Difference Between Dirt Jumper and Hardtail

Dirt jumper mtb and rider

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What is the difference between a Dirt Jump and Hardtail Mountain Bike?

A Dirt Jumper is a type of hardtail mountain bike. It’s a slightly bigger version of a BMX bike with a front shock. Compared to the more popular trail-riding hardtail MTB, the dirt jumper has only 1-gear, no front brake, slack frame geometry, low seat-post, and is relatively heavy.

A dirt jumper is also known as an urban or street mountain bike. These bikes are designed for aerial stunts and landing jumps. They don’t have a rear shock because the rear suspension absorbs energy making jumping and pumping on pump tracks less efficient.

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HardTail = front suspension only, thus hardtail, since the rear shock is absent.

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Dirt jumper vs trail riding hardtail

A dirt jumper is a cross between a BMX trick bike and a traditional mountain bike. When picturing a Dirt Jump MTB, think of a BMX bike with a front fork and slightly bigger wheels.

Dirt Jumper vs trail mtb

How Dirt Jumpers Differ from Standard Trail-Riding HardTails

More Spoke (wheels take a beating when landing jumps)

Smaller Wheels

26-inch rims

More Spoke (wheels take a beating when landing jumps)

Shorter Chainstays

Dirt Jumpers are more compact in general

Low Seat-Post

Not designed for seated pedaling

(no derailleurs)

Single Speed

Only 1-gear to keep maximum tension on chain

(no derailleurs)

No Front Brake

Easier to do aerial tricks and stunts

Taller Handlebars

(couple inches of rise)

Heavy

Strength over weight is prioritized as they need to be strong to avoid mechanical failure during landings (Heaver than trail riding hardtails even though they have smaller wheels and frames)

Stiffer Front Fork

Designed to avoid bottoming out on large impacts

Slack Geometry

You, the rider, are positioned further back with the front wheel further forward. This reduces the chance that you will go over the handlebars, but makes pedaling inefficient, especially uphill.

Trail riding a dirt jumper

Can I trail ride on a dirt jumper bicycle?

You can, but you wouldn’t want to.

Dirt Jumpers are heavy, have 1-gear, are inefficient for pedaling in both frame design and seat height, and don’t have a front brake.

They are specifically engineered for landing tricks and jumps. Even if you upgraded components, the frame geometry is similar to a Downhill MTB, with its slack angles for stability. The 26-inch tires are over 10% less efficient, compared to 29ers when climbing, nor do they deflect trail obstacles or roll over hazards as efficiently.

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slopestyle vs dirt jumper bike

A slopestyle mountain bike is a full-suspension dirt jumper. These bikes are used for bigger terrain and jumps, which is why they have a rear shock.

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Looking for help reaching your goals?? Performance Coach Jesse can help

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Jesse is Director of Pedal Chile and lives in Valdivia, Chile. Jesse has a Master of Science in Health & Human Performance and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Hobbies: MTBing, snowboarding, reading, taster of craft beers, researcher, & compression sock wearer.

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