Unyielding, tough and permanently stubborn. To be honest: I'm not a self-confessed hardtail fan and would always favour a fully when it comes to off-road riding. When it comes to comfort, this type of bike unfortunately lacks any sensitivity. And yet I still have to recommend the hardtail. If a friend asked me for a bike for around 1000 euros to discover the MTB world for themselves, my answer would be clear. There are no alternatives in this price range. The manufacturers know this magic price point. 1000 euro bikes are top sellers. And so the hardtails in this price category are offered with a particularly attractive price/performance ratio. For many buyers, this is the ticket to mountain biking. With a comparable fully, you would have to dig twice as deep into your pockets. As the largest quantities are sold in the 1000 euro range, product managers are calculating with the knife between their teeth. There is no unique position in terms of suspension performance or kinematics. Equipment is the trump card.
We ordered nine entry-level hardtails for testing. Three from mail order companies and six from specialist brands. To compensate for the cost advantage of direct sales, the specialist brands were allowed to take part in the test with bikes up to 1299 euros. Although Cube was already present at the photo shoot in Nauders with the LTD Race 29, the company withdrew its test commitment.
Consignors, specialist retailers and three different wheel sizes
In addition to mail-order and specialist brands, the test also included bikes with all three wheel sizes. Canyon, Focus, Müsing, Radon and Stevens with 29-inch wheels and Bergamont, Bulls and KTM with 27.5-inch wheels. Mail-order company Transalp24 was one of the last of its guild to send a 26-inch model to the test. The success in past BIKE tests (BIKE 4/14) continues to speak in favour of 26-inch bikes, provided the package is right, as in the case of Transalp24. The Ambition has an exceptionally light frame (1512 grams), lightweight wheels with high-quality Continental Race Sport tyres and the lightest fork in the test. Prepared in this way, the 26-inch bike scores a whole three points more than the competition in terms of weight alone, which is enough for a narrow victory on points in our scoring system. In practice, the slim weight of 11.4 kilos is reflected in excellent acceleration and extremely manoeuvrable handling. Uphill, the competition has a hard time holding the rear wheel of the Transalp24. Off-road and downhill, however, the larger wheels (especially the 29-inch wheels) really come into their own. More reserves and more forgiving, our test crew unanimously noted in the report.
Total weight varies between 11.4 and 12.8 kilos
With the exception of Canyon and Stevens, all manufacturers also offer an alternative model with a different wheel size in the same price range. Each manufacturer was allowed to decide for themselves which model they thought would have the best chances in this test. Depending on body size, intended use and with a critical eye on the total weight of the bike, the alternative wheel size could also be of interest to some. In order to allow smaller riders a sporty riding position, Stevens only offers its 29er Antelao in the smallest frame size with 27.5-inch wheels.
Does it make sense to spend 200-300 euros more?
A look at the neighbouring price regions downwards and upwards confirms the 1000 euro league as the best deal. Below 1000 euros, the weight often increases drastically due to simpler, non-butted frames, heavy wheels and suspension forks. In addition, the geometry and riding position hardly allow for sporty use. If you want to invest around 200 to 300 euros more, many manufacturers generally offer an upgrade from a Rock Shox Reba to a Fox Float suspension fork, slightly higher-quality shifting components and, in a few cases, better wheels. In terms of function and weight, the differences are usually limited, which is why the surcharge for the next most expensive model is not really worth it.
Bulls proves with the Copperhead 3 that you don't necessarily get better equipment for the same money from a mail-order company. Measured against the equipment, this model is a real bargain. An absolute exception, as the rest of the equipment table shows. If you know exactly what you want and value individuality, you will find the right offer from both mail order companies and specialist dealers. Transalp24 and Müsing offer a custom programme for individual preferences.
The equipment of the entry-level hardtails
Currency fluctuations and general price increases cause product managers new headaches every year in order to maintain the equipment level. Calculations are particularly tough in this price category. Specialist brand Bulls even manages to outdo the three mail order companies and puts together the best package with complete XT gearing and high-quality wheels.
You can find these MTB hardtails from 2015 in the test:
- Bergamont Roxtar LTD
- Bulls Copperhead 3
- Canyon Grand Canyon AL 6.9
- Focus Black Forest 29R 3.0
- KTM Ultra 1964 LTD 27
- Müsing Twentynine Comp
- Radon ZR Race 6.0 29
- Stevens Antelao
- Transalp24 Ambition Team 4.0 26
