I got a "modern" geo hardtail this year. Mostly for bikepacking, but I figured it would be fun on easy trail rides. The more I ride it the more amazed I am at how capable it is despite having zero travel out back.
On some of the chunky sections I am getting bounced around a bit I've been thinking if I had even a small amount of travel out back that could be pretty sweet and I've been dreaming about a aggressive short travel bike.
So why bother with no travel or a limited amount vs. a 140mm-150mm bike? Basically because the no to low travel options feel quite different and that ride feel is a lot of fun on a lot of trails. I have been grabbing my hardtail for rides my mid-travel FS bike would be a "better" option. Logically I should grab the FS bike as it's the "correct" tool for the job, but the hardtail is just a blast to ride and it gets up and down a lot of the same trails just fine...although you have to ride it differently.
Jan. 7, 2020, 8:34 a.m. - Vik Banerjee
I got a "modern" geo hardtail this year. Mostly for bikepacking, but I figured it would be fun on easy trail rides. The more I ride it the more amazed I am at how capable it is despite having zero travel out back. On some of the chunky sections I am getting bounced around a bit I've been thinking if I had even a small amount of travel out back that could be pretty sweet and I've been dreaming about a aggressive short travel bike. So why bother with no travel or a limited amount vs. a 140mm-150mm bike? Basically because the no to low travel options feel quite different and that ride feel is a lot of fun on a lot of trails. I have been grabbing my hardtail for rides my mid-travel FS bike would be a "better" option. Logically I should grab the FS bike as it's the "correct" tool for the job, but the hardtail is just a blast to ride and it gets up and down a lot of the same trails just fine...although you have to ride it differently.