Hardtail vs min FS

rick81721

Lothar
Starting to look for another bike for FL. Making some strava noise on nearby segments even with my slowest MTB, but thinking the Horsethief is too much bike. I've never ridden a hardtail (except one ride @Nassau when I borrowed @qclabrat 's bike). Obviously not much in the way of rocks but my favorite nearby singletrack has tons of prehistoric roots, I'm wondering if a hardtail might be too bouncy/rough. Want something light (low 20s), 29er. Any recos?
 

Pearl

THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING
hardtail with the right amount of pressure in the rear tire is awesome. i recently built up a carbon hardtail and love it for most of my local trails since they are tame. its never going to be as efficient as the scalpel pedaling through rooty stuff, but it gets the job done.
 

Steve Vai

Endurance Guy: Tolerates most of us.
The new Giant Anthem 29er is amazing. I had the chance to demo one at Bear Mountain and have never been more impressed with an FS29er. Has a double remote lockout to make it 100% rigid, which I really enjoyed while sprinting around and climbing.
 

jShort

2018 Fantasy Football Toilet Bowl Lead Technician
Team MTBNJ Halter's
Any modern XC bike is going to be pretty good. My new rule is to look for as little proprietary parts as possible. No left, no boost (unless the rest of your bikes are, then boost on), no weird shocks or forks.

If you buy from J, he sells Kona now and I've heard their FS XC is really nice.
 

jdog

Shop: Halter's Cycles
Shop Keep
Any modern XC bike is going to be pretty good. My new rule is to look for as little proprietary parts as possible. No left, no boost (unless the rest of your bikes are, then boost on), no weird shocks or forks.

If you buy from J, he sells Kona now and I've heard their FS XC is really nice.

Here are some bikes that we've been having good luck with..



Outside of that.. here are a few that i'd look into:

http://www.konaworld.com/hei_hei_race_dl.cfm

http://www.konaworld.com/honzo_cr_trail_dl.cfm

https://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2016/Bikes/mountain/xc-full-suspension/Edict-FRD-10173402.aspx

http://www.cannondale.com/en/USA/Bi...2b3-402f-a308-9950115e9a19&parentid=undefined

https://salsacycles.com/bikes/woodsmoke/2018_woodsmoke_xo1_eagle_27.5

plus.. I've heard rumbling of a new, shorter travel xc bike from SC this spring..
 

MadisonDan

Well-Known Member
Team MTBNJ Halter's
I can only speak to what I know. Giant XTC I bought as 27.5 plus. With Crest MK3 29ers and a Thompson post, it weighs in around 23lbs with pedals on a stock build with NX 1x.
 

Mare

Well-Known Member
Which trails so you ride most of the time (just curious). Lots of good suggestions above. If I were looking for another bike, I'd look at the chameleon for sure. I have El mariachi and it's 24 lbs, with gears... Not sure if you're going single speed. Should I mention I love my bike? I don't miss suspension on roots and technical terrain one bit.
 

rick81721

Lothar
Which trails so you ride most of the time (just curious). Lots of good suggestions above. If I were looking for another bike, I'd look at the chameleon for sure. I have El mariachi and it's 24 lbs, with gears... Not sure if you're going single speed. Should I mention I love my bike? I don't miss suspension on roots and technical terrain one bit.

Most of the local trails are pretty flat, sandy based, but some very large roots. I don't know how old you are but I hit 60 in a few months. I don't think hardtail is in the cards for this old coot.
 

Supermoto

Well-Known Member
A 130mm/120mm bike like the Horsethief seems to be the prefect bike for fairly rooty but not overly rocky trail. Maybe try to knock off some weight with lighter wheels and tires to help you chase those KOMs
 

rick81721

Lothar
A 130mm/120mm bike like the Horsethief seems to be the prefect bike for fairly rooty but not overly rocky trail. Maybe try to knock off some weight with lighter wheels and tires to help you chase those KOMs

That's what I already have, it's about 28 lbs with carbon wheels 27.5+

Thinking light, 100 mm travel bike with skinny(er) tires is the way to go. Anyone ride a Scott? Reading about how light they are.
 

Ian F

Well-Known Member
I would probably go XC-race 29er hardtail, but I still enjoy riding a hardtail around here once in awhile. A hardtail at 6MR is a ton of fun and fast. I envision mtn biking in FL feeling a lot like 6MR only more sand and less clay.
 
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