So you’re thinking about getting a hardtail mountain bike. Smart move! Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade from that bike you’ve been thrashing about on for the past few years, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know without the sales pitch or unnecessary jargon.

What are Hardtail Mountain Bikes?

Right, let’s start with the basics. A hardtail mountain bilke has suspension at the front but nothing at the back. Just a solid rear triangle connecting the seat tube to the rear wheel. No shock, no linkage, no fuss. Simple as.

Why Choose a Hardtail MTB Over Full Suspension?

Advantages of Hardtails

They’re Cheaper – Without all that rear suspension gubbins, hardtails cost considerably less than full-suspension bikes. Your money goes further on better components, or you can pocket the difference. Either way, you’re winning.

Less Faff – Fewer moving parts means less that can go wrong. No rear shock to service, no linkage bearings to replace, no suspension to endlessly fiddle with. Perfect if you’d rather be riding than playing mechanic every other weekend.

Brilliant Climbers – All your pedalling power goes straight to the rear wheel. No energy lost to suspension bob. Hardtails climb like they mean business and feel properly responsive when you put the power down.

Lighter – Without the rear shock and all its mates, hardtails typically weigh 1-2 kilograms less than comparable full-suspension bikes. Your legs will thank you on the climbs.

They’ll Make You Better – Can’t rely on rear suspension to bail you out, so you’ll actually learn to pick proper lines and position yourself correctly. It’s like learning to drive in a manual. Slightly harder at first, but you’ll be a better rider for it.

When Full Suspension Makes More Sense

Hardtails aren’t the answer to everything. If you’re mainly riding gnarly downhill trails, hitting bike parks, or tackling proper enduro terrain, you’ll probably want that rear shock. Sometimes comfort matters more than efficiency, and that’s perfectly fine.

Types of Hardtail Mountain Bikes

Cross-Country (XC) Hardtails

Best for: Racing, fitness rides, pretending you’re in the Olympics

These are the whippets of the mountain bike world. Built for speed above all else. You’ll find 100mm or less of front travel, lightweight frames (often carbon), steep geometry for quick handling, and 29-inch wheels. They’re not exactly forgiving, but they’re properly quick.

Popular models: Trek Procaliber, Specialized Epic Hardtail, Canyon Exceed

Trail Hardtails

Best for: Trail centres, everyday riding, beginners, not taking yourself too seriously

The Goldilocks zone. Trail hardtails balance capability with efficiency, offering 120-130mm of front travel, relaxed geometry, and a comfortable riding position. They won’t win you any XC races, but they’ll handle most trails with a smile.

Popular models: Trek Roscoe, Specialized Fuse, Giant Fathom, Marin San Quentin

Aggressive Hardtails

Best for: Rough terrain, bike parks, riders who think trail bikes are too sensible

The rowdy end of the hardtail spectrum. These bikes blur the line between trail and enduro hardtails, packing 140-160mm of front travel, slack geometry (65-67° head angles), and burly construction. They’ll take a proper beating on rough descents whilst still being pedal-able enough to get you back to the top.

Think of them as the hardtail equivalent of a trail bike that’s been hitting the gym. Longer reach, lower bottom brackets, and often 27.5″ wheels for extra manoeuvrability in rough stuff. Not the fastest uphill, but absolutely brilliant when pointed down something technical.

Popular models: Nukeproof Scout, Ragley Big Wig, Cotic BFe, Pipedream Moxie

Dirt Jump/Pump Track Hardtails

Best for: Jumping things, looking cool, questionable life choices

Built like tanks for aerial activities. Short travel or rigid forks, compact frames, small wheels, and bomb-proof construction. Not for the Sunday countryside pootle, unless your idea of countryside includes landing ramps.

Popular models: Trek Ticket S, Specialized P.Series, Canyon Stitched

Key Features to Consider

Frame Material

Aluminium – The workhorse. Offers brilliant strength-to-weight ratio without bankrupting you. Modern aluminium frames are genuinely excellent, and they’re more durable than carbon when you inevitably stack it into a tree.

Carbon Fibre – Lighter and smoother riding than aluminium, but you’ll pay handsomely for the privilege. Great if you’ve got the budget, but don’t lose sleep over it if you haven’t.

Steel – Old school cool. Heavier than aluminium but rides beautifully and lasts forever. Popular with the bikepacking crowd and those who appreciate a more relaxed vibe.

Titanium – For when you’ve won the lottery but still want to go mountain biking. Lightweight, indestructible, rides like a dream, costs like a small car.

Wheel Size

29-inch (29er) – The current favourite. Rolls over stuff better, holds speed nicely, provides loads of traction. Can feel a bit unwieldy if you’re shorter or riding tight, twisty trails, but most riders get on with them brilliantly.

27.5-inch (650b) – Quicker handling, more playful feel, better for shorter riders. Still a solid choice, particularly on aggressive trail bikes where nimbleness matters.

26-inch – Basically extinct except on dirt jump bikes. If anyone tries to sell you a 26-inch trail bike, just walk away.

Plus Size (27.5+ or 29+) – Fat tyres on normal rims. Extra grip and comfort, acts like poor man’s rear suspension. Brilliant for beginners or rough terrain, though you’ll sacrifice some speed.

Suspension Fork

Your fork matters. A lot. It’s literally your only suspension, so don’t cheap out here if you can help it.

Travel Amount:

• 80-100mm: XC racing, smooth trails, suffering efficiently
• 100-120mm: The sweet spot for most trail riding
• 130-140mm: Aggressive trail riding, rougher stuff
• 150mm+: Dirt jumping, trying to break yourself

Fork Quality Tiers:

• Entry-level (£100-300): Heavy, basic damping, will do the job but won’t love you back. RockShox XC28, SR Suntour XCR
• Mid-range (£300-600): Air springs, adjustable rebound, actually quite good. RockShox Recon, Fox 32, Marzocchi Z2
• High-end (£600-1,500+): Proper nice. Advanced damping, stiffness where it matters, light enough to notice. RockShox Pike, Fox 36, Fox 34

Drivetrain

1x (Single Chainring): Modern standard. One ring up front, 10-12 speeds out back. Simple, reliable, plenty of range for most riding. No front derailleur to faff about with or get clogged with mud.

2x or 3x (Multiple Chainrings): Old school. More gears total, but also more complexity and things to go wrong. Rarely seen on new bikes, and there’s a reason for that.

Popular Groupsets (Budget to Premium):

• Shimano: Deore → SLX → XT → XTR (all perfectly decent)
• SRAM: NX → GX → X01 → XX1 (equally solid)

Brakes

Mechanical Disc – Cable-operated. Fine for gentle riding, found on budget bikes. Do the job but nothing special.

Hydraulic Disc – Proper stopping power, better control, less hand fatigue. Standard on anything over £800 and what you actually want for trail riding.

Rotor Size:

• 160mm front/rear: XC racing, lighter riders
• 180mm front/160mm rear: Most trail riding
• 180mm or 200mm front: Bigger riders, steep terrain, like actually being able to stop

Geometry Considerations

Head Tube Angle – Steeper (70-71°) for XC speed, slacker (67-69°) for descending confidence. Slack is rad, as the kids used to say.

Seat Tube Angle – Steeper (74-76°) puts you over the pedals for better climbing. Modern bikes have got this sorted.

Reach – How stretched out you’ll be. Longer = stable but less nimble. Shorter = playful but can feel cramped on steep descents.

Chainstay Length – Short (425-435mm) = playful and fun. Long (440mm+) = stable and grippy. Pick your poison.

Dropper Post Compatibility

A dropper post (where you can lower your saddle on the fly) is genuinely brilliant. Make sure your frame can fit one, even if you’re not buying one immediately. Future you will appreciate it.

Hardtail Mountain Bike Price Ranges

Entry-Level: £500-£1,000

What you’re getting: Aluminium frame, basic fork, mechanical brakes, heavy but functional kit. It’ll get you started, but components won’t last forever and it’ll weigh more than your expectations.

Best for: Seeing if you actually like mountain biking before spending serious money.

Recommended bikes: Giant ATX, Specialized Rockhopper, Trek Marlin series

Mid-Range: £1,000-£2,000

What you’re getting: Proper aluminium frame with modern geometry, decent air fork, hydraulic brakes, 1x drivetrain that actually works, probably dropper-ready. This is where the real value lives.

Best for: Regular trail riders who’ve decided this mountain biking thing is actually quite fun.

Sweet spot alert: Honestly, this range offers the best bang for your buck.

Recommended bikes: Trek Roscoe, Specialized Fuse, Canyon Stoic, Giant Fathom, Marin Bobcat Trail

High-End: £2,000-£4,000

What you’re getting: Premium frame (aluminium or carbon), excellent fork, 1×12 drivetrain, 4-piston brakes, dropper post included, lighter wheels. Properly good kit that’ll last.

Best for: Serious riders, competitive types, people who’ve given up other expensive hobbies to afford this one.

Recommended bikes: Trek Procaliber 9.7, Specialized Epic Hardtail, Canyon Exceed, Santa Cruz Chameleon

Premium/Race: £4,000+

What you’re getting: Carbon everything, top-tier components, sub-11.5kg complete bikes, bragging rights at the trailhead.

Best for: Racers, weight weenies, people with more money than sense. Meant affectionately, of course.

Recommended bikes: Specialized S-Works Epic Hardtail, Trek Procaliber 9.9, Canyon Exceed CFR

Sizing Your Hardtail

Get this wrong and you’ll hate riding. Get it right and everything just works.

General Height-to-Size Chart

• Extra Small (XS): 147cm – 157cm
• Small (S): 157cm – 168cm
• Medium (M): 168cm – 178cm
• Large (L): 178cm – 185cm
• Extra Large (XL): 185cm – 193cm
• XXL: 193cm+

Modern Sizing by Reach

Brands are increasingly using reach measurements rather than traditional sizes. Here’s the rough guide:

• XS: 380-400mm reach
• S: 400-420mm reach
• M: 420-450mm reach
• L: 450-480mm reach
• XL: 480-510mm reach

Between Sizes?

• Size down if you want manoeuvrability and playfulness, or ride technical terrain
• Size up if you prioritise stability and ride fast or rough terrain
• Test ride both if you can. Twenty minutes on a bike tells you more than any chart.

Standover Height

Make sure you’ve got at least 5-8cm of clearance when standing over the top tube. Your future self (and possibly your future children) will thank you.

Essential Accessories for Your Hardtail

Must-Have Items

Helmet – Non-negotiable. Budget £50-100 minimum for something that’ll actually protect your brain.

Pedals – Most bikes come with rubbish pedals or none at all. Upgrade to proper flat pedals with pins (£40-100) or clipless if that’s your thing (£50-200 plus shoes).

Multi-tool – For when things inevitably come loose (£20-40)

Spare Tube and Pump – Beats walking home (£20-30)

Water Bottle Cage – Staying hydrated is important, apparently (£10-20)

Recommended Upgrades

Dropper Post – Single best upgrade you can make. Changes everything about descending (£150-400)

Tubeless Conversion – Fewer punctures, better grip, lower pressures. Most modern wheels are ready for it (£50-80 for setup)

Decent Tyres – Tyres make a massive difference. Upgrade from whatever rubbish came stock (£50-80 per tyre)

Comfortable Saddle – If the stock saddle’s killing you after a few rides, don’t suffer in silence (£30-150)

Hardtail Maintenance Basics

Hardtails need less faff than full-suspension bikes, but you can’t completely ignore them.

After Every Ride

Quick wipe down, check tyre pressure, make sure nothing’s fallen off. Five minutes, maximum.

Monthly (or every 10-20 hours)

Clean and lube the chain, check brake pads, look for anything obviously wrong. Half an hour of basic maintenance saves expensive repairs later.

Every 50-100 Hours

Proper clean, replace chain if worn (use a chain checker tool, they’re cheap), bleed brakes if they’re feeling spongy, basic fork service.

Annually

Full fork service, replace cables if needed, check all bearings, replace anything that’s properly worn. Take it to a shop if you’re not mechanically inclined. It’s worth it.

Where to Buy Your Hardtail

Local Bike Shops

Pros: Advice, test rides, professional setup, someone to moan to when things go wrong, supporting local business

Cons: Higher prices (10-20% more), limited stock, might push brands they stock

Best for: First-time buyers, people who value service, those who like talking about bikes almost as much as riding them

Direct-to-Consumer Brands

Brands: Canyon, YT Industries, Commencal, Polygon

Pros: Serious money savings (20-40% less), excellent specs for the price, delivered to your door

Cons: No test rides (though returns are usually fine), you’ll need to finish assembly, no local backup

Best for: Experienced riders, confident home mechanics, bargain hunters

Used Market

Where to look: Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, Pinkbike classifieds, local bike swaps

Pros: Save 30-60%, sometimes find absolute steals, good way to try mountain biking affordably

Cons: Might be knackered, no warranty, could need immediate work, finding the right size is tricky

Best for: Those on tight budgets, experienced riders who know what to look for

Buying Used Tips

Check frame for cracks (especially near welds), inspect fork stanchions for scratches, test everything that moves, check for play in bearings, look for signs of crashes. Bring someone who knows bikes if you don’t.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use a hardtail for bike park or downhill riding? A: You can, and it’ll make you a better rider, but it won’t be as forgiving as full suspension. Start small, work your way up, maybe invest in good health insurance.

Q: Will a hardtail hurt my back on rough trails? A: It can do if you ride like a plank. Stay loose, use your legs as suspension, don’t death-grip the bars. Plus-size tyres and a decent fork help too.

Q: How much suspension travel do I need? A: For most trail riding, 120mm is the sweet spot. More suits aggressive riding but you’ll pay for it on climbs. Less is fine for XC and smooth trails.

Q: Should I get 27.5″ or 29″ wheels? A: 29″ for most riders. They just work better. Go 27.5″ if you’re shorter (under 168cm), want maximum playfulness, or ride proper tight stuff.

Q: Is a dropper post necessary? A: Necessary? No. Absolutely brilliant and you’ll wonder how you lived without one? Yes. Skip it for pure XC, get one for everything else.

Q: Can I add a rear shock to my hardtail later? A: No. Frames don’t work like that. If you want full suspension, buy full suspension.

Q: What’s better, aluminium or carbon? A: Modern aluminium is excellent and cheaper. Carbon’s lighter and smoother but costs more and breaks more dramatically. For most riders, aluminium’s the sensible choice.

Q: How often should I replace my chain? A: Check it every 320-480km with a chain checker. Replace at 0.5% wear (sooner for 11/12-speed). Cheap chains are cheaper than expensive cassettes.

Ready to Buy?

Right, you’re sorted. Armed with all this information, you can make a proper informed decision rather than just buying whatever the bike shop has in your size.

Remember:

1. Test ride if possible – Fifteen minutes on a bike beats hours of spec sheet obsessing
2. Get the size right – Fit matters more than fancy bits
3. Budget for extras – Helmet, pedals, tools add £200-400
4. Think ahead – Buy slightly more bike than you need now
5. Don’t overthink it – The best bike is the one you’ll actually ride, not the one gathering dust whilst you wait for the perfect conditions

Mountain biking’s a brilliant sport with a welcoming community. Get out there, find some local trails, join group rides, ask questions. Most importantly, have fun. That’s rather the point.

See you out there!