Hardtail Is Still The Best Option, New Study Explains Why 📈

Hardtail Is Still The Best Option, New Study Explains Why 📈 | Dirt Shed Show 474

Рет қаралды 63,348

Күн бұрын

This week on the GMBN Dirt Shed Show, Martyn Ashton is in the shed with Owen Coutts, aka 'Owen the bike nerd' to argue that new studies show that a hardtail is the best bike choice for fun. Does Martyn's graph back up his argument? 🤔
Plus MTB News, Sickest Thing, Hacks And Bodges, Caption Contest, and we check out some super nice MTBs locked away in the Bike Vault!⁠
🚨 Enter our free Topeak competition giveaway for a chance to win!
👉 gmbn.eu/TopeakBikeCare
⏱ Timestamps ⏱
00:00 - Intro
00:38 - 📈 New Study Explains Hardtail Is The BEST
03:55 - 📢 Topeak Competition Giveaway
12:48 - NEWS
15:47 - Sickest Thing
16:33 - Poll
17:53 - Hacks And Bodges / Hounds & Beagles
19:47 - Shop GMBN
20:42 - Things We Liked
22:45 - Bike Vault (GMBN Presenter Edition)
Useful Links:
🛍 GMBN Merch Store 👉 gmbn.eu/gmbnshop
Racing Highlights & More On GMBN Racing 👉 gmbn.eu/GMBNracing
Watch Shorts on GMBN 👉 gmbn.eu/GMBNshorts
Submit your Photo and Video to us 👉 upload.gmbn.com/
Sign-up to our newsletter 👉 gmbn.eu/newsletter
Do you agree that hardtails are the most fun? 🤔 What do you think is the most fun type of bike and riding? Let us know 👇
Sickest Thing Shout Out:
📺 ‪@TheRisemtb‬
Walter Mayerhofer - Some Things Last a Lifetime | MTB Street
🔗 gmbn.eu/SomeThingsLastALifetime
Watch more on GMBN...
📹 3 Simple Tips To Ride Better! 👉 • 3 Simple Tips To Ride ...
📹 Watch our Editor’s Choice Playlist 👉 gmbn.eu/EditorsChoice
📹 Watch our weekly show, The Dirt Shed Show 👉 gmbn.eu/dirtshedplaylist
🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵
Catch The Wave (Instrumental Version) - Velvet Moon
Drinkin' & Jivin' - TAGE
Fire Whoosh 2 - SFX Producer
I'll be yOur LoVeR - Hank Lotion
In the News - Marten Moses
Slow Moving Greyhound (Instrumental Version) - Chester Malone
Sudden Death (Instrumental Version) - Sightless in Shadow
Swiss Cheese - Sugoi
Travel - William Claeson
#DirtShedShow #GMBN #GlobalMountainBikeNetwork #MTB #MountainBiking
The Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) is the world’s largest and fastest-growing online mountain bike channel and community - and your destination for the best mountain bike content in the world.
GMBN is dedicated to inspiring and unlocking your riding potential. Our videos cater to fans of every mountain bike discipline: from mile-munching cross-country (XC) riders, through adrenaline-fuelled dirt jumpers, gravity-hungry downhillers or aspiring enduro racers, and beyond.
Our ex-pro presenting team are on hand to entertain and inspire you while also providing a uniquely qualified insight into the world of mountain biking. Every week we deliver original daily videos that include:
Adventurous and entertaining features
Mountain bike skills coaching
Technical advice and guidance
Mechanical know-how to keep you rolling
A place for the riding community with our weekly Dirt Shed Show
Thanks to our sponsors:
Canyon Bikes: gmbn.eu/Canyon
Propain Bikes: gmbn.eu/Propain
Orbea Bikes: gmbn.eu/Orbea
Park Tool: gmbn.eu/ParkTool
Smith Helmets & Eyewear: gmbn.eu/Smith
Crankbrothers Pedals: gmbn.eu/crankbros
Shimano Footwear: gmbn.eu/ShimanoShoes
Ergon: gmbn.eu/ergon
Vittoria Tires: gmbn.eu/Vittoria
Reynolds wheels: gmbn.eu/Reynolds
FSA: gmbn.eu/fsa
Topeak: gmbn.eu/topeak
Garmin: gmbn.eu/Garmin
Peaty's Products: gmbn.eu/Peatys
Worx Power Tools: gmbn.eu/Worx
CamelBak: gmbn.eu/CamelBak
Watch our sister channels:
GMBN Tech - / gmbntech
Electric Mountain Bike Network - / embn
GMBN Racing - gmbn.eu/GMBNracing
Global Cycling Network - / gcn
GCN Tech - / gcntech
GCN Racing - / gcnracing
Global Triathlon Network - / gtn
GCN Italia - / gcnitalia
GCN en Espanol - / gcnenespanol
GCN auf Deutsch - / gcnaufdeutsch
GCN en Francais - / gcnenfrancais
GCN Training - / gcntraining

Пікірлер: 307

@gmbn 2 ай бұрын

Do you agree that hardtails are the most fun? 🤔 What do you think is the most fun type of bike and style of biking? 👇

@darrenelliott9222 2 ай бұрын

KONA HONZO ALL THE WAY

@andreabaz158 2 ай бұрын

got a 2022 Orbea Laufey, I agree

@Ei-dan 2 ай бұрын

HELL YEAH!!!! less maintenance more fun

@eXaviar 2 ай бұрын

Yeap. I rode self built Poison Trekking bike made od steel, then a trail bike Orbea Laufey from 2021 and now a self built Enduro bike Ragley Bigwig. The last one does everything inkl Bikepark and more than I am capable of in terms of jumping. I am more the grounded type of rider 😅 blue trails are still fun and I can tackle the rough stuff too. Well no one like a rock garden or a carpet full of roots anyway 😱😜

@tombailey3807 2 ай бұрын

Well, my Orange P7 just arrived, so of course I’m going to agree.

@jmendez73 2 ай бұрын

Really, hardtail is the only MTB you need! You had to say this when I just closed a deal for my first full sus…😅

@barfo281 2 ай бұрын

Well, you don't have to let KZfaqrs make your decisions for you, so....rest easy.

@ImanIself 2 ай бұрын

Haha same here. The main thing holding me back is the additional maintenance of a fully. Hard tail serves me well enough

@LaurentiusTriarius 2 ай бұрын

What you enjoy riding is what you need. If it's a fatbike or a hybrid bike let it be 😂

@jdthompson123 2 ай бұрын

Me too, ridden a hard tail for 20 years. Just bought a full sus emtb. 😂

@Will-jq4gi 2 ай бұрын

You’ll love your full Cush bike.

@shawnpritchard366 2 ай бұрын

I am the suspension. I'm 62 years young and loving my rigid single speed.

@johndef5075 2 ай бұрын

Ive tried that. Enjoying my full sus much more at 61. Different strokes....having fun is all that matters in the end.

@fuckinellitsraymo Ай бұрын

Good for you

@charleshartlen3914 Ай бұрын

this comment is goals for me. glad to hear youre living the dream brother!

@banana122049 2 ай бұрын

This is the best video for someone wanting to get into the sport! If someone is thinking of getting something expensive to start but can't afford it i am showing them this video. As somebody who started on all modern bikes and rode them for about 5 years i whole heartedly agree! I just recently got into mid 90's bikes and i have a couple full rigid ones that i take out on trails to pay homage to the sport and brush up on line choice. The old chromoly mountain bikes of the mid 90's are magical and such a hoot to ride and i wish I started on them. I found myself giggling and having the time of my life on a green trail. more people need to throw a leg around one these days! Also remember that the parts are ridiculously cheap and simple to fix them, all the way down to the tires. I have about 150 bucks into a bike that i take on the same trails as my bikes worth 1000's (and they both break just as much)

@mindless7377 2 ай бұрын

Sure, we get the point…20 times more expensive though? At least compare bikes that are actually that far apart. An Orbea alma h50 is ~1.5k, that Tyee is about ~6.5k…

@mikestivers8302 Ай бұрын

that Tyee is one of the dopest of the dope, tho.

@eddierivera7803 2 ай бұрын

Riding hardtails since forever until 2021 when I got my first full suspension ebike .I’m 70 and still love riding my hardtails.

@DB-sd3cw 2 ай бұрын

Ebike 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮👎👎👎👎

@manfredstrappen7491 2 ай бұрын

@@DB-sd3cw Let’s see how you feel about eMTB’s when you’re in your 60’s and 70’s.

@DB-sd3cw 2 ай бұрын

@manfredstrappen7491 if I reach the point where I literally can't pedal an analog bike anymore, it's time to get another hobby.

@eddierivera7803 2 ай бұрын

⁠@@DB-sd3cw Actually still ride a regular hardtail bike the ebike is for recovery rides and exploration. Sadly everyone reaches that point when you’re healthy and then suddenly your’e not.

@samleary2733 2 ай бұрын

I got a Nukeproof scout(was heavily influenced by Blake) and it’s outstanding. I’m not an incredible rider. I’m a dad and the idea of getting an injury that leaves me in bed for a while would be pretty bad. Modern hardtail can absolutely rip, but they can also be exciting on trails that tend to be a little easier and a little safer. There is absolutely terrain that they aren’t great for but that’s kinda the top 5-10% or trails. For MOST people, hardtails are amazing and far more capable than most riders

@robcameron9351 2 ай бұрын

My rationale for a hardtail as well! Well-said.

@tobysemler 2 ай бұрын

Yep. Spot on. Been back on a hardtail for nearly a year now. Miss the plush cushiness sometimes (I'm old and lazy) but don't miss the rear linkages getting all janky after a while. And I can do pretty much anything on the HT I could before, just take it a little slower. Big deal - I'm not racing.

@greggrouse249 2 ай бұрын

I agree with you Martyn! Been mountain biking ~35 yrs and I still grab my (modern) hardtail 99% of the time. With modern geo, better suspension forks, longer droppers, better brakes, and larger/wider wheel & tire sizes, they are incredibly capable. Obviously it can depend on the trails available and style of riding someone aspires to, but I'd rather under-bike than over-bike.

@michaelwoodbury1788 Ай бұрын

The most fun I have EVER had on a bike was 15 years ago riding the Moab Slickrock loop on a 20 year old Trek 400. The downhills were terrifying! There was a couple women in fancy tights on full suspension bikes and one commented to the other, "I don't see how you can enjoy the ride on those old bikes" lol

@nickwaples 2 ай бұрын

I'm coming up to 78 and still on hardtail ,tubeless has transformed the ride big tyres and less inflation 👌😎

@TrailDave Ай бұрын

Modern hardcore hardtail are so much fun. I sold my 160mm enduo full Sus and got a steeln150mm hardcore hardtail. I've never had so much fun on a bike. The full Susser makes everything flat. The hardtail revitalises old trails.

@macleod1592 Ай бұрын

I've been mountain biking since around 2005. Been riding a hardtail since around 2005. Hardtail for life!

@CRGT666 2 ай бұрын

Well...as I said a couple of years ago, gravel bikes are the effect of roadies discovering mountaing biking is better, but not wanting to say it loud.

@amitkumar-wj8gn 2 ай бұрын

That Michael Jackson reference damnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.....even the camerman laughed!

@erikbrynjolfson6478 2 ай бұрын

Thanks to Blake and his hard tail vids I picked up a Ragley Big Al at 52 years old and now I rarely ride my full suspension now . Love getting out on the hard tail again , you are so right , the tech is so good and the fun factor is awesome!!!! The only downside is most of my friends have gone the opposite direction and jumped on the e-bike trend and now I mostly just ride with my dog . Love the hard tail , hands down the most fun you can have on a trail . Cheers boys , love this !!!!!!

@RANDA11FLAGG Ай бұрын

I recently moved somewhere very flat , after 28 years of full suss I have bought a hard tail and it’s a totally different experience. The pick up when putting your foot down is amazing and I can do miles and miles without needing to sit down . Im still getting use to it , just waiting for the weather to improve . Really happy with my purchase .

@George-Kliavkoff4Big12 Күн бұрын

Getting back into mountain biking after a 20 year hiatus. Tech has completely evolved from my 97 hardtail Mongoose. Bought my 1st FS 2 months ago. I'm 6' on a good day and so was recommended a size Large. Having problems adjusting to a FS 29er. Love my new bike but bought a hardtail 27.5'er in size Medium.

@davidmaskew Ай бұрын

My first MTB was an Orange Clockwork back in 1993. It was fully rigid when I got it but I later bought and added some Pace suspension forks when they came out. It was a fantastic bike and I rode it every day to commute to work and ride up in the Pennines around where I lived. I now have a Whyte 905 which I enjoy too.

@DanDanNo1 9 күн бұрын

I started on HT’s as a kid, progressed onto quality FS’s & recently picked up a Ragley Big Al at a stupidly cheap sale price just to have for when I feel like it on my local more tame trails. To be honest I feel like it all the time… I get so stoked on riding the HT, it’s now my favourite bike! Love the simplicity & joy, feel like a kid again when I’m riding it 🤘

@theakh4238 16 күн бұрын

Got a new hardtail with modern geometry and a much longer fork than my bikes before. I converted it to SS and run Mezcals. Right now I'm having a blast! Its so much fun and sooo easy to maintain.

@LaurentiusTriarius 2 ай бұрын

I love my hardtail but no I'm now used to riding much faster downhill and eating up the rock gardens. Couldn't go back 😅

@cavanero_ Ай бұрын

Exactly. It’s one thing to start on a janky hard tail and fully use up its potential. But it’s downright nonsense to pretend like going back to that after experiencing what a modern Dh or enduro bike can do is ‘fun’ or the best bike experience ever. Lol

@sersolo3112 18 күн бұрын

@cavanero17 watch me smoke you on my lightweight janky hardcore hardtail on the climbs , downs and tech your full sus or downhill is overbiked heavy and slow

@01FozzyS 2 ай бұрын

I ride both and own both, ht's and fullsus. They each have their own uses,IMO. Where's Caption Contest at? lol

@maxsievers8251 Ай бұрын

Early mountain biking was gravel riding.

@junka1975 2 ай бұрын

Martyn, you nailed it but let's also understand, so many people can't afford to buy the expensive bike for their kids and the hard tails provide the best rugged option with lower maintenance costs for a kid to absolutely shred on , still go hit jumps, trails on an absolutely minimal budget and still have a real cool bike to cruise the neighborhood on, go to the corner store for a drink and ice cream with his mates . I love my one. Sad to hear about Andrew Chu's passing. Never a good thing losing riders in such a way.

@matsherwood6277 25 күн бұрын

I own 2 bikes, a '98 trek 800 rigid, and a 2020 polygon hardtail with most all of the modern appointments. Both bikes are great in their own ways!

@GRyan-lr5wo 2 ай бұрын

I was introduced to mountain biking in college in '87, and the bikes were primitive, but we didn't know that, so we rode them hard and couldn't believe the places they took us. The Earth's terrain that we all ride on hasn't changed much since 1987, but the bikes we use have certainly made the ride smoother. And I still can't believe the places they take us.

@user-so8sb4vk6b Ай бұрын

100% agree! I have a budget hard tail and it's phenomenal what you can do on it. My rigid MTB I bought in 1995....still gives me a high

@JohnBrownlow 2 ай бұрын

Absolutely nailed it. I have a Niner hardtail from 2007, a carbon FS from 2015, a 2022 650b gravel bike and I just built up a 1995 Gary Fisher Marlin 26" rigid. They're all great but if I could only keep one it would be one of the hardtails.

@JohnBrownlow 2 ай бұрын

This clearly demands a budget hardtail shootout, no?

@Cassie_MTB 2 ай бұрын

I sold my Trek Full-Sus today, because I didn't ride it after getting my Nicolai All Mountain Hardtail. It's just the perfect one-for-all bike, from Touring, Bikepacking, Trail riding and Bikepark laps. It's more the Geo than the Suspension which gave the bike the capabilities. The HT is much Longer and Slacker than the FS and looks a bit like a 29er Dirt Bike.

@mikeydempsey2080 2 ай бұрын

i completely agree with the hardtail discussion with martin

@JasonFerguson17t 2 ай бұрын

I sold my full suspension Scott Spark last year and built up a NukeProof Scout frame. I love my hardtail and don’t miss my old bike.

@michaelgharib9028 2 ай бұрын

This is truly wisdom. At the end of the day we are at the point where marketing is running the show with mountain biking… 90% of us don’t need the majority of the new tech and would be well suited on a budget hardtail with good geometry. If you have the money (or the trails) that really require the higher end stuff go for it but if you’re wondering if it’s worth picking up a 3 years used hardtail for like 700 bucks the answer is ABSOLUTELY HECK YA BRO RIP IT!

@callummorris2648 2 ай бұрын

I bought a Orange P7 and never rode my full suspension again. Bundles of fun🤙🏼

@linea2000 2 ай бұрын

I really think this is an important point to make to new riders, £500 does seem to be the borderline between "mtb style" hybrids/silly Amazon bike and something that is legitimately a great mountain bike. I still think the difference between my mtb in the mid 90s and what I ride now is negligible. - I've always been at the budget end of the market so maybe I don't know what I'm comparing, or perhaps ignorance is bliss though.

@theagk19781 2 ай бұрын

For me the year mountain biking got real as 1998/9. the bike was a Kona Nu-Nu, it was the first bike I could stand over without crushing my nuts, that i could (just) put on a sub 100mm stem, and my first air fork, Marzocchi Z5. (actually the z5 came on my second one, the first one I had came with RST381s )

@LeaBrattle-parker-pp5sf Ай бұрын

I've still got my marin Indian fire trail from 1996 with a stunning mozo pro shock and it's a fantastic bike to ride brand new back then it was £1,009 . Yeah you most definitely are right about the hardtail

@mikegrudzinski Ай бұрын

I love hardtails! The real question and an exercise for us all is to consider the difference between 'need' and 'want'. Once we realise that we 'want' something fancy it is quite liberating. We all need to ride bikes and it's ok to want a new one!

@cyrusm26 2 ай бұрын

I have a steel hard tail and an enduro bike. The enduro bike has been inoperable for about a year and I can’t say I miss it all that much. The hard tail rips.

@miindthegaap 2 ай бұрын

I loved this episode. For most people (including myself) a hardtail is all you need. I started on a hardtail and only switched to full sus because the spectral 125 had a huge discount. I’m not having more fun than I did with hardtail but the full sus and better gear are nice creature comforts.

@miindthegaap 2 ай бұрын

@mattyactive said it. You don’t need much bike to have fun.

@EwenMallochUK 2 ай бұрын

Agree! Went for a ride on my new full-sus bike today, but could have easily done it on my 90s Fat Chance (and been quicker on the road sections!). That said, some trails are so much easier on the bouncy one - different sort of fun.

@albikes8484 2 ай бұрын

As a Hardtail and full rigid rider. Ive been arguing this point for many years to my full sus budys. Theres knowere they go that i cant go on my hardtail. On that note. Im a trail rider at most. Not a Redbull Rampage rider. I also feel that a first bike hardtail will teach you how to use your legs as suspension. And overall teach you better handling skills. I see to many first time mtb riders on full sus that seem to ride full dead weight. And just plow things. Relying on the suspension vs relying on there own body language.

@junka1975 2 ай бұрын

So glad you kept Hounds and Beagles. Eagles and Seagulls, that's an interesting add on. Could be a little risky with the eagles though, they have murder feets and battle axes for beaks, you don't want to get too close unless they're tamed. You forgot Martyn's Bowhead in the bike vault, I bet he has an epic photo of that in the collection somewhere.

@SUBBETABLINKA 2 ай бұрын

Love my Hardtail....❤. Every ride is a challenge.

@krehme 2 ай бұрын

Hi #DirtShedShow, I can hear Steve (EMBN) saying that it's all about miles for smiles. Tech = comfort, confort = more miles, more miles = more smiles!

@geoffpyke1 28 күн бұрын

Martin , I got a ‘Dawes wildcat’ in 88, I’m with you bro,…. Yes I’m safer with my dropper, plush suss, discs, nowadays but yeah - the whole pleasure is not being on the road, breathing fresh air not diesel soot, and smelling the roses+ scaring myself once and while cos I’m not skilled enough, but boy it’s makes me smile every time. Hard tail it is !

@tablatom 8 күн бұрын

Yes!!! I have a hard tail fat bike. I takes ANY wheel size and ANY tyre size. I can have a fast XC rear tyre for speed and a 27.5 x 4.5 fat monster ul front. Or 29+ or MTB mullet. I love this bike.

@richpitty 2 ай бұрын

I do kinda agree I have a trek marlin 7 hardtail that I enjoy has new tires,bars and pedals other than that it's stock and I have plenty of fun with it. I would like a better set of forks up front but can't spent 500$ forks

@dvs620 2 ай бұрын

Have a Marlin 5. Got a 2011 Fox 32 100 mm with QR for $75 on Offerup. Got a Rockshox Recon 130mm on Facebook Market for $55 (Originally being sold for $75) for my GT. Had to buy a new wheelset though. $350 for a complete wheelset and QR conversion kit for the rear wheel, Bontrager Line Comp 30 with 104 point of engagement. Both work great. People were just trying to unload so they don't have clutter. I also have a Rockshox Judy 120mm that I got for $120 for the same GT. The Rockshox forks were original parts replaced by better forks. There's a market to find it, you just have to be patient.

@DB-sd3cw 2 ай бұрын

Save up and get a higher end hardtail. I went from a marlin 7 to a roscoe 7 and now a roscoe 9 and it is 10000% worth the upgrade. The marlin is downright dangerous with how flimsy it is.

@DavidDuchodca 6 күн бұрын

i would go even that far to call you only need one bike - a hardtail MTB and you are good. I have hardtail with suspension seatpost and basically have from comfort side a full sus and slightly narrower tires something of a gravel. that is my opinion though. I dont have the space for 2 or 3 bikes so thats how i chose

@jeffhawkes3380 Ай бұрын

I have to agree that hardtails are the best. Although I now have a 2024 Bullit, I still ride my 2010 Orange Crush (26 inch) every Sunday with my grandson and love every minute. I would NEVER sell it!

@okidoke4822 2 ай бұрын

Well, I recently upgraded to a full suspension MTB which cost me $2400AUD, from my 15yo hardtail which cost me $1200. The full sus definitely is easier and more fun to negotiate the challenging tracks I ride ( I'm 57 btw). The only downside I have noticed with the full sus is that I can't ride it as fast on the flat due to the gearing. Anyway, I still have the hardtail if I want to ride it. And, I've never seen a graph where the date goes backward 8:30 lol, it hurts my OCD.

@colinl2908 2 ай бұрын

I know, I was trying to work it out as the dates are so small?

@davidtomasetti8520 12 күн бұрын

once I rode a dual suspension bike I could NEVER go back to that tooth rattling experience of a hardtail.

@ewg95 2 ай бұрын

9:06 best burn I've ever heard by far....9:10 best save in the history of the Internet. Thanks gents, i spit out my drink watching that one.

@cmtx6967 2 ай бұрын

For those in the UK who want to be a weekend warrior in the woods and for first time buyers, most will look at full suspension as their first bike because it is a more capable bike overall. However! Any experienced biker will likely agree that for weekend warrior style uk single track a hardtail is all you need. If not that then a ebike hardtail would cover 90% of peoples needs. Although what you find is most are middle aged e bikers riding in the peaks with 160mm front and rear. To me they typically look over biked. Thats not to say buy what you want and do whatever makes you happy!

@alanbussell7894 2 ай бұрын

Great video but why are the graphs backwards? 🤔 I bought a Vitus Sentier 275 for £600. Loved it. Upon a recommendation I decided to upgrade the wheels (waste of £300). Just "upgraded" the frame - Nukeproof Scout - we'll have to see. Dabbled with other people's FS but can't be bothered with the faff.

@JeffMTBinVA Ай бұрын

That 90s $500 bike is probably equivalent to a $5K bike in today's economy. I started on a hardtail and got my full sus last year. Still have them both but the full sus is my go to.

@19OXAM Ай бұрын

I’ve got a Kona ESD and love it. Anytime I try out a duel suspension bike, I shake my head with disappointment and ultimately prefer the hardtail.

@uldi1s 2 ай бұрын

Yep, I'm a hardtail rider, and will always ride hardtails. I ride very steep trails with people that ride FS bikes and keep up with them with no problem. Yes, the best riders on competitions, with FS will always have the upper edge, but that doesn't translate to weekend warriors. So, I'll never budge and fall into the FS trap

@DB-sd3cw 2 ай бұрын

I thought the same thing until I demo rode a pivot switchblade and shadowcat. 100% saving up for a good full sus now but will probably keep the hardtail

@johndef5075 Ай бұрын

Its not a trap. If you're that skilled I guarantee you'll go faster on full sus. I rode hardtails for almost 20 years. No desire to go back.

@uldi1s Ай бұрын

@@johndef5075 I don't think I really want to go any faster. I'm up to 30 surgeries now 😬 I'm 62 y.o. and the very fact that I can keep up or lead FS bikes is hardcore enough for me, thanks! 😁

@mikestivers8302 Ай бұрын

my Banshee Enigma is surely an absolute blast to ride! i would recommend anyone who has a hardtail and wants to "upgrade" to a full sus, KEEP the hardtail, too! i have a HT, a 115, a 140, a 165, and a 180. they all have a place. the Banshee always has a place in the rotation, for sure.

@zachscherpa944 2 ай бұрын

Only ever ridden hardtails since I first started mounting biking in 91. Got three ht in my stable now. Rigid fattie, steel ss and ti enduro. It’s all I’ll ever need

@johndef5075 Ай бұрын

Started on rigid in 1990. Rode hardtails for almost 20 years. Now on full sus. The truth is I can go way faster on it than than the hardtails. At some point the ht gets overwhelmed. And my 61 yo body takes way less of a beating.😅

@nicklowe536 2 ай бұрын

So glad I have two 90s GTs hard tail and LTS . Totally agree with you

@johndef5075 2 ай бұрын

I had both those bikes. And the RTS too. They still can be a lot of fun but my newer bikes are so much better in every way.

@rustychain9518 2 ай бұрын

My 56 year old knees and ankles respectfully disagree.

@MountainBikeMusings 2 ай бұрын

A f/s doesn’t make tech trails that much smoother. I ride both and your legs are your primary suspension.

@a.lame.username. Ай бұрын

At 56 myself, hardtails are still my winter choice.

@ImpactWench Ай бұрын

At the height (depth)? of the bicycle shortage I found a pair of Specialized Chisels at different bike shops. Way overpriced for what they were, but they had the distinguishing feature of being aluminum hardtails that had the best mix of compliance with the latest standards (correct axles, UDH, provisions for droppers, the return to threaded BBs). The wife's L is still in its mostly stock configuration other than RD/shifter (we both strongly prefer electronic shifting due to hand size/strength) whereas on my M the only stock parts are the frame, the stem and the brakes. They were a wonderful blank canvas for two people starting out XC riding, with differing levels of commitment.

@edgardacanay8460 2 ай бұрын

I was part of group that rode that day with Andrew Chu. A lot of us took it really hard when we found he had passed -myself included.

@jimm244 Ай бұрын

I found a current model shop build SC Hightower 3 with full XT, Lyrik, & i-9 Hyddra for $5k. Yes, it’s 10 x the bike of a $500 hardtail dept store bike.

@bbitun19 2 ай бұрын

Great Point! Totally 100% agree. But, the first point and the most important point of the 3 is the hardest thing to teach. No school in the world can teach it. and it is called "COMMON SENSE". In short, it might appear pointless to people in regards to this conversation if they don't agree to point number 1.

@edward1591 Ай бұрын

Clicked on the Topeak link but can't see a form to enter? Is it me...?

@michaelallen672 Ай бұрын

I'm convinced! Get me signed up!

@D91Mart Ай бұрын

I think this is also dependent on where you live and what you like to ride. Its quite rooty and chunky where I live, I had a hardtail and can say I have way more fun on my full sus. I dont like to pick lines I like to plow full speed ahead.😂

@alansmith2593 2 ай бұрын

Best pitch ever soo true too. I’m in. Off to buy a gravel bike / nineties hardtail 😊 But fear not, I’ll still watch Gmbn 🤗

@alcosamwel 2 ай бұрын

Wil gmbn racing be covering this years/season xc,enduro,downhill? Live or highlights ?

@winklertribe5268 2 ай бұрын

You didn’t have to prove it to me - I was always in the “hardtails are the best” camp!

@TPITEOTG Ай бұрын

Here in Canada you can buy the same milk from the same farm packed into “no name”, “brand name”, and “organic” boxes, and having different price tags. It is marketing. It is to cover different market segments. Who knows, maybe buyers of 10k bikes pay for R&D so that buyers of 0.5k bikes can get better bikes?

@beesleyfamilyadventures 2 ай бұрын

Huge HT fan. I have e both a full sus and a Nukeproof Scout 290 that is built up. I find myself grabbing the HT 80+% of the time! 15:27

@ian7675 Ай бұрын

When I started riding suspension wasn’t even a thing, full rigid bikes. I don’t know if I could handle that these days 😂

@leJLJ 2 ай бұрын

Once in a while a full suspension is a more comfortable ride especially on the knees, but for me i find myself riding the hardtail and gravel bike more and more, hardly use the full suspension.

@nudgedoink55 2 ай бұрын

Love my Specialized Epic Hardtail.

@Jake-mf7eh 2 ай бұрын

I my family we have a trek Procaliber 9.6 what is are dog bikes that has all the dog pulling stuff on it

@BenGodfrey-js4gg 2 ай бұрын

I got my first full sus just under a year ago and then one day I rode my freinds Hardtail and I was like wow this thing is fun to ride easy to climb

@45graham45 2 ай бұрын

Surely it's standard practice for the origin of a graph to be on the bottom left of the graph, not right hand side.

@ShadLife Ай бұрын

I think everyone should have a modern hardtail. I do have to say, Canyon has a Spectral 125 CF8 for $4100 and it's carbon with all XT with DT Swiss wheels, so I would half your math on the costs. But that being said, we are still $3k cheaper to get a banger hardtail! Arms are where we get the most fatigue and thus a suspension fork is extremely helpful. But our legs are monsters and we have a good 200mm of travel with them. There really isn't much I can't ride with my hardtail. Things have to get pretty extreme and pretty fast for me to not be able to ride something on my hardtail and honestly those things are so extreme, most riders wouldn't ride them on any bike. Even from a comfort perspective, a modern hardtail is pretty comfortable. I prefer 4130 Chromoly steel or titanium for a hardtail over aluminum simple because they are more comfortable. But if you run a 2.6 tire you can run a lower pressure and have a comfortable ride over the rough stuff. Full suspension is overrated. I do have 2 full suspension bikes, a Canyon Spectral 125 and a Salsa Rustler (130mm) and I feel like I would never want more rear travel than those two and I have ridden a lot of pretty gnarly stuff with them. But again, nothing I wouldn't do on a modern hartail.

@a.lame.username. Ай бұрын

My 1998? Trek 4300 is absolutely terrifying to ride these days. I remember it being awesome! Comparatively, it's really not functional anymore...

@davekal 2 ай бұрын

Damn it martin, you are 100 percent correct. *Goes to the garage for a ride on my flatbar gravel bike* and bypasses my 5k carbon super bike.

@TheWiseDucky 2 ай бұрын

Does anyone know what hardtail orbea is shown on the video?

@tonkshred 2 ай бұрын

Ridden 26” wheeled hardtails from 1991- 2024.. just got my first 29” and full sus and laughing my head off !!!

@melibaut 2 ай бұрын

I love my Specialized Rockhopper!

@kevlowe3181 Ай бұрын

I Agree Martin and especially love your comment about MJ 😂

@richardfagg8733 2 ай бұрын

I still have my Saracen mantra elite hardtail . I bought it as a shop demo and got it for a good price . Around 7 years ago and absolutely love it

@tallteacher 2 ай бұрын

I love this proof. Stop worrying about the bike and ride

@themoss7115 Ай бұрын

Why do you I ride hardtail and mountain bike in general? Because it's hard, challenging and I like the rough ride. Also, extensive use of "body suspension" is a good workout.

@Rubblechops 2 ай бұрын

Was hoping for some more Laufey shredding

@thevapingpolisher9717 2 ай бұрын

Most definitely love my ht ns eccentric

@steveprice9737 Ай бұрын

I've been racing a Saracen Kili recently, very 90s.. I also run a bike workshop so get to ride all sorts. 500 quid bikes are pretty good by comparison with the 90s Kili but not as quick off the mark, probably due to wheel weight and geometry. Getting over roots and rocks are going to be easier on the modern stuff so you'd not get so battered racing on a modern bike. 90 minutes racing the Kili is hard work, I haven't tried a modern bike in a race, had 20 years out of the cult😂 ... if I decide to race seriously next year I'll likely invest, in the meantime a couple of races at Cannock coming up for the Saracen. Cheers.

@evanl889 17 күн бұрын

Stanton Sherpa Ti. If I could afford to build one out I would.

@phillipstewart2031 2 ай бұрын

Budget hardtail, how much was that orbea 1200?

@samwoodfield8901 2 ай бұрын

Hi I have a giant talon 3 and love it the best bike I've ever owned

@user-yc6wx4sn5n 16 күн бұрын

This is a Chinese copy of the Panaracer Swoop AT..but they awesomely offer 29er sizes and more sozes for 27.5 and 26 Theres also a DH version which has taller lugs. Hard to find a place to ship ti the USA...but ill eventually find it to compare.. Their Rock Wolf tire looks good too

@dblack8377 2 ай бұрын

Restarted riding in 2011. Got a rigid SS. Now I have a hardtail, that I built. I bought a cheap bike for the frame and built it up from parts. Full Sus...Y Hardtail always & forever!

@unicorn3r 2 ай бұрын

I spent 800$ for a hard tail .malrin bobcat trail 4. Only upgrade is the pedals 😅 its been throgh alot

@D.F.D.48 2 ай бұрын

Most definitely. Luv my Cannondale ht. Iv had it since 2017. Iv upgraded a few parts n that but it's still goin strong. N in all the time iv own it iv had 1 puncture n I'm still using the original tubes. Luv all the content too guys n girls thanks

@benjaminhoff5004 2 күн бұрын

1. Comparing a race enduro machine to an entry level hardtail is a bit of an odd comparison. At $500 you are giving up quite a bit in terms of wheelset, suspension, shifter/gearing. It's probably more like 3x or 4x the price. $1000-2000 is the price range for a very good hardtail, $6000 for an enduro. 2. Hardtail racing divisions would be cool, not sure if that is a thing yet.