This Changed My Mind About XC Bikes | The Trail Bike Killer?

Cross Country (XC) mountain biking is evolving fast, and it's not just about endurance anymore! With more technical descents, rock gardens, and jumps, riders and bikes are being pushed to the limit. Neil Donoghue goes for a ride on the new 2025 Orbea Oiz, with it’s cutting-edge geometry and updated suspension design, Orbea say this bike is built for everything from World Cup races to epic all-day rides. Could this be the most capable XC bike ever?
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[@gmbn]

Do you ride XC?

[@jonasdamm4020]

@@gmbn i do, i ride a cannondale scalpel carbon 2 and i love it. The bike gives a lot of confidence.

[@davidmeins7998]

I ride everything with my Oiz TR. Enduro laps with S2-S3 parts, all-day XC rides with 170 km, all-day road rides with 260 km, and even dirt jumps, pump tracks, and skate parks. Best bike I've ever had.

[@ShadLife]

@@gmbn Yes, but rarely racing anymore. I do a couple events annually and they are endurance races like the Chequamegon 40 MTB race.

[@johnnl]

yes, enjoy my OIZ 2021 (OMR version). very plush on the Dutch trails.

[@Paganiproductions84]

It will soon ride the Dutch National XCM course as a touring rider on my 29er 2021 Orbea Alma M30 xc hardtail without a dropperpost

[@lucie-lb7zb]

it's worth remembering PFP won the Olympics on a hardtail! i miss seeing vids about hardtails!!

[@goodeggnoggs]

XC should be HT only!

[@anthonygain7645]

More XC content please.

[@chrisridesbicycles]

Fully agree on everything. Since I have my Cannondale Sclapel SE, I almost don‘t ride my light enduro any more because the XC bike is capable enough for the local trails and so much more fun uphill.

[@William.Driscoll]

Thanks for posting this. As a 3p-yesr reader/consumer of mountain bike journalism, I find this to be a good balance of sensibility, technical problem-solving, wishfulness on my part, natural scenery, and action. Also, I'll add that it's good to see what's become of the young man from the pages of Dirt Magazine. Keep it up, guys.

[@krisqz]

I'm finishing second season with my Oiz this year, and I'm still in love with it. Amazing bike.

[@ollieknox3983]

So an advert then

[@William.Driscoll]

Stop complaining. Please.

[@amin4993]

People are generally overbiked. The trick is, underbiking is much more fun. XC rules.

[@joeydirty6112]

For me as a 52 FFG, my Supercaliber Gen 2 9.9 XO is the perfect bike for S.E. Michigan! I continue to get trophies and PR’s and trials I’ve ridden hundreds of times! The tweaks from the Gen 1 are perfect for me! Let’s go!

[@dhalbrook]

Super similar setup and frame design to my Cannondale Scalpel. Looks like the industry is converging somewhat on what works for XC.

[@miketraslin5394]

Yes I am from North Vancouver started in 1984.5 and I still ride a Cross Country bike.... I raced all styles Cross Country. Enduro....Downhill....Road Bike .

[@markedwards1568]

As an oiz rider myself it does so much more. As I get older and my gnarly days are behind me. I got rid of my trail bike for the oiz expecting smooth xc riding.. but I find I’m still hitting gnarly 😂 and it’s more then capable

[@deanemberley2333]

Define Gnarly 😂

[@DimiSalviato]

"I don't know why anyone would choose a hardtail XC bike" bc a good FS like that is expensive as f... ofc if you can trade a 10kg HT for a 10kg FS, that'd be a no-brainer but it simply costs you probably twice as much and one less suspension means less maintenance work (and therefore, less costs)

[@deanemberley2333]

HT Bikes have less traction on rough technical climbs and descents. FS bike make a lot of sense for the proper terrain. Ride a HT where it the most practical.

[@chrisdye4828]

​@deanemberley2333 In a gmdream scenario yes but not everyone has unlimited money. Most of us also have other more important commitments.

[@jeremythebeer8609]

So MTBing diverged into multiple segments and now its merging back together to just MTBing... I wish I kept my hardtail from the 90s. I currently have a Trek Stache. Both my sons are just getting hardtails.

[@robertbenassai3912]

I have a 2020 oiz and I can do everything my skill and bravery allows me to do. And then I han go uphill perfectly fine

[@bjornjohansson1716]

The tan walls on the tyres is not a favourite of mine, why go retro when the rest of the bike is more like a spaceship?

[@alstuart8801]

To be honest i think most riders ride "XC" .. not racing but just riding.. local woods. trails or longer rides.. doesnt mean they ride specific XC bikes

[@neometero]

Really like the new squad lever, the previous one can be kind of handful when riding out on the trails.

[@gmbn]

Definitely a cool new development!

[@qwertyazerty2137]

I was considering one of the Oiz H models but the prices are killing me - 2100+ $ for the 2023 lowest aluminum H10 model with Deore 6100 and no dropper ? And the 2024 and 2025 models are twice as much or more. Gimme a break...

[@skyriminspace]

At least half of that is just for the fork though. 😂

[@paulelsey2486]

Currently waiting for a frame replacement for my 2021 oiz . Not happy about changing to headset routing and new colours are rubbish for alloy frame.

[@soarstar]

"I don't know why anyone would choose a hardtail XC bike". Watching the suspension bounce on the uphill & observing the lack of technical terrain in this video is why. I also recall a GMBN video where the HT was *faster* than the FS - even over rooty terrain. It's also worth mentioning: You can drop another 4 lbs with a rigid SS & absolutely slay in both directions. Yeah, I'm a touch overweight.

[@wonderwatch2239]

A hardtail is more fatiguing, as you have to get out of the saddle more often, in rooty rocky terrain. FS helps me up technical climbs, sitting and spinning 🤷‍♂️ I have both

[@dlburke1]

Did I just watch an ad for Orbea?

[@philipaddyman7402]

how do you "stick two bottles" inside a tight FS frame?

[@sendyseth22]

I think that the suspension of xc bikes are more capable then the frames

[@Blunt33bdx]

Great bike for sure but how much ? 💵🤨

[@scherzo0o]

what about the rumors that XCO bikes would be limited to 100mm travel? Any news?

[@Thedoug369]

Ummm, I usually wouldn't want my weight up front for climbing. Lock that rear shock out, up with the dropper and sit your ass down! Traction anyone? Yep, me too. Edit... give me a trail bike anytime, XC bikes are horrible unless you're just trying to XC pretty much on the flat all day long.

[@kjohnson00hd]

I just picked up a 22 orbea oiz h10 and built it up. Now granted it's nothing like this super light carbon bike, but my god is it so good. It's mind blowing 🤯

[@shaunjasper5465]

Just in terms of last comment about why would people ride hardtail, would a bike like this make for lots of maintenance if riding in winter? I'd love a bike like this, I've been looking at the canyon lux trail, but rear sus puts me off as i do most my mountain biking in winter months

[@krisqz]

Well, you can expect the bearings taking the hit once in a while from moisture, and when it comes to damper and fork, if you learn yourself how to do basic maintanace of lowers like seals and oil exchange, then you should be fine. Weather may simply require you to do it more often, and it may become a cost if you don't want do it yourself.

[@TheKrezi]

No way this bike weighs below 10 kg! I would be surprised if it weighed below 11 kg. The reason I say so is I ride epic evo sworks and it weighs 11.7 kg and it is 120 mm front with 110 rear. Industry notoriously underweighs bikes.

[@marcinprochownik8120]

Light tires, my custom M30 weight 10.5 with pedals and i have frame and fork 0,5kg penalty😢

[@BoxCarBoy12]

Unfortunately Orbea bought into the headset cable routing fad, so this Oiz is a no from me even if I was looking for an xco bike

[@ShadLife]

They can update the geometry all they want. But until they start putting higher rise bars and stems on these bikes it won't matter. I bet in a few years we will see the bars come up more. There is no reason to be hunched over in such an aero position for XC racing. Having a better handling bike is much more important.

[@XKR93]

You havent ridden xco apparently if you say that.

[@marcinprochownik8120]

Most of time i spend going uphill, so i prefer low front for comfort

[@kettlebellcarnivore-vr5cw]

Depends how you define "better handling." I prefer the weighted front end of a low fronted XC bike.

[@ShadLife]

@kettlebellcarnivore-vr5cw Old school and outdated. But if it works for you...👍

[@andytiplady]

Neil in dancing slippers!

[@UrbanoFloripa]

The protective gear that XC riders wear is no longer compatible with the current type of racing. They should wear a full face helmet at the very least.

[@lindonandlisa8114]

Nice add

[@frienduro24]

XC racing is still won on the climbs. 120mm a marketing gimmick, so they can sell more friendly XC bikes to the Mainstream You only need 90mm to win World Cups. That’s what Pinarello says. Suspension and geometry has come a long way In 2024, Tom Pidcock and PFP won almost every race they entered on a 90mm bike. Even some pros complaining about riding heavier 120mm bikes. Facts

[@mchereja]

how is it heavier, under 10 kg?

[@marcinprochownik8120]

15years i was riding with 100mm travel/3 bikes, now with 120mm on my Oiz is so much funn!

[@frienduro24]

@@mchereja A 120mm fork and shock add weight and the frames need more beef for the bigger shocks. Every gram counts in racing.

[@frienduro24]

@@marcinprochownik8120 Agree there. Bikes are so much better

[@bertusbob]

👍👍👍

[@robhumphris5911]

1st

[@BestViralEdits]

Such a sigma video. Keep it up.

[@RoxSon-r7i]

Beautiful bike.. ❤💰😂

[@nicholasjohnstone-r1f]

“Other XC bikes are also available”…… yet another apparently sponsored GMBN video. I know we’ve all got to make a living, but come on guys, your channel used to be good.

[@plainuser48596]

Guys having sponsored video is fine, but at least be frank about it

[@Verbot819]

I dont know how i never realised xc bikes had full sus, but it makes sense

[@AppleJack76]

When GMBN figures out how to pronounce Oiz, then I'll listen.

[@master9658]

27.5 x 2.6 is much better tyre size for that

[@KirkSutton]

Very disappointed by this video. Really wanted to be informed not sold.

[@DanchiMTB]

Early gang

[@alansmith2593]

Full sus more expensive to buy and to run. That’s why. What’s all this travel about? If you don’t like bumps, go road biking

[@AdamAnderson-y2q]

@@alansmith2593 not always much smoother 😆

[@heywood165]

You sure? There’s plenty of road bikes that cost £10k+. All the cost with only 50% of the technology! 😂

[@DozerDogg-rr4kw]

Unaffordable to most.