Five 2024 Cross-Country Bikes You Don't Want To Miss!

Cross-Country is cool again! The bikes are more capable than ever, the racing is intense and mountain biking’s top brands are flat-out creating some of the lightest, fastest bikes ever to grace the circuit. It’s like Formula 1 on two wheels, just with less of the one-driver, one-team domination…
Cross-Country bikes are now far more adept at tackling the rougher, gnarlier courses and longer, lower and slacker is a key theme. However, the tradition of watching the grams is still abundant, with teams and brands going to some extreme lengths to keep weight low and performance high.
We’ve picked out five of the lightest production cross-country bikes you can buy, all of which can stake a claim to podium glory in the last two years. Extra points if you can spot which ones look rather similar…
Which would you choose if you were on the start line? Let us know down below!
#CrossCountry #MTB #WorldCup
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:37 Pinarello Dogma XC
02:36 Trek Supercaliber
04:56 Ibis Exie
06:35 Scott Spark
08:23 Specialized Epic World Cup
Image Credits:
Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
Matthias Hangst/Getty Images
Pim Waslander/Orange Pictures/BSR Agency/Getty Images
Piotr Staron/Getty Images
Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Dustin Satloff/Getty Images
Roberto Tommasini/NurPhoto via Getty Images
OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
Cam Mackenzie
Trek Bikes
Zac Mackenzie
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NEW 2023 Specialized Epic | Goodbye XC Race Hardtails!
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NEW Scott Scale | Sub 9kg & Ultralight One-Piece Wheelset
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[@michaelwoodward5787]

That Supercaliber is gorgeous!

[@bikeradar]

It's even nicer in the flesh!

[@v0ldy54]

I'd take a top specd Rockrider that costs half or less than those other bikes and it's still good enough to win world cup podiums

[@carltonholmes8061]

No, you would not, it would break. 😢

[@petesahad3028]

There's no top specced Rockrider

[@carltonholmes8061]

@@petesahad3028 👍😆😆😆😆

[@bikeradar]

It will be interesting if they offer the current team bikes for sale in production form. Currently you can't buy them :(

[@Servicevelo]

I agree. The Rockrider ridden for Ford is a piece of work. I have asked Decathlon. They say it will be available in France only in summer ‘24. But you are right, I bet it would be well priced. I’ve just bought a Canyon Lux CFR as I didn’t want to wait that long. I can’t believe the Lux didn’t make the video but the ultra rare Pinarello did.

[@davidcoomber4050]

My Giant Talon 1 may not be top bracket but it’s never let me down and is a joy to ride

[@benmlee]

Trek came out with Supercaliber in 2019. It had a tiny 60mm rear travel. Specialized copied the look of the Trek with their Epic this year, but with longer 75mm travel. Trek then followed on with gen 2 beating Specialized with 80mm of travel. Soon, we would be back to long travel race again :)

[@delyrium_]

Such a shame the Canyon Lux is not among your list...it's way over at least 3 bikes from your list...but i guess sponsorship takes lead so, yeah, it's understandable

[@ignaciosevil2157]

its pretty much the same as the supercaliber and the spez... cant fit all into a vid. i rather have the neew lux for sure. their gravel builds are also superior. canyon is really out the with a high game in all segments. xc, gravel, mtb ebikes its insane

[@jk-hj6ub]

Cannondale scalpel with lefty ist the best one ! ☝️🤘

[@karolkrawczyk1]

it's amazing, fully agree with you.

[@xtianeskay5166]

Ist this true or ist this just your personal opinion?

[@jk-hj6ub]

@@xtianeskay5166 This ist true !

[@samzam4496]

picked up a scalpel HT with a SID and it does the job... after riding full suspension for years.. climbs like nothing else !!

[@ukyo6195]

Nope

[@TheMiguelosky]

Xc steel frame from Niner Sir 9 Xtr Mount , reserve wheels crossed in third, dropper, 120 mm fox 34 fork, carbon combo steer and bar...2.3-2.4 tires ...with lattex... Killer bike.

[@christinerhodes773]

What about the Oiz and Blur though?

[@Flexo_l]

I would go for canyon lux.

[@Ghostina1]

I love my Epic Works HT... There is no need to upgrade. If the terrain get rougher I take my YT Capra

[@bikeradar]

Epic HT is a good choice if you can have two bikes, a HT and a trail/enduro bike.

[@Mr229357]

The Trek. It's the best looking bike 😊👍🏻👍🏻

[@LanceR33]

Professional sports are all about bringing eyes to advertisers. With that the bikes do matter as they get better so do all of us. I don't race but i have the Exie SLX build, love it!!!

[@CatManDoSocial]

I have a 2018 Specialized Epic now which I do love. It does everything I need and more. But if/when I need to get a new MTB, I'll probably be moving to the Orbea Oiz. It's a fantastic bike and I refuse to pay the Specialized prices anymore. Orbea is a far better value and just as good. Plus, I can get any color I want, not the one (or two if you're lucky) usually horrible colors that Specialized would insist that I have. I think the Oiz should have made the list but there are lots of amazing XC bikes available now.

[@bikeradar]

The Oiz looks a great bike, we have one in review so stay tuned to see what we think!

[@CatManDoSocial]

@@bikeradarExcellent!

[@kevinburke1325]

The only 2 brands in Georgia are Trek (scammers) and specialized. I don't know anything about Orbea Oiz, but 0 bike shops in Georgia even have that brand.

[@brunomfduque]

Ibis ? No no no. Change for Orbea or Canyon and you have a really top 5 best bikes 😅

[@derekgilson9479]

I think Giant should be on the list

[@emed1977]

The bikes didn’t win the races, the athletes won the races. If those athletes were on different brands they still would have won.

[@bikeradar]

Very true! But the bike still has to perform 😉

[@kevinburke1325]

They wouldn't win if they were on Walmart bikes. I hate that argument: "the bike didn't win" that is mostly false because Walmart bikes aren't there for a reason. Riders always ride the best of the best.

[@emed1977]

@@kevinburke1325 Exactly, all of these riders get the best equipment, regardless of what company sponsors them.

[@ren2684]

They wouldn't win on my 1999 steel frame Shimano 😂 but the bike still wouldn't brake that's for sure 😂

[@matthewkramer8613]

Not everyone is going to be riding as hard as a pro, but if the bike is race proven, surely is good enough for the rest of us.. The price of bike have gone up significantly over the years 3-4k for a decent build. I think my next bike will be custom build starting with the base frame and shocks. Also looking also at Sram axs.

[@stevemurray2737]

Where does “Huffy” stand here? 6?

[@bikeradar]

🤣

[@phenofinder9145]

Who's says hardtails are dead??? YOU DID!!!

[@aldosantillana281]

Cannondale Scalpel?

[@raiphtheimposter]

scalpel lefty still looks the sexiest shame henry has moved on.. but hatherley still delivering.

[@bikeradar]

Looks weird and interesting for sure, but still doing the business under Hatherly and Mona Mitterwallner!

[@Vam1500]

The spark looks like an e-bike to me.

[@johnlesoudeur3653]

Have you actually seen one "in the flesh" though. I have one and am surprised at the positive comments from other riders.

[@ianpurcell7266]

Scott please but my limit is 20k as I’m not paying anymore for a bike. My current bike is Scott at 15k ,The price of bikes is getting silly.

[@bikeradar]

We hope you don't mean 20k £ or $!!

[@Konzuug]

The red canyon lux looks sick but I went with the exceed. With the sale it's so cheap and I can use it as a beach racing bike

[@ignaciosevil2157]

Hardtail ? if its your main bike, having that rear suspension is 100% the best option. Added comfort is a must

[@c.franca2259]

Yes, we all know, the S brand is the all dream and need to be in this list but if you search the results in XC are rubish. Why dont put in this list the new BH Lynx? One off the best bikes in the championship that wins the n1 bike award last season?

[@bikeradar]

A lesser known brand, but as you state, produce some great bikes!

[@Sketchybackyardtrails]

what do you guys think of the vitus rapide fs crs

[@bikeradar]

We loved it! Check out our review here - www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/mountain-bikes/full-suspension-mountain-bikes/vitus-rapide-fs-crx-review/

[@johnlesoudeur3653]

Only XL for sale.

[@define102]

check out the Superior XC bikes they look immaculate

[@bikeradar]

You could say they are superior to the rest... We'll get our coats

[@michaels8607]

nice bikes..nice amount of money to get them..like buying a car

[@ps3narciso]

bmc fourstroke?

[@bikeradar]

Great bike and worthy of the list for sure! It's awesome there's so many good bikes around

[@icantgivecredit871]

I am surprised to see a hard tail there. What does it weigh?

[@johnlesoudeur3653]

Pity the UCI has taken over for race coverage.

[@fra93ilgrande]

My customized xc hardtail with my lightest wheelset (1 kilogram only! 😱) weighs just 8.5 kilograms 👹 👊🏻 🔪 (and it all cost me "only" about $7000... 😂 while having all of this from factory would cost at least double it)

[@123phobia123]

bikes doesnt matter, its 90% the rider.

[@erikmalmberg7319]

Just got my scott 940 aspect E RIDE for a Good price

[@bikeradar]

Nice! Not a lightweight though 😉

[@erikmalmberg7319]

@@bikeradar yeah but it was the price on it who make to buy it it was down like 1k euro

[@erikmalmberg7319]

@@bikeradar I Think is a Good bang for the buck

[@MaQuGo119]

Procaliber Alloy

[@JoelStaInes]

awesome bike love them all. i enjoy riding my $300 bike coz i can't afford them 😊😆 🤣 😂

[@SkyLee-ng1fp]

We are the manufacturer for Middle & High end Eletric Bikes💯💯

[@jacky6255]

supercaliber

[@trailblazeratv6306]

I saw on Facebook, gorilla gravity, bicycle manufacturer in Colorado is going out of business

[@bikeradar]

Interesting (and sad) news if true!

[@antoineg639]

Mach 4SL?

[@XCRiders]

Any with cables and brake lines through the headset is a N🚫

[@juanhidalgo7043]

Great overview of the new XC bikes! Pinarello full suspension and hard tail are #1 out of all the bikes in the review (hot, sexy, unique, and hand made in Italy). The bottom line, none of the bikes in the review are ideal for the everyday rider unless you are a racer. Most of these bikes are stiff, twitchy, design for slim riders (140 lbs or less), and required superb skills.

[@Andy-co6pn]

I'd have an Exie as my daily driver if I could afford one

[@bikeradar]

Glad you enjoyed the video! These are race bikes, but the Spark is available in a more trail-based build and there's always the Epic Evo and Top Fuel from Specialized and Trek if you want race-bred but trail capable.

[@brettbutler9730]

looks like their copying the Trek. I would take a scott spark.

[@Daniel-ynuhnunu]

1

[@bikeradar]

Congrats, have 1000 BikeRadar points!

[@ronaldo7martinez]

This bikes are totally rip-offf from Trinx, Merida and Giant, that have there own manufacturing facility, Is it true?

[@bikeradar]

You're not wrong, Giant and Merida do make bikes for a lot of other brands!

[@echomike8591]

Giant and Merida factories in Taiwan produce frames for other big brands not to mention Merida owns 49% of Specialized.

[@trentvlak]

Everything about those Pinarellos are cringy.

[@FilipNor85]

….? Where is Scalpel ??? 🥱🙄