Are Cross Country Bikes Still Relevant?

Enduro and trail bikes have progressed a lot in the last few years and are as popular as ever. So that leaves the question, are cross country mountain bikes still relevant today?

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[ryankan]

What people don't get is that the only reason XC bikes evolved the way it did, is because at the world cup level, the trails evolved. Pretty sure the XCO trails are rougher than what most people ride (sometimes even with their enduro bikes). If you're still riding your regular xc trail as you did 6 years ago, there are absolutely no reason you need a "more capable" XC bike

[manwithnoname]

Yes they are. For example, I love getting uphill KOMs, and can't imagine doing this with 14kg 140mm travel trail bike. Also doing long z2 rides is better with light weight XC bike.

[maestro]

Yes, I love my Cannondale Scalpel. 100 mm in the back and 120 mm in the front. Perfect for the terrain I ride which has a lot of short punch climbs and narrow single track. Love your videos Clint!

[mikerotchburns]

i got a "downcountry" bike and havent touched my enduro bike since. i love the efficient suspension, remote lockout and low rolling resistance tires.

[thegefster]

Love my XC and Gravel bike. Love taking the Gravel bike on XC Trails and the XC bike when I want a change. Heck if you have a 650 b wheelset for the gravel bike then you have a 3 choices! Also, I think being almost 60 I can preserve myself by staying away from going too Fast Down hill or doing jumps! Most of the time less bike is more fun and also equals more smarts as well!

[YourOwnAdventure]

Coming from the trail bike jib life, I absolutely love my XC bike for it's control and speed. Probably the best choice for most FL trails.

[JoseRodriguez-rlch]

Personal experience: I bought a brand new Orbea Occam with 140mm travel front & back, Fox 34 fork…awesome trail bike. But, was heavy and not very good for climbing. I rode a friends Orbea Alma XC bike…instantly feel in love with it! Traded the Occam for his Alma and never regretted it. Now Orbea has a trail version Alma. If XC bikes are to keep relevant they must keep evolving.

[mikemenocal]

Great video. I’ve always appreciated your straight to the topic style when it comes to your videos. You’ve always been informative and I genuinely enjoy watching every episode

[patricklindsay]

I went from a 26” cross country bike to a 29” steel hardtail with more modern geometry and the difference is amazing. I went over the bars 3 or 4 times on the old cc bike, but now I barrel over stuff with ease that used to make my palms sweat. It’s a rocket downhill and since it’s a hardtail it climbs like a mountain goat, even with a 66 degree head angle. Drops, jumps, roots, rocks… no problem. I hit my technical threshold long before the bike does. Cross country bikes just feel sketchy to me. Although I’m sure the newer ones are better.

[mancello]

Good analysis Clint. Love my Canyon Exceed XC hardtail. It's light and nimble which allows me to get up steep climbs easily. Also good on paved roads. Use it as a winter bike in the city for light snow riding.

[strshooter]

Fantastic explanation about the different style bikes and intended use. I have literally watched dozens of videos and this was the best. Thanks Clint

[FredVanAllenRealtor]

I am a purist and I bike for fitness and not for speed, so YES on XC bikes. I went from a old 26" HT XC to a Polygon Siskyu D7, which when I bought it, they called it a XC, but I think it is more Downcountry. As a result I am a bit overbiked for where I ride, I spend a lot of time locking out my front and rear suspension. But I admit, I am 69, and I feel safer and more confidant and actually faster on the D7.

[chriswaggett]

Thanks Clint, always enjoy your content & especially as I’m a Ninerd too.
I’m going to buy a RKT 9 RDO when they’re back in stock in the new year to complement my fleet of JET 9 RDO & RLT 9 RDO for all of the reasons you articulated.
Keep up the great content & Ride On!

[johngardner]

I'm getting a nice mountain bike for Christmas, so your solid technical and experiential videos (like this one) are fabulous. Thanks for posting!

[flintscott]

yes i am a young rider with the NICA racing, and i have recently gotten a scott scale 900 and i have loved it so much more than my enduro bikes. it is so light at 19 pounds you can hop up and throw it around so easy it really just lights up the trail. It has helped me win so many races and 2 over 100 riders in NICA and i did not even think i was that good. And now i am trying to race nationals and this is all because of that one purchase to get this bike. And gezz i even sold my enduro bike to get a road bike i am really becoming a go fast xc rider instead of a enduro jump guy. I hope i wont become a roady. i know that was really long but i loved the video.

[discostu]

I recently bought a Transition Spur. Hugely more capable going down than my Giant Anthem, but the Anthem is still faster everywhere else. I'm going to try a faster tyre combo on the Spur come spring, however I didn't buy it to race, and it's much more of an all-rounder, which I wanted. I think there's still a place for proper XC bikes.

[tylermoser]

I purchased my Trance Adv. Pro 29 because of you and absolutely love the versatility of this trail bike. I came from an XC bike and don’t plan on going back. Picked up a Revolt for gravel and road and ended up riding more road this year than trail. Thank You for providing great content and reviews! I would love riding with you down in Florida the last week of March.

[RobS]

Great stuff! I am coming from 20 years of riding Enduro trails on a dirtbike, so love your camera work on the single track, brings back great memories! I tore my ACL in 2004 and basically quit riding as much, then quit all together. All the while, I commuted on 50/50 street and trails to work a couple times a week on an ancient, rigid MTB from 1986. I never did really tough trails until my son was older and we got him a Rockhopper Comp, and realized just how tough it is to ride trails on a bicycle that I used to blast through on my Husky dirtbike!
I decided it was time to update my old Univega to a modern MTB. I was initially looking at XC bikes, not to race but to commute on with pavement mixed with gravel roads and mild trails, as well as ride more challenging trails with my son when he's home from college. Everyone I asked was pushing me to get a trail bike, since the Trek X-Caliber bike I was eyeing had "dated geometry" and a trail bike could ride XC better than a XC bike could ride trails. But I don't want something I would feel like I'm dragging along on the largest portion of my riding, for the minority of times I'd be on gnarly downhill trails. Besides, if the bike made it TOO easy to "send it" down the tough stuff, I would probably start riding over my skill level and rack myself up, and at 59, I don't heal like I used to!
Your statement "a XC bike is still a mountain bike" was good perspective on my decision on what single type of bike I can get that will give me the most enjoyment, and look forward to riding. If I could afford both, I would in a heartbeat. But think an XC bike will be better for that "one" bike in our garage.

[mattkavanaugh]

Thanks Clint for the good discussion. Your comments about under-biked vs over-biked ring true for me. I would much rather be under than over-biked, and if I had to choose (fortunately I don’t have to), I would choose climbing over descending. My local trails and fire roads are not very technical and I ride them on my gravel bike, XC bike, and trail bike. It’s fun on all them, and different, but if I had to choose (again, I am grateful I don’t have to), I would pick my gravel bike as my one and only bike as the most versatile, challenging and fun. My gravel bike is a Cannondale Slate with 30mm Lefty Oliver fork, so in many ways it’s like a hardtail MTB (including the gearing I have added to it).

[TheNationalTrails]

2021 Pivot Switchblade setup for long-travel downcountry. 26.5 pounds with pedals in a size Large.
2021 RockShox Deluxe Ultimate rear shock with MegNeg air can. * Never need to use shock switch. Essentially, like a true XC bike.
2022 Fox Performance 36 at 145mm travel. * Used a 2020 150mm Air Spring to keep fork feeling firm off the top.

Rides like a medium/large. Very quick to handle. Rolls over tough terrain with ease. Climbs with lots of traction.