I Ride Expert Trails To Find Out If Big People Can Ride XC Bikes

Should heavy set people get/ride short travel or XC bikes? Well... I found out...
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[@alansem7020]

Meanwhile me taking my 100mm hardtail to Whistler last week

[@eXaviar]

Same here using my Hardtail for everything from XC to Enduro 🤙🏾

[@YogiTheBearMan]

Only certain trails benefit from rear suspension anyway. The rocky or choppy stuff.

[@zedddddful]

Hardtail riders have to be more skilled you cannot pick a bad line and get away with it like a full sus.

[@TheSkipperdcn9]

Any of you guys tried the ozark trail bike? I’m thinking about getting it because I bought a giant but it is the wrong size. Had no idea bikes had sizes like clothes but….. yea thought it looks good

[@TheECP]

He’s an amazing rider, such smooth jumps. Funny to see him talk about a 140/130 trail bike like it’s an XC Hardtail haha, but it makes sense when he’s used to huge travel enduro bikes. To most people watching, find yourself a hardcore trail Hardtail and you’ll have so much fun. I love my 140mm fork Ragley Big Al hardtail.

[@derKischda]

I second this advice about getting a hardcore hardtail. Those things can handle a lot of stuff especially if you like technical riding and it is much more budgetfriendly if that's an important factor for you.

[@angeloco5111]

Yup, I had a 150mm Chromag as my only bike for a few years and loved it. Rode these exact trails (minus the whole jump line 😅) and it was fully capable

[@cianmurgatroyd2074]

Nukeproof scout club here

[@thenormalberries6767]

Is NRML able to ride hardtails?

[@Drunken_Hamster]

I don't think hardtails are cut out for people my and NRML's size... I wish they'd bring back soft tails. A super stiff spring rate and under 50-100mm total rear travel with a simple single pivot system would be perfect.

[@dewindoethdwl2798]

This is like watching someone trying a rowdy hardtail after riding big suspension. The line choice is everything when you have very little suspension. Great video, as fun as everything else you do on video.

[@uberfu]

Yep. He might as well have been ona hardtail.

[@letour32rr]

I’m 300 lbs racing on a 100/100mm Specialized Epic Comp FSR. Won two regional XC Championships in the Sasquatch division (230+). Big guys can race too.

[@sandy_knight]

Now that's an XC bike! The fact you can race it without it breaking proves the point more than this video of an aggressive trail bike (I still love this video though 👍) Big riders will put more stress on the bike than smaller riders but technique/riding style counts for a lot as well. I know guys who are 200lb and still break bikes because they are hard on them, have no finesse...

[@nosreuter]

​@@sandy_knight I think I'm one of those 200lbs non finesse guys. But when I find myself a glimpse of how it is to ride with finesse, man does it feel good!

[@chopperz127]

I just picked up a 120/120 bike and being used to my 160/140 bike, I can totally relate to this video. SO much fun but in a different way. Wish I had the grapes to hit jumps like that though. I'll hit 100 footers on my dirt bike but scared of 20' on a bicycle.

[@No_ReGretzky99]

I raced Motocross for 10 years if you apply the same techniques to jump in a dirt bike as you do a bicycle it'll exactly land the same way it's just that hitting your back brake in the air doesn't really fling your bike back down like it does on a dirt bike so I guess if you're going to flip on a mountain bike you just want to lean back as far as you could

[@SAVEDSOULS777]

EXACT SAME BOAT DUDE! Had a 160/145 but love my 140/120 and i'll hit 100ft tables on my yz but 💩 myself at jumps over 12ft! 😂

[@AZRob.]

DUDE! Wow, that was a sketchy trail, Well done! I'm on a 120mm hardtail, and the fun factor is real! Cheers from Arizona!

[@molonlabe3083]

Hey brother, first I have to say I’m a huge fan of the channel. I turn 41 in November, I’m 6’ 325lbs and I just started biking/MTB biking about a month ago. Have you been riding downhill a long time? Have you always been bigger? I’m just curious if it’s possible for me to be able to do downhill and jumps like these. Thanks brother!

[@vitalychernobyl]

Hi there! Awesome that you are thinking about picking up the sport. The answer is NO! You can't just go send big gaps or shred double black trails like this guy! He's an expert with years of experience. But, you can absolutely go get a bike and start learning!

[@No_ReGretzky99]

Hey brother as long as you can get up and still walk anything possible dude I've seen bigger riders ride downhill it's really just a matter of practice homie you got this

[@Andyee415]

First and only time I rode that trail last year I fell into a bush head first and experienced poison oak for the first time ever in my life. Needless to say, I have not been back to Pacifica 😅

[@asewamu]

Sometimes it goes that way out there 😂 the trails are amazing if you stick with it out there tho.

[@blakekennard7700]

Your videos always have this incredible outlook and energy. Great content as always

[@dr.crentist3155]

Everytime you said "ughhhhh" with excitement you sounded like Randy Marsh getting excited lol

[@kingphonsy]

Big fan, no pun intended. Your review felt like Jeremy Clarkson in Top Gear. Not sure if they’re an inspiration but it was fantastic.

[@ivarvs]

This is considered a Trail bike in Europe 😊 We ride our Specialized Diverges down the XC tracks 😅

[@ivarvs]

At least if we feel physically up to it 😅

[@joshuaallswang8016]

Bro that’s considered a trail bike PERIOD. But you know that Already..

[@ivarvs]

Yup got the whole mandatory boxset of bikes at home.

[@thisishow551]

It’s a trail bike in the USA too 😊

[@Nemysis6580]

Not really a xc bike, more of a trail bike

[@kevinburke1325]

That's what I was going to say. My trek fuel ex 7 2022 has the same travel and they call it a trail bike.

[@joegonz1983]

That’s a short travel stumpjumper from specialized. For sure a Trail bike. The epic is the XC. Both can have almost the same travel tho.

[@kevinburke1325]

@joegonz1983 the specialized epic has 110mm front travel and 100 mm of rear travel. That's a lot different from 130 tear travel and 140 front travel.

[@brian6speed]

Maybe when you are 330 lbs you need extra travel even for xc hah.

[@marnig9185]

That's the Point😂

[@markwaughman9635]

Just up graded from a polygon d7 crap suntour 100mm forks and simular rear sus . Got a stumpy comp fox 34 and fox float rear . I'm a 54 year old larger guy . Loving it , steers so much better and sharper . Floats over much more narly stuff than the polygon. Still climbs quite well . I'm not a jumper , but popped over a few drops I normally roll the other day . Gonna try some small jumps soon . After a few crashes on the polygon, I think I'm feeling my confidence coming back.

[@blandgreen4135]

When did the D7 have 100mm suntour?

[@benjaG86]

D7 I guess got recon silver RL

[@Bangbangboom51]

Just few years back, 130mm travel bikes are caleed trail/all-mountain bikes and not short travel.

[@john_casey]

In what world is the Stumjumper a XC bike??? That's a trailbike, my dude.

[@WhoIsThisGodPersonAnyway]

I’ve been so confused about this, I thought it was a trail bike. It has the same travel as a Fuel EX

[@john_casey]

@@WhoIsThisGodPersonAnyway It is also about geometry, not only travel. The Stumpi is the definition of a trail bike.

[@unphasemc]

It's a trail bike, Specialized even says it's a trail bike

[@rotorloamer5329]

when your 6'4 and 330lb trail bikes get downgraded

[@kahoycrafts]

Dude, you were soaring on that thing! I ride a short travel bike too, a Canyon Spectral 125.

[@Marty_Au79]

I'm an XC rider who weighs 220 and my 2005 Specialized Stumpjumper M4 Comp is a hardtail with fox float 80forks. The trail and the bike you picked is not XC 😂

[@benjy288]

I'm about 76kg and ride a 120 rear 130 front norco fluid fs1, it has a 66.5 head angle, and its by far the most fun bike I've ever owned, and I came from a 2017 trek slash 9.8, as you said in the video the short travel gives a raw kind of feel to trails, you can get pops off small trail features that you wouldn't even know were there on a bigger travel bike because the suspension would just absorb it, and it can also handle steep double blacks just fine too, because you have less travel you also have less fork dive, hence less weight transfer, which means the head angle doesn't steepens as much, would I recommend a bike like it if you were racing enduro? no, but would I recommend a bike like it as a great all rounder that can handle pretty much anything and i's super fun to ride? absolutely.

[@alexanderbiddle2660]

Glad I’m not the only one struggling with a stump my on the mile 😅

[@JHRWC]

It feels sketchy AF at first, but themiddle line is the way. Next time you're there hike to the bottom and look up- the line is so obvious from the bottom (but scaaaary from the top!)

[@rofferdal]

Good video. As a large 50+ year old MTBer, this is confidence inspiring. Thank you. BTW, I ride a hard tail MTB with a 130mm fork.

[@Govermentsound]

You're a skilled rider bro, your very good 👍🏾

[@Arykperry]

I was 318lbs last year and I’m 195 now from riding my bike. You’re a good rider which means you actually ride so how the hell are you still holding so much weight ??

[@numbers7905]

Hilarious that you refer to the Stumpjumper as an XC bike. Great title to get views, but the video was also great!

[@3smoke]

The best part about a new bike is it makes all the trails new again. And you get excited about riding again.

[@robertmisiuk7137]

I've done the X zones at Mammoth on my 26" Stumpjumper and downhill sections at Mt. Baldy. Back in the day we called this riding. No rolling over everything with 29" tires.

[@otbmikesrides1476]

You're obviously better than average mtber. I'm an average, middle size (180lb) 72 yo rider. You inspire and give me hope.

[@thedude8526]

The fact you are 72 and you still ride makes you more of an anomaly than an average rider. That is inspirational in its own right.

[@Drunken_Hamster]

Chest cam angle is just about perfect. Maybe 1 or 2 more clicks up at most. Probably just 1 click given the wide filming angle.

[@jeanpequignot80]

I would love to see this man getting a XC bike or a Road bike and seeing him doing some miles in the saddle in flat or climbing situations. On the other hand, he comes down the trail like a freight train.

[@davemcbeard]

Bikes and components have come a long way. I remember watching a friend fold his front wheel in half just by braking hard and this happened because he was 100lbs over the recommended rider weight for the wheel.

[@stirfrybry1]

Back in 96 I modified a Cannondale super vee with a shock that had double the stroke making it into an 8 inch real travel. I added a six inch travel Risse fork and that bike was unreal. I won two races in the sport class at Plattekill and there were so many sandbaggers to beat. LOL that bike had a bottom bracket height of about 13 inches. The Cannondale race team mechanics really liked what we did and they gave us (my race team called WTR aka White Trash Racing) headset cups with eccentric rings so we could rake the front out to 67 degrees. LOL I loved downhill

[@UnburdenedByWhatHasBeen]

Im 6'3" 260 and I've always run 140/130mm full suspension bikes. My current bike is a Superior XF 939. Haven't broken it yet😂

[@snat6299]

Your awesome thanks for the entertainment, and giving hope to us big riders! Love the bars who makes them?

[@Juan-wo4lj]

Keep doing it man. I really enjoy your content. I think haters don't understand that you're a mtb biker, not a cyclist. I myself was a 240 pounds mtb biker once.

[@johnsonjay60]

Its not an xc bike! 😅 riser bars and all. But, chubby guys do race its called Clydesdale 200lb. +. But they ride xc bikes 100-120mm of travel sometime fully rigid. I have a fully rigid race build that weighs around 14 lbs. You are on a trail bike my friend. Ive been racing enduro all year on a trail bike with remote lockouts. 130/130 racing like that is all about line choice thats what youre constantly thinking.

[@lefessier]

Did you mean 18 lbs? Or 8kg? Regardless that sounds like a sweet build! What are the details!!

[@taggy8185]

yeah well it's basically an xc bike for him and thats part of the funny.

[@johnsonjay60]

@lefessier ty, i just typed the whole build out and now its erased? Strange. Its under 14lbs.

[@johnsonjay60]

@taggy8185 im just playin with him, last video called it an xc bike and a dj in the same sentence. Just needs wider stantions. Travel for the bike is a trail bike and as u can see it handled that pretty well an xc bike youre over the front more in attack mode thats why the bars are usually negative and forward not riser bars lol

[@andrewsiasparks]

As someone that only weighs 150 lbs and broke a few xc frames and components i won't ride one hard again. It's not fun doing a scorpion after a frame snaps

[@JAlvarezMTB]

Fire video 🔥 When’s the next group ride!?

[@williambreeze2659]

I have a 2022 Stumpjumper expert with 140/130 travel and it's a blast. Ultimately I'm going to pick up a Specialized Euduro and have a two bike setup. The normal stumpjumper is really capable and jumps good! I've done big drops, jumped an eight stair, and taken it to "Sky Park" in so cal!

[@RaptorInNewMexico]

First cut down the lines you took the right one. But in reverse 😊

[@thesmuuuuggh]

that's a lot of beef gracefully soaring through the air. Nice man.

[@Emtbtoday]

I'm looking for another old skool ATX 2 I started off with that bike when it first came out and been so through so many but now a bigger set guy like yourself and man your awesome you've really made my mind up now that I can go back out and get fitter again!

[@DarraghSimpson-q5e]

Bro ur videos r the best keep it up 👍

[@zq3yp]

what type of air pressure are you running in the fork and shock

[@mrvwbug4423]

warranty voiding pressures. He runs like 340psi in the X2 on his Enduro

[@YogiTheBearMan]

The guy at the shop claims it can explode in your face as you are adding the air if you go too high.

[@davido8086]

I bought the sworks stumpy from 2019. Very similar to that bike and I would take that bike anywhere. Best lightweight mountain bike I’ve ever ridden. Rad vids bro keep them coming. Maybe do a how to jump tutorial sometime.

[@hugorivera9738]

Cute gravel route

[@MTBTexasBikeRider]

That bike brings you back to the old school of riding almost the same as riding and having fun on a BMX bike 🤔🤘

[@arc9812]

Those chrome riser bars are nice

[@Spitfire194]

Love that you're rockin Stan Smith tennis shoes!

[@noelsolis7571]

Wow ! Nice one Sir, 😁👍🚴‍♀️💪🇵🇭

[@tristatetrifecta]

man back in the day we were racing downhill on a 6 inch fsr . love the video .

[@thedude8526]

Im amazed that you are as large as you are while being fairly good at hitting the jumps.

[@sweetlemon7488]

Sweet video! I bought a small frame Trek XC bike last year off Craigslist to get me into MTBing (still all i can afford and i should be a medium) but ive been riding that thing at down hill parks dudes be lookin at me like im nuts 😂

[@tommyofastora]

Dude, those jumps look insane on video I can't imagine them in person!

[@olik136]

making me feel really old here... when I was a kid there was no suspension on mountain bikes.. and until my newest bike everything over 12cm was considered a downhill bike..

[@zahirig]

Great video. Next time, a single speed fixie?

[@Silversidepro]

No pads...Bones are overrated! Haha! awesome to see. Most would die one some of these trails with a big travel bike, It is just a testament to your skill.

[@jl3567]

Enjoy your ride! That’s what matters

[@hectoro5144]

Dude! I love your videos man, you have a very particular sense of humor!! thanks a lot man!

[@MattyActive]

Teach me some of those 🔥 jump skills!

[@jimbo4203]

I love the short travel bikes , i like how light they feel , and I don't ride many double black diamonds

[@valeriesorrells]

dood, love my stumpie! It's super nimble and capable. Wish I could hit jumps like you!

[@brad265]

Great video! Just found your channel a week ago and I freaking love it!

[@andrewrivera4029]

It’s a nice tool to have in the fleet but I love my coil and Fox 38 for the steeps.

[@TmanBlades]

Love my Santa Cruz tall boy 120mm rear 130mm front. The thing just rips

[@squeeshygaming]

nice vids man! ihope you make more vids like these! i can totally relate im 300lbs guys myself! Big guy VS MTB..bike buying guides for fatties what components to buy.. im sure u have lots of suggestions..d one components dat survive it all..hhehe more power bro!

[@No_ReGretzky99]

In the black and white video of you going to hit jumps and you looked back at the camera you look like that dude from full metal jacket that blows his head off 😂😂😂

[@ralva2779]

Nice review. (I ride a levo carbon and get paranoid about the frame cracking from my weight of about 200 lbs so your rides give me more confidence in specialized carbon- cool)

[@Justkeepshredding]

This video lets me know what more I can do as I have a very, very similar specialized.

[@briannewbold3530]

Do you ever check mfg specs on frame and rim weight limits? I’m always worried I’m gonna snap my rides in half. I’m lighter but still concerned as I’m always over the typical max rider weight. What equipment upgrades do you typically do? (Sounds like a new vid for all of us sasquatches)

[@bobbybits]

I'm 280 and ride a santa cruz blur tr. It's awesome

[@masonhittler4781]

just bought a stumpy. They're solid. definitely going to upgrade the travel as soon as i can

[@HeatherMunive]

Those rock gardens 😅!!

[@wildDuces234]

would you say that with this Short travel bike comes more responsibility to be a better rider and experience beforehand?

[@TheECP]

It’s more like it makes more sense to start with hardtails/short travel bikes to develop handling/line choice skills.

[@greengonzonz]

Those bars... polished alloy looks wild ❤

[@othfrk1]

Dude, these jumps were so clean!

[@jesseleachman7801]

bro super stoked on all your content we need to ride my dude im a socal local

[@GolfSux]

I am a chubby 220 and I exclusively run a hardtail, because I also ride bmx. MTB is an on the side hobby. I like a stiff back end.

[@user-tf9hd4pi6l]

I wish I had a bike like that. I have allways had dreams about having bike with full suspension

[@rottieshepcalibre9156]

Smooth landings on the jumps 👏

[@Kappulet]

Is that the correct size frame for him? Looked tiny on the warm up lap.

[@JuanRodriguez-wx9sq]

A mountain bike with 140mm front and 130mm rear is a trail bike. XC bicycles have 100mm or 120mm front and non or 180 rear. Specialized classified the Stumpjumper as a trail bike.

[@CaliradoKid]

Would you rather have an XC Bike or a Hardtail?

[@YogiTheBearMan]

Gotta have both and an enduro bike too 😉 but if I had to pick only one, I’d say XC/trail. 140/130 like in the video might be just about right.

[@RC-fp1tl]

Slack HT

[@vlady8me]

We are of a very similar size but I am 60. Really would like to get into emtb on a budget. You had a chance to crush the new Aventon Ramblas yet? I like the price point but wonder if it can take the mass.

[@carsonwastook]

After buying and riding a new Stumpjumper alloy (150/140) all season, I couldn't have said it any better, This bike is freaking amazing.

[@donavinnezar]

This man is proof you can be big and fit . Keep it up buddy

[@fatpatMC]

he is the farthest thing from fit there is, why dont any vids have him climbing!? oh yaaaaaa cuz he cant.

[@waltysalamander]

You're a great rider! But you'd be incredible if you got more in shape. I'm 10000% sure you've already thought about that many many times, so I'll leave you with that. But I hope you consider being a little bit healthier so you can keep shredding for the rest of your life! Keep it up!

[@madtownangler]

The shortest travel fork I ever rode was about two 🕑 inches on a good day. When it sagged down it was probably an inch. I can remember when I first got a two inch travel fork with sag that was freaking awesome.

[@b7uh]

my bike has like 100mm of travel but only 20mm is usable 💀

[@1testertester]

Great video. Your jumping skills are top notch!

[@johnsonjay60]

Air up the suspension twice as much than recommended. Voids the warrenty but u will like it.

[@vitalychernobyl]

Keep pushing it! Try an Epic next!! Also, do you ever ride clipped in? In a previous vid you said you were size 17, can you get clips in that size?

[@Cody_michael]

You’re just fluffy bro. More to love

[@bensun432]

hardtail next then?

[@memyself2458]

If is slack dont calle it xc,,and yes is always good to see yo ,your videos rock😊😊

[@garyburch5871]

That was a great watch! Well done

[@stephenpatemusic]

C-Bass, I’ve noticed you rarely wear gloves anymore! What cued the change?! 🤙🏼

[@billiewright3577]

Just found your channel. Love it. I am looking to get back into MTBing. I am 310lbs but I don’t fly, I love the technical things like rocks and rolling type drop offs. Saying this, as a big guy yourself, what psi do you use in your shock? Thanks for putting yourself out there.

[@howard-josephmiddleton3589]

Look through his archives he has a great set up video

[@jaredc3570]

@NRMLMTBer WHAT GLASSES DO YOU WEAR BIKING?

[@CoachLo3]

When are you going to ride a 100 m travel bike? I’ll tune in 😊

[@grantgoldstein569]

I was at the boyscout trail with you

[@jebleshful]

oky cool now do that on spectral 125 😶‍🌫, i wish that was an actual XC bike BTW🤣