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Good MTB hardtails are available's from 1300 Euro
Above all, hardtails sweeten the entry into mountain biking with affordable prices - the absence of complicated rear suspension systems and additional damping at the rear make it possible. Our elaborate BIKE tests show: Fully-fledged mountain bike hardtails are available from as little as 1300 euros. This is particularly beneficial for beginners who are not yet sure whether they will stick with the sport. After all, who wants to plunge into expenses without knowing whether they will be enthusiastic about the new sport in the long term?
Weight of mountain bike hardtails: 8 to 14 kilos
The low weight also speaks in favour of this type of bike. No category can match the hardtails for acceleration. As no energy is lost in the rear triangle, they convert every watt of pedalling power into propulsion. Racers love this liveliness, while touring bikers might miss a little comfort. In technical terrain, the bikes with a rigid rear end and usually only 100 millimetres of travel require sensitivity and are hardly forgiving of mistakes. But what do you do if you still want to venture into challenging terrain, but a fully is beyond your budget? Then the so-called trail hardtails with more suspension travel, retractable seat posts and fat tyres are the perfect alternative.
The best mountain bike hardtails 2022:
Mondraker Podium Carbon RR SL
- Price 8499 Euro >> available here
- Weight 8 kilos
- Tested in BIKE 5/21
- Judgement super / 218 points
It's almost impossible to lift the Mondraker Podium RR SL without a wow sound coming from your lips. And even on the trail, the acceleration behaviour of the 8-kilo hardtail remains unchallenged. But it's not just the minimal weight of the Spanish race file that stands out: with its cleverly chosen geometry, the Mondraker also masters challenging downhill courses. The unusual look with the flattened top tube is also impressive. The special carbon seat post creates a lot of seating comfort. This makes the bike the best in its class this season.
Cannondale Scalpel HT
- Price 6999 Euro
- Weight 9.62 kilos
- Tested in BIKE 3/21
- Judgement super / 212.5 points
The Cannondale Scalpel HT is an exceptional race bike. The steering angle measures 66.9 degrees - a race hardtail has never been so slack! With this extreme value, its strengths lie particularly in the downhill. Together with the flexing seat post, the latest addition from the US company also delivers a decent performance in terms of comfort. The geometry is perfect: sit on it and feel good. The Cannondale turns out to be an exclusive tip for marathons, everyday riding and trail tours, but has to give way to more traditional and lighter mountain bike hardtails in the sprint.
Specialised Chisel Comp
- Price 2000 Euro
- Weight 12.1 kilos
- Tested in BIKE 10/21
- Judgement Good / 163.5 points
The 1575 gram aluminium frame of the Specialized Chisel can confidently be described as an impressive piece of craftsmanship. However, the bike is only equipped with basic components. At first glance, this does not dampen enthusiasm for Specialized's entry-level hardtail. Nevertheless, the bike convinced us across the board off-road. From crossing the Alps to marathons, everything is possible. Also good: With this top frame, it is worth investing in one or two tuning parts, which will make the bike a loyal companion in the long term.
Radon Jealous AL 8.0 HD
- Price 1499 Euro
- Weight 12.72 kilos
- Tested in BIKE 5/21
- Judgement good / 161.5 points
Radon demonstrates a sense of proportion with the Jealous hardtail: neither the geometry, equipment nor weight are extreme. This makes the Jealous the best all-rounder of the year. The dropper post opens up new downhill possibilities for the rider. In addition, the mail-order company has provided powerful brakes and grippy tyres. This means that the aluminium bike can almost compete with designated trail hardtails. The fun factor off-road literally explodes in comparison to classic MTB hardtails. Praiseworthy: Despite the trail tuning, Radon does not completely disregard the weight.
Conclusion from Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor:
High demand and low availability have caused bike prices to skyrocket since the coronavirus crisis. Some models even cost up to 800 euros more than last year with the same equipment. Hardtails are not exempt from this problem. Even if you might think that low prices are decisive for sales figures, especially in the entry-level segment, the reality is different. Some companies are now even going so far as to install outdated quick-release skewers on hardtails costing around 1300 euros. Newcomers are having a particularly hard time at the moment: you've probably never got so little bike for your money before.
Max Fuchs
Editor
