Video: Dartmoor Gravity Hardtails - Hornet vs Primal

The Story

The first mountain bike ever was a hardtail. It had a rigid fork, few gears and let you explore the places which were not available for the bikes so far. It took a bit of commitment and explorers sense to feel the new adventure of riding a bike. The market has grown quite fast since then, it has brought us loads of technical improvements like: suspended forks and frames, from simple constructions to complicated systems of transferring leg power into the wheels without losing a single Watt of it. We also had a multi chamber dampers with limitless adjusting options. Overall it is still growing with hundreds of patents which allow you to ride faster and more comfortable to make your bike look better, and make you feel better.

But is there anything left from the basic idea behind the mountain bike as a tool for chasing an unexplored path? Do we still have a time just to enjoy the ride?

We believe there are many of you guys out there looking for the feeling of freedom and facing your own weaknesses. For those it is not about being first, not about the comfort zone, but each single bike trip is simply an adventure and first of all still a journey. Those guys choose a hardtail bike not because of the limited budget, but because it is way lighter and gives you more technical skills. No rear suspension also makes you feel the trail and contact with nature.


Dartmoor Hardtails

Dartmoor Bikes story is pretty similar to mountain bikes chronicles in general. The journey started with a freeride hardtail - Hornet which is very popular around the world, which was later developed into his younger brother - Primal. Both of them are designed to meet the riders demands for all kinds of all mountain riding. From cross country biking to hard freeriding. You can meet Primal and Hornet riders on wild mountain trails, enduro courses, freeride jumping spots and technical downhill courses.


Primal - Your way to explore

Primal is a frame prepared for those who prefer all terrain mountain riding than jumping. Doesn't matter if it is a hard singletrack, rock downhill or a dirt uphill - this bike will handle all of it. And when it is not possible to ride it is light enough to grab it and take to a rideable places on your back. Designed for both 26 and 27.5 inch wheels and 120-140mm forks it is the most versatile frame in Dartmoor product line.

Primal is available in 16", 17" and 18" size and few color options. We also offer a special Primal 29 version in 17" and 19" made for 29 inch wheels.


For 2015 season we also offer 2 complete bikes based on this versatile frame - Primal Pro and Primal Basic. Pro version is an option for more aggressive style, made on Marzocchi 350R 140mm travel fork. This one is for the riders who know what mountain riding is about, where you can't be sure what your trail is going to look like behind the next hill. The frame and the fork are both available in outstanding Red Devil finish.


Primal bike in Basic version is for mountain amateurs who'd like to feel it but in the less demanding terrains. This bike comes with the same geometry but different gear specifications.



Hornet - Ride hard, play harder

For those who jump the dirt and hit the drops, those who think this is what riding a bike is all about because pedaling up the hill is not what tigers like the most. Hornet is a perfect frame for those who want to push the limits and test their technical skills and self confidence while riding the places where downhill racers ask themselves if it is worth to try. It is basically a massive, unbreakable hardtail you can always count on.

Hornet is available in 16" and 18" sizes and dedicated to work with 140-170 mm forks. It was designed to ride 27.5" wheels but you can also use 26" classics.




Hornet vs Primal

Both frames have a lot in common and many differences as well. The basic question you should ask yourself while making this choice is - where you ride, what distance you'd like to go and which riding style is your favorite. If you're more into long uphills and exploring the trails than jumps and drops you should definitely check the proper Primal size frame for you. If you prefer high speed or huge gaps, and simple pedaling is not your way to ride - Hornet is a proper choice for you.


Looking through the angles you may notice that for a Hornet with a 160mm fork and Primal with 120-140mm riders position is pretty similar. Main difference between will be the fork angle which is - 65.5 degree for Hornet with 160mm fork, 67 degree for Primal with 140mm fork and 68 degree for Primal with 120mm travel fork. Hornets have the higher bottom bracket position which gives more possibilities in harder conditions.




No matter what your final choice will be don't forget that mountain biking is about exploring the world close to the nature, not about focusing on the parts or the brands you ride, so #RideYourWay

From the snowy peaks to sunny seaside with Primals:





And the same way down on a Hornet:





Video by: ASF Studio
Music by: Fin de ano - Huerta Grande
Photos by: Kuba Konwent and Adam Klimek

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