lived in a flat sandpit like South Florida?
“You’re heavier on a hard tail because you have more money in your wallet”. 😂😂. I’ve only ever ridden a full sus bike once for about two hours. My hardtail will continue to get shredded a few times a week till next year, then I think I’ll invest in a full squish.
Dennis Pike Photography just got a full squish today. Its amazing and I love it
Mojave Man killer dude! Go forth and shred!!!! 🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻
Dennis Pike Photography Thanks! Its a giant anthem x1
My dilemma is, I never ridden a full suspension. I’m finding it hard to choose between a high-end Hardtail “Chromag Rootdown” with 160mm of travel vs A full suspension in the $2500 price range.
Riding style is 25% road 50% light to medium trails and 25% downhill bike park.
My last bike was a trek stache 7
Yea I’m having the same problem, the fluid fs3 and the commercial Meta ht ride are the exact same price but idk
@@itsvaren1054 I decided just to go with a Chromag it could do everything I want to do, with less maintenance. That commencal is a nice bike to, check out that polygon n9 nice build for the money. Good luck with whatever you pick.
@@strix2035 prolly will go w a hardtail tbh but I’ve heard from polygon owners that their frames are less than optimal
@@itsvaren1054 commencal has the ht, I’m just gonna do a build from frame. It all sucks there’s nothing out there and a wait till March for most.
@@strix2035 what country r u in
Good evening Jeff... I have a Chromag Rootdown frame that I’m going to build up. I was wondering what is your opinion on coil forks? I’ve been thinking of an öhlins coil fork. I have a fox 36 on my Pivot Mach6 and it’s a great fork but I think that I really want to go a different route and give a coil a try.
Loving the hardtail vids
Where were you riding at Jeff?
I'm going with Full Suspension. I do enjoy HT, but feel like FS is an upgrade.
Matt Dickey same
Best video to start the day!
I like hardtail more than fullsquish. Hardcore hardtail aren't easy you need to learn how to ride them you need to understand how section works. I got both when I want to ride some massive burn and nasty stuff I took the san Quentin 3 when I want to relax I take the fullsquish
Nice vid!
2017 Nomad, 2017 Scott spark and a NS eccentric here. I guess I'm the biggest cheater here..😅😅
I can jump so much higher and easier on my hardtail. Unless your shock is completely undamped, it doesn't make much sense that you can get more energy out of your stomp/preload. I'm guessing it's more of a timing issue.
On steeper jumps, like at the dirt jumps, the hardtail can boost WAY higher. But on these flat, mellow jumps on the MTB trails, it's surprising, but I'm almost always going higher on the FS. Weird, huh!
@@JeffKendallWeed Have you tested which you can bunny hop higher on?
You’re one of the best riders on RUclips. I want to start using my body leaning more
Hardtail all day!
Hard-tails are awesome but it beats the body up .
YAY
Yeah really a no-brainer. I mean the hard tail will be a bit more maneuverable, give better feel but also provide a bit harsher feedback through the tires Wheels and frame. A hardtail and a full suspension are really two different animals, mostly designed for two different types of riding. Even though you can ride nearly everything on a hardtail, a full suspension is wasted on typical non-technical single track trails. It's also worth noting that the type of writing you are doing discount probably 95% of all mountain bike riding and riders or possibly even greater. Latasha is only relative to your skill level and Riders at or above your skill level. Anybody below your skill level this provides little to no bearing. It's not that the test isn't worthy it is only just worthy to a very small fraction of riders. 👌
Full suspension is not even on the same level climbing ability like a nice hardtail. I'd put my xtr hardtail up to any full suspension climbing .
Hardtail
Has anyone noticed the resemblance of Jeff with the actor Kevin Durand? They look like siblings. Lol.
Hard tail all day
hardtails >>>
Cheater here.... hardtail and fully, for winter and summer...
bs. thats all downhill. now try up hill. and lets see how it goes on fs.
The ARMY called they want their HD5 back, looks awesome whith the Trust fork and brown Chromag saddle just needs some OD grips. That was a great comparison too by the way.
hardtail