hardtails are just a slow, uncomfortably plod i
Nope, but some riders are slow and plod along in the mud? 😉
I’ve a slack enduro gnarpoon, and a twitchy light XC race bike (29er, spanky wheels, sids, flat bars and bar ends. Tho the bars are wide and there’s a dropper on there now).
Both are fun, so long as you’re riding it like you stole it.
I ride the HT more in the winter (with the gears off in SS guise). You can have a lot of fun caning a techy descent on a spanky light bike, on the edge of control, keeping up with/catching folk on big bikes.
The light bike, but wide bars + dropper is an interesting combo, it’s the mullet of bicycles really, business up front, party in the back.