How to choose a Cross-Country bike

A historic MTB discipline, Cross-Country (or XC) covers very different realities depending on the level at which it is practised. While at a very high level it takes place on increasingly technically demanding courses, XC can also be approached as a hike at a brisk pace with no other ambition than to exert oneself in a natural setting. Depending on your outlook, the choice of bike will therefore be very different.

What is Cross-Country / Marathon?

Consisting of linking climbs, descents and rolling sections on natural terrain or circuits of varying lengths, Cross-Country (or XC) is the oldest discipline and certainly still brings together the greatest number of riders. It requires no particular infrastructure and can be practised all year round and in all regions.

The very essence of mountain biking, Cross-Country is accessible to all levels, whether for leisure MTB riding in a hiking spirit, or at a high level in competition. The bike ranges in this family are therefore very broad in order to cover all situations, particularly in terms of the topography of the region where you wish to ride, your riding style and your budget.

WHICH FRAME FOR MY RIDING STYLE?

Before choosing an MTB frame, you will first need to determine your goal. Because while in a leisure context comfort and robustness should be prioritised, in a performance-oriented context the main criteria to consider — more so than in any other MTB discipline — will be lightness and responsiveness in order to meet the demands of constant changes of pace. These points, naturally conditioned by your budget, will lead you fairly naturally to opt for a steel or aluminium frame in the first case, and a carbon frame in the second.

Beyond the choice of material, the other important point to decide is whether to go for a hardtail MTB or a full-suspension MTB. While suspension kinematics have made enormous progress in recent years, virtually eliminating any pedalling bob and thus greatly reducing efficiency differences, notable differences do still remain. A hardtail model will, at the same range level, be lighter, simpler to maintain and more affordable. A full-suspension model will offer better comfort, greater traction and improved shock absorption.

Finally, the last criterion to consider is wheel size: 26 inches for a more manoeuvrable and responsive bike, but which has almost disappeared from manufacturers' catalogues (now reserved essentially for juniors); 27.5" for a good compromise between responsiveness and ease of handling (ideal for riders between 1.60 m and 1.70 m tall); 29 inches for a more rolling bike with greater obstacle-clearing ability (which can be considered from 1.70 m upwards). It should be noted that 27.5+ (27.5" wheels that can accommodate very wide tyres) is a hybrid format offering more comfort and stability, as well as greater versatility since many 27.5+ models can accept either 27.5+ or 29" wheels interchangeably.

WHAT EQUIPMENT?

MTBs designed for XC have fairly short suspension travel, generally ranging from 100 to 120 mm, with lockout options allowing climbing, rolling and descending sections to be tackled in the best possible conditions. This lockout can often be operated directly from the handlebar so as not to lose a single second.

In terms of drivetrain, the single-chainring system (1x11 or 1x12) is enjoying growing success for the lightness, simplicity and efficiency it offers. However, a leisure rider will get more out of a double or even triple chainring crankset paired with a 10 or 11-speed cassette for greater versatility and more confidence on climbs.

The rest of the components are generally fairly similar regardless of the model, with disc brakes — most often hydraulic — fitted with rotors of 160 to 180 mm in diameter, and wheels increasingly compatible with tubeless setup (Tubeless / Tubeless Ready), offering, in addition to maximum puncture protection, better traction and greater comfort. Finally, high-end models may come fitted with a dropper seatpost allowing you to instantly adopt the ideal position whether climbing or descending.