Why You Shouldn't Set Your Bike Up Like An XC PRO

Professional cross-country racers set their bikes up on the extreme end of the bike fit spectrum with speed preferred over comfort! In this video, Anna Cipullo explains the setup choices that XC pros make that you shouldn't

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[gmbntech]

How do you set up your bike? Let us know 👇

[topcat]

Racing xc and others for years with a dropperpost. The activation becomes as natural as other activations like braking and gear changes. The technique of the dropper in a race isn't a squat. If you are getting good at it, you are already on the seat, using your weight to drop the seat just before you use it (down and corners = seat down). Also, raising the seat is reversed as you are already out of the seat, you magically bring it back up to your butt. So intuitive after a while and just as flowing as the trail.

[Legacyk]

I went 120 FS and glad I did. Admittedly I don't need it in races - but when I'm trail riding with friends on their 130/140 trail bikes, I can still keep up with them. Works great as an all rounder for racing and trail riding.

[ektrolleyboy]

I’ve just bought an XC bike. For a change… And I’m loving-it! It defo needs the right trail/place. But once you know where to ride it, they’re brilliant. Just bought a carbon rigid post too. I’m going old-school!

[GabeC]

I can't imagine having as much fun on my XC hardtail without the added dropper post and 120mm fork upgrade from 100mm. The added weight is a non issue for me since I ride for health and fun.

[nottusleinad]

After several years experiencing back / knee pain when riding, I can thoroughly recommend spending £!00 on a Retul bike fit and forget about 'fashion' components and use whatever fits your body and riding style.

[nicolasmadrid]

Reciently, I realized I had barely used my dropper during races this last semester, so off it went! I'll keep it around if the course requires it. Also narrowed my bars and have progressively lengthened the stem. These last changes were definitely inspired by CFR's setup for this season, and also a desire to replicate the body position and handling of my previous hardtail.

[HaTchiKiDee]

I recently upgrade my cranks and downgrade the length. Was 175 now 165mm. Best upgrade ever! Would be nice to see more about cranks sizes in this wonderful show.

[milesholland]

Awesome video. Back/hip flexibility is rarely discussed but really plays into how us older folks need to set up our bikes. Thanks for discussing it!

[janeblogs]

1:37 not from level, its from your head tube angle.
So a 63° HTA with a -17° stem = level with the ground

[Rzagski]

I’m 6’4” tall. A dropper post was a game changer and won’t ride/race without one. My recently purchased used XC bike is perfectly great set up as is and is as comfortable as my all mountain bike.

[niklashbg]

Just bought an Exceed and I love it! Coming from a 120 mm FS Neuron AL (2018) I barely notice the absence of the rear shock when out of the saddle on rough sections, but the pedaling efficiency and climbing performance gained is nothing short of amazing!

[MrReivn]

Spring you say? I Wish :D Looking out of the window, just coming inside from shoveling the 50cm layer of snow on my yard, I can only dream of spring and cycling in the forest :D But, still watching the video, extra tips are always welcome...

[abeolsonmtb]

I didn’t run a dropper post the first year I raced and i found that it would help significantly to do the tech areas so I bought one last year and it helped a ton

[MrGrayFox]

I'm riding a pro setup on my ORBEA Oiz. I tried many setups, always with discomfort and even pain in my neck. Now I'm riding a 90mm stem instead of a 70mm and with -20° with a 5mm spacer above the headset and to me it feels perfect. I wouldn't recommend this setup blind to anyone else.

[woodmt.]

It was a very interesting video. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot wins the 2023 World Championship XCO and XCC aboard the PINARELLO DOGMA XC HARDTAIL. The course in Glasgow was very technical. Tom Pidcock, on the other hand, opts for the full suspension of the same bike. I think professionals weigh the pros and cons and decide which one is more advantageous for them before choosing a bike. By the way, I will not go to the World Cup, nor to the Olympics, so a hardtail with a suspension of 100 mm travel will do. You don't even need a dropper seatpost.

[jeskli]

After being on 100mm hardtails with fix seat post for the past 10 years I've been racing, this year I finally made a switch to a full sus with a dropper post. Coincidentally, it also offers 120mm of travel (though with 2016-ish geometry, so not that radical). The stem I'm now running is 90mm -17° slammed down, but that's to maintain the bike fit I'm used to with slightly taller new one.

[simonpowell]

Maybe crossing from road bike to mountain. But seriously slammed, long reach, head down push. I honestly believe, what feels comfortable to you go for it. Don't believe the fashion..

[donsmith]

Anna: It's spring! Me: looks out the window at the 30cm of snow on the ground.

[philipcaldwell]

Spot on check list for a new rider to sort out the best answer for their needs. Not a lot of straight talk out there.