Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
🚵 A bike without rear suspension 🎸 A guitar with fixed bridge
hardtail

hardtail

1 7.6
A bicycle or motorcycle with no rear suspension that is lighter and simpler
  • noun
  • /ˈhɑrdˌteɪl/
  • Specialized
: bicicleta rígida
  • During the race, the hardtail performed exceptionally well, allowing the rider to tackle steep climbs and fast descents.
  • hardtail mountain bikes
  • hardtail racers
  • hardtail frame

Examples

  • As for being a comfort bike, it's not that much different from a hardtail MTB and is probably more than up to the task of some light off-roading.

    Blog text (21)

  • Many mountain bikers prefer a hardtail for its lightweight design and efficient pedaling on smooth trails.

  • The hardtail has become a popular choice for beginners due to its simplicity and lower cost compared to full-suspension bikes.

Synonyms

bike
vshardtail
  • Informal
566 1.3

A motor vehicle with two wheels that you ride and that has an engine

specifies those without rear suspension rather than any two-wheeled motor vehicle

Surface Forms

hardtail singular
hardtails plural

Morphology

hardtail = hard + tail (semi-transparent) = hard + tail

The components 'hard' + 'tail' are recognizable, but the technical sense 'no rear suspension' requires domain knowledge of bicycles/motorcycles.

Etymology

Hardtail is simply hard- ('not soft') plus -tail ('rear part'), so it paints a clear picture of a stiff back end. That's why a hardtail bike or motorcycle has no rear suspension and feels firmer on rough ground.