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There are still many fans of the classic hardtail, and not just in the BIKE editorial team. Many manufacturers are also still focussing on off-road bikes with a rigid rear end. The trendy gravel bikes and full-suspension full-suspension bikes have not yet stolen the thunder from hardtails. Interesting bikes of this type also rolled onto the market in 2025. Some make a name for themselves as racy race bikes, while others enter into a liaison with the gravel discipline and turn into bikepacking substitutes. Still others simply return to the values that have always made a hardtail attractive. From optimised, expensive specialists to uncomplicated daily riders: these ten hardtails from 2025 have remained in our memories.
1st Radon Jealous
Direct mail order company Radon relaunched its Jealous race hardtail this year - and is thus launching an attack on the popular gravel bike. As a reasonably priced all-rounder, the carbon racer aims to score points in shallow terrain as well as on the trails. The integrated seat clamp and the cables running through the headset stand out visually. Two well-equipped versions are available from 2999 euros and from 9.2 kilos.
2nd Scott Scale Gravel
The Scott Scale Gravel polarises more than almost any other bike. Some see the rigid fork hardtail as an homage to the 90s, others see it as the future of gravel biking. The wide tyres and the classic flat bar are a blessing for off-road handling. Inner bar ends come as standard for aero dynamics. Attractive prices from 1399 euros and light weights from 9.1 kilos speak in favour of the concept's return to the big stage >> available here.
3rd Merida Big.Nine
The Merida Big. Nine is uncompromising, radical and light: a race hardtail as it should be in 2025. The extremely long geometry combined with a low overall and wheel weight is an explosive mix. In the test, the hardtail impressed with its progressive character: you simply have to ride fast on this bike. With a carbon frame, the XC bullet starts at 3199 euros and weighs around 9.1 kilos.
4th Bike Ahead The One
In 2024, the Ahead The Frame hardtail bike secured a prestigious BIKE test victory among the race hardtails. For Eurobike 2025, the carbon manufacturer followed this up with a real hit: the dream build of The Frame, which weighs just 7.75 kilos and goes by the name of "The One". The unique piece with a 120-millimetre Lefty fork not only contains a lot of tuning love, but also a lot of manual work. The frame, which costs € 1978.99, is manufactured in Portugal and finished near Würzburg.
5. VPace Matz 29L
During our big kids' bike test at the BIKE Youth Camp 2025, we remembered the VPace Matz 29L as a versatile youth mountain bike. Suitable for both trails and touring, the 11.2-kilo aluminium hardtail, which costs € 2149, covers an extremely wide range of uses. VPace integrates the good rollover behaviour of large 29er wheels on the Matz29L into an age-appropriate concept for young bikers around 160 centimetres tall.
6. rose PDQ AL
A mountain bike hardtail for 1199 euros: Rose has created a new PDQ AL an offer that is no longer available from many manufacturers. This year, the German direct mail order company presented the attractively priced aluminium version of its PDQ ("Pretty Damn Quick") hardtail model. The affordable hardtail does not have to do without modern geometry, a dropper post and a suspension fork with 120 millimetres of travel. With weights from 14.3 kilos, the Rose PDQ AL is designed to be robust.
7th Canyon Exceed CF
Canyon has also recognised that hardtails only play a subordinate role in the Crosscountr World Cup. That's why the carbon speedster Exceed 2025 underwent a metamorphosis in the direction of touring, adventure and training equipment. The hardtail from the Koblenz-based mail order company is still characterised by a respectable weight of 10.3 kilos and the usual high-quality features. A storage compartment in the down tube, a longer and flatter geometry and more mounting points for bottle cages predestine the new Canyon Exceed as a "daily rider" or alternative to a gravel bike. It starts from 1999 euros.
8th Marin Team Marin
Early in the winter of 2025, Marin announced a comprehensive update for its Team Marin hardtail family. The updated bike from the cult brand is advertised in the shop window with a solid aluminium frame and prices starting at € 1600. A modern geometry has been developed around the fork suspension travel of 120 millimetres in order to increase riding safety off-road. Various adjustments to the frame details are also said to have improved usability and reduced the weight.
9th Ritchey P-29
This year, Ritchey presented a revised version of the P-29 mountain bike frame. The classic steel frame has finally been given a tapered head tube and is now also prepared for dropper posts. With 29-inch wheels and a geometry designed for 100-millimetre suspension forks, the P-29 is aimed at cross-country and light trail use. Of course, Ritchey has also long since jumped on the gravel trend: The P-29 can also be set up with a drop bar as a versatile gravel bike if desired. The cult frame, which weighs a good 2300 grams, is available from 990.70 euros.
10th Moots Scrambler
The new Moots Scrambler presents itself as an adventure bike for bikepacking trips away from civilisation. Mountain bike features such as 29-inch wheels meet gravel bike handlebars and a titanium frame. The elegant hybrid is only built in limited numbers in the USA, but is also available here in Germany. At a minimum of 8195 euros for the complete bike or 4660 euros for the frame, the Scrambler will remain a dream for most globetrotters. Collectors will pay even more for the exclusive topo anodising.
Jan Timmermann
Editor
