Monday, Feb 17, 2014 I was a lover of hardtail mountain bikes for many years till I became old and soft and just wanted something a bit easier on my bum. Yet, after a few years on a dual suspension bike I made the commitment that the next mountain bike I own will be a hardtail, and probably a 29er. In fact, during my search for a selection of intermediate priced hardtails I came to the conclusion that if you are in this market you may find yourself looking at bikes with big wheels and a more of a "race" orientation Relaxed hardtail geometry seems more common at lower price points and the conclusion is that if you want to spend $2,000 plus on a rigid framed bike you are going to get a pretty aggressive ride. I think this not a negative, actually modern high end alloy mountain bikes ride superbly even if they have been designed for the whippets. It sorta makes sense: If you aren't going to race why would you want a hardtail? You will find that manufacturers have a few tricks that make even super aggressive bikes comfortable for the weekend warriors.

Anyway, I have compiled a collection of hardtail alloy mountain bikes with intermediate to advanced spec and a price of around the $2,500 mark. These bikes are mainly 29ers but a 27.5 has snuck its way in there as well. So who would be in the market for them? I would say anyone keen to try some XC racing or a dirt crit, but who shirks at forking out another grand for carbon. Alternatively, someone who loves hardtails for their simplicity and eagerness to accelerate and manoeuvre effortlessly in fast singletrack. The Teamelite TE03 uses the same BWC (Big Wheel Concept) geometry of its much more expensive carbon siblings. Don't let the slack head angle fool you though, the short chainstays and low bottom bracket height give this hardtail a lively feel that is all about speed, but it has been balanced with an "all day ride" character that lesser mortals will appreciate. Components:A well rounded mix of Shimano Deore and SLX components make up the drivetrain and brakes. All very dependable, yet you may expect a bit more at this price.

Rims are the ever reliable Mavic XM 319 - good enough for most trail duties. The F series are the fast ones for sure, as opposed to Cannondale's "trail" models which sit at a lower price point and are more recreationally orientated. You could throw all the money you had saved for a car at a high end carbon 'Dale, yet this alloy version sits comfortably at a price which any cycle enthusiast would be relatively comfortable with. Like most of these bikes, short chainstays and a low bottom bracket are standard! Cannondale are well known for making their race bikes, road or mountain, stand out with a capital R. Components:The only bike here with a SRAM Drivetrain. The X7/X9 components are great high performance kit. The other notable is the Lefty fork which is uniqued to Cannondale and performs superbly. This is the only carbon model here. It should be noted however that Giant use many levels of carbon and that in the real world there is little difference between this and a top quality alloy bike.

Still, to be fair, this is a standout bike in terms of value as is often the case with Giant. The people alive when the XTC first came out are now long dead such is the history of this platform. motorcycle dealer in concord ncA reliable hardtail for race or trail, there is very little negative to be said about the XtC apart from that it is a Giant...dirt bike fahrrad sale Components:Even with the carbon frame this XtC model is one of the less expensive bikes here. motorcycle dealer in burlington ncSo how is that possible? motorcycle dealers brewster ny

The Giant sticks with a Deore groupset and even lower level brakes which put this bike at the very fringe of race or even decent trail use. Focus make a massive range of hardtails to suit every cyclist and purpose. motorcycle shop emeryvilleThe Black Forest is a nice looking bike inits stealthy black outfit. top 10 250cc cruiser motorcyclesThese bikes have been described as "Purist, dynamic and fully committed to propulsion" and they look it! sin city motorcycle club charlotte ncFocus make more expensive hardtails but the Black Forest, which is targeted at the more casual mountain biker, is affordable and still has the responsive handling and spark that you would expect from a well kitted out hardtail mountain bike.

Components:Fox Float Evolution CTD, Shimano XT and 27.5" wheels at a good price? The Focus is a well kitted out hardtail for a variey of uses. The Superfly with Gary Fisher's G2 geometry is perhaps the most complete bike in this list. The Superfly is a race ready hardtail that has such pleasant manners when ridden casually that it could truly be one bike to do it all. Regardless of specification, buying a bike means investing in a frame design and with that said this could be the stand out bike here. Components:Shimano SLX/XT, Fox Float 32 and Bontrager components make up the Superfly. An immpressive bike and the pick here for me.Decide what you want to use the bike for — commuting and carrying your things, long-distance rides, light trail riding and roads, or for fitness. Get expert advice on what type of bike that suits your needs will also suit your budget. Then, get out onto the road and test ride them. Set your budget: Long before entering a bike shop, riders have several questions to ask themselves, the first of which deals with budget.

Setting the budget for your new bike will help determine quite a few factors because the larger the budget, the more comfortable and durable your new machine will be. Manufacturers compete closely when it comes to frame material, components, and price, especially in an entry-level road bike. Choose your frame material: At price points lower than $3,000, riders will sacrifice some degree of durability and responsiveness in their ride experience. Aluminum frames with entry-level components will be standard on bikes at these price points. Riders able to pay $1,500 for their new bikes will have the option to buy a full carbon frameset instead of aluminum. Carbon is touted as the industry gold standard, offering a lighter, smoother ride than aluminum. Carbon is also a moldable material where aluminum is not, making crash-related frame-crack repairs easier and cheaper than on an aluminum frame. Drivetrains are important to shift quality, especially as riders begin to build endurance and push their bikes harder.

Also, higher-quality drivetrains require less frequent adjusting and are more durable (generally speaking). Consider component systems: While the quality of the drivetrain plays a role in rider comfort, the selection of components should be a secondary factor for bike shoppers to consider. At the $2,500 price point, riders have a host of component options as well. Shimano Ultegra — Shimano’s most reasonably priced performance component group — will be standard at this price point. Ultegra will shift smoother and is more durable than the entry-level 105, Claris, or Tiagra systems. Between the $2,500 and $3,500 range, and particularly above these price points, riders will find that the geometry, components, and innovative technology change a great deal, inviting riders to narrow their intended use for the machine. At price points closer to $4,000 (and beyond), road bicycles start to have specific frame craft considerations, advanced technology design and drivetrain technology best appreciated by more experienced riders.

These bikes are very comfortable to ride, if you’re comfortable with the price point. Test ride, test ride, test ride! Once you’ve set your budget, comfort should be your primary consideration. Test ride all of the bicycles you’re considering multiple times. This will help you to not only differentiate the true difference between frame materials, drivetrain, wheel quality, and general sizing preference, but also determine if the bike fits you well. As Duggan said, an expensive bike that doesn’t fit its rider is worse than an inexpensive bike that fits its rider like a glove. This goes for initial ride experience and geometry, but also the rider-specific fit. Get your bike from a shop that does professional fitting, or take it to a fitter after your purchase. It’s critical to devote the time, money, and energy to this to ensure you are getting the best out of your bike and yourself. Karli Gronholm, the owner of Full Cycle Bikes in Boulder, agrees. Bike fit and residual comfort are the most important consideration in making a new bicycle purchase.

“There are two ways to think about [bicycle] geometry,” says Gronholm. “The first is how does the bike fit you; this is the most important thing — you need to start with the right size bicycle. Then have [the stem, saddle and pedals] adjusted to fit to your body. Often you can have two different geometry bikes that are the same size, but only one fits you well.” The geometry of the bicycle dictates how it handles on the road, and how comfortable it is for you to ride in your cycling purposes. While being basic, these bikes can be an incredible bargain, especially for the most entry-level riders. Women’s cycling is spreading like wildfire, thanks to a new category of bikes that cater specifically to women’s smaller proportions and physical attributes. Women-specific geometry offers a shorter top tube, longer seat tube, and a longer head tube. This positioning puts women in a more upright, rather than aggressive, riding position. This is helpful because “most (but not all) women have longer legs than torsos,” says Gronholm.