You're on the money Matt. I built a hard tail after years of riding full suspension and after 1 summer it became my primary bike and my enduro rig collected dust. I equate it to driving a manual vs driving an automatic - hardtails make you work for it and truly feel the experience of the bike.

That Fiesta ST vs Hardtail comparison is spot on. If you've ever heard someone say it's more fun to drive a slow car fast then a fast car slow, the same kind of applies to the hardtail. But the hardtail isn't the slow car. It's just different. Plus as a BMX rider, there are SO many MTB riders who are quite lacking with their bike skills riding like $6,000 bikes on rather basic trails. I mean anyone can spend their money how they see fit. But people should really start out on a hardtail. Even if you know you are going to want to go to full suspension 6 months down the line and spend the extra coin. Take 2 weeks and scour the internet for the best used hardtail in your price range you can find. Ride that for at least 6 months and build up those skills. Learn how to use your body to absorb landings to flat without relying on the bike to do it for you. Street BMX riders can take insane impacts straight to asphalt without any need for suspension. The top level are insane athletes of course, but anyone can learn to do it down a 6 stair for example with enough practice. If you know you want to go straight to full suspension, I said to buy used because then you can just sell your bike and either break even or lose $100 or so. Then you can take that cash and put it towards the full suspension and you will be a much better rider for having done that. I'm not trying to be a dick, quite the opposite I want to help people be set up for success. But the whole dentist bike mantra exists for a reason. I'm nearly 30 and I can still send a 360 down a 6 stair on a fully rigid 20" with relative ease. Where a lot of mountain bikers would feel the need to use a full suspension to send that level of drop out in the woods (without the spin added in.) It's just not true. It's just a lot of people in MTB want the bike to do the heavy lifting for them when technique could carry them so much further than they even know. You don't have to go out and ride BMX to learn this stuff. I'm transitioning away from it and towards MTB because I'd rather bail on loam than concrete when I'm approaching 40 lmao. But if you want to learn to absorb an impact, take your bike to the local skatepark and learn to pump the bowl/half pipe correctly. Doing so is the same motion as absorbing impact from a big drop. You can also find stair sets around your city to drop down. Start with a curb. Then a 2 stair, 3 stair, 6 stair, etc. I promise proper technique will take you so far and it's the reason why people like Matt Jones and Sam Pilgrim are so absurdly good. They could shred a Walmart Hardtail harder than 99% of us could shred a $10,000 Enduro.

As a lifelong hardtail rider.... I approve of this content!

I've been riding a hardtail since 1987, and still love them. Even at 61 years old, I'm loving the riding; just got back from one today (the rain finally stopped falling as if someone dumped an entire ocean on top of us.) Lovely, if muddy day, Mt. Tamalpais and the Lakes are so beautiful. Had to hike-a-bike around some fallen trees, got home muddy, wet and happy.

I'm still riding my San Quentin 2 after like 3 years, and I absolutely love it. That new frame looks insane; the way the seat stays lines up to the top tube is nuts.

I couldn't agree more!!! Bought a san quentin a few years back and just got rid of my twice the price full sus and don't regret it in the slightest. It is easier to have fun on a hardtail. Btw Love the fiesta reference it so accurately describes the feeling. We need more hardtail vids from you, it always seems like you enjoy it that little bit more when you are on one.

The main thing I noticed with it from press photos is how low that standover is! Looks so good

This might be my favorite hardtail build I've ever seen to date! What a SICK bike Matt! This just inspired me to invest in upgrading my 27.5 Kona hardtail I have sitting in the garage.

it is sick to see u back on the hardail been wanting to see this for a whille

Your review comparing this bike to the Fiesta ST has me sold on it! I’ve been driving mine for 7 years and I love driving it. Always a fun ride! ❤ Legends!

Amazing. I have a Fiesta ST and a Marin Bike. They both truly bring such a smile to my face.

Hardtails are very important and such a massive tool for building bike control & confidence. In the end of the day its always going to be dependent on what you are trying to accomplish with each variant of bike. When my enduro rig was out for the count and I rented a economy spec'd Rocky Mountain Growler (aggressive Hardtail). I had the aim of keeping up with the boys on DH bikes on DH tracks and it was extremely punishing. Hardtails provide a great value and I truly believe everyone should start out on one to provide a strong foundation and understanding of what a bike is doing underneath you. I have learned however that there is a point where it becomes quite strenuous on your joints and limbs to try and do everything on a hardtail.

Glad to see you back on a hardtail👍

Love the pacing of this vid! Much more entertaining! ❤

I love this video. It’s just sick to see you messing around on all of the Woburn jumps that we’ve seen all over social media and have dreamed of riding.

i like the rainbow cranks! Im always a fan of one or two mismatched parts on a bike

I love hardtails they are my favourite bike and keep posting thanks for the video 😮

Matt, your channel convinced me to buy a San Quentin. I love my SQ2

Keep it going dude your content is the best

I know this was one giant ad but I genuinely love just getting to watch Matt rip around his local trails.

Love my hardtail! That step down send at the end was epic. That hold music getting louder though 🤣🤣

I have seen this video multiple times, love my san Quentin I actually ordered a 2022 version as soon as this video was released, so I’m gutted but still love my bike it’s perfect for racing and all the jumps!!

Just got my 2023 San Quentin 2 today! Super stoked to ride it!

Look how much fun you had. Isnt that what its all about??? I love my hardtail. Wish I had the confidence to ride it like you do though!!

Your style on a hardtail is soooo steezzyyyy 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽

Jesus matt... this looked like it was run at 1.5x speed. Gives me hope for me and my trusty hardtail.

Matt, so great to hear you say that about a HT, so many people don't get it, even you with the moto-bike crap, so many just go for the "easier" more cush, less effort, less rider input/skill needed. My go to is actually a Steel, full Rigid 29er running either 29x2.6" or 29x3.0" rubber, depending on how I feel and what trails I'll be riding.

I want one so bad!!!! I love the look of the San Quentin......at least I have my much older hard tail, no jumper that's for sure but I can ride it!!!! Cheers Matt and Ben!!!!

its crazy how much smoother and more stylish you look riding a hardtail, Matt.

That s3 is pretty mint definitely tell Matt enjoyed that sesh 🤙

Loved the San Quentin 3 new model, have bought last year's Quentin 2 just amazed, started on a Hardtail more than likely will remain. I am not complaining about Matt's new bike.

Even watching you ride , looked like you had a lot more fun and that thing fly’s your jumping miles awesome 😎

Definitely the best analogy for a hardtail

As an owner of a 2021 SQ3 it is my go to bike! I can ride anything in Southern California and not have any issues. Greer ranch is my daily spot and people cannot keep up on their full blown 10k 160+mm enduro rigs. Mine is not as slack and does amazing on jump lines. I may have to upgrade to the 23’ model 💸🤙🏼

hardtails really are elite. I owned oneas my first bike and rode it until it snapped on a jump. They are so fun and great to not only learn on but progress

having ridden multiple full suspension both for XC, trail and DH I always find myself enjoying my hardtail more and I always return to it. whenever I sit down to dream up a new dream rig I always end up finding myself staring at a hardtail towards the end cause they're just so much fun to ride and can handle all but the worst of downhill runs without breaking a sweat.

Being on hold 30ft in the air is a brag I've never even considered!! You were the only person on hold that day flying a bike in the air haha

The fiesta st comment was spot on!

What a bike I want one now, used to love my hard tail Kona before I snapped it, could be an investment for some wkd fun times, good work lads 👍🤟

That last drop made me smile

Your Fiesta ST analogy was spot on. Perhaps I'm biased cause I own a Fiesta ST but now maybe it's time to own one of these bikes too 👍

Matt you should put crank protectors on the eewings so the color doesn't wear off

Everyone needs a aggressive and fun hardtail 🤘

I just build up a hardtail of my own and can't wait to dive into the potential of it

The hold segment is absolutely hilarious 😂

it was the waiting on hold with the elevator music blasting while flying through the air that made me smash that like button today.

I'm really digging that short seat tube

Love your videos

I’ve actually bought a fiesta ST this week😂 I can confirm it is a cure for depression that car, you can’t help smiling driving it it’s just so much fun

Love the hard tail content! It would be awesome to see your impressions on the Marin El Roy versus the San Quentin. I ride an On One Hello Dave, which is pretty similar to the El Roy. Would love to hear your thoughts!

New bike looks 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Man you’ve inspired so much! I started riding in August last year & i came across your videos in december & i bought the 2023 SQ 1 & i love it! I even started a KZfaq Channel! Can you please add the list of parts you added? i’m sure i’m not the only one who’d like to see what you’re running as i want to upgrade mine too! Cheers bro!

Matt that was probably the fastest video you ever made with the way you were ripping down them lines.

Liked before the intro is even finished 😉

You have to have a hard tail for sure. Helps with style. Plus dirt jumps. My full suspension always feels like it’s bucking me 😂

wow, that was awesome

I think the interesting bit about an aggressive hardtail is how good it looks to jump on. How good a rider with style looks. DJers you can get stylish but the bike profile isnt big enough to really accentuate like a whip or table or anything. Then full suspension bikes like enduros and DHs are hard to really get perfect on smaller jumps so then people are hitting bigger jumps where they are moreso surviving than properly riding. A smaller 275 hardtail bike just looks GREAT on a wide variety of jumps from 5 foot tables to 25 foot gaps and everything in between. Can even be ridden in a large skatepark if it was built with large transitions. Definitely torn between a 275 hardtail or a short travel 275 trail bike in the future.

after watching your Marin San Quentin 1 video, im gonna go a step up and get the San Quentin 2. Im so exited

That left hip near the end is actually a huge hit! Sent it like it’s no big deal!

Yes the whistling is back🤘

I feel ya on this and it’s grassroots. My dad is a huge mountain biker. He is 55 hardtail fucked up his knees over the years. His doctor (who rides too) told him to go full suspension to help with his knees.Finally got himself a full suspension Rocky Mountain Altitude enduro weapon. But definitely I like hardtail too

I like the cranks they match the other smaller bits of colour on the bike

Bang on couldn’t agree more

My 2023 SQ3 should get to me tomorrow. Can't wait!!!!!!!

I started on a hardtail 14 years ago. Progressed to a trail bike, enduro and then a DH bike. I’ve came full circle with a new hardtail on its way 🤷🏻‍♂️ we can’t all be wrong

Hardtails are just amazing!

Matt is so steezy on any and every jump. On the huck to flat you can hear the same whistle from last time with Jono

frame protection looks soo nice cant wait for playground again

On point 💯 It’s like having a factory 450 but prefer ringing a 125 🤘🏼

I'm getting the 2023 sq frame sometime this month. I'll be setting it up singlespeed and no dropper. You should do a video where you in one day ride a skatepark, a pumptrack, a bikepark and some trails that need a bit of pedalling. All of it on the sq ;)

I agree wholeheartedly, cut my MTB teeth on a couple of hardtails back in '06-'07 and kept one to use for jumps and winter riding till about 5-6 years ago, it became too painful on my knee (old injury), I do miss riding a hardtail but these days it's not worth the pain.....! Great vid though....!

I've had a san quentin 3 for a few years and I absolutely love it. I am a little keen on trying out a dual suspension bike like a rift zone but im not quiet sure.

Greatest Mona Lisa take of all time

2 years on mine. Love it. Just need a couple more upgrades.

It's about time Marin made an XL frame with 500mm reach! This geometry has me pretty stoked!

Love your vids

I’ve got the San Quentin 1 that I’ve upgraded some components! And I love it! Added a pnw dropper. Went tubeless. Smaller bars. Gonna ride the fork till it reaches its limit and then upgrade that! But I love it!!

Agreed Matt!!

Being on hold made the video! Needs to be a series!!

Hardtails, especially 26 or 27.5 wheeled, are so much more fun. They make a trail that's fairly mild on a 29er full suss so much more spicy. The main downside is getting smashed when going fast through rough stuff. And also your back and legs can get pretty sore. There's always a spot in the quiver for a good quality trail/AM hardtail.

Matt please tell me you have recorded the unboxing and building it up! Love my sq3 and religiously watched your marin builds to help me choose components. Cracking bikes!

I agree my riding style has completely changed since I got my DJ bike last year. Makes space for more progression on the bike!

legend says he's still on hold

I want one now!!

💯 agree. Everyone should have a hard tail in their garage

Havent seen matt ride this hard in a while, holy cow

If you think that’s a slack/aggressive hardtail, try a Kona honzo ESD 😅 best hardcore hardtail I’ve ever seen

Full sus is like a Formula 1 car. Doesn't slide, but when it actually slides, you have a big issue. Hardtails are more like Rally cars. Faster if you don't drift, but if you do drift, it's a lot of fun, too.

love your vids and my helfare stuff

Yes matt love vids I'd love to ride with you one day legend

Matt if you want the cranks to fit, and let's face it they are a crank of beauty, get them anodised 👍

🔥🔥🔥 bike content

I’ve owned a fiesta ST and a San Quinten and I’d have to agree with you Matt lol

Still got my hard-tail Marin Team Titanium; cool bike

Hard tails are the best bike to learn the basics on beacause you don’t rely on a rear shock or lots of travel to get you out of trouble it improves your technique for when you eventually get on a full squish

hello matt love the videos

That whistle at 9:38 sounds ace

Matt we would have loved to see a build video of this little dream 😅....

yes dude!

i have a fiesta ST and love the comparison