Singletracks Mountain Bike Podcast

Don't Call Them Hardcore: Hardtail Design with Kona

Listen Later

Pat White is a longtime product manager for Kona Bicycles and Doug Lafavor aka Dr. Dew has been designing bikes at Kona for decades.

In this episode we ask:

  • Which factors make a hardtail 'hardcore' or more aggressive compared to say an XC or entry-level hardtail? 
  • What are aggressive hardtails good for in terms of riding style or trails? What are the limits?
  • How important is frame material when it comes to designing a hardtail? Is there one material that’s generally superior to the others?
    • Are there higher costs involved in building hardtails from steel than aluminum?
    • Where does the compliance in a hardtail frame come from?
    • Do you look at component selection differently for a hardtail vs. a full suspension bike? If so, what are the key areas where the builds differ?
      • Is there any lingering debate about wheel size when it comes to hardtails?
      • Are sliding dropouts an important selling point?
      • What do you think about Internal cable routing on hardtails?
      • There seems to be a focus on making seat angles steeper lately. How do you approach seat tube angles for hardtails compared to FS bikes?
      • Are there things you’re able to do with hardtail geometry that just aren’t feasible with a FS design?
      • How is the balance between chainstays and reach considered on a hardtail?
      • For a lot of riders cost can be a factor in deciding to go with a hardtail. What does the typical hardtail rider look like?
        • Do you own a hardtail mountain bike? How often do you ride it?
        • What are some tips for riders to get the most out of a hardtail mountain bike? Do we need to modify our riding style, or reconsider preferences for things like tire and fork pressure?

          • Photo credit: Kona


          --Support future episodes of the Singletracks podcast: https://anchor.fm/singletracks/support

          --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

          ...more
          View all episodesView all episodes
          Download on the App Store
          Singletracks Mountain Bike PodcastBy Singletracks.com
          • 4.7
          • 4.7
          • 4.7
          • 4.7
          • 4.7

          4.7

          543 ratings

          More shows like Singletracks Mountain Bike Podcast

          View all
          Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast - Presented by TrainerRoad by TrainerRoad

          Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast - Presented by TrainerRoad

          3,598 Listeners

          The Ride Companion by TRC Media House

          The Ride Companion

          103 Listeners

          Velo Podcast by Velo

          Velo Podcast

          526 Listeners

          MTB Podcast by Worldwide Cyclery

          MTB Podcast

          1,355 Listeners

          Downtime - The Mountain Bike Podcast by Downtime MTB

          Downtime - The Mountain Bike Podcast

          229 Listeners

          King of the Ride by Ted King

          King of the Ride

          637 Listeners

          Bikes or Death by Patrick Farnsworth

          Bikes or Death

          507 Listeners

          Marginal Gains Cycling Podcast, Presented by Silca by SILCA

          Marginal Gains Cycling Podcast, Presented by Silca

          276 Listeners

          With Pace by Payson McElveen

          With Pace

          706 Listeners

          The BikeRadar Podcast by Our Media

          The BikeRadar Podcast

          99 Listeners

          GMBN Presents The Mountain Bike Podcast by GMBN Presents The Mountain Bike Podcast

          GMBN Presents The Mountain Bike Podcast

          150 Listeners

          The Pinkbike Podcast by Pinkbike

          The Pinkbike Podcast

          620 Listeners

          MOVING THE NEEDLE : The Andrew Neethling Podcast by movingtheneedle

          MOVING THE NEEDLE : The Andrew Neethling Podcast

          53 Listeners

          Geek Warning by Escape Collective

          Geek Warning

          275 Listeners

          Just Ride by Red Bull

          Just Ride

          35 Listeners