‘Challenge the threshold’ is the concept under which Pivot’s new Mach 4 SL has been designed. It’s unashamedly an XC and marathon race platform, but to call it just a…
100mm Full Sus
Vitus Rapide FS CRX review
The Vitus Rapide is a pure XC race bike, just not in the traditional sense. Yes, it’s got 100mm travel, the full carbon frame weighs only 2,080g and it wants…
ARC8 Evolve FS first ride review
This new featherweight whippet from little-known brand ARC8 aims to compete with the best XC race bikes on the market. And with progressive sizing, low mass and some clever engineering,…
BMC Fourstroke 01 LT One first ride review
Tom Pidcock’s race machine with a bit more oomph, BMC’s Fourstroke LT gives mere mortals a bit of a safety net that takes it into best down-country territory. Need to…
Scott Spark RC WC AXS review
Name an XC event, and chances are that the unstoppable force that is Nino Schurter has probably won it on a Scott Spark RC WC.
Santa Cruz Blur XC CC X01 AXS RSV review
No one can accuse Santa Cruz of jumping on the XC bandwagon; along with the V10, the original Santa Cruz Blur helped pioneer its VPP suspension.
Specialized Epic Evo Expert review
Specialized Epic Evo Expert is streets ahead of its rivals in sizing and geometry. Long reach gives you freedom to get creative on any trail.
Merida Ninety-Six 8000 review
Merida Ninety-Six XC full-suspension range gets a fresh look and a down-country makeover. Available in two versions: 100mm RC and a 120mm down-country bike.
Yeti SB115 T1: first ride review
If you like your peaks to appear in a training diary, rather than attached to the front of your helmet, the new Yeti SB115 could be the bike for you.
Scott Spark RC 900 Team Issue AXS review
Scott Spark RC comes with SRAM's high tech AXS wireless shifting and an enviable palmares. It's also one of the cheapest bikes with AXS on the market.
Saracen Traverse Elite: first ride review
Saracen Traverse 29er sports a modest 100mm rear travel via a pivotless ‘Flex Stay’ carbon rear triangle, this combined with an aluminium front triangle.
Specialized Epic Comp Evo (2019) review
The Specialized Epic is one of the most famous names in XC racing, right up there with that other Specialized racer, Ned Overend. This Evo model gets more travel and…
Cannondale Scalpel-Si Carbon SE review
Cannondale Scalpel SE's extra travel front and rear, and components like 150mm dropper post, makes it a different animal to its race stablemates.
Canyon Lux CF SLX 9.0 Pro Race 2019 review
Canyon Lux CF SLX 9.0 Pro Race sticks to 100mm of rear wheel but it now has both 100mm and 110mm front travel options dependent which model you choose.
Lapierre XR 529 (2018) review
The 2018 Lapierre XR 529 is the bike Lapierre developed to meet the demands of XCO and Marathon cross country racing but it's a capable trail bike too.
Scott Spark RC 900 Team (2018) review
It doesn’t take long to realise that the Scott Spark RC 900 Team is one of the stand out XC race bikes. Trail bike geometry and efficient suspension.
Giant Anthem Advanced Pro 29 (2018) review
The Giant Anthem Advanced Pro 29 is Giant's short (90mm) travel, carbon XC race weapon. Matched to a 100mm fork it delivers almost trail bike handling.
Specialized Epic Expert (2018) review
Specialized Epic Expert is one seriously fast cross country race bike. For 2018 the Epic range has had a complete overhaul with some interesting changes.
Orbea Oiz M20 29 (2017) review
The Orbea Oiz M20 is a ruthlessly fast and efficient race winning machine. It rewards hard efforts with an almost insatiable appetite for speed.
KTM Scarp Elite 22S XT
The KTM Scarp Elite is one of the company’s 14-model XC race bike range. Sitting third from the bottom, the Elite stands out for being one of only two bikes…