Enthusiast level hardtail mountain bikes are better quality hardtails that sell for $600 and above. A lot of mountain bike racers ride these because they tend to be lighter than cross country full suspension bikes. Most racers who ride hardtails are under 30 years of age so they haven’t experienced what it’s like to wake up the morning after a race and have to roll out of bed onto the floor because their back hurts so bad that they can’t sit up. That experience is generally reserved for the 35 plus crowd so those young tough guys have something to look forward to. These bikes also work well for the trail rider who is moderately aggressive and riding on terrain like Memorial Park or Huntsville but not so good for Hill Country riding with all those rocks. They are also the bike of choice for highly skilled and seasoned aggressive riders who know how to pick a clean line through the rough stuff and just like the feel of a hardtail.