PhilipV Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 Naah, hardtail isn't dead. But discerning buyers who think and do some research instead of walking into a concept store saying: "I have no clue, but here is my credit card, please take it and give me one of all that I need for this MTB thing," are about as rare as hardtails nowadays.
PhilipV Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 Here is a pic of my hardtail. Just to show that I'm practicing what I preach.
IceCreamMan Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 The HT is dead, long live the HT. Considering I only own a HT and have never even ridden a dual sus I can only hope they last a while yet. However, walking around my local Giant shop the other day dual sus is certainly the flavour of the day.
Chadvdw67 Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 Sold my HT to get a DS, and sometimes, on some trails, I wish I had the HT, but I can only have one bike, and since I had a skydiving accident damaging my back, the DS is flavour of choice, however seeing the Silverback Slade Trail is available again, has me pondering ways to justify a 2nd bike....
Farrnus Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 watching thread closely ... #steelisreal #wemighthavesomethingsoon
Hairy Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 I have been wondering for a while now why it seems hardtails are so unpopular in SA. I mean you hardly see a hard tail anywhere outside of a high school bike shed these days. Seemingly a full sus trail bike has become the entry point to being able to ride even a mild Jeep track. Now sure, I’m exaggerating a bit above, but it would seem locally that hardtails are not really selling anymore. I was in the specialized shop in Stellenbosch over the weekend to see some of the new bikes, and I was surprised not to see any decent hardtails. They only had the really entry level rock hopper hardtails. When I asked a young sales guy if they didn’t have any more serious hardtails in stock, he sheepishly showed me a top of the line S-Works Epic, that was retailing at R140k. Nothing else. When I asked him where all the bikes in between are, he said they don’t carry hardtails anymore, because no one buys them. This is in stark contrast to what we see in the overseas forums, and especially on channels like GMBN, where they seem to absolutely love hardtails, especially for longer rides across the countryside, or just some fun on a trail park. Now I know full sus is awesome, especially on multi day stage races, and especially with lots of long corrugated gravel or very bumpy track....... but for blasting on some flows single track, nothing on earth beats a hardtail. The XCO guys on the international scene also seem to chop and change between there full sus and hardtails depending on the terrain. So why on earth are hardtails basically dead here. Specially in a place like Stellenbosch, that is blessed with loads of amazing trail riding? If I was on a tight budget, I would far rather buy the best hardtails I could, rather than an entry level full sus. I mean bikes of R25 to 30k are being sold with sun tour and x-fusion suspensions, and SLX if you lucky. In these price range I much rather buy something with a REBA fork and full XT groupset....... If I was told I had to choose one bike now, and I could never have another, it would definately be something with pretty slack geometry, 130 mil travel up front, and nice wide 27,5 tires, and a hardtails. I do how ever hope the day never comes where one needs to be married to one type of bike for life......In the UK there are a good number of hardtails doing the rounds, but I understand they are also more trail orientated vs XC
MORNE Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 Had to google this word.............OT sorry you'll never look at morticians the same way again
Red Bird Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 I have a Trigon HT and it weighs 10kg, but is almost just as comfortable as a FS so it is a win-win. I recently put a Vittoria Agarro on the front for a more trail feel to the bike and I absolutely love it! It makes the bike 400g heavier so for races I will put my Barzo back on etc. I just don't like the generalisation in judgment that comes with the HT. People just assume you're all about racey racey and no fun. But a comfy hardtail is super fun to ride plus you can have the speed when you need it.
Goodbadugly Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 I suspect hardtails will die with the concept of round wheels
RobertWhitehead Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 To answer your question: No, they are not dead, less in demand due to fact that the majority of riders fall within the MAMILS category (Middle-Aged-Men-In-Lycra) and therefore most opt for the duals. I have a back issue and therefore I also have a dual. The brand being referred to do not have as many options in the HT category, I would look at other brands: https://www.trekbikes.com/za/en_ZA/bikes/mountain-bikes/29er-mountain-bikes/c/B513/https://silverbacklab.com/ladies-bikes/ Lastly, if it was me: I would build me a sub 10kg machine for the budget
nonky Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 I had a full suspension Merida and a hardtail. Sold the Full suspension and kept my hardtail, best decision I've ever made. But if I could buy again, I would definately try to get a Silverback Slade hard tail. Very nice looking geometry. Does anyone even stock the Slade? Been looking around and can't find one, except online
BSG Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 Does anyone even stock the Slade? Been looking around and can't find one, except onlineIf I'm not mistaken, Henningvr had one which he sold and yes, he said that apparently they are as scarce as hens teeth. Apparently not being brought in or sold any more here. But if I could get my hands on one I'll sell a kidney.
Rigardt@Scott Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 Does anyone even stock the Slade? Been looking around and can't find one, except online Out of stock in SA at the moment. I got a second hand frame recently after phoning every soul that stocks Silverback in SA and had no luck. A good alternative is the Nukeproof Scout 290 from Chain Reaction Cycles, a bit pricey, but nearly identical geo to the Slade.
BSG Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 I've spoken to 2 shops locally, Mosselbay and George and both said the Slade is out of stock and apparently new ones will be in stock from mid 2020, otherwise we can call the shop in George, they will have news of stock by end of next week. George Cycle and Sports Rob 0448732982Mosselbay Monties Luther0446912828
Skubarra Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 If sales of the Silverback Slade is anything to go by then surely this answers the OP's question? Maybe the opinion of the young sales guy in the S'bosch Specialized store is not the most reliable source to base this odd theory on...
PhilipV Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 Maybe the opinion of the young sales guy in the S'bosch Specialized store is not the most reliable source to base this odd theory on...Sell what's on the truck. And if there are no hardtails on the truck, then you tell the customers that hardtails are dead
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