Due to its concept, the hardtail MTB has a weight advantage over the fully. Without a suspension system on the rear triangle with additional bearings and other components, a carbon hardtail frame can be designed to be particularly light. Especially in the high-end race bike segment, manufacturers have long been engaged in an exciting race for the lightest frame weight.
Nowadays, low weight is the number one priority for fewer and fewer hardtails. Dropper posts, wide tyres, stiffer and longer forks have revolutionised off-road cycling, but also weigh more than conservative approaches. However, there are also lightweight candidates in the current model generation of cross-country and marathon hardtails. We show you which ones they are.
The BIKE weight ranking
For a ranking, the data taken into account must be comparable. At BIKE, we go to unrivalled lengths to test mountain bikes. The BIKE test system is unique and also includes measurement in our in-house test laboratory. We always weigh the hardtails as delivered, without pedals and other accessories such as bottle cages or GPS mounts.
For the sake of comparability, we only included bikes with frame size L in our list. We also only included bikes from the last two years with current standards. In other words: hardtails with 29-inch wheels and a maximum of 120 millimetres of travel. We also excluded models that we have tested but which have had an update to the frame in the meantime. What remains are 15 race and all-round hardtails from just under 8.2 kilos.
1st place: VPace C4M - 8.19 kg
The VPace C4M is a slender sports bike. With a rigid fork, rigid seat post, feather-light carbon frame and a weight-optimised equipment package, this special hardtail takes the crown in the weight rankings. Less than 8.2 kilos is an announcement for mountain sprints and fast training laps.
Off-road, the minimalist VPace has to let bikes with suspension forks and more comfort take the lead. However, the complete bike from the German direct mail order company remains unbeatably affordable compared to the lightweight competition.
- Suspension travel: rigid fork
- Wheel size: 29"
- Frame material: Carbon
- Price: 3199 Euro
2nd place: Bike Ahead The Frame - 8.34 kg
The German carbon manufacturer Bike Ahead has made a name for itself for lightweight parts. When the Bavarians launched their own frame "made in Portugal", it was already clear that this hardtail could be built really light. Although Bike Ahead mastermind Christian Gemperlein's personal The Frame was designed with weight in mind, no compromises were made in terms of ride quality. A super-light weight despite the suspension fork, Vario seat post and wide tyres plus convincing riding characteristics gave the bike a test victory among the high-end hardtails.
- Suspension travel: 100 mm
- Wheel size: 29"
- Frame material: Carbon
- Price: 8850 Euro
3rd place: Cannondale Scalpel HT Lab71 - 9.01 kg
When the latest version of the Cannondale Scalpel with the characteristic Lefty Ocho one-piece fork was presented, we were amazed: 110 millimetres of travel and a relatively slack head angle were the absolute exception on the cross-country starting block at the time.
In the meantime, other manufacturers have also followed suit, but especially in the weight-optimised and strictly limited Lab71 version, the expensive Scalpel still perfectly balances riding reserves and a good value on the scales.
- Suspension travel: 110 mm
- Wheel size: 29"
- Frame material: Carbon
- Price: 10,500 euros
4th place: Pinarello Dogma XC - 9.05 kg
The name Pinarello Dogma is probably best known to racing bike fans. However, since cycling superstars Tom Pidcock and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot have been shaking up the Cross-Country World Cup in the name of the Italian brand, Pinarello has also become a household name in the mountain bike scene.
In the BIKE test, the Dogma XC Hardtail was particularly aggressive and openly displayed its racing attitude. The Pinarello just missed the top three by a hair's breadth.
- Suspension travel: 100 mm
- Wheel size: 29"
- Frame material: Carbon
- Price: 11,000 euros
5th place: Merida Big.Nine 10K - 9.4 kg
When Merida withdrew from racing after years of success on the big cross-country stage, the Big.Nine hardtail model went quiet. The return is like a drumbeat. The mix of long, flat geometry, wide tyres and light weight scored top marks in the BIKE test. The high-end 10K model with the new electronic Shimano XTR drivetrain leaves nothing to be desired apart from one small feature - if you want one, you have to retrofit the dropper seatpost.
- Suspension travel: 100 mm
- Wheel size: 29"
- Frame material: Carbon
- Price: 7699 Euro
Place 6 to 10
In places six to ten in our weight ranking, the hardtails are significantly heavier but also significantly cheaper. Only the carbon bike from Storck remains under the magic ten-kilo limit. The Scott Scale comes in the gravel version with a rigid fork. However, due to its affordable price compared to the high-end models, it does not break any weight records.
Place 11 to 15
The eleventh to 15th places in this weight ranking are occupied exclusively by inexpensive hardtails. The bikepacking specialist from Kona comes with a steel frame, otherwise all manufacturers rely on an aluminium frame for these affordable mountain bikes.
Experience has shown that the riding dynamics of a hardtail suffer greatly off-road beyond 13 kilos. These models have to score points with other qualities, such as a robust construction and bargain prices.
Out of competition
We don't want to withhold four other hardtails from our list. However, they are out of competition in the ranking, as we have not tested them in a comparable frame size.
Conclusion
No mountain bike delivers a rocket-fast acceleration as uncompromisingly as a really light hardtail. Even today, the expensive crème de la crème still manage to stay under the magical ten-kilo limit. However, minimalism also has its limits: rigid seat posts and rigid forks reduce the ride quality off-road. Inexpensive hardtails today easily reach fully weights. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
Jan Timmermann
Editor
