Dartmoor

If you've been around the mountain bike scene for even a little while, chances are you've heard about him. The rider who refuses to follow the trends, who keeps proving that skill beats suspension travel, and who recently did the unthinkable - lining up at a UCI Downhill World Cup on a hardtail.

Yes, we're talking about Marcin "Banan", better known to many as the one and only Hardtail Guy.

This time, we're stepping into his personal bike garage to check out his latest machine: the all-new Primal Pro. Built for fast trail rides, rough natural terrain, and the kind of riding that reminds you why hardtails still have a place in modern mountain biking, it's a bike that perfectly matches Marcin's style.

But this story isn't just about a bike.

It's about a rider who has built his reputation by doing things differently. While everyone else keeps adding more travel, more technology, and more complexity, Marcin keeps throwing a rigid rear end into some of the roughest tracks imaginable - and somehow makes it look fun.

Warning: this story might just turn you into a die-hard hardtail fan, your spine, however, probably won't thank you.