A hardtail mountain bike is the original frame design that was used during the development of off-road bicycling. In the age of full suspension, when suspension shocks are often installed at the front and rear wheels of bicycles, hardtail simply refers to the lack of suspension at the rear triangle of a bicycle frame.
While the mountain bike industry had graduated toward full suspension in an overwhelming movement, hardtail bikes are still considered by many to be more enjoyable, simplistic and responsive to their riding styles, providing an organic interface between the rider and the trail surface and allowing a more authentic ride.
Hardtail History
In the late 1970s and early 80s, avid cyclists from California, Colorado and beyond were experimenting with riding bicycles off road. Many riders began modifying their bikes to better handle rough terrain and unmaintained roads in mountains and the deserts of the west. When All Terrain Bicycles (ATBs) were first marketed, they had a fully rigid frame and fork and were little more than beefed up touring bikes with lower gearing to pedal up tougher hills, according to the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. Touring bikes were simply road bicycles with more relaxed geometry to increase comfort and handling over speed and race-oriented road bikes.
Development of Full Suspension
In the late 1980s and early 90s, mountain bike designers began borrowing ideas from motocross racing and applying them to cycling. Full suspension bicycles were originally introduced to enhance downhill racers. Now an industry standard (as of 2010), full suspension or suspension technology of some sort on the front and rear of a bicycle is available in countless forms, with several designs in place and many more advancing current technology every year.
Less Is More
Hardtail bikes have become known for a rough ride and abrasive handling. Considering the popular full suspension market, many contemporary mountain bikers have never ridden a hardtail, and they are surprised at the difference a hardtail makes.
While full suspension rules the market, hardtail bikes do have a few advantages. Hardtails are much lighter. Complex suspension frames require extra materials plus a shock of some kind, which add up to considerably more weight. Also extra moving parts and shocks rely on more mechanics and design principles, which can malfunction or fail, rendering the bicycle unusable. Hardtails are simple frames and nothing more.
Simple and Quick
With less frame movement, hardtails transfer energy better than full suspension bikes. Each pedal stroke from the rider is directly transferred into the forward movement of the bicycle on the riding surface and not lost in the sag or compliance of the suspension, according to MTOBikes.com. In many cases, this can result in a better climbing bicycle as well, due to more efficient use of energy.
Rider Preference
Like many personal preferences, a rider's style and interpretation of what constitutes a good mountain bike will determine what is better. Hardtails are closer to the original concept of mountain biking, requiring rider feedback and input to compensate for suspensions and shock absorption. Hardtails are less complex machines, and they require less maintenance, providing an often more enjoyable all-around bicycle.
Member Comments