Cross Country, Trail, Enduro, & Downhill Bikes | What's The Difference?

We often get questions asking what the difference is between a trail bike and an enduro MTB, or if you can ride a cross country mountain bike downhill. So, today we’re going to simplify it and show you what the different types of bikes look like and what they’re good at. Neil may even suffer along the way, all in the name of science.

Which bike would you chose?

🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound
Youre Out (Instrumental Version) - The Devil's Sway.
Sen - Molife
It's On - Daniel Fridell

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Leave us a comment below!

[dixienormous]

Can you please do a video on which organs to sell to buy a new bike.

[curtisf.r]

Neil "I havent got my full face lid, so I'll take it easy..."
Also Neil, Takes off at full throttle!😂

[jsth]

The differences between an XC and Downhill are very clear. But could you do a comparison between a trail and an enduro bike? When go for a trail and when enduro? What is really the most suited allrounder from weekend riding to a Transalp tour of a week?

[anywhereroam]

As a noob I really wanted a video like this. It was confusing with so many different types of mountain bikes. Eventually I worked it out. Watching this video it was all presented very clearly, the key differences.

[godzillaxred]

Neil's careful riding is my balls-to-the-wall, deathgrip, ride or die type of riding, what a man! (And machine)

[creepylavalamp]

I NEVER get tired of these comparison videos. You could do one of these every week and I'd gladly watch. Love this channel!!

[MS-pwyu]

That rear shock travel O-ring on the Pole. Eeesh.

[MTBbible]

Love this comparison! Could add the hardtail next time?

[mrbadger]

"I never want to pedal one of these things back up a hill again though. That was horrendous"
That's what all hill climbs are like for salad dodgers like me. Regardless of what bike I am on.

[obaiddar]

0:59 cross country
1:50 trail
2:11 enduro
4:20 downhill
If you want to see all the cycles next to each other. Not perfectly aligned though :P

[tristanmcfee]

Could you please do a video on the different suspension linkages and what the difference is between them (vertical shock, horizontal shock ect...)

[matthewsierra]

It amazes me that Neil can casually talk during that gnarly down hill ride... lord have mercy! Great video

[haba_]

Only a year in owning an xc hardtail, and managing some blue grade trails. Hired an enduro bike recently on blue/red trails and its like night and day compared to my xc bike. The enduro gives me so much more confidence in berms, steeper descents, drops, and rocks. Much more forgiving than my xc hardtail. There's nothing like trying out different bikes to learn as you go.

[elkatron]

I wanted to see the enduro and trails bikes head to head 😹

[carloswithac]

Never thought I'd see the day Neil walks a bike up a hill!

[gavvypatty]

I am deciding whether I should get a trail bike or an enduro bike. I am leaning towards and enduro bike though

[blakekuhlmann]

its super impressive how skilled niel is as a rider, he climbed great on the dh bike and decended very confidently on the xc while it lasted.

[laurencegreen]

Trail bike all the way...easily the most versatile...smash on some DH tires, a short stem, and wider bars with more rise and your good to hit the rough techie stuff, but also not going to be hating the accents...
For those hitting huge drops and jumps, you'll need the extra travel, but I reckon for most people in most trails, a trail bike has got you covered...too much emphasis on travel now a days...tire choice for me is a better upgrade.
Nice vid by the way 👍

[justincash]

Awesome. It’s nice to see the real purpose of a downhill bike for a change. I’ve included a downhill bike in my stable. But i put larger gears on the back.

[themoss]

I have a cross country hard tail bastardized with downhill tires, DH pedals and shortest and steepest stem I could find. Interesting option if you mostly want to go cross country all year (including winter), but you have sometimes crazy ideas like going downhill on the mud just for the fun of it. It's not the fastest bike on trails and not the most comfortable one, but it can handle more than you think. Tiresome, slightly painful, but fun!