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Full-suspension bikes offer more comfort, grip and downhill fun. Nevertheless, they have by no means pushed the hardtail out of the market. This is because the simple design without a rear suspension not only appeals to beginners but also to experienced bikers who mainly ride on gravel paths or simple single trails. The lack of rear shock saves 1.5 kilos in weight and around 500 euros (with the same equipment) compared to a fully. Impacts from the ground hit the spinal cord directly. Low overall weight and good rolling tyres are the trump cards of hardtails. Steep climbs, long tours and the occasional race are all part of these bikes' natural behaviour. There is no annoying bobbing and the associated loss of power when pedalling. The slender suspension forks only absorb minor bumps. Jumps or steep and technical descents are easier to tackle with fullys. Trail hardtails with more suspension travel cannot replace a fully.
PRICE Good models from 1000 euros
WEIGHT 8 to 11.5 kilos (without pedals)
FEDERWEG 100 millimetres
AREA OF APPLICATION Tours on tarmac, gravel and easy trails; marathon or cross-country races
Radon Jealous AL 8.0
Radon is breathing new life into its aluminium hardtail for 2018. It's not just the name that has changed (formerly ZR Race), but also the entire frame. The Jealous AL emulates its more expensive carbon counterpart with its sporty geometry, earning it the test victory in BIKE 4/18. The lightweight wheels with high-quality tyres, which give the hardtail a particularly light-footed acceleration, were decisive for the verdict. The 2x11 Shimano SLX/XT drivetrain is fair for the price and definitely meets the requirements of beginners. The frame and fork have thru-axles in the current Boost size, and the cables run neatly inside the frame.
Price 1299 Euro
Weight 12.13 kilos without pedals
Tested in BIKE 4/18 - Reorder booklet
Judgement very good / 174 points
Rose Psycho Path 2
The Rose hardtail is Simon Gegenheimer's choice when he competes in the Sprint World Cup. Of course, racers in particular like the long top tube and the resulting sporty riding position of the Psycho Path. The good equipment is striking in the price range around 2000 euros. DT Swiss Spline wheels, a complete Shimano XT drivetrain, Rockshox Sid fork and Ritchey WCS components are normally only found on much more expensive bikes. Due to its steep 71-degree steering angle, the bike loses some of its riding safety off-road, but it impresses with its easy acceleration. And it was precisely this that helped Simon Gegenheimer to the runner-up world championship title in 2017. The Rose Psycho Path is a very good hardtail with a first-class price/performance ratio. The bike configurator even makes customisation possible.
Price 2249 Euro
Weight 10.6 kilos without pedals
Tested in BIKE 9/17
Judgement very good / 185 points
Cube Elite C:68 SL
The comfortable, not too sporty riding position and the wide handlebars actually invite you to go for a relaxed cruise. But as soon as you turn the Sram XX1 Eagle cranks for the first time, you realise that the Cube Elite C:68 SL is more suited to racing and hard training sessions. Because on the climbs, the bike with just over nine kilos and light wheels mercilessly outpaces the competition. The price you have to pay for the light-footed acceleration is the somewhat puncture-prone Liteskin tyres from Schwalbe. Otherwise, there is little to criticise about the hardtail. The high-quality equipment with carbon handlebars and seat post is unique in this price range.
Price 4499 Euro
Weight 9.09 kilos without pedals
Tested in BIKE 2/18 - Reorder booklet
Judgement very good / 201.5 points
Stoll Bike R1
The Stoll is a hardtail rider's dream come true and a sure death for any bank account. If you invest just over 8,000 euros, you get a 7.7-kilo race bike that can hold its own against any mid-range racing bike on the mountain. The steeper the mountain gets, the more exhilarating the ride on the German-made lightweight becomes. On the trail, you hardly have to make any compromises. The geometry with short chainstays and low bottom bracket ensure a lot of riding fun off-road. The thin seat post and the wide carbon rims (tyres are bulky) offer sufficient comfort. The test judgement from BIKE 12/17 summarises the characteristics of the Stoll R1 perfectly: "light-footed, purist and damn fast".
Price 8180 Euro
Weight 7.74 kilos without pedals
Tested in BIKE 12/17
Judgement super / 215 points
You can read this article or the entire issue of BIKE 4/2018 in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:
