For many, the first question that comes to mind when one hears the words “hardtail bike” is whether or not these bikes have any suspension. The answer to this question will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but they all provide some form of suspension in order to make their bikes more comfortable and stable. A hardtail bike can have either full suspension or just the front wheel suspension. The reason for this is because hardtails are much lighter and usually come with a smaller engine than a normal bike. The suspension on a hardtail bike is also custom made to fit the bike and its rider which makes for a very custom feel.
Another question that always pops up when one is considering purchasing a new bike is which frames are better to use. Hardtails are usually constructed of a carbon fiber fork which is lightweight and much more durable then a steel fork. The carbon fiber fork allows the bike to weigh much less which makes it easier to store. Hardtails also have very low top tube which keeps the weight much lower and more comfortable. These factors combined will give you a much more smooth ride and better handling.
Now that we have covered what a bike is and what it’s purpose is I’d like to discuss the difference between these two types of bikes. Hardtails are the lightest bikes out there, usually around 25lbs. They are great for just about anything whether you’re just looking for a casual trail riding, taking to the park or exploring the back country. These bikes are also very versatile and can be used for downhill, cross country dirt biking. They are perfect for anyone who likes to go off the beaten path and are not concerned with technicality.
The hardtails differ from hardtails in that they are built with a steel frame and a hard rear suspension system. These bikes tend to have a lot of stiffness and a much more “puncture resistant” build. The frame of a hard tail is usually made out of a higher grade of steel. This allows the frame to have more flex which leads to a more responsive feel when riding. The stiffer frame of a hard tail also leads to a higher quality parts selection and the ability to have a much more custom setup than a lighter mountain bike.
Both of these bikes share a similar ride though. The hardtail bike has all of the same geometry that lets it handle trails at a higher level then a lighter mountain bike. The difference is that the hardtail bike will have a much longer wheelbase (length). The reason for this is that it will be able to overcome obstacles that are put in front of it, so it can go anywhere it’s needs to. A lightweight bike will be limited in its ability to go up steep hills or mountains due to the weight of the frame.
For cross country riding I recommend a lightweight mountain bike as they will be able to go pretty much anywhere though you should look at the riding style of the rider before you purchase one of these bikes. Lightweight bikes have the ability to have a dropper post, which is a post on the rear of the bike which can be used as a foot pedal. Having a foot pedal can give you more control while climbing a hill or mountain. So it will help you in getting off the bike faster when racing and you are able to accelerate a bit faster because you have more control. However, if you plan on doing most of your riding on the trails then I would recommend getting a hardtail because it will be stronger and more efficient for this type of terrain.
How to remove bike crank?
So, you want to know how to remove bike crank from your frame? First, congratulations! Yes, you can remove the bike crank from your frame without a crank puller can be done but remember that it’s very hard and almost impossible to do so without damaging the crack at some level. Many of the tips on the web will also cause some type of damage to your frame.
The first step is to loosen all the bolts except for those directly attaching it to the seat stay. Lubricate the bolts and then thread the chain through them, making sure it goes straight back up to the handlebars. Loosen all the bolts of the crank nuts too, and again, make sure they go straight up to the handlebars. Now, take your socket and run it up and down the frame until you can loosen all the bolts on there.
Now, when you are sitting on the seat and crank in place, it’s time to start unhooking it from the bottom. This is not as difficult as it sounds. If you can move your hips while you unhook the crank arm, that’s good. Otherwise, you can sit on the floor with the strap of the crank under one leg, slowly unbolt the other leg, and then proceed to unhook the crank arm. You may need to wiggle it a bit to get it to loosen up completely.
The second step is to take your screwdriver, or an open-end wrench, and start working on the crank arm. Make sure that the threads are running parallel to each other, and work your way around the entire arm, taking care to ensure that there are no leaks or damaged threads anywhere. Once you have this done, it’s time to unscrew the bolt that goes on the back side of the crankshaft. Again, if you can move your hips while you unscrew them, that’s good.
Next, you’ll want to look at removing the bottom bracket. To do this, I would highly recommend using a quality ratchet strap or power drill. The reason I would use a power drill here is because you can drill right into the plastic bottom plate, instead of just grinding off the threading. Once you’ve removed the bottom bracket, you can remove the chainstays by unbolting the rear bike chainstay, then unscrewing the chainstays, and then unbolting the sprocket.
The last step is to remove your chain and sprocket from the spindle, as well as the chain stays. Now, if you were lucky enough to be able to unscrew all the bolts on the crank, then you just have to remove the sprocket and the chainstays by hand. If not, then you need to use a variety of tools to properly remove these parts from your mountain bike: a screwdriver, chisels, a hammer, and a hydraulic breaker to break most seals, and a power drill for the crankcase.
