Hardtail, hard miles

The hardtail refuses to die, and bikes like this are the reason. There is no rear suspension to maintain, the frame weighs almost nothing, and on a smooth climb it is faster than anything with a shock.

The geometry has caught up with the times: a longer reach and a slacker head angle make the descents less of a white-knuckle affair than hardtails used to be.

For racing and long days on rolling trails it is close to ideal. For rock gardens, buy the other bike.