How To Make Your XC Bike More Downhill Capable | Downcountry MTB Mods

Cross Country bikes are well known for being light and fast across the ground - but not exactly confidence inspiring when you point them down. Here are Doddy's top tips and MTB modifications for making your XC mountain bike more capable downhill 🔧

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Making changes to your cockpit - handlebars, stem, and grips; adding a dropper post; some pedals with a larger platform; and setting up your suspension correctly will all make your cross country bike more capable.

Have you tried any of these upgrades?

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[gmbntech]

Have you tried any of these adjustments or upgrades?

[tonymcnally]

Todays fs xc bikes are already very capable. What i want to see is a cheap 'xc' entry level hardtail modded and shreded downhill

[jakeallen]

The one thing I would recommend is a dropper post, it adds lots of weight but the benefit is unbelievable

[joed]

Here I was hoping Doddy was going to go Sam pilgrim style with DH forks, mullet set up and high rise bars.

[neilpalmer]

Doddy always talks with common sense and logic backing him up. Take heed I say

[lewisfoster]

love it, 'i bottom my ring out a couple of times, the o-ring on the shock that is!!'

[VorTexX]

Dont forget the tires themself, front one especially. Swapped Nobby Nick for Fat Albert and it makes a lot of difference. Its an older, 26 inch bike but it still packs a punch

[erich]

I learned the lesson about wide bars the hard way. I was pedaling along between the trees, and the next thing I knew I was on the ground. Ever since then I've paid more attention to my clearance.

[richardpeet]

I went back to narrow for the bars due to muscle engagement and shoulder stress issues. I saw by the end of the 2021 UCI XC season almost every man had switched to the 34 stepcast of those that used Fox. thanks for the tech updates.

[bunnys]

Show and describe a downcountry bike, without calling the name.
Love Doddy and the rest of the bunch.
You guys got me hooked

[hallstewart]

Dropper post for sure. On smooth climbs you can keep it high for efficiency, on tech climbs you can drop it very slightly for balance and then slam it on descents for the best agility. Worth the weight penalty IMO

[Deuteross]

I thought it would be logical to put a shorter stem if you go for wider handlebar to keep the same lean of the body.

[stevencole]

Actually on my hardtail I boosted up the front fork pressure so the front end doesnt dive as much going down steps and drops . It still absorbs some reverberation of the ground and my body does the rest . This has been very helpful for my bike at a 69 degree headtube angle and I never bottom out . The lower pressure created and even steeper headtube angle . Havent went otb in over a year and I have had some nose heavy impacts that I would have with lower pressure . So I gained more confidence and better results pointing down with higher pressure in my front fork on my hardtail .

[tomaskonkol]

That's was my factor when was upgrading my garage from Specialized Carve Pro to Canyon Neuron CF8. Light trail bike cross upgraded with some CX components. Im tall like you but lite bit heavier and love it now.

[apatriotofhopedanjohn]

Just wanted to let you know I enjoy a few channels and you have become one of my favorite. I must admit I am a definite Ebike kinda guy and tend to migrate more towards Ebike channels but really enjoy all your great information. Good job and Thanks 🙏

[eillord]

How about downcountry hardtail setup? I'm looking for it. Hope you can make vid of it

[stephenbetley]

I'd also add a riser bar with a sweep. Running a 25mm riser with an 8deg sweep gives a more natural slightly more agressive trail position especially with ergonomic grips es with ergon. Hadn't thought about the q-factor. Dropper post was essential. Added a 100mm to my hardtail made a world of difference. Didn't mention rotors. I changed from a 140/160 to a 160/180 rear/front. Big difference in confidence.

[dw]

With the stem I would definitely change to a short one. It makes a huge difference. I'm all the way down to a 31mm stem on my Pivot 429sl. It jumps, bunny hops, and wheelies far better for obstacles and meneuvering. Long stems are for a front wheel that never comes off the ground.

[hananas]

Man flexible shoes are the only shoes I wanna ever ride a bike on, I use Vans on my flats and love how well I can feel where the pedal is! Have had only a single pedal slip on an MTB since I've been running those

[magicunicorn]

I just got a cross country bike, and these tips were very helpful to me, especially the one about not going with a shorter stem. I'm currently doing without a dropper post, and I've found a middle-ground height for the seat that's okay for the types of trails I like to ride. However, as soon as I get the bike paid off, I hope to get a dropper in it soon.