Is A Modern XC Bike Faster Than A 10 Year Old Downhill Bike?

In recent times, cross country courses have adapted and evolved - gnarly descents, big drops, and much more technical trails have pushed both bikes and riders to new levels. Modern XC bikes are more capable than they've ever been, especially when it comes to going downhill.

This got Rich Payne thinking - could a modern day XC bike beat a 10-year-old downhill bike? He pitted his latest Canyon Lux Trail XC steed against a 2014 Nukeproof Scalp to see what could make it down a black downhill run at BikePark Wales fastest!

⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 - Welcome To Another GMBN Test!
0:15 - The Downhill Bike | Nukeproof Scalp
2:16 - The Modern XC Bike | Canyon Lux Trail
4:50 - Let’s Look At The Results

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What bike would you rather ride downhill? A Downhill Bike or an XC Bike?

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[sultanabran]

please ride fort william and report back. this is not a downhill track.

[noelbodle]

It’s amazing how far bikes have come in such a short time. I have a Transition Spur built pretty light but it amazes me how capable it is for it’s 120mm. Not only that I’m out doing some epic rides on it with almost the speed of a XC rig but the added comfort of something that feels like it has much more travel. The so called down country bike for me is where it’s at, they do everything extremely well without the burden of all that extra weight.

[walken]

It would be interesting to do a comparison with a modern Enduro Hardtail versus an old full suspension downhill bike

[MattSB]

Please do test on a proper downhill track. BPW is simply not steep enough, with too many flat sections.

[jonpoon]

Older American mtb events like Downieville Classic would be almost made for modern XC bikes. You have to ride the XC and DH races on the same bike

[zethjugos]

Its mainly the wheel size that gave the xc bike its advantage...geometry will not play a big part unless its on a proper dh track

[fuzzchorus]

As you said in the end: the DH bike still outperforms a xc bike when it gets rough.

[impaledface]

Makes sense. 67.5 degree head angle can do quite a bit geo wise but the lack of suspension will hammer you. There would be many more "oh shi--" incidents as well. Luckily old DH bikes can be picked up for under 1k usd, and with a modern derailleur can go 1x10 with a 30-12/42. Which in my experience gives good range for uphill climbs.

[rohanmorganrichards]

Which one is faster down red bull hardline 👍🏼🌶

[Dano-genu]

A better test would be: Rich on a modern d/h bike vs Dunne or BK on a vintage d/h bike, on the Hardline course.

[nickthaskater]

That is a "black downhill track"? UK is soft, lol. Looks like a north shore green/blue. No wonder the DH bike felt slow.

[CraigFyfe]

Another thing that affects the results is Rich doesn't ride 26" anymore so is used to the modern bike.

[Max-yrew]

So you're telling me that the 10yr old bike didn't explode killing you? That's not what I've read online

[Andybarney]

Not a fair test there.. not steep enough.. not dh bike worthy.. rode dh 1st... so got eye in for the trail..

[Emz_Jhaye]

Until now im still riding my old 2008 specialized bighit 26"...
🤣🤣🤣... 😎🤙🚴

[plfree]

The Lux Trail is "down country", the Lux (without the "Trail") is an XC bike

[JeffMTBinVA]

#GMBN You are show casing how far XC bikes have come, cool. As I have asked before, give us a current DH vs Super Enduro/Free Ride on a real downhill track. Be specialized with the DH or can the SE/FR be just as capable while giving you flexibility for other things? That will actually be beneficial to viewers and sure to spark debate.

[alanbussell]

Is this like the, when you're a kid and you get a new pair of "I can run loads faster now" trainers?

[bcnephew]

It would be interesting to try and maximize the performance of the XC bike with some minor changes. Enduro or DH tires make a huge difference on that type of bike vs. XC tires. It is possible it could make it slower due to reducing its advantage on flat, smoother sections, but would be interesting to see. Shorter stem, higher bars. I've raced several enduros on a 110/120mm Devinci with similar changes and it was pretty damn capable. Comparatively fast as hell on XC tires, but as you noted, quite scary and you are more likely to grab a ton of brake when things get serious.

[fabulousfabrications]

I ride down street in the city and wouldn’t trade it for anything.. my Intense 951 custom build is insane even though I broke the rear triangle at the bottom at the cnc part of the triangle but that’s nothing a little piece of 5/16 thick 6061 to fix by welding it completely filled in were it was machined out and now it’s stronger than ever and I fixed it myself so it’s done right..