I’m already planning and scheming on my race season for next year (something like: Austin Rattler → a bunch of XC events → then hopefully Leadville) and it’s time to figure out what bike I’m going to ride next year. Given a recent move and the focus of these events, I am likely going to get a true X…

Some existing discussions: Help with new XC bike decision Shopping for a "do it all" MTB - recommendations? What’s the best value in $2,000 XC race bikes right now? 2020 Trek Supercaliber XC MTB Race Bike XC Mountain Bike: aluminum full susp OR carbon hardtail?

Personally, I’m looking at the Trek Supercaliber. Carbon frame, a little bit of rear shock. I just need to find one to demo.

Hands down, Scott Spark RC or Specialized Epic. 2 best XC bikes going right now. I rode the Epic at Leadville in 2013 and had a great race. Been riding a Spark RC lately and its great too.

Spark RC. Did have an 18 epic and liked it but the Spark to me feels more stable and plush at the same time. If that makes sense. The Sparks are stupid light also. My WC came in at 22.9 for a large with pedals. My advice is to go ride them if you can though. Who cares what I think :grin::+1: Mike

I had the Epic and sold it. Not a great XC race bike IMO. Canyon Lux is a far more capable XC bike. I haven’t ridden the Scott but it definitely seems to do the trick at the World Cup level.

Thank you @mcneese.chad - my search skills clearly need work. These are all great links - thank you!

I rode the Spark at lunch today - holy cow it is amazing. Before I pulled the trigger I wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing any alternatives. The new Pivot is super interesting but oddly not competitive on price versus the Spark.

I have a pivot with live valve waiting for me. I switched to this one from the epic for live valve and a more slack geo. I plan to ride it this weekend and I’m sure I’ll talk about it plenty in the coming weeks :joy:.

Happy to help. Searching is something I have a knack in doing fairly well. My trick is using Advanced Search, include the Category (and a Tag if possible), then add a few key words. Try to use “generic” ones that you expect others have used, and avoid using too many that overly restrict results. …

Another vote for Spark RC. I’ve had mine a couple years and I use it for XC MTB and gravel racing as well. It’s a very lightweight and efficient pedaling bike for full suspension. The double lockout makes it full rigid front and back when you are on pavement or smooth dirt/gravel. I did Austin r…

New XC MTB for 2020 - What to Get?

Equipment

mcneese.chad October 15, 2019, 8:18pm 2

Some existing discussions:

Help with new XC bike decision
Shopping for a "do it all" MTB - recommendations?
What’s the best value in $2,000 XC race bikes right now?
2020 Trek Supercaliber XC MTB Race Bike
XC Mountain Bike: aluminum full susp OR carbon hardtail?

Topic		Replies	Views
XC race bike (Price out the equation) Equipment	111	4035	June 15, 2022
2020 XC Bike Thread Equipment bike	1128	45639	January 18, 2021
Help with new XC bike decision Equipment bike	88	11705	November 1, 2021
Best MTB for confidence but also racing - the unicorn Equipment bike	34	3515	July 25, 2020
Shopping for a "do it all" MTB - recommendations? Equipment bike	103	21219	August 14, 2020

New XC MTB for 2020 - What to Get?

Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast

We Are Here to Help!

New XC MTB for 2020 - What to Get?

Related topics

Get Faster with Adaptive Training

Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast

We Are Here to Help!