The x caliber is one of trek s enduringly popular xc hardtail mountain bikes packing an alpha gold aluminum frame.
Mountain bike xc race.
Best hardtail xc race bike.
Getting into mountain bike cross country racing is extremely accessible and one of the easiest ways to dabble in the world of mountain bike racing.
The short travel xc trail crossover category is one of the few flavors of bikes that aren t meant for racing or going fast down a hill.
Cross country bicycles are some of the lightest mountain bikes typically between 7 and 16 kilograms 15 and 35 lb they usually feature suspension forks in front and sometimes have suspension in the rear.
All you need is a working mountain bike a helmet a dollop of fitness and you re a race number away from lining up for your first race.
Most of the cross country bikes have 29 inch wheels and tires under 2 2 inches in width.
Enduro or all mountain bikes are in a sense exaggerated trail bikes and the considerations for an xc bike are a little different.
Looking for the right xc bike can be a challenge though.
The tires can be either 27 5 or 29 inches although 29 inches is getting more common.
Next up in our cross country mountain bike reviews is the x caliber 7 another fine model from trek s deep bench.
The bikes must be light enough to handle lung bursting climbs while also being capable enough.
Best xc race bikes verdict.
Lightweight yet durable you ll also find this bike remarkably maneuverable thanks to the tapered head tube.
Xc bike tires are skinnier than trail bikes to lower the rolling resistance and thus makes the bikes go faster.
In both the front and rear most xc bicycles have approximately 100 millimetres 10 0 cm.
Here s what to look for when shopping for a cross country bike whether it s for racing or long days across epic trails.
The tires are wider up to around 3 inches.
Xc mountain biking is perhaps the most popular discipline.
Another all time classic xc bike is the specialized epic which was ridden to victory by kiwi sam gaze in the first round of the 2018 world cup season.
Cross country mountain bikes often feature some of the most exciting developments in bicycle design.
3 9 in of suspension travel although some riders prefer 125 to 150 millimetres 12 5 to 15 0 cm.
Weight wasn t really a consideration either yet it was the lightest bike that reigned supreme.