Hardtail

Looking for a round up of the very best this year?

Check out our shiny guide to the best hardtail mountain bikes of 2018. 

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Showing reviews 1–20 of 170

norco torrent

Slender steel tubing gives the Norco Torrent S2 a distinctly retro look. But make no mistake; this is a thoroughly modern 29er trail hardtail.

£1,845.00
Score 7

specialized fuse expert 29

The new Specialized Fuse Expert 29 lends a lightweight alloy frame with 29in wheels and a 130mm fork. Ther most aggro trail hardtail.

£1,649.00
Score 8

vitus sentier

Successfully defending its 2018 title, the handsome Vitus Sentier 27 VR defies its sub £1,000 price point with the best spec, geometry and overall finish.

£999.99
Score 10

vitus nucleus

What can we say about the Vitus Nucleus 27 VR that’s not been said? As winner of this test four years in a row, its accolades say everything.

£499.99
Score 10

voodoo bizango

Voodoo Bizango is the winning bike from 2018 and nothing has changed, not even the price, although it's supposed to be £670 but pricing seems pretty fluid.

£650.00
Score 10

Calibre Two Cubed

The Calibre Two Cubed is the Go Outdoors own-brand's latest bike. The Two Cubed is dominant in the hardtail arena as £1k Bossnut is in full suspension.

£399.00
Score 10

whyte 905 v2

Whyte has been at the forefront of hardtail development for as long as we can remember. This Whyte 905 V2 looks set to rack up test wins and awards.

£1,699.00
Score 10

orange clockwork

The Orange Clockwork is something of a stalwart in the Orange hardtail range, but the latest EVO version brings this timeless classic bang up-to-date.

£1,700.00
Score 8

Saracen Mantra

The new Saracen Mantra Elite LSL is longer, slacker and lower than its predecessor, but how does it stack up against the competition?

£1,599.00
Score 7

nukeproof scout 275

The Nukeproof Scout 275 Comp has seen a lot of development. Its low-slung profile remains, but the bike has been stretched to a more generous cockpit.

£1,699.99
Score 9

ribble ti ht

The Ribble HT Ti is Ribble Cycles' first mountain bike in 20 years and it blends the old and the new with classic titanium tubes and modern geometry.

£3,199.00
specialized fuse comp

Billed as an out and out trail bike, the Specialized Fuse Comp sees Specialized back at the sharp end of hardtails. What’s new? Everything really!

£1,299.00
Jamis Dakar A2

This year, Jamis has upped the stakes. The price of the entry-level Jamis Dakar A2 has crept up by £100 and Jamis has made some key revisions to the spec.

£1,100.00
Score 7

nukeproof scout

The Nukeproof Scout 275 Sport's slack head angle and long wheelbase gives it stacks of stability when the going gets steep and rough.

£999.99
Score 9

ragley marley

Absent from last year’s test after taking top honours in 2016 and pushing close in 2017, the Ragley Marley is back with a bang for 2019.

£999.99
Score 9

sonder transmitter

With slackest head angle, longest reach and shortest stem, the Sonder Transmitter is built for bombing, inspiring confidence to fully attack descents.

£999.00
Score 8

Decathlon Rockrider AM 100 HT

French outdoor pursuits supermarket, Decathlon, has listened to what the British rider wants and delivered this, the Decathlon Rockrider AM 100 HT.

£949.99
Score 8