Hard Cross HC4

On smoother singletrack, faster-rolling tires and lighter builds show up clearly, and that's what this score reflects. Compared with more speed-first builds, this build is shaped by a heavier build, wheel momentum that helps it carry speed between pedal strokes, typical trail-width tires, and mid-size wheels that balance agility and momentum.

Climb score: 5.2/10. Within e-mountain bikes, it lands around the middle. On climbs, the lowest gear feels easy. The easiest gear works out to about 18.7 gear inches. Compared with similar bikes, this low gear is easier than about ~44% of them. We use “gear inches” as a shortcut for climbing gearing. Lower numbers mean you can spin more easily when it gets steep. Weight is around 25.0 kg — on steep, slow climbs that extra mass becomes more noticeable. Being an e-bike helps on climbs because the assist adds steady push when you need it. It’s set up so climbs feel controlled rather than a grind. Different builds can shift the feel a bit, and some manufacturer specs aren’t always publicly listed, so consider this a helpful direction.

For bump control, it’s 9/10 — “Extreme rough-terrain ready”. It’s intended for the roughest use cases, where suspension control is critical. Suspension at both ends helps keep wheel tracking steadier when the surface gets rough. It’s tuned for steep, rough terrain where keeping the wheels tracking under hard hits is the priority.

Balanced fit - a neutral road posture that suits most riders. It feels this way because you get a very small drop: roughly 7 mm from saddle to bar, plus about 630 mm of stretch forward (very long). Plan for roughly 22 degrees of lean. Front-end spacers are estimated around 17 mm.

This rating is mainly driven by the parts that affect adjustability: This front-end is not locked into a one-piece system, which helps adjustability, The front-end is easier to work on, supporting fit tweaks over time - Standard seatpost sizing improves compatibility for different setbacks and lengths. Overall, it falls into Adjustable.

This scores 8.4/10 for comfort, so it feels highly forgiving out on the road. Within Enduro, Balanced basically means 'less plush than the softest builds' even though the ride still feels highly forgiving. It’s running about 63 mm tires on 27.5" wheels, and the big tires calm small hits and take the edge off trail chatter on roots, rocks, braking bumps, and repeated hits. The posture is neutral (posture 6/10), which gives a steady, predictable feel without pushing you too far forward.

Overall, this feels reasonably priced. Value is scored 1–10: higher is better value, lower means you’re paying more than similar bikes. Uses MSRP as a baseline; real-world prices can be lower (discounts can change the value). Based on the spec estimate, it’s about 13% above the typical level for similar builds. Among comparable bikes, it sits around the middle on price (cheaper than about 49% of listings). Quick reference: €7.665 listed versus about €6.797 for a comparable build. Overall, it sits in the expected range for the category.

This bike is built for rougher, more technical trails where control matters. It has about 170 mm of suspension travel (how much it absorbs bumps), which helps on rough, technical trails. Suspension type (Full) fits this kind of terrain.