Expert consulted: 
The mountain bike has come a long way in the past few decades. Full suspension bikes have advanced by leaps and bounds whether going up or down a mountain. However, there are numerous reasons why, in certain situations and for certain people, a hardtail is the right choice. Sometimes it’s just nice to ride a simpler bike, to go back to mountain biking’s roots on a more minimalist machine—one without rear suspension. Or perhaps, it’s about price.
A “hardtail” is a mountain bike with front suspension but no rear suspension. This design can be lighter and less expensive than a mountain bike with rear suspension, as well as simpler to maintain. Think of a hardtail as the workhorse of the mountain bike world.
Sometimes hardtails are simply the best tool for the job, depending on the circumstances. For instance, those just learning to mountain bike may prefer the handling of a hardtail. Kids are often better off with a hardtail for several reasons, particularly the reduced weight. Sometimes the terrain where you ride simply doesn’t warrant a full suspension bike. Or, finally, it might be personal preference drives your desire to ride a hardtail.
Whatever the case, hardtails are alive and well, and we take a closer look at a wide range of bikes to suit your needs from the most basic to advanced racing machines.
Looking for more riding options? Check out our picks for the best electric bikes, folding e-bikes, and commuter bikes.
The Best Hardtail Mountain Bikes
- Best Cheap Hardtail: Specialized Rockhopper Expert
- Best Hardtail on Sale Right Now: Trek Roscoe 7
- Best Kids Hardtail: Specialized Riprock 20
- Best Value Carbon Hardtail: Canyon Exceed CF 5
- Best Budget Racer: Trek Procaliber 6
What to Consider in a Hardtail Mountain Bike
If you are looking for the best high-performance mountain bikes (full suspension and hardtail, electric and analog), check out our Bike Awards coverage. You’ll find 11 exceptional, award-winning bikes rigorously vetted by our editorial team.
If you’re in search of an efficient race machine, a carbon fiber hardtail might be the bike for you. Hardtails also make great adventure bikes for bikepacking off-road and other long-distance riding shenanigans. Build a hardtail with a longer-travel fork and wide tires and you’ll have a fun ripper for romping around your local trails—and you’ll save money and weight compared to many full suspension options.
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For decades, hardtails have appealed to riders due to the infinite ways you can build them up and for their simplicity. Here’s what you need to know about hardtail mountain bikes.
Why You Can Trust Us
Bicycling has been vetting and reviewing bikes, gear, and accessories for more than 50 years. The bike recommendations here are based on the extensive work of the test team, which includes Deputy Editor Tara Seplavy, Senior Test Editor Matt Phillips, Test Editor Dan Chabonov, and Maintenance Editor Gabe Ortiz. Together, they have more than 60 years of ride-testing experience and insight that they bring to every recommendation they make.
For hardtail mountain bikes, Tara Seplavy oversaw these selections based on the team’s collective testing experience, as well as her own extensive knowledge of the category.
Chris Case has been riding and racing all manner of bikes for over 30 years. His first “real” bikes were mountain bikes; his racing days began on the rooted trails of southern New England. Formerly the managing editor of VeloNews magazine, he now guides gravel cycling and bikepacking tours with his company Alter Exploration. His garage is filled with his family’s precious collection of bikes, neatly organized and maintained for daily riding, racing, and adventures. Follow him on Instagram at @chrisjustincase.
How We Tested Hardtail Mountain Bikes
Many of these bikes were tested by Bicycling's team of gear editors, which mapped out rides featuring most of the trail elements that you’ll likely encounter. Bikes were pushed hard on flow trails, up steep climbs, down pucker-worthy rocky descents, and through rock gardens. Editors rode these bikes on the terrain best suited for each bike, as well as terrain entirely unsuitable, to see how far the limits could be pushed.
The bikes that weren’t ridden by Bicycling’s editors were carefully chosen based on their value, quality of parts, our experience riding similar models, and how the overall package meets the needs of the intended rider.
We also consulted with hardtail devotees and coaches who work with junior riders to assess the best choices for younger and beginner cyclists.
Our Full Hardtail Mountain Bike Reviews
Pros
- Lightweight and fast climbing
- Air spring fork
- Solid brakes
Cons
- Quick release wheels
| Frame | Specialized A1 butted alloy |
|---|---|
| Weight | 29.9 lb. |
| Size | XL |
The Rockhopper has been a mainstay of Specialized’s product line longer than most mountain bikers have been alive. The brand spent decades perfecting the Rockhopper into the well-rounded mountain bike platform it is today. And that experience—paired with learnings from its World Cup-winning high-end bikes—translates into a refined quality on the trail.
“The Rockhopper Expert climbs efficiently, is quite capable on singletrack, and isn’t too nervous when descending,” said test rider Tara Seplavy, Bicycling’s deputy editor.
That is to say, it does everything decently—a quality many buyers in this price range want and expect from a mountain bike.
While the Rockhopper’s frame lacks a tapered headtube and thru axle rear end, the bike strikes a modern and lightweight appearance. The frame has routing for a dropper seatpost (if you wish to add one), its cables route internally on the front triangle, and it has rack mounts.
The components on the Rockhopper Elite don’t jump out, but they also don’t let you down. The air-sprung RockShox Judy fork does not perform to the level of the higher-end Recon fork model (more flex under braking and harsher riding). But it is easy to set up for different weight riders and has a crown-mounted lockout for pavement sections.
Specialized offers a bevy of Rockhopper models between $650 and $1,400. We consider the Comp ($950) and Expert models most suitable for trail riding. Specialized also has 27.5-inch wheel Rockhopper variants in these models to fit shorter-height riders.
Trek Roscoe 7
Pros
- RockShox Recon Silver RL 140mm fork
- Shimano Deore 1x12 drivetrain
- Dropper post
Cons
- A little heavy
Key Specs
| Frame | Aluminum |
|---|---|
| Weight | 31.53 lb |
| Sizes | XS to XL |
There is so much to love about this bike that it’s hard to decide where to start. The 12-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain (with a 30T chainring and 10-51T cassette) provides a massive range, with gearing low enough to ease the pain of climbing steep hills. Its 29-inch wheels (27.5-inch on XS size) carry speed while maintaining maneuverability on technical trails, and the 2.6-inch tubeless-ready tires offer great traction and a plush ride.
The 140mm travel RockShox Recon SL SoloAir fork has plenty of travel for getting rowdy and can be locked out for added efficiency, such as when climbing a paved road. And speaking of rowdy, a dropper post is a very cool addition and adds to the Roscoe's versatility.
Pros
- Lightweight aluminum frame
- 120mm RockShox Judy Silver fork
- Shimano XT 12-speed drivetrain
Cons
- Race-ready tires may be too aggressive for some riders
The Procaliber 6 is an excellent entry into the world of mountain biking, particularly for aspiring racers. It has all the essentials: race-ready geometry and a strong yet lightweight aluminum frame. The 120mm RockShox Judy Silver fork performs well whether ridden by a young racer-in-the-making or an adult balancing weekday commutes with weekend trail adventures. As a bonus for commuters, it even includes mounts for a rear rack.
One standout feature is the dropper seatpost—an unexpected perk at this price. With its sleek lines, internal cable routing, and bold Viper Red finish, and this bike boasts impressive performance, aesthetics (look fast, feel fast, go fast, right?) and value, making it a solid choice for any rider.
Pros
- Dependable Shimano Deore shifting
- Thru axle fork
- Lots of mounts for accessories
Cons
- Heavy and slow-rolling
| Frame | 6061-T6 alloy |
|---|---|
| Weight | 34.5 lb. |
| Size | L |
The Salsa Rangefinder is one of the least expensive bikes in this test and one of the heaviest. Neither significantly takes away from its abilities on the trail.
“I was pleasantly surprised by the Rangefinder’s performance in most situations,” Seplavy said.
The Rangefinder’s extra heft comes from its oversized aluminum frame, heavy 120mm SR Suntour XCM fork, extra-wide range cassette, and 29x2.6-inch Maxxis tires. These parts, though, also make the Salsa more confident and capable on the trail than the bike’s weight might suggest.
On dirt, the Rangefinder lumbers along. It’s also not light or race-oriented. As Seplavy put it: “The Salsa is not a ‘go fast and take chances’ style bike.”
The Rangefinder's slightly upright positioning, steep seat angle, and low gearing allow you to sit and spin up climbs, despite the bike’s weight.
The Rangefinder is capable, though not fully confident when descending. The wide Maxxis Rekon tires and thru axle fork provide extra grip over roots and precision when picking a line through rocky sections of trail. But the Tektro Gemini brakes with 160mm rotors are insufficient at higher speeds or when the gradient pitches steeply downward. The fork’s lack of damping adjustment also made the fork ping-pong off of rocks when they came in quick succession.
Salsa provides options for riders seeking a Shimano-equipped Rangefinder or one with plus-sized wheels. It offers three other Rangefinder models between $900 and $1,500. Each model has 27.5+ or 29-inch wheel variants. There are Shimano Deore 10-, 11-, and 12-speed drivetrain Rangefinder models.
Pros
- Lightweight carbon frame
- Race-inspired geometry
- Race-ready right out of the box
Cons
- No dropper post
| Frame | Carbon |
|---|
The Canyon Exceed CF 5 might be the best mountain bike you can buy for $2,200. That’s a bold statement for a hardtail, but if you’re the kind of rider who enjoys fighting gravity as much as working with it, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better value than this XC ripper. And you certainly won’t find one with a high-quality parts like Shimano's SLX 12-speed drivetrain and Deore hydraulic disc brakes. And although it does not come with a dropper post, one can easily be added. It’s a bike short on frills but heavy on substance. Senior Reviews Editor Bobby Lea has spent many hours on multiple variations of the Exceed and said they all carry the same them: “stiff and efficient when trying to sprint up steep hills, and despite a geometry that errs on the aggressive side, they all handle gnarly rock gardens as well as you can expect from any hardtail.”
Pros
- Air spring fork with 32mm stanchions
- Grippy tires
Cons
- Lackluster brakes
Key Specs
| Frame | Aluminum |
|---|---|
| Weight | 31.2 lb |
| Size | XL |
The Giant Talon 1 is the biggest sleeper in our testing. The Talon’s frame doesn’t have an aggressive trail bike silhouette. It does not look oversized and burly. The plain black paint and blue logo also help to subdue the Giant. Appearances and first looks are often deceiving.
“Once on the trail, the Talon 1 surprised me with its capabilities. It rides like a bike that should cost a couple of hundred dollars more,” Seplavy said.
The Giant’s good ride feel comes down to its fork. The house-brand 100mm travel SXC-32-2 RL fork features 32mm aluminum stanchions, an alloy steerer, and an air spring. These shave weight off the bike while improving stiffness and steering precision. The fork’s rebound adjustment and air spring help you tune the fork for your weight and local trails—a big plus for a bike at this price.
The Tektro M275 brakes on the Talon 1, however, were underwhelming. They slowed the bike down but lacked modulation and a good feel at the lever. The Deore 10-speed drivetrain shifted smoothly but was over-geared for steeper hills compared to the other bikes tested.
Giant offers three models in the Talon range, with the Talon 1 as the most expensive and best equipped for trail riding. For a more premium Giant hardtail trail bike, check out the Fathom 29 models. Starting at $1,500, the Fathoms have longer travel forks, tubeless tires, and dropper posts.
Liv Lurra 2 27.5
Pros
- Dependable Shimano Deore drivetrain
- Dropper post
- Extra bottle mounts
Cons
- Lackluster brakes
Key Specs
| Frame | Aluminum |
|---|---|
| Weight | Not Listed |
| Size | XS and S |
The Lurra 2 is Liv’s latest creation for the value-minded hardtail fan.
Designed for performance-minded trail riders who want to rip singletrack, the Lurra offers dedicated frame geometry for the XS and S frame sizes which boast 27.5-inch wheels. Up front, the 130mm Giant fork and 2.6-inch Maxxis tubeless tires offer grip and comfort for roots, rocks, and ruts, and the Giant Contact 100mm dropper seatpost is a nice touch, allowing you to get low and ride with more control.
Equipped with a Shimano Deore drivetrain and Tektro disc brakes, the pair offer dependability rather than flash.
The Lurra is generously adorned with multiple water bottle mounts: a set underneath the top tube allows for secure mounting of a small gear pack to fill with snacks or tools or other small items, while a trio on the downtube and another set underneath the downtube allow for multiple mounting positions of two water bottles.
Pros
- Built for riders up to 550 lb
- Heavy duty frame, fork, and wheels
Cons
Key Specs
| Frame | Chromoly steel |
|---|---|
| Weight | 53 lb |
| Sizes | S to L |
While most brands make bikes rated for riders up to 200 or 250 pounds, Zize exclusively focuses on bikes for heavyweight riders. With its chromoly frame and fork, heavy-duty wheels, and Clark's hydraulic disc brakes, the Yonder accommodates riders up to 550 pounds.
The Yonder also features a 100mm wide bottom bracket shell and 3-inch wide 26-inch WTB tires for added rider stability. The bike has a dependable Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain, but the gear range is not low enough for optimal riding up steep hills. Though the Yonder is expensive, consider this bike if you're a heavier rider looking to get into off-road riding.
Pros
- Geometry suited for small children Pro
- Simple and easy to assemble
- Durable
Cons
- Not appropriate for long distances
| Frame | Alloy |
|---|---|
| Weight | 24.8 lb. |
The Specialized Riprock family of bicycles offers a lot of solid options for young riders, but we particularly like the Riprock 20, which is easy to handle and has excellent geometry for kids. Specialized sized and designed it to be a quick and easy transition from balance bikes for riders who are precocious in their ability to start pedaling for themselves. It also looks great and is one of our favorite hardtail mountain bikes.
Assistant reviews editor and Bicycling columnist Adam Schram recommends Riprock bikes due to their reliability and accessible components, which makes working on them a breeze. “As a former mechanic, I’ve put together a boatload of kids’ bikes, and they have some of the most variable quality in the industry,” he says. “But I’ve built and serviced hundreds of Riprocks of all sizes and spec levels, and the process has always been pleasantly uneventful—no garish bells and whistles on these puppies. You can nearly service the whole bike with just a few allen keys and an adjustable wrench, regardless of the spec level. That kind of simplicity translates to a smooth first ride, no matter the rider’s age.”
Pros
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Drivetrain is Shimano/SRAM-compatible
Cons
- Quick-release hubs
Key Specs
| Frame | Aluminum |
|---|---|
| Size | 15, 17, 19, 21 in. |
The Alpaka boasts features that try to emulate a high-end experience at an entry-level price. The aluminum frame is paired with a 100mm travel spring coil fork with a mechanical lockout feature. Stopping power comes from 160mm hydraulic disc brakes with adjustable reach levers.
The 9-speed X-Gear drivetrain is compatible with Shimano and SRAM aftermarket parts. But the 11-34-tooth cassette matched with a 32-tooth chainring up front will limit your ability to climb the steepest pitches.
While the bike‘s quick release hubs are not as secure or fashionable as thru axle wheels, they get the job done at the price. And though the Kenda 2.2-inch tires provide ample traction, the frame is designed to accommodate up to 2.4-inch rubber if you need more cushion and grip.
The cockpit comprises Eastern-branded contact points along with a Velo saddle and grips, completing the package with a touch of comfort not often seen at this price.
Q&A
Expert Chris Case On When to Go Full Suspension Versus Hardtail And Whether to Choose Aluminum Or Carbon.
Chris Case, former managing editor of VeloNews magazine, has been riding, racing, and adventuring by bike for nearly 30 years. His cycling pursuits have taken him to destinations across the U.S. and Europe, Taiwan, Costa Rica, Israel, and beyond. He has stood on the podium at several cyclocross national championships, and is a silver medalist at master’s cyclocross worlds. Today he guides adventurous gravel cycling and bikepacking tours through his company, Alter Exploration.
As Deputy Editor, Tara Seplavy leads Bicycling’s product test team; after having previously led product development and sourcing for multiple bike brands, run World Championship winning mountain bike teams, wrenched at renowned bicycle shops in Brooklyn, raced everything from criteriums to downhill, and ridden bikes on six different continents (landing herself in hospital emergency rooms in four countries and counting). Based in Easton, Pennsylvania, Tara spends tons of time on the road and trail testing products. A familiar face at cyclocross races, crits, and bike parks in the Mid Atlantic and New England, on weekends she can often be found racing for the New York City-based CRCA/KruisCX team. When not riding a bike, or talking about them, Tara listens to a lot of ska, punk, and emo music, and consumes too much social media.
