Our sport is considered elitist: quite a few of us have succumbed to material fetishism. After all, it is not least the interplay between rough nature and filigree technology that makes biking so appealing. Sports equipment quickly costs more than 2000 euros and entry-level bikes are no longer considered. Wrongly so. Because in terms of price-performance ratio, some cheap bikes are true kings - especially the hardtails in the budget price category. In principle, they are just as versatile as counterparts that cost twice as much. Whether it's an after-work ride, a stroll around town, a Moser tour at the weekend or your first cross-country race - no problem at all. The testers came back from the test laps with many positive impressions
Frame: all different - and yet the same The frames of the bikes tested are as individual as their paintwork. Triple-butted tubes, profiled down tube, transversely ovalised top tube - the manufacturers in our test do their best to stand out from the crowd. And yet you don't feel any of this on the trail. We couldn't even filter out differences in stiffness when pedalling. We therefore decided not to measure the frame stiffness in this test.
Differences in the Weight: Depending on whether the tubes change their wall thickness two or three times, one or other chassis weighs up to 300 grams less. However, it is the differences in the frame geometries that are really decisive.
Surprising: the variety of sizes While high-end hardtails are often only available in the four most common sizes, entry-level bikes are available in up to eight frame heights. And sometimes even in special women's versions. The reason: the economy hardtails are the best sellers in the bike shops. And that is why it is worthwhile for the manufacturer to produce a wide range of sizes. Saving money does not always mean doing without. Suspension fork: The centrepieceMuch more than the frame developed in-house, one supplier part determines the riding characteristics of the hardtails: the suspension fork. Without it, a mountain bike would only have limited off-road capability. However, some forks produce an unprecedented carpet of sound. Our conclusionLower theft factor in the city, more robust during transport than a high-bred race bike and lighter than a freerider - the economy hardtails impress with these qualities. And the fun doesn't fall by the wayside with them either. All bikes in this testBergamont Virus, Canyon Big Bear , Centurion Backfire 500, Cube Acid, Felt Epo, Gary Fisher Marlin, Ghost Special Edition, Herkelmann Jago Light , Maxx Pacemaxx, Scott Tampico, Specialized Hardrock Pro, Steppenwolf Timber
