Would a hard tail 29er be a good starter bike for road and light trails?

Asked by: Daniel Tucker

Can I use a hardtail for trails?

As a type of mountain bike, hardtail bikes are used for cycling on many terrains and environments. Their versatile and resilient nature means they’ll perform well in most places ride. Suitable areas for hardtail mountain biking include mountain trails, fire roads and pump tracks.

Should my first mountain bike be a hardtail?

The best choice for a beginner is a hardtail MTB because it is easier to maintain, it’s cheaper, and will help you to develop the basic skills needed to ride on trails. It’s better to spend less money in the beginning when the chance to make a wrong choice is big than to try to correct a costly mistake.

Why are hardtails better?

The benefits of a hardtail mountain bike include greater responsiveness, lightweight frames, versatility, cheap and easy maintenance, and great power transfer. Apart from that, you also have the economical benefit, hardtails are more budget-friendly than full-suspension mountain bikes.

Should you start on a hardtail?

You don’t need to start on a hardtail. In fact, if your goal is to become a skilled and competent rider, especially descending, you probably shouldn’t start on a hardtail. My first mountain bike.

Can you ride a hardtail on the road?

Hardtail bikes are bikes that do not have rear suspension. They are a rougher ride than full suspension bikes meaning that they can struggle on some trails, although some cyclists prefer the feel of hardtail bikes. They are good for jumps, cross country, and road riding.

Can you ride downhill on a hardtail?

So, can a hardtail mountain bike handle downhill riding? Generally, yes, a hardtail mountain bike can handle downhill riding. This should be easier on a smoother downhill road but is still possible when you are riding downhill on a trail that is comparatively rougher.

Should I buy a full-suspension or hardtail mountain bike?

The brief answer is: Choose a full-suspension bike if you are willing to spend a bit more and you want to ride technical trails. On the other hand, choose a hardtail bike if you’re on a tighter budget and/or plan to spend most of your time on smoother trails.

Why every mountain biker needs a hardtail?

The fact that they have fewer moving parts also means that they are more reliable. There are fewer things that can break, fewer bearings to wear out and repairs are far simpler. Hardtails give you a much better feel for the mountain and, although they can be hard work at times, they are great for learning.

Is a hardtail faster than full-suspension?

Looking at the first rooty lap, the hardtail was 6.19 seconds (1.1 percent) faster than the full suspension, but crucially, the power required was eight watts (2.53 percent) lower. This is the absolute golden ticket of race performance, as it means the hardtail was faster for less effort.

What is a hardtail bike used for?

Hardtails offer a simplicity that full suspension bikes simply can’t compete with. Finally, there’s nothing like a hardtail to bring on your overall riding skills. Without rear suspension, the margin for making errors on technical terrain becomes much smaller.

Why do people ride hardtails in winter?

As well as protecting your full suspension bike from winter abuse, a hardtail can often be the better bike to ride anyway. They’re lighter, so easier to keep propelled in the slop. They don’t hold on to muck as much, so they’re easier to clean and don’t clog up mid-ride.

What can you do with a hardtail MTB?

Hardtails are great for goofing off, hitting jumps, riding some street trials, or just enjoying on the same trails as usual. Hardtails are a little rougher, but that just adds to the sense of speed, even if you’re not riding as fast.

Can you make a mountain bike into a road bike?

Road Bike Vs Mountain Bike – What’s The Difference? A mountain bike can absolutely be converted into a road bike. They have a few similar elements, and you could even get away with using an unchanged mountain bike on streets for a short period of time.

Can you use MTB tires on road?

Switching out your mountain bike tires for road tires will make cycling on cement and flat surfaces significantly easier. You’ll be able to roll over flat surfaces quicker and have a better time going faster speeds.

Can I ride mountain bike tires on the road?

You can ride your mountain bike on pavement. Just keep in mind that it will be harder to pedal (i.e. slower), and the pavement is hard on traditional knobby mountain bike tires.

Do you need a full-suspension bike to ride trails?

The brief answer is: Choose a full-suspension bike if you are willing to spend a bit more and you want to ride technical trails. On the other hand, choose a hardtail bike if you’re on a tighter budget and/or plan to spend most of your time on smoother trails.

Can I mountain bike with a hardtail?

Quote from video: Pretty much do anything on a hardtail. At that point there are great mess around dirt jump bikes.

Is full-suspension safer than hardtail?

Mountain bikers carrying some injury tension will always be more comfortable on a full-suspension bike on any terrain. For those riders who are healthier, wish to develop their skills, and explore more demanding trails, the full-suspension mountain bike is a much safer passage to progression.

Is a mountain bike a trail bike?

Trail. By far the most common and widest-ranging category is “Trail.” They are also the most broadly capable style of mountain bikes. Trail bikes can range from short-travel bikes all the way up to having 140/150mm suspension, and even hardtails.

What is the difference between a trail bike and an all mountain bike?

All-mountain bikes have slightly more suspension travel than trail bikes, ranging from 5.5″/140mm to 6.7″/180mm. Geometry strongly favors descending to climbing. Head angles in the 65°- 67° range can require some finesse when it comes to steep climbs.

Which is better mountain bike or road bike?

Road bikes are fast and easy to pedal on pavement. They are not as well suited for operating off the road. Some people find the “dropped” riding position difficult to maintain, comfortably, for a long time. Mountain bikes are harder to pedal and slower on pavement.