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Schwinn Light-Weight Aluminum Mountain Bike - $190 (Congress Park)
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26” tires, Size Medium aluminum frame, High-end components (Shimano XT and LX)
COMPONENTS DO MATTER! The Shimano XT and LX on this bike, while an older generation, offer a far superior riding/pedaling/shifting experience than new bikes with low-end components!
Front shock and a seat-shock absorber to smooth out the rougher stuff…but it’s essentially a hardtail.
Why ride a Soft/Hardtail (versus full suspension)?
Soft/Hardtails are low(er) maintenance
Bragging rights
Soft/Hardtails are versatile
Soft/Hardtails are super versatile bikes. Maybe you don’t want to ride one down the gnarliest downhill track in your local trail system, however there’s a lot more you CAN do that you might not want to do on a full suspension trail bike. For starters, Soft/Hardtails can make great commuter bikes. If you don’t have the space or money for more than one bike, a Soft/Hardtail makes pedaling on asphalt a lot easier than a full suspension bike. Just put a little extra air in your tires and you’re good to go.
Maybe you want to try gravel riding or going for a big cross country burn. Throw some lighter, slicker (hybrid) tires on and you’re good to go. Want to try bikepacking? No problem, Soft/Hardtails are typically more efficient than full suspension bikes and have plenty of room for frame bags.
Fun: This is maybe the biggest reason to ride a Soft/Hardtail. They’re fun! It’s hard to really take yourself seriously (unless you’re an XC racer) when you’re riding a Soft/Hardtails. You’re unlikely to be getting a KOM on that super gnarly descent, so why not just have fun and don’t take life too seriously?
Soft/Hardtails are great for goofing off, hitting jumps, riding some street trials, or just enjoying on the same trails as usual. Soft/Hardtails are a little rougher, but that just adds to the sense of speed, even if you’re not riding as fast. They can even be more fun on some trails: the kind of trail that isn’t too rough and needs a bit of pedaling, a sweet jump trail, or a fresh secret trail where you’re surfing loam all the way down. It’s hard not to have fun on a Soft/Hardtails, and after all, fun is the reason that most of us ride, right?
It will make you smoother - If you don’t learn how to float your bike over roots and rocks, a Soft/Hardtails will either bounce you off the trail or rattle your teeth out. You're forced to create some flow.
It makes your same old trails more interesting - If you can’t travel and you are bored of riding the
same old trails, try riding them on a Soft/Hardtail. I promise it will change everything, and make it feel like a completely different experience.
It’s more playful, manualing and bunnyhopping - this will bring the terms snappy and responsive to
the front of your mind. The bike reacts instantly to your input. Also, due to the lack of rear suspension, bunnyhops are quicker, it’s easier to pick up the front wheel, and the bike is generally lighter and nimbler.
It keeps you in check - Getting cocky riding the tough sections at your local spot? Hop on a Soft/Hardtails and get put back in your place - in a good way. It will keep you humble and make you tone down your riding a bit. You don’t have to go as fast to get the same feeling of hauling ass, compared to an all mountain bike.
It’s simple - There’s something inherently nice about the simplicity of a Soft/Hardtails.
It’s efficient on climbs - You want to climb for hours? Nothing more efficient than a nice light Soft/Hardtail XC trail bike. No suspension bob, all power to the wheel!
It’s lighter - getting rid of pivots and a rear shock will drop at least a couple pounds off a bike. This is a big benefit for everything from climbing to bunnyhopping, and everything in between.
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Search terms: mtb, mountain bike, commuter bike, bicycle, Aluminum, 26 inch, light weight, shimano