How Have XC Bikes Changed? | Modern Vs Retro XC Edition

Mountain bikes have come a long way in recent years, with longer, slacker, lower frame geometries allowing riders to push their bikes further & further, but just how far have XC bikes come and have the XC bikes of today left the old bikes for dust!? Join Rich Payne and Si from @gcn to find out! 🎬

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What's your dream XC bike build? Let us know in the comments down below!👇

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[cra_]

Si and muddy stuff is an underrated combo. Would love to see him do more MTB content.

[fangxx]

This goes to show that older bikes are still extremely capable. One does not need the latest and greatest bike to have fun and safely ride a trail. Obviously newer bikes are faster, but you can still do well on a much older (and lower end) bike.

[cra_]

Here's another idea for "Old vs. New". Since you guys have a decent 26" bike in your fleet now, how about old vs. new tires? WTB still makes the Velociraptor and Panaracer still makes the Dart and Smoke. It would be interesting to see them go up against more modern tires on the same bike.

[sadiejones]

It's always good to see the two channels joining forces. Love seeing bikes that contributed to today

[darrylmorgan]

Loving the XC content.Great to see Si on the channel having a right blast with Rich!Super fun Guys!

[muchamadichwan]

Si is on point with retro xc's replaced with gravel bikes

[petersauer]

When I started watching GMBN it was Simon Richardson, Marc Beaumont, Neil Donahue, and they had Santa Cruz mountain bikes with 27.5 wheels ❤

[patricknolan]

Pop a dropper on the retro bike and see how much faster the laps are when they don't feel like they are going to go OTB the whole way 😂

[Radioinactiv]

I really enjoy these crossover videos with GMBNxGCN. Not only due to the high quality of the content and the interesting chemistry between the different presenters but also because they help spark interest in different cycling disciplines for people who may not have otherwise been exposed to or chose to watch one of the other Global Cycling channels. Thanks for all the entertaining content, keep up the great work!

[andyamos]

Pricing comparison would be interesting 😉

[stujm]

Would love watching more of these crossover vids, they’re brilliant. I still ride a 26er and absolutely love it…

[straubinio_styo]

The twitchy and nervous rides on the classic XC bike make even the easiest of trails a blast to ride, perfect for the average beginner and veteran regarding smiles per Dollar.

[oliveralldridge]

Add a dropper to the scott scale and its more than capable I still ride a 2007 scale 10 and leave some mates on 29ers for dust on regular trails

[phillipthebigj]

Totally agree that gravel bikes are old school mtb, s with curly bars

[amandanorth]

Love having Si on the channel, great vibes with Rich, and interesting content. Would love to see more

[autisticlife]

My first mountin bike was a Saracen Conquest from 1985. It was wide long and slack. Not long after it was made Kona popularised the short steep angled mountain bike. My Saracen was "out of date" very soon yet it went and handles well on rough ground. I find it interesting that in terms of geometry and length maountin bikes have gone back to early set ups. Of course components and suspension have made a huge difference in the last 38 years.

[Foxtrottangoabc]

Great to see Si always entertaining, owned that 26 like a boss.
I was thinking watching Si negotiate the downhill bit that his Gravel bike skills will come in handy .
An old school 26 er with an external dropper post would be good.
Funnily enough my Beone 26er still holds my time trial record going uphill which I have been doing since 2010 up a boxhill bridle path.

[markturner-smith]

Si raced XC back in the day (2000’s) and was successful and handy shows a good riders skill set always stays no matter what on.

[CLEARRTC]

Always need more Si and Hank on GMBN :)

[aerickvesereu]

I remember owning a 26 in carbon mtn bike in 2012. It was from Univega and I was so excited to take it out. I took it on a trail once and absolutely hated every second of it. I sold it shortly after. Fast forward 10 years and I went mountain biking on a 29er for the first time and absolutely loved it.