racing with a hardtail

[TheMowingMonk]

I was wondering, im starting to get into downhill racing, and i was wondering if alot of people use hardtails for racing, cause my bike is a hard tail and im wonder how much of a disadvantage it would be for me as i get more into racing do many people use hard tails?

[Jordansrealm]

Im no expert but the thought of racing a DH Race on a hardtail makes my teeth chatter at the thought. You would take alot of abuse my friend! Or just go reallllllly slow

[TheMowingMonk]

well ive already done some little things and it hasnt seemed to bad. i have a nice front fork so that takes out alot of the punch, but im wondering if there is anyone else out there that races on a hard tail

[LBmtb]

Sarah wants to try a dh race on her hardtail soon so she might have some good feedback on it once that happens. Is the hardtail your only bike?

[Gabriel Zink]

I raced on my Le-toy hardtail with gears on it. I would win some sport races but was not fast enough for expert, but still had lots of fun. In a 3 min race I was able to drop about 15 seconds with a Foes DHS, which is a lot.

[Pain Freak]

I guess it would really depend on the course. Some dh courses are ht friendly where others with big drops would make it really hard. I've been to quite a few dh races and the guys on ht's are at a distinct disadvantage

[mechmann]

some courses (like Fontana) have an equalizer like the wall where pedaling efficency actually gives HT's a bit of time back...

but thinking of racing DH on an HT makes me want to cry...


btw... my XC bike for racing and riding that i ride every week is a steel HT so i am not a cush only kind of person.

[Flat Broke]

When I got back into bikes a little over a year ago, I opted to go the FR hardtail route. I love my Vagrant as it's a capable frame that is actually pretty comfortable for what it is on rougher terrain. But it is no full squish deal. My first MTB back in the day was a Chromo HT, then I got a GT RTS. The bike was more comfortable to ride, but I noticed I was going slower than I used to on my hardtail when it came to smoother flowy trails. When that bike got ripped off, I bought another HT. Fast forward almost a decade and I have a full squish frame on the way.

If you want to race, race whatever you've got. If you're the type of person that just likes the competition, you'd probably be happy on a tricycle as long as they'd let you down the hill. My advice would be to go to the next race you can make and enter on your HT. If you get a chance at some point over the weekend, maybe hookup with someone who would let you try their full squish rig after you've done some runs on your HT. It's supposed to be about doing what makes you feel good. If getting out there and bombing the course makes you feel good, who cares what you're doing it on. If you come to a point where a full squish is in the cards and would enhance your enjoyment of the activity, buy one.

As for how many folks race on a HT vs a full suspension deal, just look at the pictures posted on this site from the various races at Fontana, Woodward, Sea Otter, etc. That's a pretty telling tale.

Chris

[dhmike]

i think i raced some dude on a hardtail @ fontucky and he survived, so it is possible .

[Sharky]

My nephew did a few DH races at Southridge this year...one being on his hardtail which he'll use next time racing and did great on it. This is his regular bike so he's comfortable on it and has some great skills riding it. Hope you do well (as long as I don't wish you luck you will )...look forward to seeing Sarah race on hers. You rock girl !! Have fun ....

[Shannon]

Originally Posted by LBmtb

Sarah wants to try a dh race on her hardtail soon so she might have some good feedback on it once that happens.

Yeah, but you fail to mention that Sarah is totally crazy...

[ApexMan]

Yes, it would be a disadvantage because the rear would be bouncing wich will lead to less braking, corning traction. You then would have to use more leg to control the hops and that would leae less for pedalling and balance. And then there is the dreaded flat taking you out totally.

If you want results, go full suspension. If you want to have fun, run what you brung.

[SAR_boats]

Originally Posted by ApexMan

Yes, it would be a disadvantage because the rear would be bouncing wich will lead to less braking, corning traction. You then would have to use more leg to control the hops and that would leae less for pedalling and balance. And then there is the dreaded flat taking you out totally.

If you want results, go full suspension. If you want to have fun, run what you brung.

werd

[L8 APEKS]

You'll get killed on DH sections if you're on a HT. I grew up racing HT's, and saw the evolution of F/S bikes while I was racing NORBA XC. I was such a die-hard HT fan, I only stepped up to a Soft Tail LAST YEAR. lol. I still don't want a F/S bike.

But I can't argue with the huge advantage a decent F/S bike has on rough downhill sections of trail. A stiff HT, even with a good front fork, will bounce off the trail and really suffer in the corners at speed...but a supple F/S will allow the tires to stay on the trail.

I hate to admit it, but I can't keep up to even an intermediate rider on a F/S going downhill...and I've been racing for about 21 years. lol. Granted, I've had some downtime recently, but you get the point. F/S is an enormous advantage, and some of them are so light now there's almost no excuse for me not to get one (other than money, and the fact that I'm stubborn and old-skooL).

[Waldo]

Mowing Monk, your profile says you ride a Trek 4500. If that's still the case, and you hope to be at all competitive, then I hope it's been substantially upgraded with some good hydro disc brakes and a great fork. And yes, full suspension would be a big advantage, but you gotta run what you can.

And as others have said: There's nothing at all wrong with giving it a shot, just for the fun and experience of it. I haven't tried racing my bike yet, but that was always my approach when I did motocross. Considering my bike was 5 years older than anyone else's, and I was far less skilled than most, that seemed to be a good approach!

Have a good time!

[dirttorpeedo]

i did a practice run on my giant h/t in tahachapi,the course was pretty smooth but i dropped the chain at the finishline.after that i stuck with the f/s for the race. i ''d not mind doing it tho with a chain guide.id say try it .