Sunday, December 27, 2015

Hard Tail Mountain Bikes

Hard Tail Mountain Bikes

Scouting for a great hard tail mountain bike


    
     Last week we had someone shopping for a hard tail mountain bike at our Huntington Park location.  He had heard that they are for beginners so that's what he had in mind.  Hard tails are not only for beginners which is why I decided to write this article.  Many mountain bikers prefer the hard tailed mountain bikes because of their simplicity. They are the perfect choice for beginner mountain bikers. They are easy to handle on technical trails. They are also easily maintained making them the best mountain bikes for learning. Some mountain bikers may despise the hard tail mountain bike for its simplicity.  They go to more high tech bikes with suspensions. Surprisingly, if the hard tail mountain bike falls into the hands of an experienced mountain biker, you will realize its unmatched qualities; its toughness, its agility, its pedaling efficiency, just mentioning a few. No wonder most experienced mountain bike racers prefer the hard tail mountain bike to other types of mountain bikes. The hard tail is the most versatile type of mountain bike today. It serves even cyclists who have no interest in single-tracking and off-roading such as urban cyclists. Whether you are an urban cyclist, a beginning mountain biker or an expert mountain biker, the hard tail will suit your need and style. So how do you choose a perfect hard tail for yourself?
     

    When you are up to buying a hard tail mountain bike, it is worth scouting around and make sure you get the right bike that suits your needs. Your budget, your riding style, your physical features and your passion. Buying the perfect bike for you is worth the time and hassle. It is also worth the money spent because you do not want to worry about upgrading or reselling your bike too soon.

The Shop Attendant

   To begin with, it is a good idea to have an extensive chat with your nearest bike shop attendant. They always know a lot about what they are selling and can point you to the right direction. Sometimes it may look like they are trying to fleece you; but in most cases, they are guiding you away from a bad decision. It is also helpful to engage in an extensive chat with an experienced mountain bike cyclist. The shop attendant can get you in touch with one or two who can share their experiences in mountain biking.

The Wheels on your mountain bike


    Hardtails come with three different sizes of wheels to choose from. The 26”, the 27.5”, and the 29”. The 26" hard tail has enjoyed popularity for a very long time. However it is slowly being overtaken by the new 29” hard tail which is more stable in maintaining momentum and rolls over obstacles more easily. On the other hand, the 27.5” hard tail is a nimble and fast accelerating bike. Your ultimate choice should be dependent on the type and condition of your local trail, and the purpose of the bike.

The Mountain Bike Frame


    When choosing the kind of frame on your hard tail, your budget will play a huge role in determining the frame that you will finally settle for. An alloy frame with good specs such as the drivetrain, forks and wheels can be a good choice as opposed to carbon frames with cheap components that will force you to upgrade or resell your bike.
A high quality hard tail frame directly translates to a better ride. Considering that a hard tail frame is what receives all the shakes and bumps at the rear end, a quality alloy frame will offer a much more comfortable ride than a cheap carbon frame.

The Front Suspension on your mountain bike

   

 The ability of a mountain bike to cope with trail riding is heavily dependent on the front forks. A good hard tail’s front suspension will feature external adjustments like an air spring and a tapered steerer. Hardtails with thin stanchions and little or no adjustments are of low quality and may flex on rough riding.

The Purpose; Racing or Trailing on a mountain bike

    If you are out for racing, then a light-weight carbon hard tail will suit you best. However, for the sake of comfort, a bike with a relaxed geometry would be appropriate for both racing and trailing cyclists. Since a hard tail is a versatile bike that suits any type of biking, you can simply opt for a decent trail hard tail.

The Drivetrain and Brakes on a mountain bike


    The drivetrain and the brakes are very important components of a mountain bike. They should never be overlooked. However, making a good choice of these components depends on the choice you have made for the frame and your overall budget. The drivetrain and the brakes mostly mirrors the choice of your frame which we have already talked about. If your budget is very tight, you might end up with components that are designed for recreational riding. More expensive hard tail frames comes with durable and reliable components that can be used for single track trails and even racing. Therefore, to get the right drivetrain and brakes, it is imperative that you match your budget with the purpose and style of your riding.  If you are looking for reviews on hard tail mountain bikes check out this review on hard tail mountain bikes vs. full suspension mountain bikes

Your Local Trails and Your Abilities


   In conclusion, the hard tail mountain bike performs differently in the hands of an expert and the hands of a beginner. Therefore, before buying a hard tail, you must know your mountain biking skills and abilities compared to your local trails. You should consider charting with your local mountain bike dealer about the local trails you intend to ride on and you mountain biking skills and abilities. You can find a lot more information on hard tail mountain bikes on the about website. This way you will be able to make a better choice of the bike that will serve you best.  If you have any questions on hard tail mountain bikes give Blue Sky Cycling a call.  The mountain bike professionals will answer all your tough questions.  

Blue Sky Cycling - Mountain Bike Parts Specialist

2530 Randolph St. 
Huntington Park, CA 90255
(323) 585-3934
info@blueskycycling.com
















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