Can these cutting-edge full-sus bikes kill off the cross-country hardtail for good?
HEAD-TO-HEAD
There’s no denying it, we’re seeing fewer and fewer hardtails on the start line at cross-country events, thanks in part to how tough the tracks have become. But while full-suspension bikes add comfort and confidence, in certain sections of trail at least, many riders still yearn for that solid connection between the front and rear triangles, and the efficiency and urgency that only a hardtail can provide when stamping on the pedals.
You only need to look at some of the bikes being raced in the World Cup XC Short Track (XCC) series to see this. Cérvelo, for example, have been replacing the rear shock of their ZSF-5 full-suspension bike with a solid link, effectively turning it into a hardtail. They’ve then been slotting the shock back in ahead of the longer Olympic-distance XCO race a couple of days later (with the same bike needing to be used for both events). This compromised approach may well pay off when putting the power down, but could throw a spanner in the works when things get technical on the track.
So, how do you balance efficiency and power transfer with grip and control? Can you have your cake and eat it? Trek and Specialized seem to think so. Their latest XC race machines promise the feel of a hardtail when you’re on the gas, but should still offer the bump absorption and more forgiving, traction-rich ride you’d expect from a full-sus. Both brands have approached frame and suspension design slightly differently, although the end goal is similar. But which is best, and should we be bidding the cross-country hardtail a fond farewell?
To find out, Tom’s been hammering the Spesh on UK singletrack loops, as well as casually taking on a multi-day marathon event in Menorca (p38), while Rob’s been using the Trek for everything from mixed local laps with steep, treacherous sections to fast-paced, rough trail centre rides. After comparing notes, chasing each other around the trails and, finally, swapping between the bikes, they’re confident they know where each machine works best, how they’re potentially compromised and, ultimately, whether or not they hit the sweet spot between the low weight and efficiency of a hardtail and the extra bulk but added comfort and control of a full-suspension bike.
First to take its position on the grid is the Specialized Epic World Cup. This is the bike the Big S believe is going to replace the XC hardtail – so much so, that the Epic HT family has n
