
by Danny G.
Let me guess? You’ve spent searching for the perfect XC 29er hardtail. The carbon frame, SLX/XT drivetrain, alloy wheels—all under $4K.
You had it all mapped out. But now? They’re nowhere to be found. You’re staring at empty shelves, waiting for a bike that doesn’t exist anymore.
Full suspension bikes are everywhere now, like some new religion everyone’s converted to.
But where does that leave you? Stuck in the past, it seems. You’re not just missing out—you’re watching the world around you change, and it’s not pretty.
Here’s why the XC hardtail you love might be fading into the background.
1. Full Suspension Is Just Better Now
Let’s not kid ourselves—full suspension bikes have caught up and then some. Once, the hardtail was king. But now? It’s practically a relic.
The short-travel full-suspension bikes are fast as hell. They climb like a dream and descend with a savage grace.
And get this—they’re lighter than many hardtails. It’s not just the weight—it’s the tech.
Suspension systems today are so dialed, they practically do the thinking for you. They give you a ride that’s smoother than any hardtail could ever manage, no matter how much you’ve spent.
Those hardtail days are over. They’re like vinyl records: nostalgic, maybe, but ultimately, obsolete. You’ll be lucky to see a hardtail at a race anymore, unless it’s some weird outlier or a Supercaliber. They’ve been outclassed.
Table 1: Full Suspension vs. Hardtail: The Evolution
Feature | Full Suspension Bikes | Hardtail Bikes |
---|---|---|
Speed on technical terrain | Faster | Slower |
Weight | Lighter than before | Generally lighter |
Handling on rough terrain | Superior grip & control | Less control & comfort |
Popularity in racing | Dominant | Rare |
2. The Pandemic’s Long Shadow
You remember the pandemic, right? The world turned upside down. Bikes became the new gold. But as demand surged, so did the focus on full suspension bikes.
They were the crown jewels, the ones that brought in the big bucks. Hardtails? They got shoved to the back of the line.
Bike companies weren’t interested in the low-margin hardtail anymore. They were all about the shiny new toys—the full squish bikes that could fetch a higher price.
Meanwhile, you’re out here wondering where the hell your hardtail went. You’ve been left with empty shelves and long backorders.
It wasn’t just a supply chain problem. It was a shift in priorities. Manufacturers weren’t cranking out hardtails. They were pushing full suspension.
Table 2: The Impact of the Pandemic on Hardtail Availability
Factor | Full Suspension Bikes | Hardtail Bikes |
---|---|---|
Post-Pandemic Demand | Skyrocketed | Remained flat |
Production Priorities | Increased production | Lower production |
Availability | High demand, steady supply | Low availability, long backorder |
Margin for Manufacturers | Higher | Lower |
3. Gravel Bikes Are Stealing the Show
Gravel bikes are the new kid on the block, and they’re not asking for permission. They’re the Swiss Army knife of the bike world—able to tackle everything from gravel roads to singletrack without breaking a sweat.
The hardtail was once the go-to for versatility, but gravel bikes have stolen that title. They’re light, nimble, and comfortable without all the jarring that hardtails bring.
People don’t want to feel every rock, every root—especially when they don’t have to. Gravel bikes are built for everything, and that’s exactly what riders are flocking to.
Hardtails? Well, they’re still out there, but they’re quickly becoming a side note in the grand story of biking. Gravel’s here to stay, and it’s slowly making the XC hardtail a thing of the past.
4. The Death of the “Pure” XC Rider
Remember when owning a hardtail was a badge of honor? When XC riders wore their minimalist choices like a crown? That rider is almost gone now.
The pure XC enthusiast who thrives on a hardtail’s raw, unfiltered connection to the trail—those days are slipping away.
Today’s riders want comfort, they want speed, and they want to go farther with less effort.
A full-suspension bike gives them that without the sacrifice. The pure XC rider—the one who sticks with the hardtail for the challenge—is a dying breed. It’s no longer about the toughest ride; it’s about performance.
Hardtails are becoming less relevant in this new world of fast, efficient, and comfortable riding. They’re just not built for what riders want today.
Conclusion
Full suspension bikes have taken over, gravel bikes have carved out their space, and hardtails? They’re hanging on by a thread.
The world has moved on, and the hardtail you loved has become an echo of a past that no longer exists.
But hardtails ain’t gonna die completely. There’s still a bunch of riders out here who like the damn things—no shocks, just pure raw ride.
It’s the kind of bike that slaps you in the face, makes you work for every inch. No excuses. Full suspension bikes are the shiny new toys, sure. Gravel bikes? Cool and a joke at the same time.
But there’s something about the hardtail—something gritty, something real—that sticks. It’s the kind of ride you can’t fake. It’s not dead yet.
And it never will be.
P.S. If you really want a cool hardtail, I suggest building it yourself with spare parts and whatever you can find on the second-hand market. New ones are just too limiting and too expensive IMO.
Some models to look for: BMC Twostroke, Cannondale Scalpel HT, Epic HT, Trek Procaliber, Norco Revolver HT, Orbea Alma Pro, Cube Elite.
Danny G.
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