Are you looking for a new hardtail mountain bike to ride down mountains and hit those big trails but don’t know what to get? If so, you have come to the right place. This article discusses five of the best hardtail mountain bikes that are currently available on the market.
Comparison Chart
SAVADECK DECK300 Carbon Fiber Mountain Bike 27.5″/29″ Complete Hard Tail MTB Bicycle 30 Speed with M6000 DEORE Group Set (White, 27.5″ 17″)
Best Hardtail Mountain Bikes: Reviews
SAVADECK DECK300 Mountain Bike
Suppose you are looking for a high-quality, durable, easy to maneuver, lightweight hardtail mountain bike, and you’re willing to invest a fair bit of money. In that case, the SAVADECK DECK300 is an excellent option to consider.
Review
One thing that stands out about the SAVADECK DECK300 is that the frame is made of carbon fiber, a material that is exceptionally durable and able to withstand a lot of punishment, yet also very lightweight. It’s perfect for riding trails and over other harsh terrains.
When it comes to the frame, you can choose from various sizes, including 15.5, 17, and 19 inches, and in terms of the wheel size, you can choose from 26, 27.5, and 29 inches.
To give you a bit of impact absorption without sacrificing mobility and control, the SAVADECK DECK300 comes with an SR Suntour fork with 100 mm of suspension.
Keep in mind that this is a 30-speed bike that features a full Shimano derailleur system for easy and reliable gear shifting, as well as speed control.
Moreover, the SAVADECK DECK300 also has a Shimano MT200 disc brake system that can bring you to a full stop at just a moment’s notice; you really get excellent stopping power here.
Pros
- Superior durability
- Very lightweight
- High-quality gear system
- High-quality disc brakes
- Great control and mobility
- Various frame and tire sizes
Cons
- Expensive
- Front shock is off-brand
Royce Union RCF Mountain Bike
Here we have another very high-end hardtail mountain bike. It’s a little more expensive than the previous model, but it comes with some truly outstanding features.
Review
There are various options to choose from, including a 16.5-inch with 27.5-inch wheels, a 17.5-inch with 29-inch wheels, and a 19-inch with 29-inch wheels. The frame is also made of carbon fiber, which is both extremely durable and lightweight.
To keep you moving with speed and efficiency, this model comes with an advanced Shimano drivetrain with a total of 22 gears and a Neco three-piece crank. The drivetrain and gear shifting system is very high quality, which can also be said for the Suntour XCT suspension fork that features 100 mm of travel.
The Royce Union RCF Mountain Bike comes with dual hydraulic disc brakes that provide you with nearly unparalleled stopping power, and to finish it off, you get WTB alloy rims with quick-release hubs.
Pros
- Durable frame
- Lightweight carbon fiber
- High-quality drivetrain system
- Great hydraulic disc brakes
- Quick-release wheels
- Durable and high-quality handle grip
- Various frame/wheel sizes to choose from
Cons
- Quite expensive
- Gear shifters are a bit stiff
Diamondback Bicycles Overdrive Hardtail Mountain Bike
This model from Diamondback Bicycles is a reasonably priced hardtail mountain bike made with high-quality components and designed to rip through trails and down mountains.
Review
Something that stands out about this bike is the hand-built 6061-T6 aluminum alloy frame.
This might not be as light as carbon fiber, but it is still very lightweight; aluminum alloy is also quite durable and should withstand most trails and mountains.
This model comes with an SR Sun tour XCT fork with a total of 80 mm of travel, which offers you a fair bit of impact absorption and control while still allowing for maneuverability.
When it comes to the gears, this hardtail features a Shimano 3×8 speed drivetrain, for a total of 24 speeds, with durable Suntour XCT cranks for reliable gear shifting at all times. To bring you to a complete stop at a moment’s notice, you also get Tektro Aries mechanical disc brakes.
Pros
- Great affordable hardtail mountain bike
- Decent disk brakes
- Fairly lightweight
- Quite durable
- Good front fork with decent suspension
- Large wheels for challenging terrain
Cons
Pedal in front position is very close to the front wheel – not ideal for large feet
Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike
If you are looking for a super durable mountain bike that can handle a lot of punishment, will get you down any mountain, and won’t break your budget, this model from Huffy is a great one to consider.
Review
In terms of overall durability, the Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike’s steel frame will stand up to virtually anything you put in its path. It is a steel frame, so it’s not particularly lightweight, but the trade-off for this extra weight is strength and stability.
This hardtail features a 17-inch frame with 26-inch wheels, a good size for most youths and average-size adults.
To keep you moving forward with speed, you get an indexed Shimano TZ-31 rear derailleur combined with a micro-shift twist shifter, with a total of 21 speeds. Whether you need to climb, go downhill, or accelerate fast, this bike should be ideal for all of those purposes.
What needs to be said about the Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike is that the brakes are standard caliper brakes; they are acceptable for basic riding, but they don’t provide the same stopping power as disc brakes.
Pros
- Good price
- Very durable frame
- High-quality derailleur and shifter
- Good handlebar grips
- Nice pedals
- Ideal for many types of riding
- Decent front suspension
Cons
- Brakes could be better
- Quite heavy
Mongoose Flatrock Hardtail Mountain Bike
To round things off, this is another high-end yet reasonably priced option, a very cool-looking one if we do say so ourselves.
Review
The Mongoose Flatrock Hardtail Mountain Bike features a fairly thick carbon steel frame that brings you the durability of steel, combined with carbon’s lightweight nature. It’s a durable bike that can handle most things.
This hardtail bike features double mechanical disc brakes to help bring you to a full stop in just seconds. To keep you from suffering too much impact, you also get a decent front suspension system.
With a pretty decent drivetrain and 21 gears, accelerating, riding downhill, or climbing mountains is relatively easy. The 24-inch wheels should be able to roll over most terrain with ease, thanks to the wear-resistant off-road tires.
Pros
- Fairly durable
- Not too heavy
- Really nice tires
- Great disc brakes
- Good front suspension
- Nice handlebar grips
- Decent drivetrain
- Good price
Cons
Not designed for extreme riding
Buyers Guide
Let’s take a quick look at some of the main features and factors to look out for when buying a hardtail mountain bike.
Bike Frame
For one, look at how large the frame is, as this is directly related to your own size. Moreover, what the frame is made of is also essential.
The standard options include aluminum, aluminum alloy, carbon fiber, steel, and carbon steel. If you are looking for maximum durability combined with a lightweight design, carbon fiber or carbon steel is generally best.
Frame Geometry
This could be the subject of an article all on its own, but that said, what’s important to look for is the seat angle, the bottom bracket height, the chainstay length, the wheelbase, the reach, the top tube, the head angle, and other such measurements.
Before buying any mountain bike, we’d recommend doing a bit more research on the ideal frame geometry.
Hydraulic Disc Brakes
If you plan on doing some extreme riding, it is recommended that you go for a bike with great brakes, with the best being hydraulic disc brakes.
The next best option is mechanical disc brakes, followed by your standard V or caliper brakes.
Final Verdict
If you want the best hardtail mountain bike around, we recommend checking out the SAVADECK DECK300 or the Royce Union Men’s Carbon Bike. They might both be relatively expensive, but you know what they say, you get what you pay for, especially when it comes to hardtail mountain bikes.