Don need him in Southie...
Hardtails and you
- Thread starter Sandwich
- Start date
i blame the dirty water.
I rode fully ridged for 25 years, starting on home built bmx in 1969 then klunkers sometime in the 80's.
Hardtails from mid 90's till 2006; fully suspended since then.
I have no interest in going back to ridged or hardtail for dirt riding in any form. My back thanks me for this.
The only exception would be to build a cheap hardtail specifically for use indoor at Joyride in the winter.
At the moment, it is not high on my priority list.
I still look at steel hardtails and dream....but I also know that it would be a painful experience that i don't want to re-live, so now they are just art to look at and drool over.
Getting old sucks.
Hardtails from mid 90's till 2006; fully suspended since then.
I have no interest in going back to ridged or hardtail for dirt riding in any form. My back thanks me for this.
The only exception would be to build a cheap hardtail specifically for use indoor at Joyride in the winter.
At the moment, it is not high on my priority list.
I still look at steel hardtails and dream....but I also know that it would be a painful experience that i don't want to re-live, so now they are just art to look at and drool over.
Getting old sucks.
Now I only have a Steel Spec. P1 dj bike with a 110mm fork. Sold my Kona Explosif, where I live now and the trails I ride most are more fun on a full suspension. Have promised my signifiant other that I'm going to ride 90km race with her and a ht would be a really good bike for that race. It's mostly gravel with some minor "tech" parts in it. Will probably get a xc bike for that or a short travel fully...
This is total truth, this whole actually enjoying big tire thing heavily hinges on money. You can't be pedaling around some 38lb monster...Lots of carbon and tubeless setups really make them more enjoyable. I do also have a fat bike (which I was 'given') sitting around 25 lbs, the only way I could ride one of those things...carbon rims/frame/bars/cranks etc...It's fun for about 15 days a year when our trails are total shit, then I take it to the beach and run over sea turtles in my speedo.
All this hardtail talk I would also love an evil calling with an elevensix for riding the same trails I ride my chromag on...can't have it all.
You've a fat bike already?
Build up a 2nd wheelset in 27.5+ sizeway?
Not perfect, but less $$ and space than a whole bike. Especially if you build the thing up nicely. Add dropper post, Anglesey, and Bluto/Mastodon if inclined.
Build up a 2nd wheelset in 27.5+ sizeway?
Not perfect, but less $$ and space than a whole bike. Especially if you build the thing up nicely. Add dropper post, Anglesey, and Bluto/Mastodon if inclined.
I ride a ns eccentric aluminum Evo 650b. My friends shunned me for going Alu but fuck them
I bought the frame on a whim so I could practice manualling and stuff on my commute. After a few months it ended up taking over 75% of my riding and all the parts got upgraded. 200mm dropper coming soon.
These days most dudes are riding hardtails that are like trail bikes, but with no rear suspension. I'd love to try one of those too, but this one is more like a dirt jumper but a bit slacker and with a dropper post. It's funner than heck.
These days most dudes are riding hardtails that are like trail bikes, but with no rear suspension. I'd love to try one of those too, but this one is more like a dirt jumper but a bit slacker and with a dropper post. It's funner than heck.
I agree sir, the reason for riding a hardtail for trail riding is hard to explain, it's just fun...
your dog looks pissed that you're there, bothering himI bought the frame on a whim so I could practice manualling and stuff on my commute. After a few months it ended up taking over 75% of my riding and all the parts got upgraded. 200mm dropper coming soon.
These days most dudes are riding hardtails that are like trail bikes, but with no rear suspension. I'd love to try one of those too, but this one is more like a dirt jumper but a bit slacker and with a dropper post. It's funner than heck.
Which is to say it is easy to understand how hard hardtails are hard? Hardly, needs mention that bicycles are fun.
I'm in the process of building a new Ragley Blue pig. I picked up the frame from CRC for $420. Spank Race 33 Rims will be built onto Hadleys.
I've wanted to replace my HT since I broke it 7 years ago. Honestly, I'll only ride a steel HT. I want something strong and inexpensive. On-one and Ragley were my two brands that I was interested in, but the On-one 456 is 45mm shorter than the Blue pig! The BP is 15mm longer (reach) than my Spartan... BUT! I took the 45mm stem off the Spartan and went with a 60mm. The 45mm on the BP will leave me with the same geo as the Spartan, in theory.
I'm interested in 2.5 or 2.6 tires, but they seem hard to find that aren't DH casing/aggressive tread pattern. Any input?
I've wanted to replace my HT since I broke it 7 years ago. Honestly, I'll only ride a steel HT. I want something strong and inexpensive. On-one and Ragley were my two brands that I was interested in, but the On-one 456 is 45mm shorter than the Blue pig! The BP is 15mm longer (reach) than my Spartan... BUT! I took the 45mm stem off the Spartan and went with a 60mm. The 45mm on the BP will leave me with the same geo as the Spartan, in theory.
I'm interested in 2.5 or 2.6 tires, but they seem hard to find that aren't DH casing/aggressive tread pattern. Any input?
Last edited:
It was just my recommendation. Wish i had one that nicei remember when Sanjay used your bike at Sea Otter...
I have a Chromag Rootdown BA that sees a majority of my riding. Most of my local, weekday rides are just more fun on a hardtail.
Last edited:
Just the fatbike in the winter and for commuting.
Riding a hardtail anywhere else (except some DJ stuff) is like trying to ski downhill with skate skis. I beat myself up pretty bad a few seasons ago racing a hardtail XC. That didn't last long. Maybe young guys can do it, but I can't take it.
Riding a hardtail anywhere else (except some DJ stuff) is like trying to ski downhill with skate skis. I beat myself up pretty bad a few seasons ago racing a hardtail XC. That didn't last long. Maybe young guys can do it, but I can't take it.
West Coast Customs flat pedals? Hell yeah!
Agree with whoever said a HT is a wonderful second bike. I've ridden the HT pretty much exclusively in winter and intermittently during other seasons for years now. Wouldn't want to be without one but wouldn't choose it as my only bike either.
^^
What he said...which isn't surprising since this is his old bike (but I have a serious envy chub over his BTR, for the better seat tube angle if not the sexy lines)
What he said...which isn't surprising since this is his old bike (but I have a serious envy chub over his BTR, for the better seat tube angle if not the sexy lines)
I love how hardtails have that huge, empty space in the middle of them. It looks different than modern bikes with all that patented, marketed, trademarked, bullshit, jammed in there. It's empty. It pedals so efficiently. I like the tiny, straight, round Chro-moly tubing vs the huge, oversized, hydroformed aluminum (and carbon). I love hardtails.
Last edited:
For the ultra cool folks:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYRCsvCBp1A/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=embed_legacy
How do you embed Instagram pics BTW?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYRCsvCBp1A/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=embed_legacy
How do you embed Instagram pics BTW?
Looking to get a different frame, but here's my "MTB hardtail", 2001 Identiti 666 DJ frame - given to me, heavy as hell but kinda fun to ride!
EDIT: Herp a derp snap -
EDIT: Herp a derp snap -
Say i wanted to build a HT over the course of this year for Approx. $2k, with 1k allocated to the fork. That leaves $1k to fiddle around with for frame and all. I have a few hand me down parts from upgrading my squishy, but not many. Main things I'm looking for is 20mm TA, 31.6 seat tube, 650b, 150mm to 160mm travel. What frame to yall recommend? Not a weight weenie, so carbon is alright here and there but not necessary anywhere.
if you're not a niner guy, what about the kona explosif? $500 gets you all the kona you can shralp
Originally i said 29er, but the fork i want isn't yet available, nor is it coming out in 29er as per the manufacture website.
dunno what fork you want, but the fox 36 would be my choice. highly adjustable travel, 20mm OR 15mm axle, tapered steerer, and plenty of stiffness.
I like that fork, they were on the Pivot demos but i want to get an USD fork.
Chromag Wideangle if you have a Boost wheelset. You may need to find a couple hundreds more to complete the build for 2k$, but I guess it would be worth it.
No wheel set yet, but I'm open. I may change forks and get one slightly cheaper to spend else where on the bike.
what fork do you want? the xpusion?
Yeah actually, I have an X-fusion on my squishy now and never had a problem with it yet. Been riding it about a year now. Also found this, but never heard of the brand and there is a lack of details.
https://buynow.wrensports.com/products/2016-inverted-suspension-fork-110mm-hub-150mm-travel-wsf100-150atk
