However, the 2012 generation is less suitable for this, as our test showed.
With little effort, mudguards, plug-in lights and even pannier racks were usually quickly fitted to the mountain bike hardtails. Moderate geometries often allowed relaxed riding even over long distances.
But a lot is different in the 2012 model year. The mountain bikes in the 1000-euro class are increasingly mutating into pure sports bikes that also have to fulfil the demands of marathon riders. You will look in vain for threaded eyelets for the pannier rack mounts on hardtails. Highly stressed, weight-optimised frame constructions are trimmed down to the last detail for sporty use.
Seating positions are also becoming less and less suitable for touring. Sporty mountain biking is moving away from normal bike use. Anyone looking for "a bike for all occasions" will be less happy with most of the current generation of mountain bike hardtails. The sporty 28-inch cross bikes are more suitable here.
The bikes in the test:
Bulls Copperhead 3 Karl Platt Edition, http://www.bulls.de
Cube LTD Pro, http://www.cube.eu
Felt Q920, http://www.feltbicycles.com
Focus Black Forest 4.0, http://www.focus-bikes.com
Merida Matts TFS XT-Edition, http://www.merida-bikes.com
Specialised Rockhopper Pro, http://www.specialized.com
Stevens S8, http://www.stevensbikes.de
Trek 6300, http://www.trekbikes.com
