# Best MTB for confidence but also racing - the unicorn **URL:** \ **Category:** Equipment\ **Tags:** bike\ **Created:** [July 13, 2020, 10:53pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/best-mtb-for-confidence-but-also-racing-the-unicorn/39268 "2020-07-13T22:53:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![maggie08mae](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/maggie08mae/32/7725_2.png) [@maggie08mae](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/maggie08mae)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2020, 10:53pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/best-mtb-for-confidence-but-also-racing-the-unicorn/39268/1 "2020-07-13T22:53:45Z")
Alright, I am in analysis paralysis and decided to turn to the community - ☎ a 🧑‍🤝‍🧑. I’m looking for the best bike for racing (all types, likely a lot less multi-stage) to inspire confidence in riding slightly technical terrain - the 🦄. I’m east coast (DC area) and can have fast and flowy or rocky and technical within a drive. I want to be able to climb somewhat technical stuff with confidence and descend without white knuckling. I’m seriously considering the 120mm echelon of bikes but will that really take me out of contention for those 45-60 minute races when up against a 100mm? And not to brag (I don’t know if you heard me counting, I did over 1000… name that line and instant BFF), I am fast-ish which is to say if we’re talking about multi-minute differences in a race, that would be the difference of me winning or coming in top 20ish. BUT, I ain’t made of money and don’t want to rule out heading down to Brevard to tear up Pisgah or Dupont. Lots of new bikes this year and my head is spinning… And a quick about me - I race primarily road but also MTBs and have won some races. But as I move up, I know the easiest get is in handling and confidence. ---
**Author:** ![kevinherron](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/kevinherron/32/42783_2.png) [@kevinherron](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/kevinherron)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2020, 11:15pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/best-mtb-for-confidence-but-also-racing-the-unicorn/39268/2 "2020-07-13T23:15:41Z")
I just picked up an Epic EVO (110/120) hoping it’s the unicorn. Won’t know how it fares in the shorter races until next year (hopefully?), and I definitely prefer XC marathon type stuff, but it was a blast this weekend. Fast, fun, and punches above its weight class. ---
**Author:** ![MI-XC](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/mi-xc/32/12993_2.png) [@MI-XC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/MI-XC)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2020, 11:56pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/best-mtb-for-confidence-but-also-racing-the-unicorn/39268/3 "2020-07-13T23:56:38Z")
I recommend reading here: > [@2020 XC Bike Thread](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/2020-xc-bike-thread/27975): > > Since the other user bike thread is 99% road bikes, can we start one for mountain bikes? I’ll start it off, just finished building up my 2020 Scott scale 930 for this season. Fork: fox rhythm 32 100mm (this may get upgraded) Wheels: Stans crest mk3 w/dt Swiss hubs Drivetrain: Shimano xt m8000 Cassette: sram X1 10-42 Chain: kmc x11sl Crank: next sl Chainring: 30t absolute black oval Brakes: xtr race m9000 Saddle: bontrager Montrose elite Seatpost: enve twin bolt Handlebar: enve m5 720… In general based on what you have said, I’d look for a full suspension with 120mm front and 100-120mm in the rear. You’ll want a modern XC bike with head tube angle under 69 degrees. You’re in the market for what’s referred to as “down country” XC bike, which actually that is where the trend is going for 2021 XC models. There are lots of good bike choices at the moment so you’re in luck. > [@maggie08mae](#): > > I’m east coast (DC area) A few weeks ago I was just riding trails near you; Fountainhead, Lake Fairfax, Rosaryville State Park and W&OD. I had my Scott Spark RC 900, which could be an option for you as well, but I’d wait to see what their 2021 model looks like. ---
**Author:** ![shawrx](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/shawrx/32/83816_2.png) [@shawrx](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/shawrx)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 12:19am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/best-mtb-for-confidence-but-also-racing-the-unicorn/39268/4 "2020-07-14T00:19:14Z")
I recently got the Epic Evo for those same reasons. Loving it so far. Fast like an XC bike, but a more confidence inspiring setup then a pure XC racer. I have last years model, the new one that just came out looks pretty sweet! ---
**Author:** ![heypoolboy78](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/heypoolboy78/32/782_2.png) [@heypoolboy78](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/heypoolboy78)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 12:40am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/best-mtb-for-confidence-but-also-racing-the-unicorn/39268/5 "2020-07-14T00:40:42Z")
Santa Cruz Blur TR would also fill those shoes. It’s 120 out front and 100 in back. It’s agile, descends well and still climbs like a machine. ---
**Author:** ![JMickel](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/jmickel/32/18807_2.png) [@JMickel](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/JMickel)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 3:03am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/best-mtb-for-confidence-but-also-racing-the-unicorn/39268/6 "2020-07-14T03:03:54Z")
There’s always this question of whether you should have bikes like golf clubs, or go for the quiver killer. I think the best approach would be to get a good race quality carbon hardtail, 29’er with good, wide modern wheels.; if you’re tech or flexability challenged put a dropper on it. Those bikes are relatively cheap to buy and maintain(compared to a cutting edge quiver-killer), they’re probably faster on any race that starts where it ends and is less than 90 minutes long. Its not the most fun bike in the world, but they’re super fast, cheap, easy to maintain, etc. When you’re ready add a full suspension trail or racer. Now you’ve got a backup to take to a big event. You’ve got choices depending on the course. You’ve got a bike to ride while one is in the shop. bike to loan, etc. Bottom line the HT race bike is just a terribly versatile machine; you can put on narrow tires and gravel grind or a dropper and a longer fork and ride at 80% of a FS trail bike. Its often the best choice and rarely a bad choice. ---
**Author:** ![Jason831](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/jason831/32/20457_2.png) [@Jason831](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Jason831)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 3:33am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/best-mtb-for-confidence-but-also-racing-the-unicorn/39268/7 "2020-07-14T03:33:23Z")
Sworks epic evo all the way. Sold my hard tail and 6in trail bike after a few rides on the epic definitely the best of both worlds. ---
**Author:** ![Stringwise](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/stringwise/32/8504_2.png) [@Stringwise](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Stringwise)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 3:56am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/best-mtb-for-confidence-but-also-racing-the-unicorn/39268/8 "2020-07-14T03:56:49Z")
I have a few friends on this bike and they are very happy with it for what you describe. > **[Element lineup | Rocky Mountain](https://bikes.com/collections/element)** > > Purpose-built to hit the precise sweet spot between lightweight cross country climbing prowess and technical precision, the Element is the best of both worlds and more. ---
**Author:** ![bobw](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/bobw/32/24759_2.png) [@bobw](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/bobw)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 7:39am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/best-mtb-for-confidence-but-also-racing-the-unicorn/39268/9 "2020-07-14T07:39:43Z")
Basically what @JMickel says. My goto MTB is a Cotic Solaris - [https://www.cotic.co.uk/product/solarisMAX](https://www.cotic.co.uk/product/solarisMAX) (actually the original version) It’s just FUN 🎉 🎉 🎉 I’ve used it for everything from trips to the Alps with big downhills to multi-day ITT races like the Highland Trail [http://www.highlandtrail.net/](http://www.highlandtrail.net/). It may have not been the “best” for DH in the Alps but I wasn’t too far behind the young turks on their mega DH machines. I’ve also got a Salsa Spearfish which is a short travel (100mm front/80mm rear) XC racing bike. Definitely faster on downhills but a bit slower on road so it depends on the ride as to whether I take that or the Solaris. Stateside I’d use it for something like the Colorado Trail or Arizona Trail Races but like me it’d be out of its depth on a world cup DH course. I’ve five bikes and of them all the one I’d keep above all others is the Solaris. ---
**Author:** ![bmcd](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/bmcd/32/20016_2.png) [@bmcd](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/bmcd)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 8:01am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/best-mtb-for-confidence-but-also-racing-the-unicorn/39268/10 "2020-07-14T08:01:28Z")
@maggie08mae I’d pretty much agree with the recommendations here. I recently updated my old Scalpel and put a Fox 120SC on it and the slight extra travel up front was a good change. It’s 100mm out back so I’m on-trend with downcountry 🙂 One of those new Epic Evos or Scalpels with the longer fork (SE??) would be where I’d be looking if I was buying a bike today. Or maybe even a Transition Spur as a left field option, I heard Mike Levy on a recent Pinkbike podcast talking about it. Whatever you get I’d suggest going with a dropper post. As for HTs… not even pros ride them in XCO any more. Not saying they aren’t fun, but I’m guessing that’s not the style of bike you’re looking for. Good luck with the analysis paralysis! ---
**Author:** ![UKCarl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/ukcarl/32/7746_2.png) [@UKCarl](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/UKCarl)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 8:14am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/best-mtb-for-confidence-but-also-racing-the-unicorn/39268/11 "2020-07-14T08:14:31Z")
Agree with @JMickel and @bobw, the latest HT’s are very capable and versatile. I mentioned on the XC Race thread that last year I test rode a number (at a Demo day) and the main thing I discovered was sizing. At 6ft 2’ I usually ride a L, however Canyon recomended an XL size and the confidence I had on that compared to the L was night and day, due to less of a drop between seat and bars (I’ve since added a shorter stem.) ---
**Author:** ![DaveWh](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/davewh/32/13120_2.png) [@DaveWh](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/DaveWh)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 1:53pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/best-mtb-for-confidence-but-also-racing-the-unicorn/39268/12 "2020-07-14T13:53:09Z")
Based on the mix of goals you describe, sounds like a modern geometry full sus XC bike with 120mm travel, a suspension lockout and a dropper is what you’re looking for. ---
**Author:** ![onemanpeloton](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/onemanpeloton/32/69536_2.png) [@onemanpeloton](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/onemanpeloton)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 1:55pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/best-mtb-for-confidence-but-also-racing-the-unicorn/39268/13 "2020-07-14T13:55:15Z")
full sus or hardtail? ---
**Author:** ![maggie08mae](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/maggie08mae/32/7725_2.png) [@maggie08mae](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/maggie08mae)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 2:08pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/best-mtb-for-confidence-but-also-racing-the-unicorn/39268/14 "2020-07-14T14:08:11Z")
How does it climb? ---
**Author:** ![maggie08mae](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/maggie08mae/32/7725_2.png) [@maggie08mae](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/maggie08mae)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 2:11pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/best-mtb-for-confidence-but-also-racing-the-unicorn/39268/15 "2020-07-14T14:11:17Z")
Oh I’m familiar with the down country catalog. I had a whole spreadsheet with all the stats and prices and colors and reviews and and and… 🤪decided to go out there and talk to folks that are riding them. Thanks for the thread link and advice. I’m feeling like that 120 is the direction. ---
**Author:** ![maggie08mae](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/maggie08mae/32/7725_2.png) [@maggie08mae](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/maggie08mae)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 2:15pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/best-mtb-for-confidence-but-also-racing-the-unicorn/39268/16 "2020-07-14T14:15:34Z")
@bmcd - I was looking at that Transition but they’re a bit heavier than something like the Epic Evo. Weight isn’t everything but… I’ll watch some reviews. All about that dropper post! ---
**Author:** ![Northshorerider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Northshorerider](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Northshorerider)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 2:17pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/best-mtb-for-confidence-but-also-racing-the-unicorn/39268/17 "2020-07-14T14:17:36Z")
Check out the BC Bike Race bike check from last year on pink bike. All the pros are on 120mm down country bikes, lots of good food for thought in there. ---
**Author:** ![DaveWh](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/davewh/32/13120_2.png) [@DaveWh](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/DaveWh)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 3:33pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/best-mtb-for-confidence-but-also-racing-the-unicorn/39268/18 "2020-07-14T15:33:34Z")
Full sus. Only reasons IMO to get a hard tails is for budget reasons, or if you really prioritize weight and are on the pointy end of races. ---
**Author:** ![kevinherron](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/kevinherron/32/42783_2.png) [@kevinherron](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/kevinherron)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 4:01pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/best-mtb-for-confidence-but-also-racing-the-unicorn/39268/19 "2020-07-14T16:01:08Z")
It climbs well but I’m definitely more of a seated climber, so the lack of brain and additional suspension doesn’t hurt as much. I’ve only had 1 long ride on it so far, but it was 3.5hrs climbing / 1.5 hrs descending. This bike is replacing a 2018 Epic Pro and happy so far with the decision. ---
**Author:** ![CaptainEndo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ac8455/32.png) [@CaptainEndo](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/CaptainEndo)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 4:05pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/best-mtb-for-confidence-but-also-racing-the-unicorn/39268/20 "2020-07-14T16:05:46Z")
Checkout the Transition Spur. BTW, I ride an Epic, and I like the pure XC feel. No down country for me. But, I don’t ride scary downhills anymore, and I got to scars to remind me why I don’t. [Next page](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/best-mtb-for-confidence-but-also-racing-the-unicorn/39268.md?page=2)