Hardtail mountain bikes are mountain bikes with suspension at the front of the bike in the form of suspension forks, but with a rigid rear end. They combine the efficiency of a rigid bike, with the comfort of a suspension bike, and are perfect for blasting around trails.

Most of them start at around £280 and can go up to thousands of pounds for carbon framed cross country racing bikes. However, for under a thousand pounds you can get a great bike.

They are great for riding around local trails, trail centres, tracks, bridle paths and canal paths. They are also a good option for beginners, and work well as multipurpose bikes.

At the higher end of the price scale, their lightweight nature and efficient pedaling often makes them the bike of choice for cross country racing.

We’d always recommend taking any bikes you are thinking about buying for a test ride to see how they feel out and about. More and more shops are offering demo days, and these are often based at trail centres, which makes them ideal for putting the bike through its paces and seeing what suits you.

And if you’re not just on the lookout for a new bike, these also might be worth a look:

MTB Gloves Perfect for Summer Riding

What to Wear: Women’s Cycling Kit for MTB Trail Riding