Anyone still racing a hardtail? With all these extra batteries and new systems sometimes I want to go be a retro grouch. I failed that since the hardtail has axs, but it’s a party, and I think there are still races where they can shine.
2 posts ago, I said I am on a new Scalpel 1, and in this post, I get to say, I raced the Cheq 40 last weekend on a single speed hardtail. Horses for course, I rarely get the hardtail out, but when I do, I have a ton of fun on it. It is a lot harder to ride fast on really rocky bumpy courses, but some of our smoother faster tracks, it is a lot of fun and doesn’t hold me back.
Scalpel could be either, so is unclear. Looks like a good thing though
Nice! I have great memories of racing that series back in the day. It blows my mind that we don’t have a similar series in CO. RIP Razorback.
I’m on an Epic 8 with only one battery – the power meter.
I’ve got mechanical XT, and Fox Factory suspension/seatpost all with cable actuation, and it works great.
If you’re a bit thoughtful, you can manage the cables well, and it doesn’t look messy.
Don’t let the batteries push you away from a modern bike!! 
I am hoping to convert the hardtail SS from a BMC twostroke to a Scalpel HT to have the matched set.
I don’t race much anymore, but my mountain bike is a 2021 Trek Procaliber with mech XT. Back when I was racing, the courses were never that extreme. I got really good at getting comfortable on the descents and did most my passing there (I’m a bit of a Clydesdale, so usually lost those spots on the next climb). My hardtail has never been the limiting factor on my races.
I personally don’t use battery systems, but that’s because I’m incredibly forgetful and spontaneous. Nothing like hopping off the couch for a bike ride and finding myself with an accidental single speed! I do have a power meter and a computer, but my bike doesn’t lose rideability if those systems die.
I’ve been using Piccola HD and they have been awersome!
great budget brake!
That’s what I’m putting on. Wanted 4 Piston, while still being light.
Waiting on a couple of small parts and adapters now that come in next week (Somehow that always happens) so I can finish putting the bike back together.
Just ordered my wife an Epic 8 (2024) Expert. It’s the nicest level that I can get in XS (she’s 5’).
I had multiple bikes in carts on different sites to see if they’d be here before we moved to Washington at the end of next week, with nothing too promising.
Looked at local stores to develop a relationship with a nearby shop. At that time, IT ALSO CLICKED AND I REALIZED IF I DRIVE 20 MINUTES TO OREGON ILL SAVE $500 IN SALES TAX.
So pumped I decided to go local. Have been wanting to get her a bike with SRAM, tubeless, etc, so I can get it set up similar to my processes with my bikes. She currently has a lower level Jamis Renegade that I swear weighs like 30+ lbs with not-that-great components. I enjoy general bike maintenance, but not on her bike lol.
Lol yea I’ve been known to do that too being here in the Seattle area. I’ll check online or call shops to see what stock availability is like for parts, components, etc including bikes and take a 2hr drive to save tax! Also will bring a bike and do a test / shakeout ride while also checking out new areas/trails.
Anyways, welcome and glad you’re in the PNW area. Lots of good riding and events/races!
I’ve started compiling a list of gravel/MTB races. If you have any suggestions, feel free to pass along! I may do the cascade 100 next year in Bend.
Nice! Yea we do HC100 every other year or so depending on life, races/events, family. Mike and his crew do a great job of putting on other events including the season ending MTB Ring of Fire this coming weekend. Check out his Mudslinger email and site as almost if not all are definitely worth doing!
Gorge Gravel Grinder and the Oregon Trail Gravel series are also worth checking out. Then there’s the GF series here in WA put on by RideViciousCycle. Not at the same level as the OR stuff but lots of new areas and riders to mix it up.
Anyone on the new Mach4 SL want to chime in on how it has compared to other bikes you have owned?
I had the version prior to the recent update, but now have the Gen7 Epic Evo.
can’t say I love the EE over my old Mach.
I’m not convinced on the full suspension vs a hardtail. Bigger 2.4 tires, forgiving carbon hoops and rear triangle design give plenty of Cush. Bike companies want to sell you a more expensive bike and this is how they do it. yes, I agree there are tracks and areas where full suss may prevail, but not many IMO.
@mcneese.chad can we move this to the unpopular opinions thread? 
The only performance advantage a hard tail has over a modern full suspension bike these days is weight. While there are situations where the weight advantage might outweigh all the advantages of full suspension, it’s pretty niche and highly dependent on the rider. Even the pros with the pull to choose between a HT, FS, and the psuedo-HT’s (ie - world cup and supercal) typically opt for the bigger travel bikes on most courses. And for an amateur who is typically much less skilled and less fit, the FS gives a big edge in most situations. To imply that the bike manufacturers are “fabricating” the advantage of FS over HT to drive sales is silly IMO.
I know folks who are plenty fast and just like racing a hard tail even on courses where a FS has a big advantage, nothing wrong with riding whatever setup you enjoy. But that doesn’t make it the fastest setup for most riders on most courses.
You have to be pretty light for the weight difference to really matter as well, ie in the pro ranks it is usually just the women under 120pounds.