For a few years I rode my Hard Tail (HT) and then just a few months ago I purchased my Soft Tail(ST). Amongst riders everywhere, there has always been that argument about which is better, an HT or ST? Let me share my own experience to help shed some light. I was, and the key word here is “WAS,” a hard tail fanatic. But once I got my ST, it helped me change my views and see the benefits of both types of bikes.

Hard Tail

Pros
The basic benefit of an HT is that it’s cheap! You can get a nice mtn bike with some choice Deore ,XT or LX components under $500. Take for example IBEX. They offer the Alpine 550 complete with Tekro Disc brakes, Marzocchi EXR Comp Suspension Fork, and 24-Speed Shimano Alivio/Deore Drivetrain all for the low price of $499!

The weight of an HT is also a major Pro. Those things are sub 30lbs. Most of them are in the 20’s. They are great for XC racing because you don’t lose energy while climbing as you would on a ST. You don’t experience the Pedal Bob. They also have less moving parts to go wrong.

Cons
I’m sure there are tons of cons of a HT that some of you are thinking, but the only one I can really come up with is that they are not as comfy as their full suspension counter part. The HT’s are great for speed and efficiency but they aren’t that great on a steep downhill section. I suppose you will be ok on a major hill, but it’s going to jar you all the way down.

SoftTail

Pros
They are absolutely cool! Some of the ST’s out there have the best components and geometry that allows the rider to have a pleasant experience. For the most part they are simply more comfortable than a HT. They can take the abuse of the trail, you can take big jumps, drops and rock beds with ease.

The vast array of companies out there allows the shopper a great selection on which bike to purchase. The rear suspension can be customized to the rider’s specific needs. Spring rates, air or coil over, and SPV are choices that are available to the rider. The learning curve in mtn biking is much easier on a ST. A newbie can easily get on a double boinger and feel comfortable in taking the most difficult course.

Cons

The first thing that comes to mind is that ST bikes are way more expensive than a HT. An entry level double boinger can set back a user as much as $600. Being an entry level bike you’re not going to get some of the higher quality parts that a $600 HT would offer. The ST has more moving parts to go wrong. Pivot points, bearings and rear shocks can easily wear out causing some expensive repairs.

These bikes are also much heavier. The rear suspension arms and rear shock adds up. Some ST bikes can weigh from 35-45lbs. It all depends on what kind of parts you have on it. Another definite con is the Pedal Bob. Most entry level ST bikes do not have a rear lock out on the shock, and they do not have a stable platform shock. Stable Platform shocks allow the benefit of a HT while climbing and the benefit of a ST while hitting the bumps. What this does is it eliminates pedal bob all together.

Summary

We’ve seen both the benefits and disadvantages of a hard tail and a full suspension bike. With that in mind, maybe it will allow you to determine if what kind of bike you really want. Overall the best thing about the HT is you get a nice quality bike cheaper than a ST. The great thing about a ST is that its comfortable, and you can do more on this bike such as jumps, drop offs, crazy downhills and rock beds.

Let me know if there are some things that I might have missed regarding any pros and cons of either type of bike.