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 Specialist2530 Randolph St. |
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| Huntington Park, CA 90255 | ||
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