30 Second Bike Check: What are riders using for XC Races?

[@LlamaCharlie]

Stoked to see my fellow hardtail folks!

[@AZRob.]

I was thinking the exact same thing!

[@johnsmith-oh2xo]

Right I'm still riding my 2012 MTB hardtail with upgrades of course. But nice to see guy's racing hardtails and not the latest models either....

[@ttambm8639]

Love to see the hardtails, especially the guy with a medal around his neck. Goes to show that you don’t need a top spec bike to compete. I recently sold my “down country” Canyon Lux Trail and actually went back to a hardtail and I’ve been loving it!

[@jofvenom]

a light 10 to 10,5 kg hardtail with a dropper post is all you need for sure !

[@alexdi1367]

Really enjoy this sort of thing. Different perspectives, interesting people, a wide variety of budgets represented, and a lot of enthusiasm for the sport. Makes it less intimidating. Great stuff.

[@j0eyj0e44]

Agree. This video was awesome

[@The80shilling]

Great to see the diversity of machinery being used! Also nice to know there are still some hardtail riders out there; at age 61, I'm still blasting away on my Trek Procaliber hardtail, and still loving it.

[@Jyock]

I ride out in southern Spain. My bike group average age is over 60 most are riding hardtails still. I looking now for a dual suspension want little more comfortable ride. Leaning towards the super caliber Trek

[@The80shilling]

@@Jyock I caved in and bought an Ibis Exie. Lovely bike, still very light, but far nicer to my body on the downhills. It climbs almost as well as my hardtail, on fire roads, but far better on the gnarly stuff like roots and really rocky parts, due to the rear being able to rise up over obstacles.

[@geopietro]

Clint, this was a great idea for a video. Thank you.

[@Barry101er]

ditto!

[@237.x]

Only 3 people using hardtails🤔

[@teecee4459]

The new Specialized Chisel HT frame looks pretty cool.

[@masonjohnson5583]

I love this type of video. So many specialized bikes

[@benoitmurray85]

Good initiative! I always like to hear about riders bikes! It's all about passion! Good to have at least one lady talking...

[@johnnyrocket1320]

The Santa Cruz hardtail in the video IMO has the best performance/per dollar ratio at 22lbs if optioned right.

[@cmcjvcltcbmc]

Lot of S-Works. Must be alot of dentists in FL :-)

[@krisbowditch827]

💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵🤪

[@shredntread9600]

Not one cheap bike at that race!! nice video. Scott Spark my favorite.

[@TheJoncic]

Good to see people acknowledge they're not experts in things they might otherwise be expected to be.

[@All_the_bikes_are_cool]

Sram AXS drivetrain + Shimano brakes... looks like best combo 😍

[@davecech4741]

I want to build up a rig with the newly introduced SRAM AXS + Shimano 4 piston brakes.

[@edlorenz1552]

It's amazing what people believe makes them fast, and then ride slow tires. But to each their own. At least they are out there.

[@alanperrego4720]

Thanks for doing this video. I've never done a race before and was curious to know how my bike would stack up to what others were riding. Looks like lightness is more important than having the most expensive bike out there based on those hardtails. Thanks for the perspecive!

[@dennisstempher9684]

Awesome! I definitely wouldn't mind more of these bike checks in the future :-)

[@shwndh]

This was a really good video idea. Good to see what people are actually using. Everyone loves electric shifting. Hmmm... May have to try it.

[@robertsonfamilyfarm9126]

Wow great job interviewing and getting friendly racing feedback ! Kudos

[@jasonkroll2735]

Great video.. definitely like to see more.

[@supafrancis]

Love the dude riding the $5000+ Intense that is attached to a bike rack on his $3500 1998 Lexus ES300... Priorities I guess!

[@michaelsrealm9365]

👍Scott Spark will be in my future. Keep the content going. XC is my primary mtb liking.

[@Jyock]

Looking at the 2024 Supercaliber SLR 9.8 GX AXS Gen 2 or the Specialized Epic world cup expert. I liked hearing the comments about different bike. Very hard decision want to make sure it's the right one.

[@robtodd4726]

This is a great video concept to walk around and check out bikes! Keep these coming Clint!

[@floridasnowboard]

@Clint: I love the video and the format

[@stevencole7331]

It looks like droppers and electronic shifting are here to stay in xc racing . The other factor is 120 of travel is the norm . You still see hardtails but they don't hold the majority anymore . Not that they can't win by the guy with the podium medal but I think riders want a more comfortable ride . The dropper and electronic shifting also plays into that . I guess Ridgid bikes are all but gone in racing

[@fifthcircle1]

So, Mezcal/Barzo is the popular tire combo. I'm looking for a new fast set of rubber, and came straight to your channel for input. 👌🏻

[@LagunaRider1961]

Love seeing everyone’s awesome bikes! Thanks for posting 🙏

[@CQR_Deuce]

Always love bike checks!!🤘🤘

[@alexrobles6492]

I like all your vids. Do more of these! 👍

[@davecech4741]

Nice work Clint, good topic. Surprised by 1) people running a 36 tooth chainring (ok, maybe it's a Florida thing, because I sure as heck couldn't make that work here in Salinas) and 2) the number of riders with fixed seat posts. Not surprised by people gushing about their Fox 34 forks, stiff when you want it to be, compliant when you need it to be, and worth the weight penalty (similar to wider rims & tires, droppers, rear suspension, etc...)

[@K9Manhunters]

Great video, thanks!

[@cedarwings82]

I really liked this ! You should do more of this, at like Gravel rides etc etc…

[@mynameismikey75]

Everyone seemed to be having fun regardless of how expensive their bike is

[@patrickmaher6420]

30 and 60 miles are a long way on hardtails!! IDK how they do it. Enjoyed vid, makes me wonder if I’d benefit from more travel.

[@brucehumphries6889]

Great video! Like seeing what other people are riding.

[@AntonioOrru21]

Loved this video, great job Clint

[@DG-gq6gm]

Very cool segment!

[@AZRob.]

Interesting!! Very few hardtails.. I recently bought a Spot Rocker, and was surprised that it is faster than my Giant XTC Advanced, which is a cross country race bike.

[@mancello]

Nice job Clint!

[@thijsvandenbroek5333]

How about a Cannondale scalpel?

[@thomashussey5159]

awesome vid clint. more like this!

[@kaneda4102]

The Lycra and short wheel bases got a bit too much for me

[@ericochoa5784]

In Florida it seems like you don't really need a full suspension unless you're racing graham swamp or Santos

[@ClintGibbs]

Actually, it sounds counterintuitive, but full suspension is more important in Florida. We have a lot of roots and since were not climbing for a long period of time, you sit down most of the time and pedal. Staying in the saddle and pedaling over roots is faster.

[@ericochoa5784]

@@ClintGibbs that is very true how "rooty" it is here.

[@AZRob.]

@@ClintGibbs Ohhh, now I understand.

[@MTBukk]

More like this! Thanks ! 🙂

[@josephwright7925]

Nice one Clint 😍

[@drmoynihan]

Thank you - great to see bikes and comment by owners. No Canyons? I do trails and would love to see bike checks. I have 2 Trail Bikes: Thailand/Canyon Neuron CF (xt) Towards XC Shimano Brakes Oregon/CommencalMetaTR AL(gx) Towards Enduro SRAM Brakes I prefer Shimano XT & SRAMbrakes Wish they both were Aluminum

[@musarra195]

Awesome entertaining video

[@trocycling1204]

Sweet bikes! But be aware of the trap - 95% of it is your fitness. 😁

[@davidmaco1]

love this type of stuff,

[@Barry101er]

What a great video, thank you

[@chriswaggett163]

Hey Clint, interesting as always & probably got me more interested in ASX on my next MTB. What were you riding in this race, you forgot to tell us! A Niner I hope….. Ride on.

[@ClintGibbs]

Yep, Niner RKT9 RDO

[@chriswaggett163]

@@ClintGibbs Nice. I have a JET9 RDO & RLT9 RDO, just need to see Niner get some stock in to order my RKT9 RDO!!!!

[@Cesium67]

Good video

[@JoshTaylor]

Enjoyed the video, Clint! Always love hearing why other people like their own bikes. I can understand how AXS can be nice in extreme racing where you're so exhausted that a full throw of your thumb to shift becomes a chore. BUT I chuckle every time I hear somebody say they moved from Shimano to SRAM and claim its better shifting. Having two Stumpjumpers, a fatbike and the new Roscoe... and going from 12-speed Deore to XT to GX to GX AXS to X01 AXS and finally full circle back to Shimano. During that time at Alafia in FL to my local trails, I've experienced nothing but sub-par shifting performance from SRAM in comparison to even Deore. SRAM clunks harder between shifts, especially upshifts with any reasonable load on the drivetrain. With Shimano's Hyperglide, I can pound through multiple gears under my 170 pound load uphill and its a smooth gear change all the way through. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. SRAM's newly released transmission system does sound promising, though.

[@0HereForAGoodTime0]

ok Clint, as a fellow Floridian i have to pick your brain. Just ran a 30 mile gravel race on a Scott Scale hardtail w/ a 38T chainring. Got 3rd place podium btw for the Masters group. My question is in that section of florida, are the climbs so steep that you need a smaller chainring to pair w/ an 11-42 cassette? noticed in the video most were on a 34T....or does it really boil down to fitness and personal preference? i need to come over there and check it out

[@ClintGibbs]

Are you referring to riding gravel roads or single track? Huge difference here. Our trails have lots of short steep climbs. The gravel roads around here have hills but nothing that would warrant a really low gear.

[@237.x]

It mostly comes down to personal fitness in my opinion but as you know haveing a smaller chain ring with a big cassette will make hill climbs more easy compared to a "stiff gear ratio"

[@0HereForAGoodTime0]

@@ClintGibbs good point....singletrack

[@0HereForAGoodTime0]

The panhandle is flat, pretty sandy with some roots.....a full suspension is a luxury, totally unnecessary. Definitely get more speed from the 38.

[@JenkinsB]

super cool vid man

[@Jinedan]

loved it.

[@Runk3lsmcdougal]

Could you race your spur or Ripley competitively in cat 2 at something like that? I don't want a full blown xc bike 😢

[@ClintGibbs]

Absolutely. That’s what my Project DC is about.

[@Runk3lsmcdougal]

@@ClintGibbs That's awesome man so happy to hear! I'm riding a 27.5 jeffsey with 170mm front 160 rear in IL lol! Would like to try our local xc series tho

[@LeedsSTL]

Hardtail for life

[@andarenbici]

Beautiful bikes. I should have gone into a more lucrative field.

[@jeromep4148]

Lots of variation. Was there really not much predominance of specific brands, or did you edit to show the breadth of bike choices. Either way of ok, just curious. Also did the younger riders do the longer distance - did see a lot of 20-something’s.

[@ClintGibbs]

I showed every bike and did not edit any out. I’ll probably do this type of video again next month for another race.

[@xandercl1819]

Dude at 1:45 with the fake sworks 😂

[@ClintGibbs]

Fake? What makes you think that? He’s actually a riding buddy of mine.

[@xandercl1819]

@@ClintGibbs looks like a ali express frame, just doesn’t look like any epic I have ever seen could be wrong though

[@ClintGibbs]

@@xandercl1819 it’s legit.

[@mattnejmanowski631]

find the guy still on a 26! talk to him!

[@flybyguy1450]

Looks like a lot of people are using about half of their available travel...

[@allandaquiz]

❤nice video brader❤

[@ajbarnes777]

Love this idea for a video! The only problem is I feel very very broke over here with my budget Walmart bike... lol. Definitely gives me a lot of ideas for my first real mtb in the future. So far, I'm torn between a Specialized, Trek, Niner, Poseidon, or Canyon.

[@jaig5975]

Sounds like everyone was happy with their bike

[@JackMott]

The guy who doesn't know anything about mountain bikes already hast the fastest tire. heh

[@baklapperb.v.1584]

OMG dork disc alert

[@josephdunbar2105]

3 minutes in….”I think I got too much air in the shock”. Know you don’t. It’s basically no travel. Better off running a 2.4 tire with 19 psi and hard tail.

[@mtb7018]

🔥🔥🔥👊👊👊👍👍👍

[@sneakerjoe23]

Spark is a nice bike until you ride anything else lol

[@gregjr63]

Is it really that bad lol?

[@JesterWinz]

A rich people race ,

[@josephdunbar2105]

I don’t know why people are down on the brain. I love mine which is my seventh

[@BLUECHET]

Good video