What Is the BEST XC Bike In 2024? (Downcountry Buyers Guide Conclusion)

Рет қаралды 19,966

Күн бұрын

Are you trying to figure out what is the best XC Downcountry bike? Welcome to our XC Bike buyers guide! We have spent the last month testing 7 of the best XC bikes on the market and are excited to share with you guys what we think is the best one! We have review videos coming out for each of these bikes as well as a conclusion video where we let you know what bike was the best climber, best downhill, most fun, budget friendly and our personal favorite! So stay tuned!
Check out our website for MTB news, reviews, and opinions: www.awesomemtb.com
Check out all of these bikes at Pro Bike Supply: www.probikesupply.com/collect...
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Yeti ASR: www.probikesupply.com/collect...
Specialized Epic 8: www.probikesupply.com/collect...
Transition Spur: www.probikesupply.com/collect...
Evil Following: www.probikesupply.com/product...
Cannondale Scalpel: alnk.to/gVL8fLI
Mondraker Podium: mondraker.com/us/en/f-podium
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And until next time, Ride Awesome!
-Mo and Hannah
#xc #buyersguide #downcountry

Пікірлер: 185

@JSeg009 20 күн бұрын

This series of MTB reviews is what I enjoy watching on KZfaq. Direct and straight to point information with good riding. Yewww! Thxs Mo!

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Thank you!!!!

@dazza187 19 күн бұрын

One of the best buying guide overviews ive seen. Great job with the videos and thorough explanations

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Thank you so much!!

@evolusd 19 күн бұрын

You guys have been working hard lately, all over my YT feed! Nice comparison, so much great info 👍 Evil for me!

@manalotomanaloto 19 күн бұрын

Great series and such a well thought out and comprehensive summary of results!! Major props for being unbiased and unsponsored by the bikes in the review. I have friends and acquaintances who own scalpels - they consistently praise the performance, light weight, and value of their rides. Looking forward to more of your reviews. Thanks for sharing!!

@saddleweary2777 19 күн бұрын

Y'all sure are natural at bike reviews. The effort y'all put into these videos are appreciated very much. I wasn't sure about pushing a friend towards the scalpel but I think now that is what I'm going to do especially since a dealership is close by. Thanks for the great job.

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Thanks so much!!!

@michaeldiamond7063 19 күн бұрын

You should do a livestream with @MTBYUMYUam on these bike. He has ridden many bikes in this test. It would be great to see your conversations about these.

@tiagoweyne6661 19 күн бұрын

What a great review, best one I have ever seen!! I love the reason why you disqualified the spur, makes me wants to buy one!!!

@roryveronda9933 19 күн бұрын

Great job on this whole test, I was looking forward to watching every bike - Happy to see Cannondale & Yeti tied, speaks volumes for Cannondale at its price point 👊🏼

@davidmorris8121 Күн бұрын

OMG... For years, i've fantasised about a short travel Evil, built as an XC bike! Needless to say, my mind is blown by the Evil Following in your test! With that build, the price must be frightening, but WHAT a machine! Guys, your tests have been the definition of RAD! You must be exausted after all of that! Amazing stuff!

@ericbeech2652 19 күн бұрын

The montage in the beginning is pristine! Perfectly done!

@bike_somm 19 күн бұрын

By far one of my favorite bike shoot out videos I’ve seen you do to date!! 🙌🏽

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Thank you!!!

@djcordes4352 19 күн бұрын

Great info and video. Likely the best comparison I’ve ever seen in 38 years of this stuff!

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Thanks so much!!!

@user-rj9ui3sz8u 19 күн бұрын

The Scalpel gets such great reviews, I'm happy for Cannondale, they have reasonable prices too.

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Such a fun bike!!!

@TheRickysee 3 күн бұрын

Absolutely fantastic series. Great job and thank you!!

@JonathanLee7 17 күн бұрын

The amount of work that went into this must have been incredible. Great job, and thank you!

@dajtothe3472 19 күн бұрын

Great review series! Built up an Epic 8 Evo not long ago. It does want to go fast! Have heard nothing but great things about all these bikes. Not a bad choice in the bunch!

@no-hope-in-the-pope 19 күн бұрын

Right on! Thanks for the video and time spent!

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Thank you!!!

@jeffehrenberg1650 19 күн бұрын

Thank you ! Super helpful and much appreciated

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Thank you!!!

@nhguapo 19 күн бұрын

Great job Mo & Hannah. You guys did a great job on this series. I found it to be very relevant and looking forward to your future reviews.

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Thank you so much! Stay tuned!

@ColoradoGooner 19 күн бұрын

Loved this review as a Spur owner. Not sure how much extra work it would have been but it would have been great to flash the bike name on screen during the riding footage. That way I wouldn’t have to be trying to first identify and then rewind to watch more of the natural riding characteristics. With so many bikes it was hard to keep track and that riding footage is super informative of the characteristics. Thanks again for putting this all together!

@jeepsterc104 19 күн бұрын

Great job man this is the most comprehensive XC review series I've ever seen!

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Thanks so much!!

@MikeesTexas 20 күн бұрын

Thanks for all the hard work y'all put into this

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Thank you!!!

@ireddie 19 күн бұрын

You guys are great love what you do this was very informative thank you. I would like to see you go head to head the scalpel versus the scalpel SE and get your opinion.

@barbbrazes869 19 күн бұрын

Yay Mo! What a great bike review!! Awesome! Appreciate the great information!!😊

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Thank you so much!!

@jou3708 11 күн бұрын

Great job! Thank you!

@vhaisler 6 күн бұрын

I really enjoyed this shootout. If you do a similar comparison of the same class of bikes soon please try and include the Santa Cruz Blur TR. I'd be really curious to see how it stacks up, as I am considering purchasing one for general trail riding, and occasional XC racing. Keep up the great work!

@marksandoval5361 19 күн бұрын

Honestly, I don't think that there was a bad bike in the bunch. XC bikes with 120mm forks are so good right now, that you can't really go wrong. Most of the difference between these bikes was probably about geometry with wheelbase being most important. Longer wheelbase better descender. Shorter wheelbase better in the tight and twisty. I would have given the Spur the best 120mm travel XC bike for people who don't race XC award. The Spur was the first bike that made bikes with 120mm forks popular because it had longer geometry and then, bigger brands started making their XC bikes longer, slacker, and using 120mm forks.

@mikeglefke1970 19 күн бұрын

Totally agree, the Spur is the OG of “down country”. All great bikes though!

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

So true!!! They are all amazing!

@TheAngryHusky 19 күн бұрын

I have the Mondraker F-Podium DC-R from last year. Personally I don’t see how a bike in this category can be much better. They are all amazing and capable bikes. It’s pretty much coming down to asthetics and budget most likely.

@19ChrisP74 19 күн бұрын

@@mikeglefke1970 The Following has been DC for a lloonngg time...

@ondrej9 7 күн бұрын

@@mikeglefke1970 I would say the real OG of 'downcountry' category is Kona Process 111. It was heavy by todays standards and no racer but it showed people what can bike with XC travel and modern geo do and years later I still want one. Also their Hei Hei platform was great.

@JenkinsB 19 күн бұрын

Very well done! Thank you!!!

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Glad you liked it!

@raulmedina6223 19 күн бұрын

That’s for the awesome comparison, good work 👍 in 2024 no bad bikes at this price range

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

So true!!!!

@cdygreen 19 күн бұрын

Shoutout to Arin at PBS who has always helped me out with parts questions when getting my Spur built a few months ago. Their shop and staff are amazing.

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Arin is awesome!!

@stuartwarsop7083 19 күн бұрын

Amazing reviews! Great job. Next reviews I'd definitely like to see what you think of the YT Izzo and Orbea Oiz.

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Would be awesome!!!

@DaaamnGina 17 күн бұрын

Thanks for the review! Enjoyed the video and seeing the terrain you tested on. How long was the course? What were the times?

@johncarrington8612 19 күн бұрын

Its a different topic but you could do a segment on chain ring size - do a cholla up to meadows and coyote back to cholla loop with a 28, 30, 32, 34, and maybe a 36t front ring. See how time is affected - overall time, uphill and downhill.

@deezJ155 19 күн бұрын

Great video!

@StarDust-vm1qs 19 күн бұрын

Thanks, Awesome MTB Team.

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Thank you!!!

@EmotionRadio 19 күн бұрын

Great work. I’d say the Santa Cruz Blur, Ibis Exie, and Scott Spark would have been nice additions.

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Those are rad!

@Crazzzybob 18 күн бұрын

This video (and series) is so good! Question -- I'm 6'5 and ride on the tight + rocky trails in Austin, TX. As a fellow XL rider that has ridden those trails, do you think the Cannondale Scalpel would be a handful on those trails or could adapt fairly well? I noticed the Mach 4 SL has a similar top tube length though much shorter wheelbase and thinking that may handle things a tad a better here.

@DarshanParajuli 19 күн бұрын

Really surprised Ibis Exie wasn't included in this. Great comparisons regardless!

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

They didn't have a bike available for us!

@XCRiders 19 күн бұрын

Love that you didn’t have a low end xc shoot out. I like the good stuff 🤩

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

hahaha!

@ChupacabraOffroad 13 күн бұрын

Great video, well presented...

@mellissanash7517 19 күн бұрын

Thank you for the reviews. Personally, I'd like to see a review of the Ibis DV9, Santa Cruz Blur TR and Sour Crumble in 120mm mode.

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Thank you!! We will try!

@TheHuester44 19 күн бұрын

Well imho it was an Awesome Review of all of the bikes . I’m happy to see the Cannondale made it to one of the favorites. Yeti is obviously well deserved as well . The reality is there wasn’t a bad bike in the bunch . Living in Arizona and meeting Chris from Pivot a few months ago they definitely make high quality bikes . I like the fact that Mondraker was in the mix . I’ve liked their design for a few years now . The Evil and Transition bikes seem like excellent choices if you don’t need a hardcore XC bike. Overall this was one of my favorite reviews you’ve done. For what it’s worth I like the Ari brand of bikes as well. They keep improving their bikes and allow more options to customize your build from the beginning.

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Thank you!!!! So many good bikes!!!!

@TheHuester44 19 күн бұрын

@@moandhannahtravel Indeed !

@saularanda4931 19 күн бұрын

Great job! I have a question about the tires, you really liked the recon tire, but what was your opinion on running ground control front and back?

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Amazing tire combo!! But a little slow rolling in comparison to the rekon, would be great for a downcountry setup for more tech or steeper riding!

@ShadLife 19 күн бұрын

Ha! Funny....sounds like the Transition is right up my alley! 🤘

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

It's a fun bike!!!

@voyant26 19 күн бұрын

Great review. Looking forward to trying out the Pivot Mach 4SL!

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Such a fun bike!!!

@wbd3159 9 күн бұрын

@@moandhannahtravel thanks, did you test the pivot mach 4sl in the high or low setting?

@hardmtnbiker 19 күн бұрын

Have you considered doing the same comparison with mid travel trail bikes? Btw, your reviews are awesome! Plus the awards categories were really nicely done. You touched on how some of those XC rockets are borderline “fun all day” trail bikes. The Trail Bike review could touch on some that are borderline enduro bikes for steep tech.

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

We are thinking about what the next one will be!!!

@hardmtnbiker 19 күн бұрын

@@moandhannahtravel keep it up! Love your channel!

@brucehumphries6889 19 күн бұрын

Killer series!!!

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Thank you!!!

@samd6405 19 күн бұрын

Ibis Exie, Santa Cruz Blur, Trek SuperCaliber, Specialized WC, Canyon Lux, Allied BC40, Cervelo ZFS are a few missing from the list.

@skinny8019 19 күн бұрын

Revel Ranger.

@samd6405 19 күн бұрын

@@skinny8019 more of a trail bike, less XC.

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Those would be rad!!!

@samd6405 19 күн бұрын

@@moandhannahtravel for sure…especially the Ibis Exie / Allied BC-40….USA manufactured still has to count for something.

@skinny8019 19 күн бұрын

@@samd6405 I have a trail bike. And a 24.5 lbs revel ranger. It’s not a trail bike. The ranger makes just as much or more sense in a xc shootout than the spur. Mo would love the cbf suspension and the zippy geo combo, I think.

@scottaw 19 күн бұрын

Would like you to review the Top Fuel, that’s a big miss. Great job though, excellent reviewing!

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

We don't know anyone at Trek but we will try!

@prestonthomas5399 12 күн бұрын

I’m on my second scalpel. I never recommend it bc I don’t believe it has the highest quality of components but for me, best bike I’ve ridden and I’ve ridden a few

@mindofmission 18 күн бұрын

Thanks for the XC nod. I like that you liked the Pivot, I’m a huge fan of their frame designs. I don’t necessarily like Cannondale for the style of frame, but I own a CAAD12 and a hardtail Trail and love them both. I would like to see both the Scalpel and the ASR compared to the Canyon Lux and the Trek Supercaliber!! Hannah!! What was YOUR experience and opinion in this test? Thanks, Love the content guys!

@trentvlak 16 күн бұрын

The top Scalpel frame only comes in Boring Black as well, and it has headset cable routing. Sad.

@DEXVD 15 күн бұрын

Really interested in the Scalpel vs Mach 4 SL in term of picking through rough, rooty terrain and drops. What is most forgiving in technical challenging terrain?

@Seebema 19 күн бұрын

Happy with the award given to the Evil 🤘

@VQ30TLJ 14 күн бұрын

Very useful summary! I have to say, Mo's super bouncy uphill technique makes me cringe....so much energy wasted.... But both of your downhill techniques are tops!

@matthewandelin1984 19 күн бұрын

Can you share your data on the timed segments? Curious how close they all are in terms of uphill vs downhill. Thanks for the great content

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Thank you!!!

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

and within seconds! We will post it online soon!

@vlmo 6 күн бұрын

Awesome!!! Just one suggestion: put the weight also in kg. Not everybody is used with lbs.

@gweflj 19 күн бұрын

Agree with a lot of your points. Especially your dislike for AXS.

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

It's just a bit too slow for us!

@nextlevelfitnessba2215 16 күн бұрын

I’ve been looking at upgrading my xc and a few of these catch my attention. Have you got any data to show one is quicker on a climb at a constant power than another and likewise on a timed decent ?

@ps3narciso 18 күн бұрын

bmc fourstroke it’s missing, orbea oiz also, great job though! 👍

@Jacob99174 19 күн бұрын

Mo earned those downs! 😂

@erikroest 12 күн бұрын

Where is the Canyon Lux Trail or the Scott Spark? Would love to see those bikes compared to the tested ones...

@danielstormy3660 19 күн бұрын

I got full sus 120mm, but no need of front lockout completly, rear lockout is required yes.

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Lockouts are awesome!

@Biking_with_Akiva 19 күн бұрын

That just rolled of the tongue didn't it "My Wife Hannah" 👌🏾💯💪🏾

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

hahaha!

@samharris82 19 күн бұрын

I know the logistics is hard enough but the only way to truly test frames/suspension designs is to make every other component identical including stack and reach to grips measurements. I A/B tested a Pivot Mach 4 SL and Epic Evo 7 and it took weeks to get a fair comparison. In the end I had to get every component precisely the same and ride them back to back on the same day.

@trentvlak 16 күн бұрын

What did you find out? In my experience, which agrees with yours, I can build up a frame to feel very different depending on suspension brand and wheels/tires. I wouldn't choose a single piece of suspension that was in this test.

@samharris82 15 күн бұрын

@@trentvlak they are shockingly similar when equipped the same. However, I couldn’t find a shock setup where the Epic Evo is both plush on rocky descents and firm under aggressive sprints. Can do either well but not with the same shock settings. Meanwhile, the Mach 4 SL absolutely can do both. Surprisingly, the Epic Evo frame was only 40g lighter than Mach 4 SL despite internet searches telling me the difference is supposed to be 428g.

@ryanmb21 18 күн бұрын

Please do a trail bike review!

@fordrangerdog_shorts 18 күн бұрын

would you recommend the epic 8? i wanna get 1 for nica/trail riding

@willienillie6337 5 күн бұрын

What is the difference between a full suspension XC bike and full suspension trail bike besides the obvious such as handlebars and travels.

@deezJ155 19 күн бұрын

I was hoping to see the Trek Caliber in the line up.

@TheAngryHusky 19 күн бұрын

I like how you did the edit showing back to back clips of all bikes in the same section of trail. I got more out of that than watching the individual review videos.

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

glad you liked it!!!

@burglebro 19 күн бұрын

would like to see how the yt izzo stacks up!

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Definitely more of a trail bike!! So much fun!

@ClintGibbs 15 күн бұрын

Niner RKT9 RDO

@tiagoweyne6661 7 күн бұрын

Any chance you compare transition spur with epic evo?

@BoxCarBoy12 19 күн бұрын

Mo, if you’ve ridden the Trek Top Fuel before how would you compare it to these bikes?

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

I have never ridden a Trek!

@BoiliniAdventures 20 күн бұрын

Well done, what a great idea! Everyone loves comparisons, and they seem as hard to find these days as a good comedy.

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Thank you!!

@danaguidice 12 күн бұрын

Trek Supercaliber??

@dongkapuyawn5107 10 күн бұрын

What’s the price point on these bikes?

@yumyumhungry 19 күн бұрын

Hmm you categorized the transition spur as "an Enduro riders XC bike" I wonder if it would also work well as "a gravel rider's trail bike" I'm just not a fan of long travel bikes and am toying with the idea of a slack short travel bike.

@billryan8721 19 күн бұрын

The non Sid Following is your Huckleberry. It's stupid how capable the thing is.

@georgebailey6307 19 күн бұрын

ARI cross country bike? did I miss that?

@markfitzsimmons3916 19 күн бұрын

where was the Santa Cruz blur?

@LincolnRobinson 5 күн бұрын

What trails are these?

@smithandshortdogs 19 күн бұрын

Silly question, did you get spate bikes fir each of you or is Hannah as tall as me?

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

haha no Hannah had her own bikes!

@MTBS.D. 19 күн бұрын

sein Haupthaar bremst die Fahrt! Ein unrealistischer Test demnach! 🤭🤭🤭

@ericbeech2652 19 күн бұрын

Hopefully, the other brands that didn't have a bike for the review will pony up now. Then you can pit them against the yeti and Cannondale!

@justthetrailmtb 19 күн бұрын

Mo. Are those Lycra pants you are wearing. cause they are nice and look like MTB pants but tighter.

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

hahaha yes!

@justthetrailmtb 19 күн бұрын

@@moandhannahtravel what’s the brand/style? . I feel I may not get ridiculed as much with those.

@PavelisLord 19 күн бұрын

Me own following. Me happy following funner bike. Yay bike. (Grunting enduro noises)

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

hahaha!

@vanw1554 19 күн бұрын

Could you please tell me which bike you find more confidence on downhill sections, the Epic or the Scalpel? I used to race road bikes and am now transitioning to XC racing. I consider myself doing alright on flat and even some technical uphill sections, but I always struggle on the downhill because I get scared. Thanks!

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Both are good. I think the Scalpel gives a little more of a control feeling being a bit more stable at high speed but the epic is plenty confident too and can go to 65.9 degrees slack as well!

@vanw1554 19 күн бұрын

@@moandhannahtravel Thanks Mo! It really is one of the best no bullshit comparison videos on KZfaq. Excellent job! Even though I still can’t decide if I should get the Epic or Scalpel 😂😂

@PavelisLord 19 күн бұрын

What do you think of the Scott Spark?

@mrshadow8244 19 күн бұрын

I have spark rc 2024 , last 3 years had spark rc 2020. Spark is by far most versatile bike of all of this bikes. No other bike can do all like spark.. It is best descender of all of this bikes , it is aslo so comfortable, but in traction or close mode, it is also great ascender. Technical ascends in traction/climb mode are so easy and you have a ton of grip... In close or traction mode it is efective like another XC race machines but bonus for you is open mode and you have small trail bike in this mode.... But you depends on twinloc technology and you must use it... if it is ok for you , you have same ascender like best xc race bikes, and also best dc descender. If you are not going to use it, bike is too sensitive and it is not a good ascender in open mode nd its not effective. Or last week scott starts to sell spark RC with fly atendandt :) But price is starting near 8500 euro :( Also check frame, how thick it is, not like other squeezy frames... frame is so stiff and efficient and you have also oversize bushings and bearings, they are so stiff to... if you want 1 bike for xc racing all day journeys and also light tral riding, spark RC is best, but you need to use twinlock

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Never tried one!!

@samd6405 19 күн бұрын

You mentioned the Epic was the fastest. How much of that is attributed to flight control? Who was the 2nd fastest?

@moandhannahtravel 19 күн бұрын

Not much I would say. It just is the perfect blend of low and just enough wheel base plus a very effiencint carbon! Second fastest was the Yeti but pretty close!

@samd6405 19 күн бұрын

@@moandhannahtravel ugh…I feel my bank account is about to suffer! I’ve been on the fence with the Yeti…

@Razerkid99_ 9 күн бұрын

14k for a bike is crazy

@trentvlak 16 күн бұрын

Thanks for the test, Mo. As a wild card for the next test, build up a Chinese frame like an Airwolf YFM059 or Light Carbon LCFS917. That way you can tell us what we're getting with these $4000 frames compared to a $900 one.

@pedrojosetobar7153 13 күн бұрын

Great pack of bikes! but a little too fast speaking for me to apreciate that information. I would make a review in the same time but with less bikes or I would take more time to review all six in a better way.