How To Setup Your XC Bike For Long Distance Riding | Cross Country Setup Tips

Setting up your cross-country bike for long-distance riding requires a different bike fit from a standard XC race setup. Rich Payne has raced quite a few epic 24-hour cross-country races over the past few years so has a few tips on how you can find a balance of comfort and speed.

⏰ Time Stamps 👇
00:00 - Intro
00:34 - Cockpit
02:15 - Riding Position
04:56 - Wheels And Tyres
07:41 - Suspension
09:10 - Extras

Useful Links:

How do you set up your XC bike? For performance or with comfort in mind?

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[gmbn]

How do you set up your XC bike? For performance or with comfort in mind?

[letourrr]

Love seeing more XC Race content on this channel!!

[HLDefender]

Please do an XC bike and gym fitness video for beginners looking to start their conditioning journey. XC can be intimidating to typical body types. Literally detail how many miles weekly needed to train for a typical local race and expected heart rate zones needed to be competitive

[YuunaAndCuddles]

I'm from the Philippines, where roads are not so much okay with lots of potholes, which makes mountain bikes the usual choice for long distance rides. I focus on shaving off weight and improving the reliability of my bike, like going tubeless on my Continental Terra Trail (650x47B). I'm running a 1x12 drivetrain to tackle even uphills. I also have lights, both on my bike and helmet for visibility. Lastly, I make sure that I got tools in my frame bag, in case of trouble. It's all about comfort and safety in all.

[tuftschristopher]

Long distance:
Add alternative hand positions
High rise bars
Try tilting the saddle back a bit
Add bottle & snack storage high up (bar bags, top tube)

[chriscowan]

Another great example of the strong content you continue to produce on this channel. Thanks from Canada!

[josemarieteomale]

I actually turned my xc to trail and, Doing some trick in our local trail course. This one is a good choice basing in my experience.. and xc or any bikes with big tires are so applicable in Philippines since there are so many pot holes and the traffics here is like a moving obstacles for some of us a bike commuters...

[TJrcTX]

I dig it. The vid on the 24hr race has made me start looking at endurance series. Looking at doing the Wisconsin endurance MTB series, and the Wausau 24. Thanks for the motivation and info to do this!

[christiandonaj]

these are my always arms 😅
made my day!

[johnsonjay]

I just built a close to 9k fully carbon fully rigid race bike. Dream build!!! Definatly get fitted! Hard seeing all these deals right now. I just gotta keep telling myself every single part is upgraded and high end. Just still need an air fork option 😆

[GOdupont]

I have done everything mentioned here. I also added SQ Labs inner bar ends so I can change my hand positioning on long rides and climbs. I can not recommend those enough.

[Kamil_D.]

I have bought similar OIZ, as you are riding it a lot. ANd yes, it is excellent bike :)

[Planetone.]

Great tips brother, very useful tips to avoid discomfort on those long epic rides 👌

[devce]

I have done multiple 200km road rides on my XC bike the only thing I would change is my tire pressure I would pump it to 30-35psi instead of my usual 20psi. I would still average 30-40kph on flat sections and I actually prefer this because of all my years of riding I never got a flat tire on my tubeless mtb setup. Im running 36t front and 10-51 shimano at the rear 1by setup

[SlowRideHome]

This is really help and simple gonna do some canal riding this weekend so I’m gonna watch this again 😊

[robschafer]

Great video. Would love to see more information on your dropper button install.

[iggalan]

Later this year I have a 90 Km ride in my XC (it's a triathlon in fact, but gravel edition 😀 and I'm not buying or renting a bike), so I'm looking at everything to make it as easy as possible. I just replaced the old saddle with a new one (after measuring sit bones) similar to the one I'm already using on my road bike. Set up my tyres tubeless (which is a bit of a pain because I don't use this bike that much, so the sealant dries up). I have not installed the remote lock for the fork (it's a hardtail), I just don't like the mess of wires. I'll look at everything else.

[MPH]

2:51 i run 760mm bars on both my bikes (xc and trail) and i find if it run narrower it also restricts my breathing (i do have asthma though) as well all the things Rich said.

[papagodzilla]

exactly what ive been looking for. thank you so much for the tips.

[bulinski]

Rich, wish you stuck around the Thunder Mountain shop a second longer and I would have had a chance to chat with you! The anecdotal content has been awesome. Hope you have a chance to get back to Sedona when the weather is more favorable, besides the White Line, Sedona has much to offer!