Hardtail Vs Trail Bike | Which Mountain Bike Is Better? 

I love my hardtail. I would like to have a trail bike. There is another barrier to trail bikes...the price.

i would sign a petition to bring hardtails week back,

You can tell it’s going to be a good one cos Blake is on a hardtail

I love how it's always super competitive with these guys and at the end it's "There is no right bike, only the one suited for yourself. Have fun!"

Blake is the reason why my next bike will be a hardtail again :D

This is my hardtail/full sys take. I loved my Raliegh Tokul hardtail. I had it for years and beat the crap out of that bike. I'm 240 lbs and that bike took me through everything, I went through tubes and rims haha, that's about it. It reminded me of my old skool BMX days, I felt confident on it, I knew what the back end was going to do everytime. I normally rode street and light allyway trails for YEARS. I didn't really have a riding buddy so I just kept it local, and for me, that was mostly to and from street stuff with the occasional trail. But I DID harp on it. Last year I got a camper, and so we started going to other places that were more "trail oriented"....and for a longer amount of time. Two days of riding trail vs maybe an hour of city riding on my hardtail previously. I have an old lower back injury from college football, plus like most hardtail guys, I was super curious of the full sus setups, but the thing holding me back was price. I finally got ahead enough to purchase a full suspension Giant Trance at my LBS. It's so much easier on my back, I instantly could ride for HOURS longer in the trails when we went camping and I had a riding buddy. It does take some getting used too, but if you have any kind of back injury or are older than 25, you would benefit in this area. To sum it up, and this is just my opinion. If you are younger and an aggressive rider that likes air (possibly coming from a BMX background like me), keep your hardtail and know you won't get much benefit out of a full sys, actually you will probably regress. If you don't have that many riding buddies....you probably won't be riding long enough sessions to truly justify the cost either. We all know the larger the group, the longer you are out there! But on the other hand if you are older than 25 (I'm 33) and/or possibly have a back injury of sorts, a full suspension bike will serve you tremendously, regardless of how much you ride. Also, if you do have a lot of riding buddies and go out several times a week, I do think a full sys may be the option to keep you going longer. Also, if you're just the weekend warrior, and maybe dust the bike off in the spring to go out and ride once or twice a month, keep the hardtail regardless of age, you simply won't use it enough to really see any benefit listed above. I think full suspension bikes were created to keep us older dudes as relevant as we were when we were younger smashing the hardtails. They keep us on the trail as long as a 23 year old me on a hardtail. They are also created for that niche, special rider, crowd that, regardless of age is riding for a living or something and can justify buying, maintaining, hauling around, and switching out both types. This also doesn't apply to the uber rich guys and gals who, frankly, it doesn't hurt their pocketbook as much to have a bunch of bikes regardless of how much it costs. But neither of the above are my position, and I understand yall might be in a different position.

I have both. Depending on my mood. I pick up either the hard tail or the full suspension. Hard tail will out climb the full suspension and possibly on some jumps. The full suspension is amazing on technical long down hill trails. The hard tail is used less energy to pedal. Like I said, to each is own and each bike has its pros and cons. Quick edit, the hard tail will climb better on a rooted area. As you will less likely get pedal strikes.

I own an hardtail and thought it was limiting my ride. Was thinking of switching to trail or Enduro but since I've seen all the stuff Blake can do with an hardtail I now know that's is definitely not my hardtail that limiting my ride hehe!! Thanks Blake for that!!

Who here is team Blake?

Just bought my first bike I’m 30 my son is 8 we are having a lot of fun riding into to us ,unknown trails and witnessing. The intense time and sweat riders put in for a smile on the dial

Love my hardtail. So much, I just sold my full suss to help fund my second hardtail. Just fun to ride.

I started mountain biking 2 years ago and really like my Chromag Stylus hardtail, but I am getting a mid-travel 27.5 trail bike. You can ride almost 95% of trails with a hardtail, but in most of the cases, it is slower downhill and offers less margin of error.I learned a lot on my hardtail, but aggressive hardtails are likely to shine more as second bike for highly skilled riders.

Hardtails are cheaper and easier to maintain, more nimble and therefore good fun 👇 Trail bikes are usually more expensive and harder to maintain since there are more parts, since they have full-Suspension they offer a smother ride .... You should get a bike that you like and will have the most fun on, but a more expensive bike i not always better Hi GMBN

I really like the way a hardtail climbs and handles. A hardtail with good geo and aggressive tires is plenty of bike.

I have a hardtail trail bike with 27,5 + size tires and I’m very happy with it :) (Treck Roscoe 7)

This should be renamed "Why all you beautiful people maybe over biked!"

I've got full squish rig aswell, but my hardtail gives me a bigger smile each time i ride it.

I use to love hardtails but FS bikes are just so good nowadays I can't imagine going back. Every time I hop on a hardtail I have fun for a bit but doesn't take long and I want my fill squish back.

Love my hardtail. Its a reset everytime I ride it, like it cleanses my soul and mind

I have both…always go back to hard tail. It’s less forgiving but the full suspension is slower due to the obvious lockout issue.

I love the sketchy-ness the hardtails bring hardtail for the win everytime.

For the rest of us, rear suspension gives you confidence in technical downhill. Blake has enough of it already. He did say that riding the Megavalanche on a hard tail was a bad idea, though!

I build my custom hardtail and it´s amazing guys, I totaly understand why Blake loves hardtails so much :) .

Hardtail plus...Cannondale Beast of the East 1. Sold my full suspension and went back to hardtail. Love the weight reduction and while the back is more lively, I have more fun! (Plus, fewer parts to maintain)

I have one of each and my hardtail is easily what I reach for most often. Its just fun and more capable than most seem to think.

Aggressive Hardtail on 29x3.0 and a DHF. With this setup I can do everything from bike packing to riding Double Blacks. Unless I'm racing it's all I need.

I am a 100% with Blake on this one - build both, ridden both and back to my trusty old hardtail - so I have to say I went with a carbon frame on the last build, 29 inch wheels (Mavic DeeMax), XT 1x12 drive train, 4 pods brakes front and rear and a 200mm dropper post - it‘s a dream to ride in all terrain ..... 🤗❤️

Great video! My only complaint is that the bikes were not the same wheel size: 27.5 and 29. The pump challenge is going to be affected by this, the the roll over is going to feel much better on the 29”. Uphill acceleration is going to be better on the 27.5. So it wasn’t exactly hard tail vs trail.

Love watching these 2 guys together . So many smiles per minute

I have a 13 incline alpha hardtail. Brilliant bike for the money back in 2015.

To me it looks like your both having a great time.....so i geuss it doesn't really matter what you ride just as long as it's fun, 30 years ago suspension was none existent & yet we still smashed all decents no matter how crazy they were.

Just brought a Ragley big al after having a FS for years, and got to say I love it, better than I thought it would be and it’s more than enough for the riding I do.

Hell yessss HARDTAIL all the way 🤘🏼 Love this content on what a HARDTAIL can actually do!!!!

I've gone from Full Suspension to a Hardtail, to the point that I sold my hardtail! Why you ask? Canfield bikes 2020 Nimble 9, that's why. Such an awesome bike, I'm having more fun than ever! Something that the boys didn't address in this video is that fun factor, that's the major reason I'm out there riding.

i was literally thinking about this yesterday evening thank you so much

Would we love hardtails of Blake was on the trails bike.... Hardtails are the best, and the GMBN team are simply just awesome. Blake and Rich you guys put a great show together no matter what!!

Love a hard tail. Currently have an old trek 4300. But tomorrow my new bike will arrive. Bagged myself a Vitus sentier 27 vr, cant wait......😁😁😁😁

I just recently bought the Canyon Stoic 4 and it's a great Hardtail, I love this bike!

I’ve got a hard tail and a light enduro build. Built them both from scratch. Have to admit that my hard tail is my favorite.

HT are absolutely perfect. I am riding a Nukeproof Scout 290 V3 and it puts a smile on my face every time I am on the trail.

I’ve been riding a hard tail (Trek Roscoe 7) for several years. Considering a full suspension bike but can’t justify the price for a good model right now. Love your videos...keep it going!

While I owe a FS trailbike now, Hardtail is the bike that took me everywhere - rough or mellow, mountains or flats - always puts a grin on my face regardless what i'm riding. It's the best teacher and a loyal companion. Everyone should have one.

Hardtail here 🤘 love my Scout

I love my hardtail !! Got a Marin San Quentin 3 2019 with upgrades. Went out today for a street ride and still had the best time 🤙🏻

Just got into MTBing about a month ago. Started out with a used bike and then bought a Norco Storm. It's a HT and I'm still getting used to the bike and learning. I had already planned to upgrade to a full sus next year but after watching a bunch of videos where Blake rips it on a HT, I'm planning on upgrading my Storm to an even better HT.

Just bought a new Whyte 901 v3. Get it tomorow cant wait

Name a more iconic duo. This video just had me smiling all the way through ❤️

Awesome comparison gentlemen, I ride an old school hardtail Cannondale F600, which has been modernized with tubeless wheels, disc brakes, short stem, Marzocchi 120mm fork, and wide bars. ( big difference )

I have a hardtail for my xc and a trail bike for you know, trials. I just use my hardtail when I'm goin biking with some friends that also have a hardtail and my fullsus for my solo trail rides.

To me the ultimate MTB for fun on trails is a titanium-frame hardtail. It is relatively light and it can take everything: The frame will not brake, will not rust, will not scratch (no paint is needed!). It is significantly less harsh on rock gardens than an aluminum-frame hardtail but it still very good at pumping and gives you the same hardtail feeling just a little less harsh. Overall it is a lot of care-free fun on every trail in summer and winter. It is also significantly cheaper to buy and maintain than a CF fully.

I have a hardtail and love riding it! Definitely a favorite bike of mine. I also have a trail bike and a race fullsus that i use in mountainous areas, especially technical routes (abroad). I myself live in the Netherlands where we have no mountains.

I’m still riding my 1993 Rockhopper at my local trails I love when they look at me with there stump jumpers like I’m crazy. This bike still gets down currently saving for a Specialized Fuse Expert to finally make a big jump up.

I got both hardtail and trail, I must say that the hardtail takes advantage on speed and performance. But there is a great reason for trail bike to be called like that. It has more control on trails, besides its more comfortable. The better one is the one that your routine accepts better.

I ride a trail bike, I do xc and a bit of enduro stuff. I’m not the faster at either but I can do everything with a big ole smile on my face and I love it. I truly think that a trail bike is the perfect bike for someone who wants to do a little bit of everything. You won’t be the fastest guy out there but you can hang with all of them.

I ride a hardtail that is practically a rigid, it had 80 mm of travel when it was fresh but it is older than me (it is 16 years) and now is down to probably 30 mm, I need a change

Hard Tail. Kinda wanted to revisit it after being away from the hobby for years. Bottom line for me, back in my younger and more spry years riding really hard core. The hard tail was a safety issue more than anything because I was pushing it really hard and the lack of traction was enough to cause me to wipe out on hard trails. And it didn't help I was just using department store bikes at the time. Today in my 30's with a much nicer hard tail, improved tires, better geometry. The bike is capable of more than I am right now. I'm quite enjoying it at the moment.

Hardtail all the way i just don´t like the idea of having suspension on the rear too. I am the suspension.

I ride a XC hardtail and a gravel road bike. I think between these two the most amount of variety and uses are covered. All but the extreme ends of cycling can be done. Also summer and winter bike.

Hardtail with 140mm on front. Does everything you could want at the right price.

That RU-vid algorithm came through during this pandemic and I went out and got myself a 2021 Trek Marlin 7. Loving the hardtail!

I love riding my (almost) vintage Trek Top Fuel. Well, untill I ripped a tendon partly by sliding out in the mud with my bike. Ouch... Hope to be able to ride again soon. Before that I used to ride a cheap Trek XXL hardtail with which I had loads of fun until I broke an axil... I will be looking into a new bike in 2022 though, that's a little bit bigger (XXL) with a slightly more modern geometry. On this bike I sometimes feel like going over the bars on certain parts. Hardtail or fully? I like having grip, and I am not big on going as fast as I can. I like enjoying my surroundings. So I will go fully again on my next bike. Currently looking into the Trek Fuel EX 7/8 or the Santa Cruz Hightower or the Tallboy. But then again, first need to get that shoulder fixed and get the needed euro's saved. These bikes are not cheap!

I still have a rigid steel Schwinn MTB from the early '90's. It hasn't been ridden much over the last 20 years, but has served me well. I'm getting back into riding with friends and my son now. I bought a couple Giant Talon 2 29er hardtails and we love 'em. It took some time to get used to the front sus, disc brakes and big ass tires, though.

Great vid guys, ive just gone from riding a 20 year old barracuda oblivion full sus to a hardtail boardman comp 650b, i have to say the hardtail wins hands down for me atm

Just got a new Kona Big Honzo DL. 27.5+. I upgraded from my last mountain bike. It was a 1991 GT Talera. I bought it new and still ride it on paved trails. My Kona will be off road only. Can't wait for warm weather!!!

Love your content boys keep it up

I'm happily shredding on a Trek Xcaliber7 29r hardtail. Just last week- added new 180mm/metalic brake upgrades. I'm touching the dirt with Maxxis Ardent-2.25 rear/HighRollerTwo-2.30 front. Like a slalom ski with race-tuned edges. Geometry baby...Most fun mtb I've had in three decades.

It's nice when vids like this remind us how dorky it looks when we're sitting and pedaling in low gear.

I just bought a used 2014 Specialized Rockhopper comp 29ers. And you guessed it right, it is a hardtail ! I got lucky 'cause it's only $170, I got it from a pawnshop here in Florida. And right away, I needed to upgrade some things like the pedals, handlebars cover, and I've put some mud guards both front and rear...:)

just got myself the new marin san quentin 3 love it.

Still riding my Dean Ti Colonel 26" with V brakes and ceramic rims. Never have trouble stopping, love the 26" wheels. Upgraded a few parts, but drivetrain still a triple up front with an 11-42 out back. I've been riding since before front shocks were even a thing. Full rigid is a great ride, although the Dean has a sus fork. AWESOME BIKE. Got it as a present after surviving a bout of 'terminal' cancer. It's called "The Cancer Bike". Hardtails are awesome.

“Whereas you were like a bush pig” 😂

Had a Vitus Sommet, tortured with pivot bearings and then cracked the frame, have a Nukeproof Scout now with 160mm up front and love it!!

I thought my full rigid from the 90’s was a trail bike

Wow, what a way to compare. 2 minutes in, and adore you both as riders and content creators. Very creative way to breakdown the difference between ht/st

I have both, and enjoy both, but sometimes I think the extra maintenance and setup of the rear suspension is a hassle and question if it's really worth it especially where I live.

Hardtail!! I have been riding trek 4430 for 7 years. Amazing bike.

Love my 160mm forked hardtail, its a freaking beast

Hardtails are great for improving your riding and working your body hard... Full Squish is great is you want faster descents and more comfortable riding.

I currently have a “super enduro” and a hard tail and love them both wouldn’t trade ether or

I moved from enduro, to trail and now a hardtail. Backwards journey but the hardtail is so much fun and challenging on a technical trail.

I have enduro, hardtail, road bike

I have both : hard tail are good for explosive aggressive riding if you have the body for it but trail bikes just roll over everything, it’s not hard to get carried away on them : my advice Ride them all

I ride a 29" hardtail!

I live in a city, not much trails near me I mostly use my hardtail for transportation and exercise but the full sus setup seems a lot better on trails.

Hardtail laughs in uphill.

Hardtail all the way. I'm a Clyde, full-squish doesn't work when you're 340, lol. I took a 2019 orange Trek Marlin 7, installed Renthal FatBar Lights with 40mm rise, Renthal 40mm Apex stem, FSA carbon seat post, and the best upgrade I could have done, the SRAM NX Eagle groupset. The frame is good enough to be worth the upgrade, so now it's a killer 1x12 that supports my weight.👍🏼

I have both and love them both. I have hit some pretty gnarly trails on my hard tail but it is easier and more comfortable doing it on my trail bike. Having that extra travels gives me more confidence to go for things I wouldn't go for on my hardtail and can help get me out of any sticky situations. Means I ride my trail bike more but it is horrible on a pump track

Always a great time with the GMBN crew - love the hardtail content mates as that’s my fav.

Hardtail build for everything 👌👌👌👌

Defo with Blake on this one, cut my teeth on hard tails back in the 90’s, own a couple of full suspension bikes over the years, (trance & anthem) but have fallen in love with MTB again back on a rather capable Vitus Rapide

I have a trek marlin 5 and now im getting a trek remedy 8

I have a '21 commencal meta HT. It is amazing. Gives me a lot of confidence compared to my old hardtail.

Always had a hardtail, until my back and knees said something else. Bought a full suspension, and my back and knees are quiet a bit happier.

I had a full suspension a bike but its all rusty and old broken now. But i have just bought a new hardtrail it is super fun. What i like about it is that it do not bounce me around on the seat on bumpy roads like the full suspension bike used to. But the hard trail seat vibrates on the bumpy tracks less comfortable to sit on.

Hardtail user here. Hardtail FTW guuuuys!

I rode a HT for 10 yrs before getting my first full squish. I still have my HT, converted to a SS now. Still have fun on it, but when it gets steep, techy, and big, I want my trail bike (Guerrilla Gravity Trail Pistol, running 150 Lyrik, 130 rear).

Note to the Editors: Thank you for the sick music!!! very good choices!

I'm still riding a 30+ year old classic MTB, not only a hard tail, but also solid forks. Mind you, my old joints can't handle the jumps like they did when it was new and I was in my teens/early 20s.

Personally I love a hardtails sketchy character & simplicity. Overall though a hardtail suits my riding style & budget.

I'm an old man who rides an amazing Yeti trail bike (SB5+), and yet these videos and HardTail Party videos have me jonesing for the simplicity of a hard tail again. I also like the idea of a 29er hardtail where I can do adventure rides with lots of on- and off-road segments. I have a gravel bike but it's a little too sketchy on the more technical off road terrain where I live. Great for fire roads and flow trails, but where I live the off road stuff tends to be very rocky and very steep. If I had to own just one bike I suspect it would be a trail hard-tail on the lighter side of the weight spectrum.