Safety Without Breaking Your Wallet: Best Hardtail Mountain Bike Under 1000
Are you confused as to which mountain bike to buy with only $1000?
Do you know what a suspension system is and whether or not it is necessary?
Hardtail mountain bikes are bikes that have just one front suspension system.
While this sounds less ideal than a full suspension, let us convince you otherwise as a novice.
No need for a recap on hardtail mountain bikes?
Scroll down to see our choice for the best hardtail mountain bike under $1000 today.
What Is A Hardtail Mountain Bike and Why Should You Choose It Over Other Mountain Bikes?
What is a suspension fork?
A suspension fork is a system that is installed in a bike’s rear or front wheel- or both- to absorb the impact that the bike gets from bouncing on rough terrains.
In a nutshell, it is the primary system that helps enhance the rider’s comfort.
That being said, some bikes do not have any suspension forks and are, therefore, known as rigid bikes.
They are cheap but uncomfortable for rocky terrains.
Aside from rigid bikes, there are other bikes that have two suspensions- one on the rear and the other on the front wheel- and are known as full/dual suspension mountain bikes.
Now, in the middle of this spectrum, there are the hardtail mountain bikes. These are bikes with a fork suspension on the front wheel but none on the rear.
Most hardtail bikes have a lockout feature for the front fork such that you can opt to lock the suspension and somehow convert it to a rigid bike.
Now that we have a basis on which to compare hardtail mountain bikes with the rest, we can now look at some of the reasons that make the hardtails to stand out.
Best features of a hardtail mountain bike
Better Pedal Performance
When riding a dual suspension bike, some of your pedaling energy will be used to cancel out the resistance caused by the suspensions.
This is not the case with hardtail bikes as their rigid rear offers no resistance to the pedals.
As a result, you will experience more acceleration with a hardtail than a full suspension mountain bike.
Light and Maneuverable
With one suspension less, hardtail bikes are without a doubt lighter than the full suspension bikes.
Dual suspension bikes also have a pivoting triangle on the rear which makes them bulkier than hardtails, assuming that they are both built from the same material and are of the same size.
Maneuverability, on the other hand, comes automatically as a consequence of the bike being light.
Easier To Service and Maintain
Not having a rear suspension means lesser parts to service and maintain.
If you are on the road and your hardtail bike’s rear wheel got damaged, it would take you lesser time and effort to fix it compared to a dual suspension bike.
That’s without mentioning that shocks demand new seals every now and then so, with only one shock to service, maintaining hardtails must be relatively cheaper.
Cheaper but Quality
Like the above mentioned, full suspension mountain bikes can really increase your bike repair and maintenance costs over time.
While the high-end ones incorporate advanced technology in their frames and components, you need to consider the sustainability of owning one.
On the other hand, a hardtail mountain bike does not usually have components like a rear suspension or additional mounts.
So as a whole you have less to worry about when you are taking the hardtail for a spin on the mountain trails or across rain and shine on your commute.
Better for Commuting
Hardtail mountain bikes are usually lighter in weight and accelerates much faster with a rigid rear than its full suspension counterpart.
If you plan to only frequent weekend trails and also use your mountain bike to get to work, we recommend the hardtail mountain bike.
It is also a bonus if your commute or roads are hilly because the light weight of the hardtail bike will help with the climbs.
Our pick for best hardtail mountain bike under $1,000
Diamondback Overdrive 29er Hardtail Mountain Bike
It is a stout make that will comfortably carry a weight of 330lbs with its original seat and up to 400lbs with an upgraded seat.
Its frame- handlebar and seat post included- are made of lightweight aluminum which makes it both durable, light (less than 50lbs.), and easy to clean.
The frame is then coated with an attractive black color which makes it water, corrosion, and stain resistant.
This gives them not only a guaranteed longevity but also an extra grip on muddy or rocky terrains.
As for the gear and brake systems, the Diamondback Overdrive 29er Hardtail Mountain Bike is very reliable.
It uses a Shimano Acera M360 derailleur with 24 gears on the rear wheel thus optimizing your pedaling energy to give you an impeccable acceleration.
When the time to stop comes, the bike’s Tectro Aries full hydraulic disk brakes will never fail you.
Other Pros:
- It comes over 80% assembled. All that’s left for you to assemble are the pedals, front tire, and the seat
- Its gears change smoothly
- Its durability isn’t in question
Cons:
- The shock cannot be locked out and compression is not adjustable
- Its original seat is stiff and uncomfortable
Conclusion
The Diamondback Overdrive 29er Hardtail Mountain Bike is the best hardtail mountain bike under 1000. It is also a contender for the best bike across the biking world.
It gives you good value for your money by giving you enough comfort, safety, and power to succeed in your new-found recreation activity.
If you are interested in any mountain bike under $1000, check this: It’s Worth Every Penny: 5 Best Mountain Bike Under 1000
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