Hardtails are dead! Handlebar-lockable suspension and ever lighter fully frames have made the hardtail an endangered species. As the end of the product life cycle approaches, they are often only referred to as entry-level bikes in manufacturers' catalogues. Inexpensive, low-maintenance and easy to set up. A low-tech mountain bike for people who have no idea about or no money for the other high-tech in the industry - at least that's what some supposed prophets had predicted. But the dinosaurs among mountain bikes will not be beaten so easily. Because even beyond the World Cup, there is still a large fan community for the purist of all mountain bikes. We are glad that not only we, but also the developers at Specialized and Thomas Stoll (owner of Stoll Bikes) still believe in the hardtail. Instead of burying the hardtail, the two companies are ushering in a new era for mountain bikes without a suspension rear end. The duel between the Stoll Bike R1 and Epic S-Works may be purist, but it is anything but low-tech.
At 7.74 kilos (without pedals), the Stoll weighs so little that you could be forgiven for thinking you had a racing bike under your bum when you first set off. The Epic is only 480 grams heavier. A frame weight of only 829 grams (Stoll) makes it possible and pushes forward into areas that were previously only reserved for racing bikes. In order to shave off the last few grams on the scales, Stoll has even dispensed with a paint job and simply stuck a few stickers on the bare carbon. At 881 grams, the S-Works is only slightly heavier, but has paint, a (somewhat clunky-looking) steering stop limiter on the down tube and even offers the option of fitting a front derailleur. Both test bikes fly up every climb with such ease that you could be forgiven for suspecting that an electric motor is hidden in the frame tube. Even on the steepest ramps, the cranks of the 1x12 drivetrain move effortlessly. Even though the Stoll's longer top tube gives you an even sportier position and the wheels accelerate more easily, the R1 can hardly shake off the Epic on the climbs, especially as the Specialized is significantly stiffer (63 to 42 N/mm). Light riders won't have any problems with the Stoll, but the frame provides noticeably more flex. For riders over 85 kilos, Stoll recommends a 70 gram heavier layup anyway. Apart from that, the differences are minor and the ride to the sky on both bikes is too exhilarating to choose a clear winner.
Anyone who automatically associates low weights with moderate off-road capability is mistaken. At least in the new hardtail era. Wide handlebars and solid tyres on wide rims ensure top handling even on crisp trails. The Stoll can set itself apart downhill thanks to subtleties in geometry and noticeably more comfort. A slightly lower bottom bracket and the longer main frame in combination with the shorter stem ensure greater safety at higher speeds and on steep terrain. What's more, the Rockshox Sid fork fitted to the Specialized with its proprietary Brain Lockout is able to take a beating off-road. The idea itself is ingenious: a fork that locks automatically if there is no impact from below and opens again automatically as soon as the front wheel rolls over an obstacle. In practice, however, opening the brake with an increased breakaway torque on the first stroke is clearly noticeable and a little bit sticky. On the other hand, the Fox Float in the Stoll does its job well, and the flexing rear suspension in conjunction with the seatpost provides a lot of comfort instead of passing the hits through to the rider unfiltered.
The Stoll R1 thus wins the head-to-head race against the Epic. But the more important message from this duel is: hardtails are far from dead!
Ludwig Döhl, BIKE editor: Light-footed, purist and damn fast. Both hardtails impressively demonstrate what modern carbon technology is capable of. Never before have such lightweight bikes been so much fun off-road. The Stoll narrowly wins the points comparison, but the Specialized is close behind. With both bikes, the uphill becomes an exhilarating experience.
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SPECIALIZED EPIC S-WORKS
Straight tubes, no colours, not even a lockout lever for the fork. You can hardly design a mountain bike more puristically. The stiff Epic looks timelessly elegant and makes the corners of your mouth turn upwards on the climbs. Unfortunately, the Brain fork costs the otherwise successful bike a few points on the downhill. A frame weight of 881 grams including the steering stop limiter and paintwork is phenomenal, even if the Stoll is even lighter.
STOLL BIKE R1
Striking tube shapes, minimalist colour concept and bare carbon - simply sexy! The frame weighs only 829 grams and thus displaces the 2010 Scott Scale (26 inch) from the throne of the lightest frames. The workmanship looks high quality. Interchangeable threads on the brake mount and thru axle show that the concept has been well thought out. Stoll sets a new benchmark with this bike, also in terms of comfort.
Technical data and measured values
