XC Vs Enduro | What's Faster Up Then Down?

Cross Country bikes are faster than Enduro bikes up a hill, well they should be as they are lighter and have less suspension travel, but by how much? Does an XC bike have enough of a lead to beat an Enduro bike back to the bottom of the hill?
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[@gmbn]

Are you team XC bike or team Enduro bike? Let us know 👇

[@marekadamek1428]

XC but I like enduro as well😊

[@DimeTheDestroyer]

Due to budget constraints i only have an XC bike .. for now No need to decide which one is better N+1 will always solve this question Ahhah😅😂

[@HJ-bz4vn]

xc now geeze...

[@jpandriesse3954]

Team trail/AM ;)

[@CarlosRodriguez-bo4sx]

I ride both -plus I have a trail bike. Definitely can see the benefits for either use.

[@skokartong]

257 km of elevation in 5.1 km of distance, quite a steep climb you got there :)

[@football_freak_la23]

257 km? 😂

[@laurynasjagelo5075]

@@football_freak_la23 written at the start.

[@badagaioo]

😅

[@Ferrari255GTO]

​​@@football_freak_la23 it was suposed to be meters and not kilometers, they absolutely obliterated the metrics XD

[@khchoi2012]

I noticed that as well. Probably the Garmin rubbish! :-p

[@Guenther-Eichinger]

Now think about how fast Neil would have been uphill with the XC-Bike Would be interesting if they change bikes and repeat the race. Thanks for this amazing video!

[@paulskibum]

Totally - I was thinking the same - if bikes were reversed I feel Neil would have had a greater gap than in the challenge - the combined weights would have put Blake 12kg heavier than Neil for a start! If my maths is right

[@callumharding8029]

I'd be so interested to see a third contender on a 140mm trail bike and how if the median option might have faired better or worse

[@markgeorge2200]

This is a very good point, that would def be interesting

[@szabolcspap7766]

A 13kg 140/130 trail bike would be definitely a winner.

[@hambo76]

Wait until the new Canyon Neuron launches and try that!

[@janpesek4862]

​@@szabolcspap7766 I think XC would be winner since downhill capability of these two bikes would be near identical and XC would still have advantage in climbing due to lower weight, more efficiency and better geometry for climbing.

[@kevankerdcycling8184]

The course favored the XC bike, therefore, I think it would still have won.

[@jacobuserasmus]

I also want to see XC racer vs Enduro racer.Having the stamina to climb fast is something you need to practice. So I would love to see a top XC racer take an enduro bike up the hilll and the other way around to see what the difference in their fitness and skill levels are. Good job Blake I'm always impressed with your power and endurance.

[@WaechterDerNacht]

That would be really interesting! E.g. Katy Winton vs. Evie Richards once on their race bikes and once on their opposites disciplines bike.

[@ivostarmans1199]

@@WaechterDerNacht like Jolanda Neff with a 120mm bike. Very fast uphill but also she flys downhill.

[@mutleyadamsracing2684]

XC WC racers have the big advantage of fitness and bike handling. Pro Enduro riders are fit too but not at the level of the xc racers. The climbs are where it's won almost all the time.

[@jacobuserasmus]

@@mutleyadamsracing2684 yes my experience is also that XCO is definitely won on the climbs. Racing XCO myself I was surprised when I entered a Enduro race how strong the Enduro riders are on the climbs. The difference is just that they would spend some time recovering at the top where I would simply drop into my run without needed to recover.

[@kevankerdcycling8184]

I love how Blake calls the 120mm FS a boneshaker! 😅Meanwhile im riding down rocky trails as fast as I can on my 100mm hardtail without a dropper... 120mm FS would feel like riding a cloud for me! Great point made by Neil regarding being too tired to ride as fast as possible on the downhills. Alot of enduro riders do a climb, stop at the beginning of the trail for a few mins and then ride down. Meanwhile us XC riders ride up the climb at a fast pace and drop into the trail right away. I really enjoyed the video, excellent and realistic content! Keep it coming!

[@alanmartinezrodriguez884]

Hey GMBN, this is pure quality! Beautiful shots! Neil and Blake were on 🔥 for this one!

[@gmbn]

Thanks a ton! This was such a fun video to make! 🙌

[@CarlosRodriguez-bo4sx]

Right!?

[@tonymcdow7206]

What a great video guys! Loved it! I got tired just watching you guys! Proves that there is no perfect bike, just different tools for different goals. Thank you!

[@CarlosRodriguez-bo4sx]

Wow guys. This is probably the most exciting and interesting video I've watched this year. Watching both of you descending was freaking great. Thanks for putting this out.

[@simonrook5743]

Enjoyed that, called the result right. But I think a decent 130/140mm trail bike would take the win, about 12.5kg so possibly only 15s slower up but not far off the enduro for most that decent.

[@gmbmedia28]

Man that Orbea Oiz is one beautiful bike 😍

[@aaronthewhiz3160]

Yes! This is classic GMBN I love it

[@palioman]

Blake and Neil left it all out there, what an effort! Being an XC rider myself I had my fists clinched for Blake the whole time! They both did so well!❤

[@stevengoodwin3154]

The 120mm travel bikes are really hard to beat on a loop type route. This isn't a surprise if you've been paying attention to the last few years worth of bike reviews and category comparisons. This is also why a rock a Specialized Epic Evo. ✌

[@Bear0280]

Hey Neil and Blake it was great to see you both put both the XC and the Enduro to the test. Going hard as always Boys Love your work thanks for the Vlog ✌🏼Out Jay

[@suesheane3671]

Great video Blake and Neil. Love the competitive but fun race. 🤟👍

[@gmbn]

Thanks for watching! We're stoked that you enjoyed!

[@427060]

I had always assumed you guys were in your late 20s/early 30s! Exercise and fun go a long way.

[@pinoyteam6417]

I love watching y'alls challenges. Great run.

[@dopeyzombie]

I used to have a Giant XC bike as well until it was stolen then moved on to a SB150. I can certainly relate the difference in climbing on an enduro bike brings new challenge. Great video.

[@Pseudo-Z]

Funny how the view numbers on these awesome videos double as the season is starting. Keep it up guys.

[@1975normal]

Definitely you guys gave it your best. Thank you

[@joeyc8546]

Good on Blake and the Orbea! Nice to see how fast my bike can go 😊 havent pushed it as much as that though, or dare to.

[@natea526]

Production just keeps getting better every video! Love it

[@gmbn]

Appreciate it! We have such a great team behind the camera!

[@anonmoose9727]

The really interesting bit was that Blake didn't attempt the big jump on a 120mm bike (even though he's Blake), but Neil jumped it no problem. But Blake didn't lose that much downhill overall. This was super interesting.

[@neildonoghueMTB]

It was super windy, so Blake didn't want to take his chances on the light bike

[@anonmoose9727]

@@neildonoghueMTB ah, OK. I was wondering why. I wouldn't do a jump like that on ANY bike! (ex-roadie turned XC). Loving your channel, Neil! 😀

[@MrGrayFox0]

Neil!- I love nothing more then changing and/or installing tuebeless tyres!

[@timdatoolman83]

Loved it guys, great entertaining vid!!

[@gmbn]

Legend! Thanks so much!

[@paulboehm404]

Would like to see you switch bikes and see if it was Blake's strength or the lighter bike that put him a minute ahead after the climb. Great video as always, guys.

[@tmthytw]

I imagine if you were to put beefier tyres on the 120mm Oiz, it would probably one of the best allround mtbs there is today for anyone, whos not regularly in a bikepark but keeps to "nature trails" and such.

[@The2808erik]

Probably a short travel trail bike with big tires would split the difference quite well.

[@overseer_grimal]

I think it has too xc racey geometry for that and as a result an aggressive riding position. Besides that it has long stem, short wheel base, short dropper post. There are trail oriented short-travel bikes like spur/smuggler, tallboy or izzo which seem to be a better all-rounder

[@SprSonik13]

the advantage in a timed loop with equal parts climbing and descending (unless the descent is brutal) is always with the lighter bike all else being equal. The gap is based on speed over time, and climbing stages simply take more time. I’ve done this challenge personally on many of my favorite trail loops and the bigger bike was never faster overall.

[@SprSonik13]

and the more you show it, the more I love this bike park!

[@destchaos9732]

This. You’re absolutely right.

[@nickh3533]

Than my trail MTB i should have added* (which is 6kg heavier)

[@martinschwartz7342]

I wouldn't wish it on you to do it again but I would have liked to have seen a follow-up of Blake on the enduro and Neil on the xc bike. That would have shown how much of the outcome of this contest was due to the bikes and how much was due to the riders.

[@Muhametgiden]

Truly OG's !!! Big respect 🤜🤛👏

[@stephendutton3766]

Have had a superlight xc bike, then an enduro bike I definitely agree that I'd go with the enduro. The fun from the extra effort is well worth it and over rougher stuff they just soak it all up. Well being shaken apart as I get older.

[@hectorlmges]

thanks for the video, some months ago I chose a YT Izzo. Best of both worlds? I don’t know but pretty happy with the choice

[@DanielMatheny]

fun to watch and I tend to do this both depending on the day between 120mm platform and a 160mm platform.

[@raianv.maretto7561]

I'll always go for the Enduro bike for sure. I don't mind climbing slower, just wanna have a lot of fun when downhill 🙂

[@meghshyamdesai9906]

What a video!!! Pure content

[@ubergaard]

Both are just unbelievably good riders 👏🏻👊🏻😃

[@mohamedbactiarmohamedali4399]

Agree,sometimes is the rider not the bike.😎

[@daveland3599]

That looked exhausting. Good work guys

[@andrec.136]

I can attest to that outcome. I had a hard tail cross country bike up until 2019, sold it and got a full suspension trail bike in 2020. Since then I was unable to beat any of 2019 times on Strava where hills were involved.

[@augustoespinal57]

Great video guys 🔥🔥

[@arikpeterson6260]

Well done guys!

[@the_spanner_ch7mp]

The one hell of a race and agree that you wouldn't have been able to do both those runs in one day Neil. The Don made alot of time up on the downhill still got it Neil. Awesome stuff #GMBN 🤘

[@gmbn]

Yeah, it was one hell of a ride for both of them! We're stoked you enjoyed! 👊

[@jalapenohotcakes]

This was a good video. I appreciate it he honest competition. The fact that you really showed the real results without trying to make it look all razor thin and dramatic. One critique. They should come back a week later and Niel go on his xc bike and Blake do the endouro. Please do another video where they switch bikes!

[@Velo1010]

I’ve noticed the big riding glasses have come back into style. Takes me back to the late 80’s

[@thenormalberries6767]

I missed an actual good upload from you guys.

[@tomassanesson902]

Awesome epik cool video 👍🤘🤘🤘

[@federaldelii]

Wowww nice thrilling episode 💯🤘🏻

[@mohamedbactiarmohamedali4399]

Doddy should join in riding a trail bike.😊

[@jawico]

Great video, I was surprised at how much quicker the enduro bike was on the downhill.

[@DottorNish]

Congrats on such great content as always! Just an observation: I would recommend to wear goggles always above the helmet straps so they are free to jump out in case of a crash not cutting our useful eyeballs 😊😊

[@allenjanes5976]

I race a 2019 stumpy, cross country in the Pacific Northwest and north Idaho. Lots of bikes go around me on the climbs. Although I retake some on the down hill, I never get them all

[@Montblanc1986]

I bought an Enduro with SRAM flight attendant and I can tell you that thing feels like an SE bike when I put XE tires on it. It really is amazing. I can’t tell the difference from a specialized epic to my Enduro.

[@Seppster58]

Blake : "Why do we do this?" Well, you do it for us. And that is why we love you so much. Great comparison guys. Love the content!!

[@dwook1234]

Nice production quality

[@AFugax]

So fun to see…of course I would pick the enduro as it’s good enough up and way more fun down. But of course having one of each is really the way to go!!! N+1

[@ninongshortride]

This was epic and I was honestly at the edge of my seat. Can you guys reveal how many camera men you had along the way?

[@jasemaxable]

Great vid

[@gmbn]

Thanks! 🤘

[@RobertFullStop]

That was a much closer race than I thought it would be

[@qazwsxedc4132]

Great video. ..I propose a rematch... this time in the reverse... Neil on a xc and Blake on the enduro

[@anitalandkroon]

Super video 😃 i was there one’s 😎 it was really beautiful and for every level ❤

[@Pienimusta]

Blake is a powerhouse!

[@johnnykramolis7469]

Great video! Now you should do it again, just swap your bikes. ;)

[@millerk20]

The problem with your test is that Blake isn't your typical XC rider and could bomb downhill on any bike.

[@skinny8019]

This is a great point.

[@markgeorge2200]

I guess tho that would theoretically make him worse on the climbs, so it might even it out but that's still a good point.

[@tomcagle5324]

Enduro me everytime...travel is king... especially with shock/fork travel switches. I could care less about KOM climbing. Just enough to take some pain out when going up.

[@stefanocspt6732]

Try Orbea Rallon instead of Nukeproof : it has more antisquat , more efficient on climbing , although more pedal kickback

[@jasonlupke993]

I love them both! It just depends if I’m going out training or shredding

[@grandpashreddypants]

Very informative. Too tough the same day.. maybe a week apart in a perfect world I'd like to see the reverse.

[@craig8638]

The end result is you are both beast. I’ve been thinking about trading in my Slash for something lighter. This may have pushed me over the edge.

[@skiahh]

Rematch! I'd love to see how the Rallon does going up vs the XC bike!

[@gmbn]

Yeah, that would be cool! Blake's Orbea Rallon has a coil shock, so it would be interesting to see if that makes any difference on the climb.

[@stevencole7331]

My last mountain bike xc race and I was doing well on the climbs but got clobbered on the downs . I was surprised how many minutes I fell to people I clobbered on the climbs . The bikes today allows for so much more speed on the downs that the days of winning on the climb is not a guarantee anymore

[@bikeposer]

So I got SWorks Enduro. I put Maxxis Ardent Race front and back. The bike weight 12.5kg with clip pedal. I wonder whether this can be my trail bike. Weight wise is good. Just wondering whether the suspension setup will make it inefficient climber. Thought?

[@michaelbatey348]

I watched this and Ive come to the conclusion that a 140mm trail bike would be the ideal machine. 😊

[@komoonkh]

For most people, definitely yes😊

[@simonrook5743]

Me too, which is what I have!

[@michaelbatey348]

@@simonrook5743 I've got scout 290 running 27.5x2.8 tyres with 140 fork. More than enough of a bike.

[@vashusan1984]

Ha ha, I got 140 rear and 160 up front with plenty of antisquat. About 14.3 kg, it's a blast to ride anywhere.

[@jasonpatrickdeleon4701]

if you are not a hardcore rider 140 si enough

[@1975agc]

My XC bike weights almost as Neil's enduro bike haha!!!

[@nolanrtdbikes9515]

Hey guys, i've the Nukeproof Mega factory 29' and he's awesome, 170mm front 150 mm rear 🤟

[@daveland3599]

I reckon ‘most’ people have got a 140/150mm full sus trail bike (which I say without access to any actual stats). So it would be good to see if a bike like that does sit in the middle; is it the best of both worlds or a poor compromise?

[@pernyberg2816]

Would have been interesting if they had the same tyres. Casing stiffness does a lot to rolling resistance. I bet that is a bigger factor on the climbs than the SYSTEM weight - that actually was in favor FOR the enduro bike?!

[@jamesweldon8118]

Why do I feel like I’ve seen this before?

[@FreemanBR]

The Alain Prost and Senna reference hit me hard 😍😭

[@paponatrilha3385]

O peso rotacional na subida, castiga bem e faz toda diferença em relação a tempo. É uma comparação estranha, pois cada uma tem objetivos distintos. Mas pra for Fan, ok. Parabéns 👊👊👊

[@Robin_Hood381]

Would love to see you guys enter an enduro race with the xc bike lol

[@ericjohnflorida3419]

what if the race starts with a downhill and ends with uphill? will there be a difference?

[@bonzaiii3]

That Orbea is a beautiful bike

[@kirillnazarovvvvvvv]

Вот это шикарное сравнение! Респект!)

[@larrymoore2571]

I was thinking that Blake would be 2nd on the uphill even with the xc bike.. he proved me wrong.

[@znaykashuffler]

I go for a what a new terms of downcountry bike. At first i use a 160mm bike with 180mm bike 27.5 inch but as a times goes by i tried a 120mm downcountry bike with a 29 inch and fell in love with it. It sucks bumps as good as the 160 mil and roll fast as hell. You just need to put 2.6 tyre on it in front and 2.5 in rear. Turns out most of my trail that are reachable by me 120 mil is more than enough especially with 29er. On the plus side i still use it to sunday ride with my girl around town and not feel so horrible after that hahaha. It also sucks a good amount of drop like 6-9 ft although you will need a good landing at the bottom

[@patjocueto8751]

It would be Awesome if the two of you Join the ABSA cape epic 😊

[@danielcameron1870]

I go out on my orbea Occam 140mm trail bike with my friend on a mondraker superfoxy 170mm enduro. Mine climbs better and rolls better on smooth his makes up ground downhill on harder stuff but feel like mines the perfect middle ground.

[@portela.araujo]

@gmbn should make a shirt saying "I can taste blood" !! 😂

[@Tr3zn3r]

I’m still working on my climbing ability and would die on this hill if I couldn’t take breaks! 😂 see me walking my sh*t up at least 25 percent of it. I love Orbea Bikes but the Nukeproof Giga is awesome.

[@pinsxthree]

Fun factor and misery factor should be included! LOL

[@federaldelii]

Maybe it may be interesting to make this comparison between same class of e-bikes 🤔👍🏻 which e-bike wins

[@petekirwin2420]

Got to be done the opposing way round. Only true way to show results, not the same day though 😬😂

[@matthewseeto]

How does Blake mount his gopro on his chest? Is it some magnetic mount?

[@mrbigolnuts3041]

Ok guys, same race, but Nuke Proof Scout vs Trek Supercaliber please!!

[@caperider1160]

That was sick! I enjoyed every bit of the video. Now gentlemen, pls swap the bikes and go for a second run!!!

[@a.kolokotronis]

old cool dudes on bikes. finally i can relate

[@chanchingchung]

Is there anyplace in the Uk got similar to this in Spain?

[@antondegruchy6899]

Try the Enduro bike on something like a Cape Epic stage 98Km, 2500m elevation and see how you struggle, yet the terrain is far more difficult and technical then shown here.

[@55uniwega]

At the start if Blake wouldnt fail :)) the difference would have been much bigger :) Loved them two as always :) lol My choice is xc bmc rocket :)

[@Cidgreenfield1]

Same course but with a hard tail in the mix.