Hardtails for racing?

[Drtgirl]

I am going to race MTB this summer for the first time in years. I used to race on my steel Breezer Lightning but it's no longer in service. My current rig is a very heavy Blur but I'm really more interested in racing on a hardtail again. it's been a while since I've shopped for a mountain bike and was looking for suggestions. I'd love steel but they're had to come by these days.

Tks in advance.

[velogirl]

Is there a question in there?



My first race season and half of my second I race on a Litespeed Pisgah hardtail. Then I got a Yeti ARL-SL. My results definitely dipped down. My BF swears it's the full suspension bike -- too heavy and it doesn't climb as snappily. My bike shop says it's just an adjustment period. Personally, I have a lot more confidence on the Yeti, but since our courses aren't super-technical here it's not a big issue.

You'll see the gamut at local races, especially at the beginner or sport level. The pros will race a bike suited for the terrain/track, but most entry-level racers will race whatever they've got.

Is there an answer in there?

[DirtDiva]

I know someone with a Blur that weighs about 23lb, so if you've got lots of cash to throw at it...

Go for some demos/test rides. All the brands that do higher-end bikes will have a race specced hardtail somewhere in their catalogue.

[SalsaMTB]

This year, I will be racing a KHS Alite Team frame built up mainly with XTR. The weight will be sub 20lbs. Dh will be racing the frame but with a bit lighter build, target is sub 18lbs. He raced the KHS frame last year and loved it. Quick, snappy, good bike and a decent price.

[Voodoo Sally]

Now thats-a-what-I-like to hear. I've always preferred a hard-tail for racing. I tried a full-suspension for a year, and it just didn't do it for me. There are a few companies still making steel XC frames. Jamis, Rocky Mountain and Voodoo are some that come to mind. Of course for some $ there are the more boutique brands like Spot, Gunnar, Salsa, Sycip, Dean and Independent Fabrication, too. You could always see what's on eBay, maybe some of the nice steel frames of yester-year (the Kona Explosif just went out of production this year). There are a bunch of companies (e.g., Kona, Redline, Haro) making a steel 29er hardtail this year. Let us know if you get something.

[han-grrl]

I prefer the simplicity of the hard tail. fewer parts means fewer things to "go wrong" while you race. I feel i also ride better on the HT, i tend to be a bit on the "lazy" side when i ride my FS, letting the rear shock take up a lot of the hits.

i vote ht!!

[Drtgirl]

After much hemming and hawing, I have decided:

1. I'd rather put the most $$$ towards a rocking cross bike for next season
2. I am going to restore my "vintage" (is 1990's considered vintage?) Breezer Lightning. I'm sending it to Spectrum Powdeworks in CO.
3. I may drop a few bucks to make by Blur a bit lighter (wheelset or something.