What Is the BEST XC Bike In 2024? (Downcountry Buyers Guide Conclusion)

Are you trying to figure out what is the best XC Downcountry bike? Welcome to our XC Bike buyers guide! We have spent the last month testing 7 of the best XC bikes on the market and are excited to share with you guys what we think is the best one! We have review videos coming out for each of these bikes as well as a conclusion video where we let you know what bike was the best climber, best downhill, most fun, budget friendly and our personal favorite! So stay tuned!
Check out our website for MTB news, reviews, and opinions: www.awesomemtb...
Check out all of these bikes at Pro Bike Supply: www.probikesup...
Use Discount code 'AWESOMEMTB" at checkout for 10% off
Yeti ASR: www.probikesup...
Specialized Epic 8: www.probikesup...
Transition Spur: www.probikesup...
Evil Following: www.probikesup...
Cannondale Scalpel: alnk.to/gVL8fLI
Mondraker Podium: mondraker.com/...
Want to help support the channel? If you buy anything through our links below it helps support the channel at no additional costs to you!
✅ Save 15% of Pit Vipers with our affiliate link: pitviper.biz/M... (Discount Code Applied at check out)
✅ Our favorite riding hydration? Tailwind Nutrition! bit.ly/3CfMGjD
Follow us on Instagram:
Hannah ( / hannahthekook )
Mo ( / moawesome )
And until next time, Ride Awesome!
-Mo and Hannah
#xc #buyersguide #downcountry

[@JSeg009]

This series of MTB reviews is what I enjoy watching on KZbin. Direct and straight to point information with good riding. Yewww! Thxs Mo!

[@moandhannahtravel]

Thank you!!!!

[@dazza187]

One of the best buying guide overviews ive seen. Great job with the videos and thorough explanations

[@moandhannahtravel]

Thank you so much!!

[@roryveronda9933]

Great job on this whole test, I was looking forward to watching every bike - Happy to see Cannondale & Yeti tied, speaks volumes for Cannondale at its price point 👊🏼

[@user-rj9ui3sz8u]

The Scalpel gets such great reviews, I'm happy for Cannondale, they have reasonable prices too.

[@moandhannahtravel]

Such a fun bike!!!

[@saddleweary2777]

Y'all sure are natural at bike reviews. The effort y'all put into these videos are appreciated very much. I wasn't sure about pushing a friend towards the scalpel but I think now that is what I'm going to do especially since a dealership is close by. Thanks for the great job.

[@moandhannahtravel]

Thanks so much!!!

[@michaeldiamond7063]

You should do a livestream with @MTBYUMYUam on these bike. He has ridden many bikes in this test. It would be great to see your conversations about these.

[@RagoFam]

Not only was this a super fun series to watch, as a very old mtb'er, I was having a deja-vu. As a Thank You, Cannondale should send you a signed poster of their amazing racer Tinker Juarez in his heyday, and you'll see what I mean. Perhaps you already do. Total compliments to you two. Thanks!

[@bike_somm]

By far one of my favorite bike shoot out videos I’ve seen you do to date!! 🙌🏽

[@moandhannahtravel]

Thank you!!!

[@manalotomanaloto]

Great series and such a well thought out and comprehensive summary of results!! Major props for being unbiased and unsponsored by the bikes in the review. I have friends and acquaintances who own scalpels - they consistently praise the performance, light weight, and value of their rides. Looking forward to more of your reviews. Thanks for sharing!!

[@marksandoval5361]

Honestly, I don't think that there was a bad bike in the bunch. XC bikes with 120mm forks are so good right now, that you can't really go wrong. Most of the difference between these bikes was probably about geometry with wheelbase being most important. Longer wheelbase better descender. Shorter wheelbase better in the tight and twisty. I would have given the Spur the best 120mm travel XC bike for people who don't race XC award. The Spur was the first bike that made bikes with 120mm forks popular because it had longer geometry and then, bigger brands started making their XC bikes longer, slacker, and using 120mm forks.

[@mikeglefke1970]

Totally agree, the Spur is the OG of “down country”. All great bikes though!

[@moandhannahtravel]

So true!!! They are all amazing!

[@TheAngryHusky]

I have the Mondraker F-Podium DC-R from last year. Personally I don’t see how a bike in this category can be much better. They are all amazing and capable bikes. It’s pretty much coming down to asthetics and budget most likely.

[@19ChrisP74]

@@mikeglefke1970 The Following has been DC for a lloonngg time...

[@ondrej9]

​@@mikeglefke1970 I would say the real OG of 'downcountry' category is Kona Process 111. It was heavy by todays standards and no racer but it showed people what can bike with XC travel and modern geo do and years later I still want one. Also their Hei Hei platform was great.

[@davidmorris8121]

OMG... For years, i've fantasised about a short travel Evil, built as an XC bike! Needless to say, my mind is blown by the Evil Following in your test! With that build, the price must be frightening, but WHAT a machine! Guys, your tests have been the definition of RAD! You must be exausted after all of that! Amazing stuff!

[@djcordes4352]

Great info and video. Likely the best comparison I’ve ever seen in 38 years of this stuff!

[@moandhannahtravel]

Thanks so much!!!

[@samd6405]

Ibis Exie, Santa Cruz Blur, Trek SuperCaliber, Specialized WC, Canyon Lux, Allied BC40, Cervelo ZFS are a few missing from the list.

[@skinny8019]

Revel Ranger.

[@samd6405]

@@skinny8019 more of a trail bike, less XC.

[@moandhannahtravel]

Those would be rad!!!

[@samd6405]

@@moandhannahtravel for sure…especially the Ibis Exie / Allied BC-40….USA manufactured still has to count for something.

[@skinny8019]

@@samd6405 I have a trail bike. And a 24.5 lbs revel ranger. It’s not a trail bike. The ranger makes just as much or more sense in a xc shootout than the spur. Mo would love the cbf suspension and the zippy geo combo, I think.

[@ericbeech2652]

The montage in the beginning is pristine! Perfectly done!

[@saularanda4931]

Great job! I have a question about the tires, you really liked the recon tire, but what was your opinion on running ground control front and back?

[@moandhannahtravel]

Amazing tire combo!! But a little slow rolling in comparison to the rekon, would be great for a downcountry setup for more tech or steeper riding!

[@ColoradoGooner]

Loved this review as a Spur owner. Not sure how much extra work it would have been but it would have been great to flash the bike name on screen during the riding footage. That way I wouldn’t have to be trying to first identify and then rewind to watch more of the natural riding characteristics. With so many bikes it was hard to keep track and that riding footage is super informative of the characteristics. Thanks again for putting this all together!

[@hardmtnbiker]

Have you considered doing the same comparison with mid travel trail bikes? Btw, your reviews are awesome! Plus the awards categories were really nicely done. You touched on how some of those XC rockets are borderline “fun all day” trail bikes. The Trail Bike review could touch on some that are borderline enduro bikes for steep tech.

[@moandhannahtravel]

We are thinking about what the next one will be!!!

[@hardmtnbiker]

@@moandhannahtravel keep it up! Love your channel!

[@evolusd]

You guys have been working hard lately, all over my YT feed! Nice comparison, so much great info 👍 Evil for me!

[@KneekoMTB]

Y'all Mo & Hannah put in work for this test. I saw him countless times in Laguna putting in the mileage to make this epic video

[@JonathanLee7]

The amount of work that went into this must have been incredible. Great job, and thank you!

[@DarshanParajuli]

Really surprised Ibis Exie wasn't included in this. Great comparisons regardless!

[@moandhannahtravel]

They didn't have a bike available for us!

[@jeepsterc104]

Great job man this is the most comprehensive XC review series I've ever seen!

[@moandhannahtravel]

Thanks so much!!

[@XCRiders]

Love that you didn’t have a low end xc shoot out. I like the good stuff 🤩

[@moandhannahtravel]

hahaha!

[@cdygreen]

Shoutout to Arin at PBS who has always helped me out with parts questions when getting my Spur built a few months ago. Their shop and staff are amazing.

[@moandhannahtravel]

Arin is awesome!!

[@nhguapo]

Great job Mo & Hannah. You guys did a great job on this series. I found it to be very relevant and looking forward to your future reviews.

[@moandhannahtravel]

Thank you so much! Stay tuned!

[@vhaisler]

I really enjoyed this shootout. If you do a similar comparison of the same class of bikes soon please try and include the Santa Cruz Blur TR. I'd be really curious to see how it stacks up, as I am considering purchasing one for general trail riding, and occasional XC racing. Keep up the great work!

[@EmotionRadio]

Great work. I’d say the Santa Cruz Blur, Ibis Exie, and Scott Spark would have been nice additions.

[@moandhannahtravel]

Those are rad!

[@brianrowbotham4010]

I bought the new Mach 4 right when it came out and the suspension is amazing but it definitely lacks high speed stability. During a lot of rides that it was intended for and races it’s more than enough bike but if you’re hucking it down black trails (like I do) or at Downieville it feels overwhelmed from a geo standpoint. The epic 8 looks way better on paper for me but I definitely need to demo it first.

[@TheHuester44]

Well imho it was an Awesome Review of all of the bikes . I’m happy to see the Cannondale made it to one of the favorites. Yeti is obviously well deserved as well . The reality is there wasn’t a bad bike in the bunch . Living in Arizona and meeting Chris from Pivot a few months ago they definitely make high quality bikes . I like the fact that Mondraker was in the mix . I’ve liked their design for a few years now . The Evil and Transition bikes seem like excellent choices if you don’t need a hardcore XC bike. Overall this was one of my favorite reviews you’ve done. For what it’s worth I like the Ari brand of bikes as well. They keep improving their bikes and allow more options to customize your build from the beginning.

[@moandhannahtravel]

Thank you!!!! So many good bikes!!!!

[@TheHuester44]

@@moandhannahtravel Indeed !

[@texasaggieproud]

I have an older 2000 model year Cannondale that was just accepted under their lifetime warranty claim. As a result of their help, I have just ordered the 2024 Scalpel 2 in that same Storm Cloud color (I do not like these drab black and dark gray bikes that so many are making now). Excited to get it. 🎉

[@vlmo]

Awesome!!! Just one suggestion: put the weight also in kg. Not everybody is used with lbs.

[@tiagoweyne6661]

What a great review, best one I have ever seen!! I love the reason why you disqualified the spur, makes me wants to buy one!!!

[@johncarrington8612]

Its a different topic but you could do a segment on chain ring size - do a cholla up to meadows and coyote back to cholla loop with a 28, 30, 32, 34, and maybe a 36t front ring. See how time is affected - overall time, uphill and downhill.

[@raulmedina6223]

That’s for the awesome comparison, good work 👍 in 2024 no bad bikes at this price range

[@moandhannahtravel]

So true!!!!

[@dajtothe3472]

Great review series! Built up an Epic 8 Evo not long ago. It does want to go fast! Have heard nothing but great things about all these bikes. Not a bad choice in the bunch!

[@MikeesTexas]

Thanks for all the hard work y'all put into this

[@moandhannahtravel]

Thank you!!!

[@scottaw]

Would like you to review the Top Fuel, that’s a big miss. Great job though, excellent reviewing!

[@moandhannahtravel]

We don't know anyone at Trek but we will try!

[@erikroest]

Where is the Canyon Lux Trail or the Scott Spark? Would love to see those bikes compared to the tested ones...

[@matthewandelin1984]

Can you share your data on the timed segments? Curious how close they all are in terms of uphill vs downhill. Thanks for the great content

[@moandhannahtravel]

Thank you!!!

[@moandhannahtravel]

and within seconds! We will post it online soon!

[@TheRickysee]

Absolutely fantastic series. Great job and thank you!!

[@mellissanash7517]

Thank you for the reviews. Personally, I'd like to see a review of the Ibis DV9, Santa Cruz Blur TR and Sour Crumble in 120mm mode.

[@moandhannahtravel]

Thank you!! We will try!

[@ShadLife]

Ha! Funny....sounds like the Transition is right up my alley! 🤘

[@moandhannahtravel]

It's a fun bike!!!

[@stuartwarsop7083]

Amazing reviews! Great job. Next reviews I'd definitely like to see what you think of the YT Izzo and Orbea Oiz.

[@moandhannahtravel]

Would be awesome!!!

[@TheAngryHusky]

I like how you did the edit showing back to back clips of all bikes in the same section of trail. I got more out of that than watching the individual review videos.

[@moandhannahtravel]

glad you liked it!!!

[@Jacob99174]

Mo earned those downs! 😂

[@BoiliniAdventures]

Well done, what a great idea! Everyone loves comparisons, and they seem as hard to find these days as a good comedy.

[@moandhannahtravel]

Thank you!!

[@no-hope-in-the-pope]

Right on! Thanks for the video and time spent!

[@moandhannahtravel]

Thank you!!!

[@evanl889]

Crazy to leave out a trek supercaliber when it’s one of the best bikes from one of the biggest companies. More people likely to have access to trying one of those than anything else.

[@moandhannahtravel]

We would have loved to include them however we have heard nothing back when trying to get a test bike. Hopefully in the future!

[@voyant26]

Great review. Looking forward to trying out the Pivot Mach 4SL!

[@moandhannahtravel]

Such a fun bike!!!

[@wbd3159]

​@@moandhannahtravel thanks, did you test the pivot mach 4sl in the high or low setting?

[@prestonthomas5399]

I’m on my second scalpel. I never recommend it bc I don’t believe it has the highest quality of components but for me, best bike I’ve ridden and I’ve ridden a few

[@ireddie]

You guys are great love what you do this was very informative thank you. I would like to see you go head to head the scalpel versus the scalpel SE and get your opinion.

[@jeffehrenberg1650]

Thank you ! Super helpful and much appreciated

[@moandhannahtravel]

Thank you!!!

[@barbbrazes869]

Yay Mo! What a great bike review!! Awesome! Appreciate the great information!!😊

[@moandhannahtravel]

Thank you so much!!

[@ryanmb21]

Please do a trail bike review!

[@burglebro]

would like to see how the yt izzo stacks up!

[@moandhannahtravel]

Definitely more of a trail bike!! So much fun!

[@Biking_with_Akiva]

That just rolled of the tongue didn't it "My Wife Hannah" 👌🏾💯💪🏾

[@moandhannahtravel]

hahaha!

[@DaaamnGina]

Thanks for the review! Enjoyed the video and seeing the terrain you tested on. How long was the course? What were the times?

[@StarDust-vm1qs]

Thanks, Awesome MTB Team.

[@moandhannahtravel]

Thank you!!!

[@JenkinsB]

Very well done! Thank you!!!

[@moandhannahtravel]

Glad you liked it!

[@VQ30TLJ]

Very useful summary! I have to say, Mo's super bouncy uphill technique makes me cringe....so much energy wasted.... But both of your downhill techniques are tops!

[@jou3708]

Great job! Thank you!

[@danielstormy3660]

I got full sus 120mm, but no need of front lockout completly, rear lockout is required yes.

[@moandhannahtravel]

Lockouts are awesome!

[@MTBS.D.]

sein Haupthaar bremst die Fahrt! Ein unrealistischer Test demnach! 🤭🤭🤭

[@Seebema]

Happy with the award given to the Evil 🤘

[@ps3narciso]

bmc fourstroke it’s missing, orbea oiz also, great job though! 👍

[@Crazzzybob]

This video (and series) is so good! Question -- I'm 6'5 and ride on the tight + rocky trails in Austin, TX. As a fellow XL rider that has ridden those trails, do you think the Cannondale Scalpel would be a handful on those trails or could adapt fairly well? I noticed the Mach 4 SL has a similar top tube length though much shorter wheelbase and thinking that may handle things a tad a better here.

[@willienillie6337]

What is the difference between a full suspension XC bike and full suspension trail bike besides the obvious such as handlebars and travels.

[@ChupacabraOffroad]

Great video, well presented...

[@samharris82]

I know the logistics is hard enough but the only way to truly test frames/suspension designs is to make every other component identical including stack and reach to grips measurements. I A/B tested a Pivot Mach 4 SL and Epic Evo 7 and it took weeks to get a fair comparison. In the end I had to get every component precisely the same and ride them back to back on the same day.

[@trentvlak]

What did you find out? In my experience, which agrees with yours, I can build up a frame to feel very different depending on suspension brand and wheels/tires. I wouldn't choose a single piece of suspension that was in this test.

[@samharris82]

@@trentvlak they are shockingly similar when equipped the same. However, I couldn’t find a shock setup where the Epic Evo is both plush on rocky descents and firm under aggressive sprints. Can do either well but not with the same shock settings. Meanwhile, the Mach 4 SL absolutely can do both. Surprisingly, the Epic Evo frame was only 40g lighter than Mach 4 SL despite internet searches telling me the difference is supposed to be 428g.

[@brucehumphries6889]

Which one of these would be your pick for East Coast, example, Pisgah and DuPont?

[@deezJ155]

Great video!

[@bensharma7503]

I gotta buy me an ASR!!!

[@deezJ155]

I was hoping to see the Trek Caliber in the line up.

[@mindofmission]

Thanks for the XC nod. I like that you liked the Pivot, I’m a huge fan of their frame designs. I don’t necessarily like Cannondale for the style of frame, but I own a CAAD12 and a hardtail Trail and love them both. I would like to see both the Scalpel and the ASR compared to the Canyon Lux and the Trek Supercaliber!! Hannah!! What was YOUR experience and opinion in this test? Thanks, Love the content guys!

[@trentvlak]

The top Scalpel frame only comes in Boring Black as well, and it has headset cable routing. Sad.

[@brucehumphries6889]

Killer series!!!

[@moandhannahtravel]

Thank you!!!

[@DEXVD]

Really interested in the Scalpel vs Mach 4 SL in term of picking through rough, rooty terrain and drops. What is most forgiving in technical challenging terrain?

[@yumyumhungry]

Hmm you categorized the transition spur as "an Enduro riders XC bike" I wonder if it would also work well as "a gravel rider's trail bike" I'm just not a fan of long travel bikes and am toying with the idea of a slack short travel bike.

[@billryan8721]

The non Sid Following is your Huckleberry. It's stupid how capable the thing is.

[@ericbeech2652]

Hopefully, the other brands that didn't have a bike for the review will pony up now. Then you can pit them against the yeti and Cannondale!

[@nextlevelfitnessba2215]

I’ve been looking at upgrading my xc and a few of these catch my attention. Have you got any data to show one is quicker on a climb at a constant power than another and likewise on a timed decent ?

[@tiagoweyne6661]

Any chance you compare transition spur with epic evo?

[@ClintGibbs]

Niner RKT9 RDO

[@JasonScottCarter]

Scalpel wins World Cup Races. It wins riders purchases as well.

[@moandhannahtravel]

Love the Scalpel!

[@pedrojosetobar7153]

Great pack of bikes! but a little too fast speaking for me to apreciate that information. I would make a review in the same time but with less bikes or I would take more time to review all six in a better way.

[@justthetrailmtb]

Mo. Are those Lycra pants you are wearing. cause they are nice and look like MTB pants but tighter.

[@moandhannahtravel]

hahaha yes!

[@justthetrailmtb]

@@moandhannahtravel what’s the brand/style? . I feel I may not get ridiculed as much with those.

[@BoxCarBoy12]

Mo, if you’ve ridden the Trek Top Fuel before how would you compare it to these bikes?

[@moandhannahtravel]

I have never ridden a Trek!

[@trentvlak]

Thanks for the test, Mo. As a wild card for the next test, build up a Chinese frame like an Airwolf YFM059 or Light Carbon LCFS917. That way you can tell us what we're getting with these $4000 frames compared to a $900 one.

[@PavelisLord]

Me own following. Me happy following funner bike. Yay bike. (Grunting enduro noises)

[@moandhannahtravel]

hahaha!

[@fordrangerdog_shorts]

would you recommend the epic 8? i wanna get 1 for nica/trail riding

[@danaguidice]

Trek Supercaliber??

[@deanwaring6100]

What about Canyon 😊

[@samd6405]

You mentioned the Epic was the fastest. How much of that is attributed to flight control? Who was the 2nd fastest?

[@moandhannahtravel]

Not much I would say. It just is the perfect blend of low and just enough wheel base plus a very effiencint carbon! Second fastest was the Yeti but pretty close!

[@samd6405]

@@moandhannahtravel ugh…I feel my bank account is about to suffer! I’ve been on the fence with the Yeti…

[@ryanmiller1605]

bmc fourstroke

[@georgebailey6307]

ARI cross country bike? did I miss that?

[@markfitzsimmons3916]

where was the Santa Cruz blur?

[@smithandshortdogs]

Silly question, did you get spate bikes fir each of you or is Hannah as tall as me?

[@moandhannahtravel]

haha no Hannah had her own bikes!

[@PavelisLord]

What do you think of the Scott Spark?

[@mrshadow8244]

I have spark rc 2024 , last 3 years had spark rc 2020. Spark is by far most versatile bike of all of this bikes. No other bike can do all like spark.. It is best descender of all of this bikes , it is aslo so comfortable, but in traction or close mode, it is also great ascender. Technical ascends in traction/climb mode are so easy and you have a ton of grip... In close or traction mode it is efective like another XC race machines but bonus for you is open mode and you have small trail bike in this mode.... But you depends on twinloc technology and you must use it... if it is ok for you , you have same ascender like best xc race bikes, and also best dc descender. If you are not going to use it, bike is too sensitive and it is not a good ascender in open mode nd its not effective. Or last week scott starts to sell spark RC with fly atendandt :) But price is starting near 8500 euro :( Also check frame, how thick it is, not like other squeezy frames... frame is so stiff and efficient and you have also oversize bushings and bearings, they are so stiff to... if you want 1 bike for xc racing all day journeys and also light tral riding, spark RC is best, but you need to use twinlock

[@moandhannahtravel]

Never tried one!!

[@LincolnRobinson]

What trails are these?

[@lynngraycom]

No Lefty??

[@vanw1554]

Could you please tell me which bike you find more confidence on downhill sections, the Epic or the Scalpel? I used to race road bikes and am now transitioning to XC racing. I consider myself doing alright on flat and even some technical uphill sections, but I always struggle on the downhill because I get scared. Thanks!

[@moandhannahtravel]

Both are good. I think the Scalpel gives a little more of a control feeling being a bit more stable at high speed but the epic is plenty confident too and can go to 65.9 degrees slack as well!

[@vanw1554]

@@moandhannahtravel Thanks Mo! It really is one of the best no bullshit comparison videos on KZbin. Excellent job! Even though I still can’t decide if I should get the Epic or Scalpel 😂😂

[@dongkapuyawn5107]

What’s the price point on these bikes?