I’m a straight hardtail rider. Anyone who wants to ride downhill needs to keep one thing in mind. You do you boo. Full suspension is not necessary, it’s a luxury.
Agreed, i just came back from Spider mountain and rode all the green and several of the blue trails on my hardtail bike, I enjoyed every second of it, can't wait to go back.
I took my 20 year old haro hardtail on all of north shores (Tx) westside. I rode most features and only had to walk a few of them. Definitely challenging
North Shore is a blast! I've been there once and did all of the east side, and some of the West Side. I've been trying to get back there but it's either raining or not a good time for me. Ugh!
That rock garden on Stinger is one of my least favorite features there. It's sketch even on a full-squish let alone on a hard-tail. That was NUTS watching you go down it! You freakin' nailed it man!!
@@CobraKyle Cotic BFe, steel! Has a pretty new Fox 36 and Hope hubs and bottom bracket, Race Face Atlas crankset, XT Shadow RD, Spank Spike Race 33 wheels.
Did you take it yet? Took mine a few months ago and mostly stayed on the green because it was my first time riding in like 3 years, still was pretty bumpy😂😂 Planning to go back with my friend in a couple of weeks, we both bought the new Fuse at the same time
@@shmoggy417 I took it about a month ago, and I rode everytrail but was on the brakes the whole way down stinger, and had a nasty crash on the bottom of sticky icky. It was my first time riding the big jumps but after a few runs they started to flow. Vipers Den is a lot of fun, as is Recluse. I want to go back as soon as possible tho! Everything was a ton of fun, and everything flowed well, except for the rock garden on the jump line by the road. I stayed on the far right line and just held on. Fun time tho
@@willedwards9136 Sweet! I had a bad crash too but was itsy bitsy instead😂 tried to push the big berms at the bottom too hard on my last run and lost traction in the turn, didn't have any pads(mistake)! I'm definitely looking forward to the blues next time with the right protection 😂and yeah that rock garden looks rough
@@CobraKyle update, even though you humble about it. You have got to be way better rider than I. I did not break anything but my pride but I took several tumbles on the blue. Did not even dare the black. Good times though and a list of things I will have to work on before going back.
@@Hawk-qn2zk Thanks for the update! That's sick you went for it and had a good time. It's exciting finding your limits on one ride, then going back to progress a bit further!
Yeah boy!!! Definitely need to upgrade your fork. I went from a 150mm SunTour (came with the bike) to a 160mm Marzocchi Z1 Air on my Norco Torrent HT. World of difference. Also, I highly suggest upgrading to the Sram Codes over those Levels. I mean you already invest $2K on you bike; might as well go full in. Nice bike btw.
They do have pretty good stabilization. I think I got a defective one, because mine has never looked that great. I ended up getting the Hero 8 after this video was filmed, and absolutely love the stabilization on it. The footage in this video on the double black looks rough to me. I guess it just helps highlight the roughness of the trail.
I find it a bit easier to jump the hardtail myself (when it has 27.5 on it). Less stuff to worry about with the rear suspension not eating up your speed.
I'm currently using Shimano SLX 4 piston brakes and they are really great. For downhill I would say 4 piston brakes would be best. I have the SRAM Level brakes on this hardtail, and I don't really like them at all.
My dad and I are going to Spider Mountain in April, I have a hard tail, but my suspension in front is pretty good! Thanks for the video, you earned yourself a sub!
@@CobraKyle Hey again! We didnt end up going that last time, when I commented that lol... But in the next couple weeks, we are going to actually go! But now, I have a 2020 Giant Trance Advanced 3, but upgraded my shock to a DPX2 Perf Elite, and a Fox 36 Perf Elite! Also, I now have a GX AXS drivetrain, with everything else being Shimano XT! Hopefully we'll have a good time:-) Thx for the vids!
@@CobraKyle hahaha! Today on my ride my dropper cable snapped! It's so hard to ride without a dropper. I was close to OTB's on every 2 ft drop (after racking my nuts on the very first one)! It reminded me of that part in this video, haha!
LOL I took my 2017 Specialized Rockhopper Comp 29 on SPMTN and it was a blast, cleared all the jumps and smeashed the techy sections. Although it was slower than a FS bike it was still amazing
I was there last week, with my hardtail as well. A GT aggressor, from Dicks sporting goods. Had a great time! I did try the first black diamond, but didn't want to risk the double black. Perhaps once I'm more skilled and have a proper full face helmet. Great video BTW. you can take a look at mine if you're curious! See you on the trails...
i have one with everything changed on it to the point where i have mt7 pro brakes but the double black is still too much for it it’s so brutal the rock garden is crazy
Welcome to my life, I do not have the money for a soft tail, so I live on hard tail, and do most of those types of tracks often, so shhhh, its not that bad after you do it for 2 years.
That blue black u hit at 1:35 is much sketchier than the video shows. I did all the trails at spider on a hardtail and easy peasy but full squish is sooooo much nicer
Yeah that entrance to the jumps really threw me off. It killed any momentum I had for the jumps. That's why they didn't make it into the video lol. Stinger was the only one that made me really wish I had brought the full suspension.
@@CobraKyle i usually go on thursdays. Let me know if ya come back up sometime. I live in austin n ride wed mornings and if i go to spider its always on a thursday
I do these on my motobecane hybrid 80mm travel, and rim brakes, now that's sketchy, them guys that try them on the even worse department store bikes are crazy.
Right? My son is 10 and rode his Walmart Special "full suspension" knockoff down half the blue trails with 0 mishaps!!! Granted, half the bike fell apart on the trail...he earned a new one! Ballsy!....
I'm glad you agree. I thought maybe I was becoming a worse rider, but the trail just became harder. That drop into the wood slab thing was way larger than the first time I did it.
Planning on taking my Cannondale Cujo 1 out there this summer. I haven't really ridden anything more difficult than Quanah Hill (a bit more gnarly than North Shore for reference) but I can do pretty much all of that fine. I really have no idea what to expect but I have until then to improve. Def not trying any blacks tho lol.
If you stick to the green and blues I think you will have a great time! I think that's what I did my first time here and I still felt like it was a great day.
You'll see in next weeks video, but I was actually swapping wheels out all day. When I went down Stinger I was on 27.5 x 2.8 Maxxis Rekons at 20psi. Luckily I have CushCore in that wheelset. The 29's I have are 29 x 2.5 and I ran those at 20 too so I could get a fair comparison on wheel size.
You can ride a hartail on anything, duh. All the bluster and bellyaching is really just lame. Do you think everyone stayed on green trails in the days before full squish?
I'm well aware you can ride a hardtail on anything and of mountain bikings past. I've gotten and seen lots of comments asking if you could bring a hardtail to Spider Mountain, so I made this video to hopefully help answer that question. I don't think it's bellyaching to be nervous or push your own personal limits. Believe it or not, not everyone is at the same skill level in their riding journey, so something that may seem super easy to an expert such as yourself may not be so casual for a newer rider. Nothing wrong with that as everyone was a beginner at sometime. I'm sorry you found this subject lame, but I think it may inspire a lot of newer riders to check out a rad place like Spider Mountain on their hardtail.
@@CobraKyle Not to drag this out, but my comment was more aimed at the snobbery that pervades the hobby, making the already confused newb feel like $4k isn't enough to get into the sport or that you can't get out and shred with anything less than a full suspension. I feel like your title kinda feeds on this, even though that's not the real spirit of the video. I would love to see more, "Of course shredding on a hardtail is possible, and super rad, anywhere, anytime!" I like your content, and apologies all around, given and accepted.
I’m a straight hardtail rider. Anyone who wants to ride downhill needs to keep one thing in mind. You do you boo. Full suspension is not necessary, it’s a luxury.
I'm loving my hardtail. I ride it 96% of the time.
Agreed, i just came back from Spider mountain and rode all the green and several of the blue trails on my hardtail bike, I enjoyed every second of it, can't wait to go back.
My girlfriend did on a $500 xc hard tail on her 3rd day ever of riding and she still says it was the best trail she’s ridden so far.
Just rode the itsy bitsy and most blues on a Schwinn hardtail...absolutely love it!
Ride it like I stole it!!!
Bad ass!
You're awesome man! Great video!
Will be bringing my nukeproof scout 275 there soon!
Yes. My friend does it everytime. And often waits on people riding full suspension.
My first time at Spider Mountain was on my Norco Torrent Hardtail. Didn't die. I want to try it on my full squish
The Norco Torrent is such a beautiful bike! It will seem so much easier there on the full suspension.
I took my 20 year old haro hardtail on all of north shores (Tx) westside. I rode most features and only had to walk a few of them. Definitely challenging
North Shore is a blast! I've been there once and did all of the east side, and some of the West Side. I've been trying to get back there but it's either raining or not a good time for me. Ugh!
Hard trail is more fun !!!! Brings out the true skill in a rider!
For sure! I love riding my hardtail. Been riding this bike a lot the last month.
Yes.
You've chosen wisely!
Yeah Cobra! Sometimes you have to get rowdy with reason. You killed it
Thanks dude! It's the perfect winter riding destination wink wink
That rock garden on Stinger is one of my least favorite features there. It's sketch even on a full-squish let alone on a hard-tail. That was NUTS watching you go down it! You freakin' nailed it man!!
Thanks Patrick. I'm convinced I won't be doing it again for a long time lol.
Hell yeah! All I ride is a hardtail. Probably the nicest one in my city and I keep up with all my buddies on their full suspensions.
I really love the hardtail. I ride it far more than any of my other bikes. What kind you riding?
@@CobraKyle Cotic BFe, steel! Has a pretty new Fox 36 and Hope hubs and bottom bracket, Race Face Atlas crankset, XT Shadow RD, Spank Spike Race 33 wheels.
I was debating wether or not to take my Fuse to spider but now I am! Thanks for the insight!
Thanks for watching! The Fuse is a cool bike, and I think you'll have a blast out there!
Cobra Kyle Yessir!
Did you take it yet? Took mine a few months ago and mostly stayed on the green because it was my first time riding in like 3 years, still was pretty bumpy😂😂 Planning to go back with my friend in a couple of weeks, we both bought the new Fuse at the same time
@@shmoggy417 I took it about a month ago, and I rode everytrail but was on the brakes the whole way down stinger, and had a nasty crash on the bottom of sticky icky. It was my first time riding the big jumps but after a few runs they started to flow. Vipers Den is a lot of fun, as is Recluse. I want to go back as soon as possible tho! Everything was a ton of fun, and everything flowed well, except for the rock garden on the jump line by the road. I stayed on the far right line and just held on. Fun time tho
@@willedwards9136 Sweet! I had a bad crash too but was itsy bitsy instead😂 tried to push the big berms at the bottom too hard on my last run and lost traction in the turn, didn't have any pads(mistake)! I'm definitely looking forward to the blues next time with the right protection 😂and yeah that rock garden looks rough
This video convinced me to take my hartail here as well.
That's awesome to hear! Have a good time!
@@CobraKyle update, even though you humble about it. You have got to be way better rider than I. I did not break anything but my pride but I took several tumbles on the blue. Did not even dare the black. Good times though and a list of things I will have to work on before going back.
@@Hawk-qn2zk Thanks for the update! That's sick you went for it and had a good time. It's exciting finding your limits on one ride, then going back to progress a bit further!
Yeah boy!!! Definitely need to upgrade your fork. I went from a 150mm SunTour (came with the bike) to a 160mm Marzocchi Z1 Air on my Norco Torrent HT. World of difference. Also, I highly suggest upgrading to the Sram Codes over those Levels. I mean you already invest $2K on you bike; might as well go full in. Nice bike btw.
Dont understand the hero 7
Comment. They have pretty good stabilization.
They do have pretty good stabilization. I think I got a defective one, because mine has never looked that great. I ended up getting the Hero 8 after this video was filmed, and absolutely love the stabilization on it. The footage in this video on the double black looks rough to me. I guess it just helps highlight the roughness of the trail.
I bet the guys who like the jump lines would love - maybe even prefer - the hard trail
I find it a bit easier to jump the hardtail myself (when it has 27.5 on it). Less stuff to worry about with the rear suspension not eating up your speed.
I wanna take my procaliber 9.5 here some day
You can do it!
Hardtail all life!! Great job Kyle!
Thanks dude!
What brakes do ya recommend for downhill sections?? Great video btw
I'm currently using Shimano SLX 4 piston brakes and they are really great. For downhill I would say 4 piston brakes would be best. I have the SRAM Level brakes on this hardtail, and I don't really like them at all.
My dad and I are going to Spider Mountain in April, I have a hard tail, but my suspension in front is pretty good! Thanks for the video, you earned yourself a sub!
Thanks so much! I hope you and your dad have a great time. I had a really fun time on the hardtail at Spider.
@@CobraKyle Hey again! We didnt end up going that last time, when I commented that lol... But in the next couple weeks, we are going to actually go! But now, I have a 2020 Giant Trance Advanced 3, but upgraded my shock to a DPX2 Perf Elite, and a Fox 36 Perf Elite! Also, I now have a GX AXS drivetrain, with everything else being Shimano XT! Hopefully we'll have a good time:-) Thx for the vids!
I could tell that was a near OTB, but then again I'm pretty well-versed on GoPro POV!
You're a POV connoisseur!
@@CobraKyle hahaha! Today on my ride my dropper cable snapped! It's so hard to ride without a dropper. I was close to OTB's on every 2 ft drop (after racking my nuts on the very first one)! It reminded me of that part in this video, haha!
Nice Job Kyle. I rode the biggest wooden feature I've ridden thus far the other day. Felt good once I got going lol
Hell yeah dude! Get on that wooden feature!
LOL I took my 2017 Specialized Rockhopper Comp 29 on SPMTN and it was a blast, cleared all the jumps and smeashed the techy sections. Although it was slower than a FS bike it was still amazing
I used to have a rockhopper comp....way before Spider Mountain was around. I never have a bad time on my hardtail!
@@CobraKyle Yeah its a great stater bike! Hardtails really are a blast.. nice change of pace from fs
You are my hero!
Lol! Not all heroes wear capes.
Congrats on 2k! Also love your hardtail.
Thanks Kenny!
Ah that was such a good day!! You are a madman for hitting that on a hardtail. I’m entering you in Red Bull Rampage next year. Great video bro!!
The best day! I think I'm ready for rampage lol
I was there last week, with my hardtail as well. A GT aggressor, from Dicks sporting goods. Had a great time! I did try the first black diamond, but didn't want to risk the double black. Perhaps once I'm more skilled and have a proper full face helmet. Great video BTW. you can take a look at mine if you're curious! See you on the trails...
Nice! I would strongly recommend a full face on the double black. It helps boost confidence for sure.
I was hoping I could watch your video of the gt aggressor pro in spider mountain I have one with few upgrades and I want to take it there.
@@JorgeMilano85 Look at my channel videos. The video of "my first time at spider mountain" is where I was riding my GT aggressor pro.
i have one with everything changed on it to the point where i have mt7 pro brakes but the double black is still too much for it it’s so brutal the rock garden is crazy
Now take a hardtail to Windrock. Let's just say I regret that decision. No, I didn't crash but I also didn't ride everything.
Welcome to my life, I do not have the money for a soft tail, so I live on hard tail, and do most of those types of tracks often, so shhhh, its not that bad after you do it for 2 years.
Hardtails are great. I ride this bike way more than my full suspension.
@@CobraKyle ah, cool, the video just had that vibe to it, ya know
It was great re-living that, such a baller move man! Awesome video!
Thanks dude! I'm glad you guys were with me as I would have never tried that alone.
That blue black u hit at 1:35 is much sketchier than the video shows. I did all the trails at spider on a hardtail and easy peasy but full squish is sooooo much nicer
Yeah that entrance to the jumps really threw me off. It killed any momentum I had for the jumps. That's why they didn't make it into the video lol. Stinger was the only one that made me really wish I had brought the full suspension.
@@CobraKyle i usually go on thursdays. Let me know if ya come back up sometime. I live in austin n ride wed mornings and if i go to spider its always on a thursday
Hell im only 14 and hit sticky icky on my marlin 8 (hardtail) on my 3rd time at spider
I live in austin ... haven’t done spider mountain yet
Oh man Robert....what are you waiting for?! It's a lot of fun.
Cobra Kyle I know I know...
That was a death defying day! You were so close to an OTB. I still have never made it down that section, other than on foot.
My heart certainly stopped for a second. It wasn't nearly that scary on the Jeffsy, so I think you can do it!
Friggin awesome man. I need to go back again. Great job.
This place is worthy of repeat visits. Thanks for watching!
I do these on my motobecane hybrid 80mm travel, and rim brakes, now that's sketchy, them guys that try them on the even worse department store bikes are crazy.
Dude that is sketchy! Some brave souls on those wal-mart bikes
Right?
My son is 10 and rode his Walmart Special "full suspension" knockoff down half the blue trails with 0 mishaps!!! Granted, half the bike fell apart on the trail...he earned a new one!
Ballsy!....
Holy snikey! Ride the dragon down the rock garden 👍👍. In all seriousness, that looked sketchy AF. 😯
That rock garden is so terrifying.
I was there this past weekend. The double black did seem way more difficult this time than the first. It’s weird!
I'm glad you agree. I thought maybe I was becoming a worse rider, but the trail just became harder. That drop into the wood slab thing was way larger than the first time I did it.
Planning on taking my Cannondale Cujo 1 out there this summer. I haven't really ridden anything more difficult than Quanah Hill (a bit more gnarly than North Shore for reference) but I can do pretty much all of that fine. I really have no idea what to expect but I have until then to improve. Def not trying any blacks tho lol.
If you stick to the green and blues I think you will have a great time! I think that's what I did my first time here and I still felt like it was a great day.
I took my Trek Roscoe down it. That hardtail has more cushy tires.
Nice man!
Thanks friend!
Nice work man. What did we do before full suspension rigs? Tried to ride everything on hardtails😂
That place looks rad! great job
It's so much fun. You should check it out!
I took mine I dont own a full suspension yet but I had a good time regardless
For sure! Ride what you got!
Almost OTB...
Very close. It was horrifying to me!
I love that place. Just went there for the first time a few weeks ago. Vipers Den is my favorite
Yes Vipers Den is probably my favorite too. I have a lot of footage of it for next weeks video!
@@CobraKyle I got a bunch of footage too. I don't talk though. Mainly just for my memory, but they're on my page.
Nice video 🤘
Thanks so much!
I was planning to do this exact thing this spring, lmao
That's awesome! Go for it!
I sent everything at spider on my Xc hard tail
If you struggle/fear riding hardtails down anything in Texas...you're too spoiled.
What tires/tire size were you riding and did you take some air out to help with the ride? Sounded like you were riding tires aired all the way up..
You'll see in next weeks video, but I was actually swapping wheels out all day. When I went down Stinger I was on 27.5 x 2.8 Maxxis Rekons at 20psi. Luckily I have CushCore in that wheelset. The 29's I have are 29 x 2.5 and I ran those at 20 too so I could get a fair comparison on wheel size.
Oh yeah spider hill not really that gnarly
You really think a hard tail is worth under 2k 😂
You really think a hard tail isn't worth under 2k?
Sketchballs bud. 😂
It totally was. I'm glad I walked away from this lol
Great video - real men (and women) ride hardtails! ;)
Couldn't agree with you more!
You can ride a hartail on anything, duh. All the bluster and bellyaching is really just lame. Do you think everyone stayed on green trails in the days before full squish?
I'm well aware you can ride a hardtail on anything and of mountain bikings past. I've gotten and seen lots of comments asking if you could bring a hardtail to Spider Mountain, so I made this video to hopefully help answer that question. I don't think it's bellyaching to be nervous or push your own personal limits. Believe it or not, not everyone is at the same skill level in their riding journey, so something that may seem super easy to an expert such as yourself may not be so casual for a newer rider. Nothing wrong with that as everyone was a beginner at sometime. I'm sorry you found this subject lame, but I think it may inspire a lot of newer riders to check out a rad place like Spider Mountain on their hardtail.
@@CobraKyle I am a beginner. You read too much into my comment.
I think I did, and I apologize if I came across rude. I read it as "me personally was bellyaching and lame". Probably not your intention.
@@CobraKyle Not to drag this out, but my comment was more aimed at the snobbery that pervades the hobby, making the already confused newb feel like $4k isn't enough to get into the sport or that you can't get out and shred with anything less than a full suspension. I feel like your title kinda feeds on this, even though that's not the real spirit of the video. I would love to see more, "Of course shredding on a hardtail is possible, and super rad, anywhere, anytime!" I like your content, and apologies all around, given and accepted.
Good job dude!! I want to take my hardtail to Windrock just to make a video, even though I know it's suicide haha. UA-cam pressure haha
Thanks Toogy! UA-cam for sure pushes me to do stuff I probably wouldn't on a normal day lol. Please don't die at Windrock
Wow, you’re just an All American hero. You rode a hardtail in a bike park. You need a medal. Possibly first ever! Congrats
Wow, thanks! If that was your takeaway from the video, I think you missed the point.
Cobra Kyle I didn’t miss the point at all. You came across loud and clean. Great job 👍
you can bring a hard tail anaywhere, you just need to get good. Suspension is easy mode
Fair point. Most beginners start on a hardtail, so figured this video could showcase what's possible and motivate others.