In this article, we use so-called affiliate links. With every purchase through these links, we receive a commission from the merchant. All relevant referral links are marked with . Learn more.
Hardtails rock! If you believe the number of hits on the relevant search engines, we're all crazy about hardtails. And why not? Anyone who has ever flown through the terrain on a fast, stress-free bike will understand why the charm of a hardtail never gets old.
Without rear suspension, no energy is wasted in high-maintenance rear triangles. Without the additional weight of bearings and shocks, many lightweight hardtails are not only fast, but also real fun machines. What's more, you don't have to be a millionaire to treat yourself to a hardtail MTB. Of course, if you want to, you can also spend a lot of money on such a piece of sports equipment, which looks simple at first glance.
On closer inspection, however, it quickly becomes clear why high-bred racing bikes, such as the Pinarello Dogma XC, can also cost five-figure sums. If you still can't get over the fascination with hardtail mountain bikes, you should definitely take a look at the following candidates. These are the 10 most exciting hardtails of 2024.
VPace C4M: Lightweight construction at a fair price
At just under 8.2 kilos, the VPace C4M weighs less than a small crate of beer. And the best thing about it: it doesn't even cost a fortune. For 3199 euros, the rigid racer comes with a lightweight carbon rigid fork, high-quality Magura brakes and Sram GX Eagle gears. Extra-light add-on parts from our own company help to achieve the dream value on the scales. With lightweight wheels, the C4M hardtail achieves top marks in the bike lab.
The VPace moves through gentle terrain like greased lightning and makes it clear why lightweight bikes are simply awesome. Its weight and agility are great competition for most gravel bikes in the same price range. Compared to them, the hardtail also offers slightly more reserves for off-road use. On root trails, the sporty character and minimal comfort soon wear you out. Nevertheless, the lightning-fast VPace C4M is one of the hardtail highlights of 2024 for us.
As a fitness bike and partner for full-throttle evening rides, the VPace C4M absolutely convinced me. Trail detours take a lot of energy on this stiff bike. You really have to want a rigid fork on a hardtail, but then the combination of minimal weight and long geometry is a real fun factor. Every sporty, ambitious biker should actually have a racing bike like the VPace in their fleet. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE test editor
Canyon Grand Canyon 8: Favourable entry-level favourite
Hardtails make a lot of sense for beginners in particular: the purchase price remains manageable in most cases and novices often learn riding techniques faster on these uncomplicated bikes. That's why we tested hardtail mountain bikes for beginners at the beginning of the year. The Canyon Grand Canyon 8 emerged as the test winner from seven affordable models with aluminium frames. The good price-performance ratio and the wide range of use of the bike with 120-millimetre fork convinced us completely. Thanks to the direct-to-consumer concept, Canyon offers a functional drivetrain mix of Shimano SLX and XT components for 1440 euros in addition to the Fox suspension fork.
The Canyon Grand Canyon 8 manages the balancing act between propulsion and off-road capability and offers the best equipment quality in the test. - Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor
Marin Alcatraz 24: Kids' bike with style
Hardtails are also a particularly suitable type of bike for children. The suspension elements of many fullys cannot even be adjusted to their low body weight. Marin presented a whole range of new children's hardtails at the beginning of the year. Recently, the colourful Alcatraz 24. The best way to get children interested in mountain biking is with action and fun. It is therefore only logical that Marin offers a dirt bike especially for youngsters. Thanks to the rigid fork, the weight stays on the ground while the kids can take off on the pump track and dirt line. Cost point for the little jumping devil: 999 euros.
I myself first got into mountain biking via dirt bikes. What I would have given to be able to ride a bike like the Marin Alcatraz back then. Pump tracks were still rare back then. Today, playgrounds for bikers are sprouting up like mushrooms. It's nice to see that Marin has the right toy on offer. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE test editor
Rose Bonero Plus 2: Lightweight carbon hardtail with motor
Rose shows that e-bikes don't necessarily have to be heavy with the 16.86-kilo Bonero Plus. Thanks to the carbon hardtail frame and compact TQ motor with a maximum torque of 50 Newton metres, the weight remains nice and low. A lightweight 360 watt-hour battery ensures a slim silhouette and natural riding characteristics. With 140 millimetres of suspension travel, a long and flat geometry and 800 millimetre wide handlebars, the Rose Bonero Plus still has the necessary reserves for flowing trail rides. The Bonero Plus 2 model with Shimano XT drivetrain costs 4999 euros >> available here.
This is what makes an e-hardtail fun! The Rose Bonero Plus impresses with a really well-rounded concept, a high-quality and well thought-out frame and strong riding characteristics. The TQ drive is as inconspicuous as possible and brings the lightweight Rose so close to a classic trail hardtail that the Bonero Plus is even fun off-road again. A clear tip for anyone who doesn't necessarily need a fully. - Adrian Kaether, BIKE test editor
Bike Ahead The Frame
Lightweight hardtails are fascinating flowers of the mountain bike sport. As part of our comparative test of current high-end hardtails we were able to pit four super sports cars against each other. The winner on points: The 8.3-kilo Ahead The Frame bike. For the first time, the carbon specialists are building a hardtail frame. This is produced in Europe, in Portugal to be precise, and at € 1978.99 it still costs significantly less than the glossy products of most of the competition. BIKE was the first MTB magazine in the world to carry out a detailed test of The Frame and was immediately provided with the highly tuned, personal bike from Bike Ahead boss Christian Gemperlein. The high-end hardtail won the test not only because of its low weight, but also because of its fun riding characteristics.
Bike Ahead head Gemperlein has built himself a dream carbon hardtail. With so much attention to detail, technology nerds find it difficult to remain emotionally strong. Off-road, The Frame impresses with its light-footedness and reactive handling. Almost borderline light and in a compact custom set-up, there are more superior bikes for racers. On the other hand, the riding fun is high, the frame comes from Europe and the noble tuning jewel costs less than the high-end competition from the Far East. Test victory for Bike Ahead! - Jan Timmermann, BIKE test editor
Cube Reaction C:62 Pro: The public's favourite
It's no secret that mountain bikes from Cube sell like hot cakes. Especially the hardtails in the Reaction series. These received a comprehensive update package a few weeks ago. The new Cube Reaction C:62 2025 is courting hardtail customers with a lightweight carbon frame including an integrated seat clamp and fair prices. The Pro version with Shimano XT drivetrain costs just € 1999 for the 10.6-kilo race bike (>> e.g. available here). In the BIKE test, the all-rounder scored points for manoeuvrability and function.
The new Cube Reaction with its aesthetic carbon frame is the perfect choice for getting a taste of racing and touring. As long as climbs and descents remain moderate, the manoeuvrable hardtail is great fun. Demanding bikers will miss suspension control and a competent choice of tyres. Jan Timmermann, BIKE test editor
Trek Procaliber Gen 3: Racer with an extra portion of comfort
Some may accuse hardtails of a lack of comfort. With the Trek Procaliber Gen 3, these concerns are superfluous. Not only does the suspension fork with 120 millimetres of travel offer reserves, but also the IsoBow rear suspension concept integrated into the frame. A flexing construction at the transition from the top tube to the seat stays should reduce rider fatigue and at the same time save around 200 grams of weight compared to its predecessor. Prices start from 1999 euros, weights from 10.58 kilos.
The new Trek Procaliber Gen3 comes with a secret weapon. Less weight and more comfort are a tantalising combination that make the updated race hardtail from Trek even more attractive. More travel on the fork and updated geometry set the Procaliber up for modern cross-country trails. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE test editor
Kona Unit X: The carefree steel steamroller
The Kona Unit is not entirely new. It doesn't have to be, because its versatile steel hardtail frame is absolutely timeless. Numerous mounting points for water bottles and luggage make it an ideal bikepacking packhorse. Fat 2.6 inch tyres provide cushioning and comfort. At 14.21 kilos, the Unit X is not quite light, but the 1699 euro mountain bike with rigid fork has completely different qualities. Great for leisurely tours: the steering angle is slack and the riding position is comfortable.
The Kona Unit X carries too many pounds on its steel ribs for sporty use. The extremely heavy wheels in particular are a brake on fun. The comfortable riding position is good for long tours at a leisurely pace. The affordable steel hardtail is neither a race nor trail bike, but rather a capable pack mule for carefree bikepacking excursions. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE test editor
Ghost Lector HT Worldcup 30: Longer than an enduro bike, lighter than a gravel bike
Ghost has been known for several years for extremely progressive MTB geometries. With the new Ghost Lector HT, however, the Bavarians take the cake. The reach is so generous that it even surpasses the values of enduro bikes. At the same time, the chainstays remain compact in favour of manoeuvrability and the weight in size XL is low at 10.24 kilos. 120 millimetres of suspension travel on the fork and 2.4 inch wide tyres provide additional reserves. Prices for the potent carbon hardtail start from 2299 euros. The top model with special features to mark Ghost's 30th anniversary is available for a hefty 9,000 euros.
Long and light - on a race hardtail like the new Ghost Lector HT 2024, this is a real winning approach. Especially when combined with suspension travel reserves, wide tyres and a long-travel dropper post. With the exception of the unfavourable load distribution when pedalling, avowed XC racers and marathon riders will love the progressive character of the expensive Lector HT World Cup 30 model. However, the concept may be too much for less experienced riders. Be careful when choosing the size. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE test editor
Liv Lurra E+: E-MTB hardtail especially for women
This e-bike hardtail especially for women with a 130-millimetre suspension fork and good-natured geometry offers a whole range of applications. The new Liv Lurra E+ features a Yamaha motor and a battery with either 625 or 800 watt hours of energy reserve. The price of the e-MTB starts at 3499 euros. Liv also has equipment variants with mudguards and pannier racks in its programme. The newly presented e-hardtail has what it takes to become an everyday hero.
E-bikes with everyday qualities are in high demand. It's great that Liv - the sister brand of industry giant Giant - has an affordable model in its portfolio especially for women. Long suspension forks and wide tyres should also make off-road excursions fun. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE test editor
Jan Timmermann
Editor
