Are you looking for that hardtail bike to ride fast and pretty much anywhere? These bikes listed below are all make from carbon frames and have been tried and tested out in the field for bikepacking events, races and overnight adventures.
I am personally a big fan of steel bikes, but carbon definitely has its appeal.
When comparing weight of steel, alloy, titanium and carbon hardtail bikes it can widely depend on brand and models. For most steel hardtail bikepacking bikes you are looking at anywhere from 13 kg to 16 kg. Although there is this one steel hardtail which weighs around 12.2kg! While these carbon bikes listed below start from around 11.5 kg.
Due to this lighter weight you can ride faster than most other material hardtails.
But how strong is a carbon fibre bike? Will a carbon fibre hardtail be strong enough? These are a few concerns people have when looking for a carbon hardtail.
The reality is that carbon bikes actually have a strength to weight ratio that is higher than steel. Carbon frames are relatively strong, and hold up to a significant amount of force.
If strength is a number one priority and you want something that is bomb-proof, steel is best. If you want a bit of both worlds. Strength of steel (or more), and similar (slightly more heavier weight of carbon.) I would recommend looking into a Titanium hardtail bike.
This brings our first concern with carbon bikes. They are susceptible to impacts and damage isn’t always visible. But you are more likely to damage a carbon bike, by damage I mean break the frame, then steel. If it does break carbon is much more difficult to repair.
But if you just want the lightest possible hardtail and want to go nothing but fast! Carbon is your go too.
With carbon frames you can achieve damping qualities and comfort similar to high-end steel and titanium bikes. Not all carbon is created equal. Just because a bike is made from carbon does not mean it’s good quality or suitable for a specific application.
That is why we have done the hard work for you. Below is a list of carbon hardtails that are recommended by fellow bikepackers around the world.
Santa Cruz Chameleon Carbon
The Santa Cruz Chameleon is one of my person favourite carbon hardtail options on the market. A perfect choice for your bikepacking adventures. Just like the Chameleon changes colours and adapts to its environment so too does this bike. Except for the changing colour part. A bike that can be used in a multitude of different ways!
You get tire clearance for up to 29 x 2.6” or 27.5 x 2.8” tires maybe even to potential to squeeze in some 29 x 2.8” or 27.5 x 3.0. New dropouts means they slide out rather than pivots like previous models. The new dropout also has a removable derailleur hanger. The bikes weighs around 12.41 kg or 27.36 lbs
Taking a look at geometry comparing the 2022 with previous models for a large sized frame. There is a 13mm increase in stack and 5mm in reach on the 2022 model. Also a 10mm longer chainstay length, around a 48mm longer overall wheelbase length. 20mm longer trail and around 35mm more front centre. And finally the standover height for the 2022 model is lower by 35mm.
Also this video is worth a watch to get you in the mood!
Kona Big Honzo CR
The Big Honzo CR hasn’t been updated since 2020. So from my understanding there are no new models out which are carbon builds. But you might still be able to find this bike. It also another great option for your next lightweight, trail shredding bikepacking adventure.
The bike is specced with a 27.5+ wheel, but has the ability to run a 29” wheel if you wish. It has one of the lowest standover heights compared to most bikes in this list. Making riding more fun and the bike extra manoeuvrable.
Diamondback Sync’r Carbon
Diamondbacks most progressive hardtail is a great bikepacking option. An all-new monocoque carbon frame design features a tapered headtube and Boost rear spacing for increased stiffness. A 140mm travel Fox 34 Float Performance fork can handle aggressive riding and big moves. With 29×2.5″ tires. With tire clearance for up to 27.5×2.8”. Fitting perfectly into the genre of ultra-capable hardtail bikes.
Salsa Woodsmoke
One of the more unique looking carbon hardtail bikes in the list. The Woodsmoke by Salsa, thanks to the unconventional asymmetric, and remarkably short, ‘mid-stay’ chainstay frame design. Which has got mixed reviews. Is this why it has been discontinued since 2019? Not sure but if you can pick up this bike it might be worth checking out for a bikepacking rig.
The goal with the Woodsmoke was to create a bike that bridged the gap between trail and adventure rig. Designed to fit both 29+ or classic 29er tires with a 120mm fork, or the 27.5+ wheel/tire combination with a 130mm fork. Resulting in a one bike to do it all.
Trek Stache
If mid-stay chainstay is your thing. The Stache by Trek like the Woodsmoke also features an alternative looking chainstay giving the bike that different aesthetic. The Stache 9.7 model is their lightest 29+ trail hardtail, weighing in at 28.3 lbs or 12.8 kg. It’s built with an OCLV Mountain Carbon frame that’s shockingly light for its oversized appearance, and a premium RockShox Pike Select Plus fork with 120 mm of travel. With a whopping tire clearance for 29×3″ tires.
Specialized Epic Hardtail
The Epic Hardtail from Specialized is a rather popular bikepacking hardtail shredder. They have come out with a light bike, but not one that sacrifices comfort for weight. Like XC race bikes coming to stand for a harsh, twitchy ride at the expense of capability and versatility. The bike weighs in at around 11.5 kg or 25.3 lbs.
A bnike that is used for endurance events all over the world, its fast! It’s as capable as it is comfortable with aggressive singletrack-inspired geometry, increased tire clearance and a frame obsessively engineered for increased vertical compliance.
Niner Air 9 RDO
A light and stiff race-day ready carbon hardtail, the efficient and compliant frame results in a great ride no matter if you want to win that endurance race or cruse the singletrack. A popular rig for the tour divide. Coming with the Fox Rhythm Float 32 fork with 100mm travel.
Canyon Exceed
Looking for another hardtail option to race! The Canyon Exceed is a light, strong and stiff cross-country 29er race hardtail. With a weight of 23.9 lbs or 10.8 kg! One of the lightest bikes Canyon have ever produced. A very capable xc bike that you can take bikepacking!
Trek Procaliber
The Procaliber 9.6 is a race-ready cross country hardtail. Its fast carbon frame boasts a trail-taming IsoSpeed decoupler, fast 29er wheels, and a RockShox Recon Gold RL suspension fork with 100mm travel to keep you fast and smooth over roots, and rocks during your most demanding mountain bike rides. Also another popular bike choice with bikepackers. Weighing in at 25.1 lbs or 11.4 kg
Santa Cruz Highball
The Highball is Santa Cruz flagship carbon hardtail race thoroughbred, and a dark horse in XC versatility. More capable than a pure endurance bike. It has the mindset of a race bike but it’s prepared for more. With capacity for three bottle cages and the ever-reliable threaded BB. Its also a bike that is just at home as a bikepacking rig, just pack your gear and go.
Compare These Bikes
| Bike | Price | Category | Travel | Weight | Seatpost | Wheel Size | Tire Clearance | Chainstay | ST Angle | Head tube angle | Wheelbase | Stack | Reach | Front Centre | BB Height | Trail | Standover Height |
| Santa Cruz Chameleon | $2,999 | Trail | 130mm | Dropper | 29″ | 29 x 2.6” or 27.5 x 2.8” | 415 | 72.8 | 67.3 | 1139 | 618 | 437 | 730 | 315 | 101 | 711 | |
| Kona Big Honzo | $2,999 | Trail | 130mm | Dropper | 27.5″ | 27.5 × 3”? | 430 | 75 | 67.5 | 1173 | 630 | 450 | 747 | 310 | 92 | 695 | |
| Diamondback Sync’r | $3,650 | Trail | 140mm | 29.1 lbs / 13.2 kg | Dropper | 29″ | 27.5 × 2.8” | 435 | 74 | 66 | 1165 | 600 | 438 | 735 | 321 | 116 | 772 |
| Salsa Woodsmoke | €2,599 | Trail | 140mm | 29 lbs / 13.15 kg | Rigid | 27.5″ | – | 400 | 73.4 | 67.9 | 1103 | 613 | 428 | 710 | 296 | 90 | 756 |
| Trek Stache | $3,799 | Trail | 120mm | 28.3 lbs / 12.83 kg | Dropper | 29″ | 3″ | 420 | 67.8 | 67.8 | 1117 | 635 | 415 | 706 | 318 | 102 | 760 |
| Specialized Epic Hardtail | $2,200 | Crosscountry | 100mm | Rigid | 29″ | 2.4″ | 430 | 74 | 68.5 | 1117 | 608 | 430 | 695 | 309 | 101 | 792 | |
| Niner Air 9 RDO | $2,999 | Crosscountry | 100mm | Rigid | 29″ | 2.4″ | 435 | 73 | 70 | 1110 | 617 | 424 | 682 | 310 | 80 | 744 | |
| Canyon Exceed | $3,899 | Crosscountry | 100mm | 23.9 lbs / 10.84 kg | Rigid | 29″ | 2.25″ | 425 | 75 | 69 | 1123 | 602 | 435 | 704 | 316 | 86 | 828 |
| Trek Procaliber | $2,899 | Crosscountry | 100mm | 25.1 lbs / 11.38 kg | Rigid | 29″ | 2.4″ | 432 | 73.8 | 68.8 | 1103 | 600 | 420 | 678 | 313 | 100 | 755 |
| Santa Cruz Highball | $3,299 | Crosscountry | 100mm | Rigid | 29″ | 2.4″ | 426 | 73 | 69.5 | 1116 | 606 | 430 | 690 | 314 | 82 | 715 |
**All data for bike geometries is for medium sized bikes.
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