Tags: XC Bikes
James Huang
Jun 14, 2022
The 2022 Canyon Lux World Cup is Still an Unapologetically Sharp-Edged XC Race Bike
It’s longer and slacker like everything else these days, but don’t call it a downcountry bike.
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| 138 Comments
Ed Spratt
May 13, 2022
Carbon Wasp's Truffle is a 120mm Carbon XC Bike Handmade in the UK
The Truffle even has a storage compartment in the downtube.
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| 83 Comments
Ed Spratt
May 5, 2022
Bike Check: 8.85kg Orbea Oiz Race Bike
A sub 9kg (20lb) race machine.
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| 157 Comments
James Smurthwaite
May 4, 2022
Spotted: An Updated Canyon Lux XC Race Bike
One of the most successful race bikes gets an update.
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| 51 Comments
BMC Unveils Pauline Ferrand Prevot’s 2022 BMC Fourstroke Ahead of the Albstadt World Cup XC
Pauline’s custom-painted BMC Fourstroke will be ridden for the first time this weekend at the World Cup in Albstadt, Germany.
Matt Wragg
Apr 6, 2022
Bike Check: Pauline Ferrand-Prevot's Winter Training BMC Four Stroke
Matt Wragg caught up with PFP in Southern France as Cecile Ravanel put her through the paces on stepdowns and road gaps.
Dave Rome
Mar 31, 2022
Factor Bikes Enters the MTB Market With the Lando XC & HT
Two new off-road bikes from the premium road bike manufacturer.
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| 86 Comments
Mike Kazimer
Mar 29, 2022
Pivot Releases New Les SL Lightweight XC Hardtail
The new Les SL is 300 grams lighter than the previous version.
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| 153 Comments
Mike Kazimer
Mar 23, 2022
First Look: Lapierre Returns to XC With the New XR & XRM
Lapierre's cross-country lineup has been completely revamped for 2022.
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| 79 Comments
Sarah Moore
Mar 14, 2022
Review: Scott Spark RC World Cup - 120mm Is The New XC
The Spark RC has more travel than you'd expect to find on a purebred XC race bike.
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| 291 Comments
Alicia Leggett
Feb 23, 2022
Bike Check: Nino Schurter's New Special Edition Spark RC
Take a look at Nino's sparkly speed machine.
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| 130 Comments
Alicia Leggett
Feb 15, 2022
Pivot Updates Mach 4 SL with New UDH-Compatible Rear Triangle
Pivot says the update aims to "future-proof" the bike.
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| 117 Comments
Ed Spratt
Feb 12, 2022
Bike Check: Lars Forster's European Champion Inspired Scott Spark RC
To mark his second European Championships victory in 2021 Lars Forster has a custom painted Scott Spark RC for 2022
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| 90 Comments
Ed Spratt
Jan 10, 2022
Bike Check: Rab Wardell's Marathon World Championships Santa Cruz Blur
The bike Rab used to return to Elite level competition since retiring from World Cup racing in 2014.
Ed Spratt
Nov 19, 2021
MMR Launches New Kenta XC Bike
MMR has launched its new Kenta XC bike, which was first seen being ridden at this year's World Cups by the MMR Factory Racing Team.
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| 44 Comments
James Smurthwaite
Nov 9, 2021
Cannondale Launches Progressive Scalpel XC Hardtail
Cannondale's XC hardtail has a 66.5° head tube angle.
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| 144 Comments
James Smurthwaite
Oct 28, 2021
Spotted: A New Cannondale XC Race Hardtail
Dropped seatstays point to a new bike from Cannondale.
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| 99 Comments
Alicia Leggett
Oct 9, 2021
Bike Check: Revel's LoveYourBrain Fundraiser Ranger - Sea Otter 2021
Entries to win the custom Revel Ranger cost $5 each and benefit those affected by traumatic brain injuries.
Seb Stott
Sep 28, 2021
First Look: Canyon's 2022 Exceed and Lux Get Even More Race Focused
Canyon's proven performers get a racing spec update.
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| 68 Comments
James Smurthwaite
Sep 7, 2021
Bike Check: Sina Frei's Custom Rainbow Stripes Specialized Epic
Sina Frei has a new frame to commemorate her World Champs victory.
Alicia Leggett
Aug 27, 2021
Bike Check: Jolanda Neff's Olympics-Winning Trek Supercaliber
'What was that tape doing on her downtube?' and other questions answered about the bike that carried Jolanda Neff to Olympic victory.
Henry Quinney
Aug 6, 2021
Poll: Once and For All, How Much Should a Mountain Bike Weigh?
Should DH bikes weigh less than enduro bikes? Cast your vote to decide what actually constitutes a 'light' bike.
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| 357 Comments
Sarah Moore
Jul 22, 2021
Bike Check: Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, Filippo Colombo & Elisabeth Brandau's Olympic Edition BMC Fourstrokes
BMC has created three special Olympic edition bikes for Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, Filippo Colombo, and Elisabeth Brandau to ride in Tokyo.
Norco Bicycles
Jul 22, 2021
Video: Norco Shows Off Haley Smith & Peter Disera's Olympic Race Bikes in 'Spinning Maple Into Gold'
Norco Factory Team XC riders Haley Smith and Peter Disera will be riding Norco Revolvers with gold imprints of Canadian maple leaves on them.
James Smurthwaite
Jul 7, 2021
Bike Check: Nadir Colledani's Custom Olympic MMR Kenta
Take a closer look at the bike Nadir Colledani will be piloting in Tokyo.
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| 58 Comments
Richard Cunningham
Jun 30, 2021
First Ride: The 2022 Ibis Exie is Made in USA & Ready to Race
The Exie was conceived to be light enough to trade paint with any World Cup race bike and tough enough to step into the trail bike arena.
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| 415 Comments
Richard Cunningham
Jun 30, 2021
Factory Tour: Ibis' New Carbon Construction Facility in Pajaro, California
A look into the place where Ibis' new Exie frames are born.
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| 111 Comments
SCOTT Sports
Jun 23, 2021
Video: Brendan Fairclough Commits Crimes Against Downhill
For years, Brendan Fairclough has been deceiving us.
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| 68 Comments
Alicia Leggett
Jun 16, 2021
Bike Check: Loana Lecomte's Winning Massi Aire SL
Let's take a look at the bike that has carried Loana Lecomte to her commanding victories this season.
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| 258 Comments
Alicia Leggett
Jun 14, 2021
Bike Check: Nino Schurter's New Scott Spark RC
Here's a closer look at the redesigned, ultra-integrated Scott Spark that Nino raced in Leogang.
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| 159 Comments
Henry Quinney
Jun 9, 2021
First Look: All New 2022 Scott Spark - The Next Generation of Integration
The Spark's shock is now hidden in the downtube, which leaves all sorts of room for water bottles inside the front triangle.
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| 438 Comments
James Smurthwaite
Jun 9, 2021
Video: The New Scott Spark Launches with a Spoof XC Horror Flick - 'Night of the Spark'
Will the new Scott Spark unleash your inner XC demon?
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| 47 Comments
Sarah Moore
Jun 1, 2021
First Ride: Santa Cruz's New 2022 Blur is XC Race Ready
The new Blur is available in XC and TR versions, with either 100mm or 115mm of travel.
Ed Spratt
May 22, 2021
Bike Check: Carter Woods' Race Winning Norco Revolver FS
Carter Woods has started off the World Cup season with two wins in the U23 category.
James Smurthwaite
May 19, 2021
Bike Check: Thomas Wickles' 'Project Unicorn' Ghost Lector SF
This chrome and pink color scheme is hard to miss.
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| 168 Comments
Canyon
May 19, 2021
Canyon Announces Limited Edition Mathieu van der Poel Lux
It all comes down to the words printed on the top tube behind the shock: Let The Legs Do The Talking.
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| 100 Comments
Sarah Moore
May 18, 2021
Bike Check: Emily Batty's 22.5lb Race-Ready Canyon Lux CFR
We take a look at the custom-painted Canyon Lux full-suspension bike that the 32-year-old Canadian raced in Albstadt, Germany and Nove Mesto, Czech Republic.
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| 138 Comments
James Smurthwaite
May 17, 2021
MMR's Prototype Kenta Full Suspension XC Race Bike
The Olympics are on the way, and more and more new XC bikes are starting to roll out.
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| 65 Comments
Ed Spratt
May 17, 2021
Bike Check: Victor Koretzky's Orbea Oiz - Nove Mesto XC World Cup 2021
take a look at how Victor Koretzky set up his race machine for the tricky Nove Mesto course.
Alicia Leggett
May 14, 2021
Bike Check: Mathieu Van Der Poel's Canyon Lux - Nove Mesto XC World Cup 2021
This bike was involved in one of the most exciting sprint finishes we've seen in a while.
Ross Bell
May 12, 2021
Tech Randoms: Nove Mesto XC World Cup 2021
The World Cup XC pits are home to some of the finer things in life.
Ed Spratt
May 10, 2021
Bike Check: Pauline Ferrand Prevot's Custom BMC Twostroke
Pauline rode her custom hardtail to a win and second place this weekend.
Ed Spratt
May 9, 2021
Bike Check: Kate Courtney's Scott Scale - Albstadt XC World Cup 2021
Kate Courtney was on a hardtail for the high speed Albstadt course.
Ed Spratt
May 8, 2021
Comparing Anne Terpstra & Nadine Rieder's Ghost Lector FS Race Bikes - Albstadt XC World Cup 2021
Take a closer look at Anne Terpstra and Nadine Rieder's race machines.
James Smurthwaite
May 6, 2021
9 Bikes That Have Won the Albstadt XC World Cup
Take a look at this selection of past winners, dating all the way back to 2014.
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| 41 Comments
Mike Kazimer
May 6, 2021
Spotted (Again): Santa Cruz's New XC Race Bike - Albstadt XC World Cup 2021
Is this the new Blur? Or the return of the Superlight?
James Smurthwaite
Apr 26, 2021
Legendary Road Cycling Brand Wilier Launches New Urta SLR Cross Country Bike
Best known for their road bikes, Wilier is expanding their mountain bike lineup with a new XC race bike.
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| 91 Comments
Alicia Leggett
Apr 24, 2021
Bike Check: Pauline Ferrand-Prevot’s BMC Fourstroke Was Decorated With Tape by an Anonymous Artist
There's nothing ordinary about the 6x World Champion's new full suspension XC bike.
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| 132 Comments
Mike Kazimer
Apr 9, 2021
Santa Cruz Teases New XC Race Bike
It looks like Santa Cruz are getting ready to roll out a new cross-country race machine.
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| 192 Comments
Alicia Leggett
Mar 17, 2021
Bike Check: Emily Batty’s Custom Canyon Exceed CFR
Emily Batty's new bike is said to be made of unicorn hair.
Henry Quinney
Mar 5, 2021
7 Interesting Used Bikes For Sale on the Pinkbike Buy&Sell - Hidden Treasures
Some are sensible, some are... interesting. The wonders of the Buy&Sell.
Geoff Kabush
Mar 2, 2021
Video Bike Check: Geoff Kabush's 3 Olympic Bikes from 2000, 2008, & 2012
The evolution of these Olympics XC race bikes is a fascinating reminder of how young our sport is and how quickly the technology has changed.
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| 51 Comments
James Smurthwaite
Feb 19, 2021
Bike Check: Nino Schurter's Custom European Champion Scott Spark Race Bike
Take a look at Nino Schurter's latest custom bike inspired by his win at the European Championships that features one-piece carbon Syncros wheels.
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| 141 Comments
Gustav Gullholm
Feb 9, 2021
Dangerholm's Back With Another Wild Build - The Hyper Spark Project
Bikes don't get much cleaner looking than Dangerholm's latest creation.
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| 280 Comments
Alicia Leggett
Feb 9, 2021
Fezzari Revamps Solitude Hardtail, a Featherweight XC Bike with Modernized Geometry
This hardtail frame weighs less than 1 kg and aims to balance pedaling efficiency with trail capability.
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| 51 Comments
James Smurthwaite
Jan 8, 2021
Bike Check: Jordan Sarrou's World Champion Custom Specialized Epic
Sarrou will be on Specialized for 2021, and they welcomed him to the team with a custom painted Epic.
Ed Spratt
Dec 20, 2020
Quiz: Can You Match the Rider to These 25 XC World Cup Bikes?
How deep is your well of cross-country racing knowledge?
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| 41 Comments
Daniel Sapp
Dec 4, 2020
Bike Check: Rab Wardell's Santa Cruz Blur
The machine that Rab Wardell used to snag the FKT of the The West Highland Way.
Ed Spratt
Nov 12, 2020
Merida Launches New Ninety-Six Trail and XC Bikes
Merida has overhauled its Ninety-Six full suspension XC bike range to include both race and trail models.
Gustav Gullholm
Nov 11, 2020
Bike Check: Dangerholm's Insanely Light Scott Spark
Dangerholm's at it again, this time with a 29" full-suspension XC bike that weighs less than 18 pounds. With pedals.
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| 243 Comments
Daniel Sapp
Oct 19, 2020
Bike Check: Jordan Sarrou's World Champs Winning BMC Fourstroke
It wasn't only the DH racers that had to deal with mud at World Champs.
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| 52 Comments
James Smurthwaite
Oct 3, 2020
Bike Check: Pauline Ferrand Prevot's Custom Rainbow Stripes Canyon Lux
A rainbow striped bike for the current XCO and mountain bike marathon world champion.
Daniel Sapp
Oct 1, 2020
Triple Bike Check: Comparing the Scalpels of Cannondale Factory Racing
Three bikes with medium frames but different settings. Check out what Cannondale's World Cup team is bringing to the first race of the season.
James Smurthwaite
Oct 1, 2020
Bike Checks: Nino Schurter & Kate Courtney's 'Supersonic' Scott Sparks
Two fresh bikes for the first World Cup XC races of the season.
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| 179 Comments
Ross Bell
Sep 30, 2020
8 XC Bikes From The Nove Mesto World Cup Pits
The Pinkbike photographers have been snooping around the pits (socially distant of course) and managed to grab a selection of bikes that were lurking in the team tents.
James Smurthwaite
Sep 30, 2020
Spotted: Ghost's New Full Suss XC Bike - Nove Mesto World Cup XC 2020
Anne Terpstra has a new race bike for the Nove Mesto XC World Cup.
Dan Roberts
Sep 30, 2020
Specialized's New Chisel Shows That Aluminum Isn't Just The Cheap Carbon Version
An aluminum XC option that still barely troubles the scales.
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| 116 Comments
James Smurthwaite
Sep 30, 2020
Bike Check: Mathias Flueckiger's Thomus Lightrider WC - Nove Mesto World Cup XC 2020
The Swiss rider's Short Track, sprint set up.
Ed Spratt
Sep 13, 2020
The Best Tech From Val di Sole XC World Cups
All the best lightweight racing tech from Val di Sole.
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| 39 Comments
Mike Kazimer
Sep 7, 2020
Bike Check: Chris Mandell's SID Man Edition Specialized Epic EVO
An Epic EVO with a build that's a little different than your typical weight-weenie XC setup.
Daniel Sapp
Aug 27, 2020
First Ride: Trek's New 2021 Procaliber
Trek's revamped Procaliber hardtail couples a full-carbon XC race frame with surprisingly affordable build options.
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| 103 Comments
Mike Levy
Aug 27, 2020
Field Test: Behind the Scenes - Not Enough Travel and Too Much Lycra
Is this really the final Field Test video?
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| 94 Comments
Mike Levy
Aug 24, 2020
Field Test: 9 XC Bikes & the Grim Donut VS Impossible Climb
I swear I wouldn't have dabbed it if it was dry...
Dan Roberts
Aug 19, 2020
2021 Mondraker Podium - The World's Lightest Production XC Hardtail?
At 775 grams, the new Mondraker Podium stakes its claim as the world's lightest XC hardtail frame.
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| 125 Comments
Mike Levy
Aug 18, 2020
Field Test: 2021 Specialized Epic EVO S-Works - The Most Versatile
For when you need to do everything, but you want to do it fast.
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| 325 Comments
James Smurthwaite
Aug 18, 2020
Canyon's New Exceed Hardtail Frame Uses 'Unicorn Hair' Carbon Fiber & Weighs 835 Grams
The new Exceed is lighter than ever, and it also received a geometry update.
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| 125 Comments
James Smurthwaite
Aug 14, 2020
The Best Tech From Lenzerheide XC World Cups
A look back at the fast and light machines that were lining up at previous Lenzerheide XC World Cups
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| 22 Comments
Mike Levy
Aug 12, 2020
Field Test: Cannondale Scalpel SE 1 - The Spider Monkey
The technical climbing wiz.
Mike Levy
Aug 11, 2020
Field Test: Yeti SB115 - The One That Wants to Be a Trail Bike
Does more travel mean more better?
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| 240 Comments
Sarah Moore
Aug 5, 2020
Video: Trek Supercaliber vs Cannondale Scalpel vs Canyon Lux vs Specialized Epic - Field Test Round Table
It's time to compare the race bikes.
Sarah Moore
Aug 3, 2020
Field Test: 2021 Specialized Epic - The Lightest & Slackest
Very red and very fast.
Sarah Moore
Jul 30, 2020
Field Test: 2020 Canyon Lux - A Very Fast Baseline
How much has cross-country geometry evolved in the past two years?
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| 259 Comments
Sarah Moore
Jul 29, 2020
Field Test: 2021 Cannondale Scalpel - Deceptively Fast
The Scalpel proves that a bike doesn't have to feel harsh to be fast on the climbs.
Sarah Moore
Jul 28, 2020
Field Test: 2020 Trek Supercaliber - Short On Travel, Not on Traction
A pure cross-country race bike designed with Olympic cross-country in mind, featuring just 60mm of rear travel.
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| 182 Comments
Dan Roberts
Jul 28, 2020
Giant Launches Its Lightest Ever Aluminium Hardtail to Bring More Affordability to XC Bikes
The 2021 XTC SLR ha a frame weight that encroaches into the territory of some carbon fibre composite frames.
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| 123 Comments
James Smurthwaite
Jul 24, 2020
Super Lightweight Components From XC Race Bikes
Take a look back at some of the lightest components we've seen at XC races over the years.
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| 184 Comments
Daniel Sapp
Jul 21, 2020
First Look: The 2021 Orbea Oiz Gets Even Lighter
Orbea's 2021 Oiz XC bike receives updates including a lighter OMX frame.
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| 90 Comments
Ed Spratt
Jul 9, 2020
Bike Check: Russell Finsterwald's Specialized Epic
The Clif Pro Team rider shows off his brand new Epic.
Ross Bell
Jul 7, 2020
Bike Check: Comparing Trek Factory Racing's Supercaliber Setups
Where do all of the differences lay in the Trek World Cup teammates' bikes?
Mike Levy
Jun 30, 2020
First Look: Transition's All-New Spur is a Rowdy XC Bike
It has just 120mm of travel, but this ain't your dad's cross-country bike.
Mike Kazimer
Jun 30, 2020
First Look: 2021 Yeti SB115
Yeti says the SB115 "looks like an SB100, rides like an SB130."
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| 250 Comments
James Smurthwaite
Jun 29, 2020
Bike vs Bike - Nino Schurter and Kate Courtney's Scott Sparks
There are the bikes that Kate and Nino would have been riding at XC World Champs in Albstadt.
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| 133 Comments
Ed Spratt
Jun 28, 2020
Round Up: 23 XC World Champs Bikes
Looking back at five years of custom World Championship race machines.
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| 45 Comments
Daniel Sapp
Jun 24, 2020
On the Fence: Specialized Epic EVO vs. Cannondale Scalpel SE
Two brand new bikes with similar XC / trail intentions - how do the numbers compare?
Guerrilla Gravity
Jun 24, 2020
Guerrilla Gravity Launches Limited Edition Trail Pistol Race SL
Guerilla Gravity has put together a limited edition run of just 25 Trail Pistol Race SL models.
Daniel Sapp
Jun 23, 2020
First Look: 2021 Specialized Epic & Epic Evo
Specialized's flagship XC bike gets an overhaul.
Ed Spratt
Jun 21, 2020
The Best Tech From Vallnord XC World Cups
All the best tech from Vallnord dating back to 2015.
Sarah Moore
May 27, 2020
15 Bike Checks from Craig Evans, Iago Garay & The Santa Cruz Free Agents
A whole lot of variety in this group of riders.
James Smurthwaite
May 22, 2020
The Best Tech From Nove Mesto XC World Cups
6 years of XC bike evolution in the Czech Republic.
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| 59 Comments
Daniel Sapp
May 21, 2020
First Ride: Cannondale's All-New Scalpel SE
The Scalpel gets a significant update, and there are now two models - one with 100mm of travel, and the other with 120mm.
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| 234 Comments
Mike Levy
May 8, 2020
Specialized Diverge EVO: Gravel Shredder, High-End Hybrid, or Just a Rigid Mountain Bike?
Does a flat-bar gravel bike appeal to you, or is this just a mountain bike with not enough tire clearance?
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| 322 Comments
Gustav Gullholm
Apr 29, 2020
Video: XC Meets BMX? Dangerholm’s Completely Custom Scott Spark
What happens if you take a World Cup proven XC frame and build it up with components worthy of a place on an EWS bike? Dangerholm finds out.
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| 150 Comments
Mike Levy
Apr 14, 2020
Review: Kona's Fresh Hei Hei Can Make Cross-Country Fun - Pond Beaver 2020
The new Hei Hei is a 120mm-travel cross-country-ish 29er that's ideal for all-day adventures.
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| 255 Comments
David Arthur
Feb 3, 2020
Review: NS Bikes Synonym TR1 - Not Your Typical XC Bike
Did someone say downcountry? The Synonym is another worthy contender in the rapidly growing field of short travel bikes with modern geometry.
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| 206 Comments
Richard Cunningham
Sep 6, 2019
Bike Check: Jolanda Neff's Trek Supercaliber - Snowshoe XC World Cup 2019
Jolanda has been racing it "in secret" for most of the season. Check out the details of her new machine and learn how she sets it up for different tracks
Trek Bikes
Sep 5, 2019
Video: Jolanda Neff Gets Weird on the New Trek Supercaliber
They missed the "weird MTB marketing videos" post by a few weeks, but it's always nice to see something a bit different.
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| 193 Comments
Daniel Sapp
Sep 5, 2019
First Ride: Trek's New Supercaliber XC Race Bike
The 2020 Supercaliber has 60mm of rear travel and a unique IsoStrut suspension design.
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| 292 Comments
David Arthur
Sep 2, 2019
Review: Mondraker’s 2020 F-Podium RR is a Rapid XC Racer with Great Handling
Modern cross-country bikes are getting more capable than ever, and Mondraker's F-Podium RR is a prime example.
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| 93 Comments
Mike Kazimer
Sep 1, 2019
Trek's New XC Race Bike Breaks Cover at Mont-Sainte-Anne World Champs
The wrap has been removed - take a look at what appears to be Trek's new XC race machine.
Mike Levy
Aug 31, 2019
Bike Check: Chloe Woodruff's Mach 4 SL - Mont-Sainte-Anne XC World Champs 2019
Choe's Mach 4 SL trades computers for analog suspension.
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| 39 Comments
Mike Kazimer
Aug 30, 2019
Bike Check: Kate Courtney's Scott Spark RC - Mont-Sainte-Anne XC World Champs 2019
Kate Courtney will be defending the rainbow stripes aboard a custom painted Scott Spark RC.
Daniel Sapp
Aug 30, 2019
Bike Check: Catharine Pendrel's Orbea Oiz - Mont-Sainte-Anne XC World Champs 2019
Canadian Catharine Pendrel is no stranger to the World Cup podium. Check out the Orbea Oiz she's racing this weekend.
Sarah Moore
Aug 20, 2019
First Ride: 2020 Liv Pique 29 - A World Cup Ready XC Bike
The Liv Pique has morphed from a small-wheeled trail bike into a big-wheeled cross-country race machine.
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| 70 Comments
Daniel Sapp
Aug 6, 2019
First Ride: 2020 Specialized Epic HT - The World's Lightest Production Hardtail
Specialized's new Epic hardtail gets longer, slacker, and lighter than ever.
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| 242 Comments
Root Rider TV
Jul 27, 2019
Video: Brazilian Champ Lucas Borba Sends Massive Gaps on an XC Bike
100mm 29er seems about right...
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| 59 Comments
Mike Levy
Jul 22, 2019
Review: Ibis' 4th-Generation Ripley Is More Capable, But Still Very Much A Ripley
Slacker, longer, and with revised suspension kinematics... But is it still a Ripley? Levy finds out how Ibis' trail bike has evolved.
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| 237 Comments
Mike Levy
Jul 14, 2019
Cross-Country Tech from the Pits - Les Gets World Cup XC 2019
Carbon fiber, rubber, and electronics from the World Cup.
Mike Levy
Jul 13, 2019
Bike Check: Felix Burke's BCBR-Winning Rocky Mountain Element
The fastest bike (and racer) used tire inserts to win one of the most technically challenging cross-country stage races in the world.
Mike Levy
Jul 13, 2019
Bike Check: Katerina Nash's BCBR-Winning Orbea Oiz
While others chose more forgiving machines, Katerina Nash rode her purebred cross-country race bike to victory at the BCBR.
Daniel Sapp
Jul 8, 2019
Bike Check: Sam Gaze's S-Works Specialized Epic - Vallnord World Cup XC 2019
Kiwi Sam Gaze's S-Works Specialized Epic has a mix of lightweight parts, RockShox suspension, and a stem slammed to the max.
Daniel Sapp
Jul 6, 2019
Bike Check: Kate Courtney's Scott Contessa Spark RC - Vallnord World Cup XC 2019
Limited edition bikes are all the rage. Check out Kate Courtney's unique Scott Contessa Spark RC from Vallnord.
Dan Roberts
Jul 5, 2019
First Look: ARC8 Bicycles' XC Hardtail & 120mm Trail Bike
We take a closer look at two new bikes from this small Swiss brand.
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| 14 Comments
David Arthur
Jun 3, 2019
Review: The 2019 BMC Fourstroke 01 One is a Purebred XC Race Rocket
BMC's no-holds-barred cross-country racer reviewed.
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| 97 Comments
Richard Cunningham
May 26, 2019
5 XC Race Weapons from the 2019 Nove Mesto World Cup
The battle for cross-country supremacy was fought with lungs, legs, and... some new technology.
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| 44 Comments
Daniel Sapp
May 23, 2019
First Ride: Trek's 2020 Top Fuel Gets a Little More Travel & a Lot More Aggressive
Trek sends its premier dual-suspension XC race bike to the aggressive trail bike gym.
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| 191 Comments
James Huang
May 23, 2019
First Ride: Pivot's XC Race Ready 2020 Mach 4 SL
The new Mach 4 SL is Pivot's premier cross-country race bike.
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| 231 Comments
Richard Cunningham
May 20, 2019
First Look: Mondraker's F-Podium Brings Forward Geometry to XC Racing
Mondraker blends its forward geometry and Zero suspension system with the latest carbon manufacturing technology to take XC racing to the next level
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| 191 Comments
David Arthur
May 6, 2019
Review: 2019 Swarf Contour 29 - A Hard-Charging Short Travel Fully
Steel is real, especially in the UK. We put the Swarf Contour 29, a short-travel steel steed, to the test.
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| 150 Comments
Sarah Moore
Apr 14, 2019
Liv's Prototype XC Bike - Sea Otter 2019
American long-distance mountain bike racer Kaysee Armstrong was spotted on this Liv prototype during the XC race at Sea Otter.
Richard Cunningham
Apr 12, 2019
Bike Check: Kate Courtney's Scott Scale - Sea Otter 2019
The XC World Champion is racing her hardtail here in California.
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| 79 Comments
Mike Levy
Apr 10, 2019
First Ride: Norco's 2020 Revolver Cross-Country Bike
The name is the same but Norco's full-on cross-country bike is new from tip to tail.
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| 140 Comments
Sarah Moore
Apr 9, 2019
Walmart Launches High-End 'Viathon' Bike Brand
Department-store bikes look a lot better than they used to.
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| 368 Comments
David Arthur
Feb 11, 2019
Review: 2019 Merida One-Twenty 8000
The One-Twenty is a short travel ripper that's surprisingly capable on the descents.
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| 205 Comments
Mike Levy
Oct 22, 2018
Review: Yeti's New SB100
How good can 100mm of travel actually be?
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| 403 Comments
Richard Cunningham
Aug 26, 2018
XC Bike Checks from the La Bresse World Cup 2018
PB photographers Irmo Keizer and Dave Trumpore return from the XC World Cup pits with more crazy tech.
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| 65 Comments
Daniel Sapp
Jul 9, 2018
Review: Kona Satori DL
The Satori isn't your typical 130mm 29er - find out what makes this orange machine stand out from the crowd.
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| 115 Comments
Daniel Sapp
Jul 7, 2018
Bike Check: Nino Schurter's 60th Anniversary Edition Scott Spark - Val di Sole World Cup 2018
Nino Schurter's 60th anniversary edition Scott Spark has a throwback theme for the 2018 Val di Sole World Cup.
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| 29 Comments
David Arthur
Jul 2, 2018
Review: Intense Sniper XC Elite
Type “XC bikes are dead” into Google and you get 385,000 results. But if the new Intense Sniper taught me anything, it’s that short travel bikes with proper modern geometry, wide bars, and a dropper post make a complete mockery of this myth.
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| 198 Comments
Mike Kazimer
May 25, 2018
Bike Check: Vlad Dascalu's Protek 29FS - Nove Mesto World Cup XC
Take a closer look at this made-in-Italy carbon fiber speed machine.
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| 88 Comments
Mike Levy
Mar 20, 2018
Santa Cruz's New Blur XC Bike - Review
Remember the Blur? It's back as a sporty, 100mm-travel cross-country bike, and Levy's been riding and racing it to see how it performs.
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| 222 Comments
Richard Cunningham
Mar 9, 2018
Anton Cooper's Trek Procaliber Hardtail at Stellenbosch World Cup XCO - Bike Check
New Zealand's youth phenom will be bucking the short-travel dual-suspension trend.
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| 111 Comments
Richard Cunningham
Mar 9, 2018
Thömus Lightrider Dual-Suspension 29er at Stellenbosch World Cup XCO - Bike Check
Thömus brings a new dual-suspension 29er machine to the World Cup in South Africa for the Flückiger brothers, Alessandra Keller and Kathrin Stirnemann.
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| 78 Comments
Mike Kazimer
Sep 6, 2017
Manuel Fumic's Cannondale Scalpel Si - Cairns XC World Champs 2017
Take a closer look at Manuel Fumic's cross-country speed demon.
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| 59 Comments
Vernon Felton
Aug 3, 2017
Erin Huck's Cannondale Scalpel Si - Mont-Sainte-Anne XC World Cup 2017
What is the 2017 Pan American Continental Mountain Bike Champ racing this weekend? Here's a look at Erin Huck's Cannondale Scalpel Si.
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| 27 Comments
David Arthur
Jul 31, 2017
Cube Stereo 140 C:68 SLT 29 - Review
There’s no shortage of good 140mm travel 29" bikes on the market these days. Here's how the Cube Stereo stacks up to the competition.
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| 112 Comments
Richard Cunningham
Jun 21, 2017
BMC Speedfox 01 - First Ride
BMC Synchronizes the dropper seatpost with the shock's remote lockout and reinvents the trail bike.
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| 120 Comments
Richard Cunningham
May 19, 2017
Helen Grobert's Cannondale Scalpel Si – XC World Cup Round 1, Nove Mesto
German Olympian chooses her dual-suspension bike for the infamous Czechia cross-country venue.
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| 43 Comments
Mike Levy
May 8, 2017
Scott Spark 900 - Review
Levy finds out what the completely redesigned, 120mm-travel Scott Spark is all about.
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| 186 Comments
Vernon Felton
Jan 9, 2017
Santa Cruz Tallboy/Hightower - Review
We've had both the Santa Cruz Tallboy and Hightower in our stable this season. Here's how both bikes fared in the wild.
Mike Kazimer
Jun 20, 2016
Yeti SB4.5c - Review
Big wheels? Short travel? Loads of fun? The SB4.5c checks all the boxes.
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| 265 Comments
Santa Cruz Tallboy - 初體驗
新版Tallboy 與 Joplin 擁有嶄新幾何，增加了實戰能力。
Vernon Felton
Apr 26, 2016
Santa Cruz Tallboy - First Ride
The new Tallboy and Joplin models get a small boost in rear travel and a big increase in capability.
Vernon Felton
Apr 25, 2016
Niner RKT 9 RDO 2-Star Build - Review
When you call a bike a "rocket", it has a lot to live up to. How does Niner's all-new cross-country weapon measure up to its moniker?
Mike Levy
Mar 28, 2016
Fuji Rakan 1.3 - Review
Fuji's 120mm travel Rakan is a short-travel trailbike with the heart of a cross-country weapon.
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| 93 Comments
Mike Levy
Sep 21, 2015
Cannondale Habit Carbon SE - Review
It's missing half its fork and some might say a bunch of wheel travel, but the Habit can't be defined by numbers or its appearance.
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| 165 Comments
Richard Cunningham
Jun 15, 2015
Pivot Mach 4 Carbon - Review
PB gives the new carbon fiber version of Pivot's original cross-country trailbike a run for its money.
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| 142 Comments
Richard Cunningham
May 22, 2015
Bike Check: Catharine Pendrel's Orbea Oiz - Nove Mesto World Cup XC
The two-time World Champ from Luna Chix shows off her electronically controlled carbon superbike.
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| 44 Comments
Rachelle Frazer Boobar
Apr 6, 2015
Specialized Rumor Expert EVO 29 - Review
Specialized mixes big wheels and their EVO tweaks to create a female-specific trail bike, and we put that recipe to the test.
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| 118 Comments
Mike Levy
Jan 5, 2015
Salsa Bucksaw - Review
Salsa's full-suspension fat bike looks to raise the bar when it comes to fun, but just how capable is this big tire brawler?
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| 282 Comments
Mike Levy
Jun 3, 2013
Ibis Ripley Review
How does Ibis' first 29er offering hold up to hard miles in the Pacific Northwest rain?
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| 130 Comments
Matt Wragg
Feb 25, 2013
Lapierre X-Flow 712 Review
Lapierre's 120mm carbon fiber trail weapon is put to the test.
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| 178 Comments
Mike Levy
Jan 30, 2012
Felt Virtue Sport Review
Find out how Felt's $1999.99 Virtue Sport, complete with their Equilink suspension, performs on the trails.
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| 79 Comments
Tyler Maine
Apr 29, 2009
Sea Otter - Tomac Carbide SL
Source: Tomac Bikes
Over three years in development, the Carbide SL is the ultimate in lightweight, stiffness and pedaling efficiency. At a scant 4.4 pound frame weight with DT Swiss carbon shock, it’s one of the lightest XC full suspension bikes on the market, and certainly the stiffest. The Carbide SL can be hammered through anything an XC rider or racer could throw at it.
Over three years in development, the Carbide SL is the ultimate in lightweight, stiffness and pedaling efficiency. At a scant 4.4 pound frame weight with DT Swiss carbon shock, it’s one of the lightest XC full suspension bikes on the market, and certainly the stiffest. The Carbide SL can be hammered through anything an XC rider or racer could throw at it.
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| 24 Comments
Mike Estes
Feb 20, 2008
Gary Fisher Hi-Fi Deluxe 29'er - Review
When the 29'er hit the market, there were instant skeptics and equipment problems. But with a amazing dedication to Mountain Biking, The Gary Fisher Bicycle Company set out to change the standard of 29'ers, Mr Fisher loves the 29'er and it shows in the final product. Let me share my story in hopes of inspiring you to simply "try one out!"
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| 17 Comments