Who Should Ride An XC Mountain Bike?

Winner will be chosen on 27th December 10am GMT!

Products I featured:

Thanks to my sponsors Scott Sports, Shimano, Whistler Performance Lubricants, and OneUp Components.

🚲 Check Out Bike Details Below:

#sponsored

[stevewalsh]

Sometimes we need to be realistic about how much bike we actually need and not pretend life is lived in a bike park. Love my xc hardtail .

[bentyler]

Me * buys a 170 enduro bike *
Also me “hmm maybe I should watch this”

[joekempz]

I’d say XC is a very acquired taste
I bought an XC bike at the start this long story short my enduro rig comes this week

[georgegande]

Great to have syd on this video, she’s such a smiley and bubbly person!!

[stricklander]

I’m literally 50 seconds into the video and just had to comment about how KILLER this footage looks. The lighting, coloring...shots! Great job!

[Jacob]

Completely agreed that trail bikes are becoming more capable, but leaving a larger gap between XC
“Down country” is a very capable tool, and one of the most fun ‘new’ categories

[BikingwithJP]

4:30 - Dropper post is one of my favourite new inventions 🤘game changer!

[colinress]

This video really is right on! I got a XC bike and have not regretted it so far.

[bs]

I didn’t realize that there was a word for this type if riding. I knew I didn’t need a modern mtb (trail bike). So I found an older mtb frame (‘02 Trek 8000) and put modern parts on it. I really enjoy it.

[josephgoodsman]

Personally, I would use the money to make my xc bike better suited to harder more aggressive riding by slackening the head tube angle using an angle kit, installing a 130mm fork, giving it a new front tire, and giving it a new bar and stem combo. This money would really mean a lot to me. I have done all the instructions correctly. Good luck to anyone reading this

[magicunicorn]

I just got an XC hardtail, and I'm thrilled with how much better it handles, climbs and accelerates. I also went from 29ers to 27.5 tires, and that size is perfect for me. Trail switchbacks on my 29er bike made me feel like I was riding a Penny Farthing. And the light weight of a carbon bike makes life so much easier, whether mounted on the bike or handling it on the ground.

[sound]

All of this makes me think about the yeti arc. I find that bike to be a super nice middle groung between XC and Trail. This new "Down Country" family is something that to me is a perfect marriage between the fun of the trail focused bikes and the racing machines of the XC bikes. Just perfect to be that all aroung bike to use on any situation. It will be super suitable for XC, trail, commuting, etc. I am saving up to buy that frame and build it to be the ultimate tip of the line bespoke bike that can handle it all

[kbd-nc]

I have a pretty XC oriented hard tail. Looking at a trail bike to suit the majority of my needs...now if I could only find one in stock. Looking at the Nukeproof Reactor. Again, if it was ever in stock lol.

If I had $500 to throw around, it would probably be on some new bars (one up), seat, grips, (Ergon—the newer oil slick stuff). Maybe some kit. I just ordered new shoes and pedals.

[peterstim]

Started racing XC in 1995, by 2000 was only running FS bikes. I'm 60 now, don't race anymore, rarely hit black diamond trails and exclusively run a hardtail. 100mm fork, Specialized Chisel frame, 2.400" tires, 750mm bars with 25mm of rise, no dropper post and weights 24lbs. I like the simplicity, not out to be the fastest guy but in smooth flo'y single track it is nimble, fun to ride and like passing the youngsters on their 150mm travel bikes. If I was still riding technical downhill would have a bigger hit bike.

[davecech]

One of the biggest lessons learned by adding a "down-country" bike to my quiver (vs. a 29'er HT) is that bike weight just doesn't matter all that much, at least for me. If I'm going to ride 2-4 hours, capability and comfort wins out over all out efficiency. I certainly benefit more in the 2nd half of my ride with the full-suspension bike doing a much better job of soaking up the terrain than my HT. Wider tires, rims & bars, a little more relaxed geometry, a little more travel, and a dropper win the day over the 3-4 pounds you save with a toothpick hardtail and getting your ass kicked all ride.

[maximls]

Please do hardtail trailbikes, especially as low budget beginner option

[rlake]

I have the same school of thought. Just purchased a specialized chisel comp.👍🏻

[stevecrump]

Bravo....The XC bike is a real mountain bike unlike there long travel cousins i class as stunt bikes...

[josephdunbar]

I’m 55, race locally and actually pretty competitive. I have a lot of fun and enjoy working to prepare. What I’ve found is that my XC bikes beat the hell outta me and my body feels it for a day or two or three! Modern recovery supplements help. I’ve started training more on my trail bike for two reasons. Trail bike is heavier and it doesn’t beat me up and it enhances my ability, jumping off a heavier bike to a lighter bike. I ride Epic and Stumpjumper

[LRF]

I would buy the following:
*Helmet
*MTB shorts
*Gloves
*Knee Pads
*New Tires