Hardtail Mountain Bikes

Hardtail MTB’s are the purest form of mountain biking, they differentiate from a full-suspension bike by having suspension at the front only. The rear wheel connects directly to the frame which is where the name hardtail originates from. The use of suspension up front absorbs the hits and provides the front wheel with traction. Hardtail MTB’s will be manufactured from 4 different materials, these include the titanium hardtail mtb, carbon hardtail mtb, alloy hardtail mtb and steel hardtail mtb.

By far the most rugged and robust of hardtails is the titanium hardtail mtb. Titanium has the highest strength to weight ratio of any metallic element and it also happens to be very comfortable thanks to its vibration absorption characteristics.

Carbon hardtail MTB’s tend to be favoured by cross country racers who prefer the lighter overall build weight when compared to other materials. Their reduced weight makes them much more efficient when climbing, requiring less rider effort to get to the top of the climb. Like titanium hardtails, steel hardtail mtb’s are extremely rugged and robust with a high level of comfort offered by the natural compliance of steel. They tend to be a little less stiff and are a bit heavier than titanium overall.

Aluminium is an easy material to work with and is one of the most cost-effective of materials with which to construct a frame. Therefore, alloy hardtail MTB’s are one of the most popular choices for anyone looking to try their hand at trail riding. They are stiff, light, robust and very agile.