Hardtail MTB
A hardtail has a suspension fork but no rear shock. It is light, efficient and low-maintenance – at the back, the tyre does all the damping. That makes a properly set fork SAG and the right tyre pressure all the more important.
Typical spec
- Mostly 29″ wheels, 27.5″ on small frame sizes
- Suspension fork with 100–130 mm of travel (cross-country to trail)
- Tyres 2.2–2.4″ wide, often tubeless-ready
- No shock: comfort and traction at the rear come from the tyre
Suspension fork: starting values
Fork air pressure in psi as a starting point – then fine-tune using SAG.
| Rider | Fork |
|---|---|
| 60 kg | 56 psi (3.9 bar) |
| 70 kg | 65 psi (4.5 bar) |
| 80 kg | 74 psi (5.1 bar) |
| 90 kg | 84 psi (5.8 bar) |
| 100 kg | 93 psi (6.4 bar) |
| 110 kg | 102 psi (7.0 bar) |
Tyre pressure chart
Starting values in bar (front / rear), tubeless with a trail casing, rider weight including kit.
| Rider | 2.25″ | 2.40″ | 2.60″ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 1.5 / 1.722 / 25 psi | 1.4 / 1.621 / 24 psi | 1.4 / 1.620 / 22 psi |
| 70 kg | 1.7 / 1.924 / 27 psi | 1.6 / 1.822 / 25 psi | 1.5 / 1.721 / 24 psi |
| 80 kg | 1.8 / 2.026 / 29 psi | 1.7 / 1.924 / 27 psi | 1.6 / 1.823 / 26 psi |
| 90 kg | 1.9 / 2.127 / 30 psi | 1.8 / 2.026 / 29 psi | 1.7 / 1.925 / 28 psi |
| 100 kg | 2.0 / 2.229 / 32 psi | 1.9 / 2.128 / 31 psi | 1.8 / 2.027 / 29 psi |
| 110 kg | 2.1 / 2.331 / 34 psi | 2.0 / 2.229 / 32 psi | 2.0 / 2.228 / 31 psi |
Setup tips
- Fork SAG: around 15–20 % for cross-country, 20 % for trail – measured in your riding position.
- About 0.2 bar (2.9 psi) more at the rear than at the front: the rear tyre carries more load and must prevent rim strikes.
- Set rebound so the fork returns quickly without bouncing.
- Wider tyres (2.4–2.6″, if the frame allows) add noticeable comfort and grip on a hardtail.
Hardtail MTB: bikes in our database
94 model families with manufacturer data – each with SAG tables and tyre pressure.
Frequently asked questions
How much SAG does a hardtail need?
15–20 % of fork travel is typical: closer to 15 % for cross-country and racing, around 20 % for trail riding. There is no rear SAG because there is no shock.
What tyre pressure for a hardtail MTB?
As a starting point with 2.4″ tubeless tyres and an 80 kg rider including kit: about 1.7 bar (25 psi) front and 1.9 bar (28 psi) rear. The chart above shows values for other weights and widths.