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Comparing Best Hardtail Bikes

Showing 7 products | Change
 
Awards Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Top Pick Award Top Pick Award  
Price $2,150 List$1,999 List$1,899 List$3,499 List
$2,624 at Backcountry		$2,099 List
Overall Score Sort Icon
86
84
82
80
79
Star Rating
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Pros High value, fun on a wide range of terrain, dialed geometrySolid value, mostly well spec'd, versatile geometry, 27.5-inch wheels help keep it maneuverable and playfulAggressive geometry, built to last, killer tiresSwift climbing, sharp handling, excellent valueAggressive geometry, fast and stable, Deore 12-speed drivetrain
Cons Poor fork specification, less compliant frame compared to outgoing modelA little bland on mellow trails, SRAM SX Eagle drivetrainMay be overkill for riders/trails, sluggish in tight spacesNot as fun on rough trails, 11-speed drivetrainSeveral notable weak points of the build, aggressive geometry feels a little out of place on mellow terrain
Bottom Line A stellar hardtail that is tremendously fun, versatile, and a solid valueAn aggressive yet unapologetically fun and playful 27.5+ hardtail that is a blast to ride on a huge range of terrainAn aggressive hardtail with the DNA of an enduro bike that comes alive as speeds increaseA swift-climbing hardtail that could serve as a daily driver or a cross-country race bikeA hardcore hardtail that craves speed and aggressive terrain but is held back by some weak parts of its build
Rating Categories Specialized Fuse Ex... Commencal Meta HT A... Rocky Mountain Grow... Ibis DV9 NX Norco Torrent A1 HT
Fun Factor (25%)
9.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
Downhill (30%)
9.0
9.0
10.0
7.0
9.0
Climbing (30%)
8.0
7.0
7.0
9.0
7.0
Build (15%)
8.0
9.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
Specs Specialized Fuse Ex... Commencal Meta HT A... Rocky Mountain Grow... Ibis DV9 NX Norco Torrent A1 HT
Wheel Size 29" 27.5"+ 29" 29" 29"
Weight (w/o pedals) 29 lbs 14 oz 30 lbs 4 oz 31 lbs 3 oz 26 lbs 8 oz 31 lbs
Frame Material Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum Carbon Aluminum
Frame Size Tested Large Large Large Large Large
Available Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL S, M, L, XL S, M, L, XL S, M, L, XL S, M, L, XL
Fork RockShox 35 Gold RL, 130mm RockShox Yari RC, 160mm RockShox 35 Gold RL Fox Float Rhythm 34 RockShox 35 Gold RL
Wheelset Specialized Stout Alloy SL, 29mm ID Spank Oozy 395+ rims with Formula hubs WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 rims with Shimano MT400 hubs Ibis Hubs, Ibis 938 Alloy rims Stans Flow D rims with Shimano hubs
Front Tire Specialized Butcher Grid, Gripton, 2.6" Maxxis High Roller II EXO, 27.5" x 2.8" WTB Vigilante TCS Light High Grip 2.6" Schwalbe Hans Dampf 2.6" Schwalbe Hans Dampf 2.35"
Rear Tire Specialized Purgatory Grid, Gripton, 2.6" Maxxis Rekon EXO, 27.5 x 2.8" WTB TrailBoss TCS Light Fast Rolling 2.6" Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.6" Schwalbe Hans Dampf 2.35"
Shifters SRAM NX Eagle SRAM SX Eagke SRAM NX Eagle SRAM NX 11-speed Shimano Deore M6100 12-speed
Rear Derailleur SRAM NX Eagle SRAM SX Eagle SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed SRAM NX 11-Speed Shimano Deore M6100 12-speed
Crankset SRAM NX Eagle DUB SRAM X1 1000 Eagle, 170mm SRAM SX Eagle 30T SRAM NX 30T Shimano Deore 32T
Bottom Bracket SRAM DUB Threaded SRAM DUB Threaded SRAM BSA DUB SRAM GXP XR Shimano BSA Threaded
Cassette SRAM NX 11-50T SRAM PG-1210 11-50T SRAM PG-1210 11-50T SRAM PG 1130 11-42T Shimano Deore 12-speed 10-51T
Saddle Specialized Bridge Comp Fabric Scoop Flat Sport WTB Volt Race 142 WTB Silverado 142 Fi:zi'k Taiga
Seatpost TranzX dropper 150mm travel 34.9mm diameter KS Rage-I Rocky Mountain Toonie Drop KS E30i Dropper Tranz-X YSP18 150mm
Handlebar Specialized Stout Riser 780mm Ride Alpha R27 Rocky Mountain AM 780mm Ibis 780mm Alloy 6061 Alloy, 800mm, 18mm rise
Stem Specialized Stout Ride Alpha Freeride 40 Rocky Mountain 35 AM Ibis 6061 Alloy, 50mm, 35mm clamp
Brakes SRAM Level TRL SRAM Guide T 4-piston Shimano MT420 4-piston front, MT400 2-piston rear SRAM Level Shimano MT420 4-piston
Grips Specialized Trail Ride Alpha DH Rocky Mountain Lock-on Light Lizard Skins Charger Evo VP Lock-on
Warranty Lifetime Five Years Five Years Seven Years Five Year Limited