[MMcG]

Am I nuts? I'm seriously contemplating selling off my Balfa Belair frame after the 24 Hours of Dalton at the end of this month and going back to a hardtail trail bike.

So, who's gone this route and why?

And what did you switch from (FS bike) and over to (HT bike)?

I'm not thinking lightweight steep ht angle XC race bike hardtail, but more along the lines of a SC Chameleon type hardtail. More of a hardtail trail bike type frame.

Stories, experiences, recommendations?

Again, am I nuts for even thinking this way?

 

[special O]

my first bike was FS now i have a hardtail for CC and then a 5" bike for trails/dh


hardtail rocks.

 

[MMcG]

my first bike was FS now i have a hardtail for CC and then a 5" bike for trails/dh


hardtail rocks.

What model hardtail did you opt for?

 

[MtnBikerChk]

you are NUTS!

Remember the first time we met at Soapstone??

Do you remember the pain? I know it hurt just WATCHING you on those rocks.

Don't do it!!!!!

 

[Westy]

I rode a hardtail for years and swore that I would never need a FS. But I started to want to go on longer 3 hour + rides and thought a FS would help extending my rides. I got a SC Superlight and just loved. I went 2 years without ever riding the hardtail again. This winter I singlespeeded the Hardtail and put in a handful of rides on it, it never quite felt right.

A few months ago I was forced to send my fork and shock back to Fox for rebuild. The old hardtail was all I had to ride. After the first few rides I realized hom much I missed riding that thing, I had a blast. It was so much fun riding it, it felt like the "good old days" when I first got the riding bug. But after a few attempts at some long rides my sore ass missed the Superlight.

Once I got my FS back and running I felt like a better rider for spending time on the hardtail, I changed my riding style a bit and found I could take techinical sections much faster. But I still like to ride the old hardtail and I make sure I do every once in a while. Not only can it be more fun but it keeps the skills sharp.

If I had to only have one bike I would stick with the Superlight but I am happy having both to ride.

 

[golgiaparatus]

I think I could own a hardtail again and enjoy the hell out of it, but no way would I ever trade my FS for a hardtail.

 

[I Are Baboon]

Mark, why are you considering a hardtail? Any reason in particular? I think a hardtail would be fine for somewhere like Kingdom Trails, but I think for places like Case, Soapstone, and Cockaponset, you'd be better off with full suspension. (think rocks, rocks, and more rocks)

 

[binary visions]

I sold my Giant AC2 and bought an Evil Imperial.

Love it.

 

[Toshi]

I sold my Giant AC2 and bought an Evil Imperial.

Love it.

i sold my intense uzzi slx and bought an evil imperial . i quickly found out it didn't work for xc, so i bought a fully rigid xc bike for the trail days. now i'm coming full circle, adding a fs back to my stable, a full on dh rig this time.

 

[Echo]

A good bike whore like yourself should have both.

 

[tonyhawk]

Hey Mark:

I can build up my Kona Roast again if you wanna try it out (I think I just need to re-cable it). I tried it on the trail once and went running back to my FS. I had been using it just for fun, until I needed to pillage cable housings when I built the Bullit (stupid LBS was closed). After riding XC, DH, FR, street, etc, I can safely say the Bullit is all I need. Best ... bike ... ever. I might have to get another

 

[Gk. Willie]

I dont see why you should feel you need one or the other. I ride an 8 & 8 and a hardtail witnh 8omm switching between the two sometimes even in mid-ride. Personaly I think the mark of the well-rounded rider is the ability to ride both in any situation.

 

[MMcG]

I dont see why you should feel you need one or the other. I ride an 8 & 8 and a hardtail witnh 8omm switching between the two sometimes even in mid-ride. Personaly I think the mark of the well-rounded rider is the ability to ride both in any situation.

I have a 2002 Cheeta Prowler - 7 inches of rear travel - with a 7inch WB DH2 fork up front and I've been taking that out on shorter trail rides around here and having way more fun on it than my 4" rear/5" front Belair.

Before getting the Prowler I had a 2002 Snipes 30-06 and I had a blast riding that. It had one chainring and if it had two it woulda been hella fun for a trail bike that could also do urban etc. etc. Traded that frame to get the Cheeta.

I also have a 2002 Marin Nail Trail but plans for that are to SS it - it has XC like geometry - not really trail bike hardtail geometry.

So my debate is to get a different 4 to 5" FS frame with a slightly slacker HT angle than my Balfa to pair up nicely with my short axle to crown length Talas or a trail bike hardtail with a slacker HT angle (say 69 degrees or so) and a decent length seat post for trail riding.

Hence my post.

 

[Chris01]

I made the switch back to a hardtail a couple years ago. My full suspension in now my backup. The FS is a K2 razorback while it was off for warranty repair I picked up a Trek 9.8, the Trek has been my main ride ever since (although the SS is not getting more ride time). At one point I re-built the K2 strictly for 24 and 12hr races. Since that time I have ridden the Trek at the 24hrs of Snowshoe and Moab as well as some local 12 and 24s. Last year I used the FS at 24hrs of Adrenaline in Dalton, this year I will be on the Hardtail.

Now with that said, I ride the Trek because it is a better race bike for me. Also the focus is more on racing than everyday trail riding. If you have back troubles at all stay on a full suspension, otherwise the choice is definitely yours.

I believe the HT made me become a better rider (better at picking lines and things like that). What I do Love about the HT... all the power goes straight to the rear wheel, it is just soooo efficient.

 

[MMcG]

you are NUTS!

Remember the first time we met at Soapstone??

Do you remember the pain? I know it hurt just WATCHING you on those rocks.

Don't do it!!!!!

you are right I am sometimes nuts.

But that ride at Soapstone was when I was a relative MTB newbie and the bike had little tiny tires on it and basically I totally sucked as a rider.

I'd like to think that I'm at least a not so sucky rider these days so getting bruised and banged up by the rocks isn't as much of a thought. Hell I racked up my cheek and eye pretty good on a FS bike so the squish isn't necessarily helping me! lol

 

[Colin]

I've done it, and have been on a hardtail for a few years now. Wouldn't go back, unless my location dictated it. But, then I probably still wouldn't lose the singlespeed.

If you want to stick with FS, I'd just keep the Balfa. Maybe run a longer fork for a slightly slacker headangle. Then you could just send me the Talas.

I love hardtails and I loved full-suspension, too. When I was at Interbike I rode a full-squish Devinci and thought it was perfect on all those rocks at Boulder City. Here I feel like the odd man out for riding a singlespeed when everyone else is riding big freeride bikes. Not to bash anyone, but this is FLorida and all.

Hmm... sidetracked. Sorry Mark.

 

[Zark]

I've switched twice to a hardtail for my XC purposes, both times were financial ( Isold the XC rig to upgrade DH rig and end up with a more ghetto XC rig) I am back on the cush and so much happier. Hardtails have their place, are fun and build skills, but in the end the pound the snot out of you in rocky terrain and I don't have a smooth trail within 200 miles of here.

I find that its not the downhill that left me really missing my dually, it was the climbs. Fighting for traction, getting in and out of the saddle trying to eak enough bite. The comfort and traction on the climbs allows for better riding for me.

I might have a hardtail as a 3rd bike for street/jumps/trail. But it won't be my primary.

 

[MMcG]

I've done it, and have been on a hardtail for a few years now. Wouldn't go back, unless my location dictated it. But, then I probably still wouldn't lose the singlespeed.

If you want to stick with FS, I'd just keep the Balfa. Maybe run a longer fork for a slightly slacker headangle. Then you could just send me the Talas.

I love hardtails and I loved full-suspension, too. When I was at Interbike I rode a full-squish Devinci and thought it was perfect on all those rocks at Boulder City. Here I feel like the odd man out for riding a singlespeed when everyone else is riding big freeride bikes. Not to bash anyone, but this is FLorida and all.

Hmm... sidetracked. Sorry Mark.

Colin - what are you riding as a SS now?

And no you can't have the Talas - unless you have something super sweet to trade me for it! Ha!

The Devinci trail bikes look super sweet - too bad they aren't available in the States.

What else did you ride at Interbike that impressed you and how did you fenagle a trip out there?

 

[dwaugh]

Well, when I tacoed the front wheel of my stinky all I had to ride was my Trek. In the three weeks that Stinky was out, I rode the Trek and upgraded it quite a bit. Now, though the Stinky is back and ready to use I'm still on the Trek. This might be due to the fact that the DJ park is just about done and the Trek is the better bike to ride there.
I like to have both bikes though, no way am I gonna ride my Trek at Whistler.

 

[Colin]

Colin - what are you riding as a SS now?

And no you can't have the Talas - unless you have something super sweet to trade me for it! Ha!

The Devinci trail bikes look super sweet - too bad they aren't available in the States.

What else did you ride at Interbike that impressed you and how did you fenagle a trip out there?

A new Kona Unit. Which should be here tomorrow.

As far as the trade, how about a little bastard of a cat?

A friend works for a race timing company and he scored me a guest pass. At the time I was looking for a job in the cycling industry and thought Interbike was a good way to make some contacts -- I was wrong.

The Devinci was the only thing I rode because I took a wrong turn and almost threw up after all the climbing on my 'detour.' But, yeah, it was a really cool bike.

 

[Serial Midget]

I didn't get rid of my full suspension but I did add a hardtail - a 2003 Giant XTC SE1 - I find that I ride it for 90% of what I do. I am in the process of building up a full rigid with a suspension corrected disk specific fork.

I've never had any back problems from cycling but if I did I would want a full squishy as my primary bike.

My Bikey

EDIT: Mine was built with XT and disks to save $$$.

 

[Cash-Money]

i switched from a 6 and 6 kona stab / super T combo to a full rigid cowan. then i went to a 90mm fork, and now a 150mm fork, and it's awesome. i'd love to have a 5" trail bike as well, but i love riding a hardtail, even if it does beat the snot out of you

 

[jacksonpt]

I say go for it! HTs are great, especially on the right trails. I have an pretty inexpensive GT HT that I ride from time to time, even with the 575 sitting right next to it in the garage. I love the feel of a hard tail on modest trails... but the right hardtail could be a hellish trail bike.

 

[BigMike]

I started off on my full rigid Giant somthing or other. That got stolen, and I went to Full Sus. Had a Jamis Dakar, broke it, got into freeriding/DH, got a KHS 1500. Broke that. Got a Norco Shore. I LOVE that. Then I got a Jamis Komodo HT frame, and after a long and expensive journey through build-ville, got that built up with mostly DH parts but I use it as a trail bike. I can pedal it for trails, but still do some FR on it when I want. I ride the FS for racing, and going to shuttle the mountains. Sometimes I take my FS out on a pedal trail ride just for a change.

Bottom line, if you have the means, pick up a HT and keep your FS. I love both of my bikes, and couldnt live without either one.

 

[MMcG]

I started off on my full rigid Giant somthing or other. That got stolen, and I went to Full Sus. Had a Jamis Dakar, broke it, got into freeriding/DH, got a KHS 1500. Broke that. Got a Norco Shore. I LOVE that. Then I got a Jamis Komodo HT frame, and after a long and expensive journey through build-ville, got that built up with mostly DH parts but I use it as a trail bike. I can pedal it for trails, but still do some FR on it when I want. I ride the FS for racing, and going to shuttle the mountains. Sometimes I take my FS out on a pedal trail ride just for a change.

Bottom line, if you have the means, pick up a HT and keep your FS. I love both of my bikes, and couldnt live without either one.

Mike I have a Cheeta Prowler 7 and 7 - and then the Balfa - and then a Marin Hardtail that is fully rigid and serving as more of a commuter - coffee shop bike right now.

Something along the lines of a Komodo would be nice - I have my eye on something along those lines, but it is made of 4130 cromo......Oh so tempting.

 

[BarbaRosa]

one word..... stable.

scrimp save, have both,

i have been riding a full rigid retro for a long long time... saving for enduro at this point. have not touched the roadie in a long time, ... choices...

stable

 

[BigMike]

Mike I have a Cheeta Prowler 7 and 7 - and then the Balfa - and then a Marin Hardtail that is fully rigid and serving as more of a commuter - coffee shop bike right now.

Something along the lines of a Komodo would be nice - I have my eye on something along those lines, but it is made of 4130 cromo......Oh so tempting.

Only Complaint I have so far about it is that it wont fit a 2.5 mobster unless your wheel is PERFECTLY true, and anyone that has ridden with me knows that my stuff is never perfect.......

whats wrong with 4130 cromo?

 

[stringcheese]

I've gone from a Bullit to a Nicolai bmxtb. mmmmmmmmmmm!

 

[ZEDMAN]

rode a kona roast for 2 years then got a bullit and rode that for about 2 years got a gsr hooligan and sold the bullit and waiting for a VP FREE. the switch from the kona to the bullit was fine probably due to the single crown i had on it. then i got a super t for it and got the hooligan and the switching back and forth was odd. i sold off the bullit because i felt like i was gonna go over the bars all the time compared to the gsr. now im just waiting to see what the switch between VP FREE and GSR will be.

 

[Gk. Willie]

If you realy want a dope hardtail that will handle anything form trials to huckin go get an Ellsworth specialist. Best choice I ever made

 

[MMcG]

whats wrong with 4130 cromo?

Absolutely nothing!! The frame I'm eyeing can fit a 2.5 if need be as well. :devil:

 

[MMcG]

If you realy want a dope hardtail that will handle anything form trials to huckin go get an Ellsworth specialist. Best choice I ever made

Nothing against your frame bro - but I will never buy an Ellsworth bike. That Tony Ellsworth is a shady character in my opinion - so no thanks.

 

[Colin]

Mark,

What frame are you looking to purchase?

 

[MMcG]

Mark,

What frame are you looking to purchase?

This is what has me intrigued Colin.

 

[Cash-Money]

This is what has me intrigued Colin.

what is it? looks dope

 

[BigMike]

what is it? looks dope

Looks like..... Endless?

 

[Colin]

Cortina Triton 4130.

 

[BMXman]

I love my HT...right now I ride it more than any of my other bikes....I like the simplicity and the efficientcy..not to mention it's cool the ride all the same trails I ride with 9" of travel on a hardtail. I get the ocasional looks but who cares I'm having a blast...click on my sig to see more....D

 

[stringcheese]

Nicolai pride!

 

[MMcG]

I love my HT...right now I ride it more than any of my other bikes....I like the simplicity and the efficientcy..not to mention it's cool the ride all the same trails I ride with 9" of travel on a hardtail. I get the ocasional looks but who cares I'm having a blast...click on my sig to see more....D

BMXman your bike is gorgeous - do you use it for long trail rides in addition to DH and MTX etc. etc? How does it feel if you do use it that way. Can you raise the seat up enough to get you in a comfortable position to pedal efficiently?