I started riding a hardtail again with the idea it would save my FS bike from all that sloppy winter grit. Partway through that first winter I was having so much fun I couldn't help thinking I might just keep riding the hardtail during the dry season as well. That's when I knew something special was going on with modern hardtails.
A couple funny things when folks comment on hardtail reviews/articles \[here and elsewhere\]:
1\. There is the common trope you can get X generic hardtail way cheaper than this Y hardtail being reviewed, The implication is that a hardtail is a hardtail is a hardtail and all that matters is what parts you hang off it.
2\. The other common comment is you can get Z generic FS bike for the same price or less than this Y hardtail being reviewed. The implication that any FS bike is going to be better than a hardtail so why buy the inferior product unless it's much cheaper?
Both ideas are logically flawed.
Your comments on maintenance costs/hassles hardtail vs. FS adds more clarity to the cost analysis.
I'm not suggesting everyone should want to ride a hardtail, but the way a lot people are thinking about the question isn't really factual.
_BTW - thanks for the metal GG Smash porn. I don't get to see my bike online often these days. Even on the GG specific channels it's all carbon now._
Nov. 30, 2021, 6:36 a.m. - Vik Banerjee
I started riding a hardtail again with the idea it would save my FS bike from all that sloppy winter grit. Partway through that first winter I was having so much fun I couldn't help thinking I might just keep riding the hardtail during the dry season as well. That's when I knew something special was going on with modern hardtails. A couple funny things when folks comment on hardtail reviews/articles \[here and elsewhere\]: 1\. There is the common trope you can get X generic hardtail way cheaper than this Y hardtail being reviewed, The implication is that a hardtail is a hardtail is a hardtail and all that matters is what parts you hang off it. 2\. The other common comment is you can get Z generic FS bike for the same price or less than this Y hardtail being reviewed. The implication that any FS bike is going to be better than a hardtail so why buy the inferior product unless it's much cheaper? Both ideas are logically flawed. Your comments on maintenance costs/hassles hardtail vs. FS adds more clarity to the cost analysis. I'm not suggesting everyone should want to ride a hardtail, but the way a lot people are thinking about the question isn't really factual. _BTW - thanks for the metal GG Smash porn. I don't get to see my bike online often these days. Even on the GG specific channels it's all carbon now._