Are EMTB Hardtails Worth Buying?

One question to consider when buying your first emtb is whether to buy a hardtail EMTB or go for a full-suspension E-bike. We've seen some great ones around and about this year at our local trail centres but with so many options out there, which choice is right for you?

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Do you own a hardtail EMTB? If so, what made you decide to go hardtail? Let us know down below! 👇

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Do you own a hardtail EMTB? If so, what made you decide to go hardtail? Let us know down below! 👇

[ndrdst]

I used to ride fullies exclusively simply because I was used to them from always having had one since my early teenage years (thanks, parents). And that extra capability encouraged me to explore progressively rougher terrain and challenging trails over the years. But then I moved to a flatter part of the country and my riding changed from up and down to distance, and my first 29er endurance hardtail simply rode better on those hours long marathon rides exploring my surroundings. I ultimately found that my hardtail can get me through occasional rough rocky/rooty patches and downhill well enough but rides especially well on nice roads and trails. So, lifting my bum off the saddle over big roots and kerbs has become second nature 😁

[steves]

Weight, Maintenance, less moving parts. Nicer to drive on flat surfaces. Love my hardtail.

[neilelliston]

It's mostly cost... Good Full sus is £4500. Good hardtail £2200.
Not everyone is rich

[RevelationRC]

I am going from full suspension trek rail 5 to trek powerfly 4. I had both and now there is just one. The hard tail is my choice 💯

[ruralpestcontrol]

I hired a hardtail at dalby forest and after doing 30 miles of trails I felt like I'd been run over by a truck. I then hired a full suss the next month and did 30 miles and didn't even feel like I'd been on a bike. I now own a full suss focus sam2 6.8 and love it 👍

[AnonymousAndy]

I bought a new Spez Tero 4.0 November 21 for riding trails in the Surrey Hills. Been riding MTBs since early 90s, both full suss & hardtail but this was my first EMTB. I was very pleased with it, but soon found that the extra weight on the supplied 2.35 tires was quite uncomfortable. I changed to 2.6 and this helped. However, I found the more I rode it, the faster I became, the further I went & I started to tackle more tricky trails. After only a few months I realised that as much I loved the Tero 4.0, it was not suitable for what I was doing. Thankfully due to lack of new bikes available I was able to sell it on for only a small loss. I replaced it with a new 2022 Mondraker Chaser R with the latest Bosch 750 battery and I love it. This is so much the bike I should have bought in the first place. It’s perfect for what I do. The only upgrade it required was DHF & DHR tires as the supplied Recons didn’t have enough grip for where I ride in the UK.

In short, the HT was brilliant and I loved it but it was not suitable for where I was riding.

This can be said for non e-powered bikes to, but due to extra weight of the ebikes the lack of rear suspension is felt more so.

[jbme-zbuo]

Bought a e-hardtail 4 months ago.
Got around 1500 km on it right now and i love it.
Drove a full sus last weak and it was a bit boring with my ride style.
So i love it even more now. ❤

[RedSonya]

Love, love, LOVE my hardtail EMTB. It does everything and goes everywhere. I love hill climbs and jumps on it. Not quite as fun as motocross but way less expensive.

[mact]

Had my giant hardtail for 4years and done 6500 miles, love it

[IggasaurusRex]

We have Ecotric e-bikes with hub drives. They also have throttles. They are rigid frame. My husband can no longer walk without a cane and that is difficult. Have you done a video on the benefits of e-bikes for the disabled? It's given him a way to get outdoors. He can no longer hike. E-bikes had given him a reason to still enjoy life.

[MrRhals]

Hard tail Tero 5.0 for some smaller reasons but one giant reason. I want to ride it everywhere, including adventures on road. The only e-mountain bike I know of that is able to go 28mph assisted is the Tero. This is a factory option to have it upgraded. For road rides being able to squeak a bit more than 20mph is a little bit more important than full squish. Price was also slightly a factor, other bikes can be had near the same price.

That said, I absolutely do not regret it. The 2.35 tires will be swapped to 2.6 mainly to cut the chatter in the rear, the fork is already upgraded to a Yari 120mm, it’s a great weekend adventure bike. I have a stumpy for the harsh stuff but honestly I don’t even need that much most of the time. Most anything I regularly ride is more flow and loose rock which is fine on a hard tail.

Next morning I can be out touring the countryside or bombing to my favorite breakfast stop, it’s great.

[knightstemplar]

Hard tail all the way. It’s just as capable as a full susser just less hassle and cost for servicing and cheaper

[brendanhayward]

Hard tails are bullet proof! Less to go wrong.. been beating on mine for about 15000 km now

[leeteemtb]

I think I've trumped the hardtail ebike world and purchased a kingsong S18 EUC electric unicycle, it has suspension, no need to lock up and leave, it has a trolley handle to wheel around shops etc, take it on the bus, train no worries and with a 50 mile radius, it's still an electric powered cycle too, just a unicycle.

[neilelliston]

Quicker to clean in the winter!
I got a cube reaction hybrid pro 2years ago. Started off with 100mm coil on front.
Year later went 130mm air.
6months after went 150mm.
Put grippy tyres on it, great bike. And 2.5 grand cheaper than a full suspension!
Run the back tyre at 15psi and u have a tiny bit of rear suspension 😁😁😁

[mushymi]

I’ve owned a cube reaction hybrid hardtail for a year and it’s feckin awesome for my local rides.

[johnreese]

Got a full suspension first then bought a Specialized hard tail for daily riding and to carry my drone and camera gear down paved trails to dirt for photography. Great suggestions/video, thanks! 😁

[bustergoddess]

For those of us lucky enough to ride velvety smooth, groomed snow trails in the Winter, a hard tail fat bike, such as the Norco Big foot vlt, is a dream bike! A rear shock isn’t necessary for that style of riding.
The Swedes and Norwegians are all over it! ⚡️❄️⚡️check it out.

[CraigHlavka]

I have the Orbea Urrun. Soooo fun. Also, my thought was without that rear suspension in frame, that's a great space to fit a bike bag and make this an epic bikecamping rig. I have yet to try it on a spicy blue or an easier diamond.. But, I plan to.