Mountain Biking - All Mountain or XC?

Hello all! I am in the process of upgrading, and a little stumped by the whole XC/All Mountain thing. I realize all mountain bikes are a little more sturdy, more travel etc. But will a nice XC bike stand up to small jumps and drops? Im not looking to bomb any huge hills or take 5 foot drops anytime soon. But enjoy getting airborne now and then. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

I think so...depends on your technique, weight, etc...I wouldn't do any jumps on an ultra light set of wheels.

I think another difference between All Mountain and XC is the cockpit. XC is pretty laid out and racey...All Mountain is a little more upright and comfy.

I just purchased a Cannondale Rush 800 (all mountain) and IMO it was the way to go for me. I used to race XC back about 15 years ago but now I just go out and ride with some friends. When looking for a bike I was thinking an XC hardtail (specifically the HT Stumpy) but in talking to a friend of mine who also happens to be the GM of my LBS he thought a full suspension bike would be a better option. So then I was looking at the Epic, the Stumpy FSR, the C'Dale Prophet and the Rush. As noted above the Epic was a bit laid out...the bike really is designed for going fast over fairly smooth (well for the woods) terrain. The Stumpy FSR was PLUSH but I didn't like the way it bounced when pedaling...then I rode the Rush and it seemed perfect. The back end didn't seem to bounce at all while pedaling on flats or up rises but get into a situation where you wanted suspension and it was going. I didn't ride the Prophet as my friend said it was going to ride more like the Stumpy FSR.

So last night I took it out for the first time and I think it is exactly the right bike for the riding I am doing and from the sounds of it you will be doing. It can take some abuse and it smooths out the rocks and stumps VERY well. The more upright position was welcome and the Lefty is a dream. Love this bike.

So my point is you would serve yourself well my having a look at a 4" travel all mountain bike like the Rush or ??? sorry I don't know a lot of other brands bikes.

As the above poster stated an "all mountain" bike is probably your best bet. They are quite efficient and lightweight these days. My top picks in this category would probably be the Cannondale Rush, Giant Trance and Specialized Stumpjumper. All three are capable of racing XC but still have geometry suited for more aggressive riding.

Hello all! I am in the process of upgrading, and a little stumped by the whole XC/All Mountain thing. I realize all mountain bikes are a little more sturdy, more travel etc. But will a nice XC bike stand up to small jumps and drops? Im not looking to bomb any huge hills or take 5 foot drops anytime soon. But enjoy getting airborne now and then. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!


Of course they will, its just the XC bikes typically have 80 to 100mm of front travel, so you may bottom out on a big jump but the frames are bombproof. Your not gonna 'break' the bike becuase its a XC.

you may bottom out on a big jump but the frames are bombproof. Your not gonna 'break' the bike becuase its a XC.

So you mean to tell me that a 2.6lbs carbon fibre Orbea is as strong as a 9.6lbs Kona Coiler frame? Right. All mountain/freeride/DJ bikes are heavier for a reason... its not just about travel. In fact, most urban/DJ bikes are going to have short travel forks.

So you mean to tell me that a 2.6lbs carbon fibre Orbea is as strong as a 9.6lbs Kona Coiler frame? Right. All mountain/freeride/DJ bikes are heavier for a reason... its not just about travel. In fact, most urban/DJ bikes are going to have short travel forks.


Why pick the lightest XC frame possible? Are you serious?

Way to make your point...:rolleyes:

Thanks now what are some good options for under $2K? Preferably more towards the $1500 dollar range :) Thanks all!

Thanks now what are some good options for under $2K? Preferably more towards the $1500 dollar range :) Thanks all!
The Stumpy FSR Comp, Cannondale Rush 800 and Prophet 800 all have a $2k-$2.2k MSRP. I just got my Rush 800 for $1700 and it has Shimano LX with an XT read dreailleur and LX Hydros. I was told I would have paid the same for the Stumpy FSR Comp which has Deore shifters, LX FD, XTR RD and Avid Jucy 5 hydros. If you would rather have SRAM the 600 version of the C'Dales offer a little lower price and SRAM X-7 shifting but Mechanical Avid BB7 discs...the 1000 level of both bikes gets you Jucy 7s and an X9 RD for a little more money.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=12790&bikeTab=techspec
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/06/cusa/model-6VM8.html
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/06/CUSA/model-6VE8.html

Wait, I'm confused. Isn't the FSR more of a long travel XC bike? For some reason I thought it had the lighter thinner tubing more popular with XC verses the more stout frame of the Enduro all mountain of the same brand.

I myself was considering the Stumpy FSR but ended up with a Kona all mountain because I already have an XC.

Wait, I'm confused. Isn't the FSR more of a long travel XC bike? For some reason I thought it had the lighter thinner tubing more popular with XC verses the more stout frame of the Enduro all mountain of the same brand.

I myself was considering the Stumpy FSR but ended up with a Kona all mountain because I already have an XC.
The Stumpy FSR is a 5" (eh 4.7" in the front but pretty close :D) bike and if you reread the original Post it fits the bill...though IMO it may have too much travel.

What I meant was, will it be able to withstand the beatings that the Enduro may?(...framewise - structure, design and durability).

The Stumpy FSR is a 5" (eh 4.7" in the front but pretty close :D) bike and if you reread the original Post it fits the bill...though IMO it may have too much travel.
That's what I'd do. Get a bike that can handle big hits, and also can decently climb like an xc bike.

Kona dawg, specialized fsr, trek remedy, etc.

if you are a clydesdale or a "heavy" rider, meaning not graceful as a biker, then go with the Allmountain. if you have better balance than a rock and weigh less than 180 pounds , save some weight and go XC.
dont ANYONE say you wont break a XC bike doing regular stuff. I will tell you , from experience, that if you are aggressive, weigh more than 180 or are not graceful , you WILL break stuff.
I went with an Allmountain for the reason of getting tired of breaking rims,forks,bars,stems,seatposts, crankarms,chains,and FRAMES. I usually was able to keep a XC frame for 2 years tops and that was after replacing several components due to failure. I am not a freerider but an aggresive rider that weighs ( depending on time of year) between 190 and 210 #and have the grace of a turtle.
I have had the Devinci Guzzler 2 years, next month, and have had nothing break except the bottom bracket( factory flaw I was told), a chain link, and 2 pairs of pedals due to bearing failure and they were just a little noisy, not frozen YET( TIME Alium). I havent even had to true the Mavic321 rims that came with it. the only maintenence Ive needed to do was grease the hub bearings and adjust the gear cable on the rear. I just changed the brake pads and have over 3k miles on the HFX9s.
I also ride over stuff, not around like on HT and lighter bikes. big roots, holes and rocks, no problem on the Guzzler
Allmountain bikes weigh more but are a LOT tougher than racing bikes.
dont rule out the Mongoose Teocali Super or Elite. a LOT of bike for the $

Watch the front fork on the Stumpy FSR though: I got a 'great deal' on an '05 Stumpy with the Manitou fork, and have been less than satisfied. Fork has required repeated service (first to change the spring, now for a warranty 'bushing problem') such that I have not ridden it more than 5 times all summer. None of these rides felt particularly satisfactory, (lots of bobbing on hill climbs, momentum-sucking, and diving under braking) and I'm faced with the very real prospect of shelling out even more for a better / stiffer fork. I'm firmly in the clydesdale class (6'3", 240#) and a hard hitting XC rider. I might have opted for an all mountain bike, but I have little desire to hurl myself through the air or off of cliffs. Given the extra weight I carry, I can use a lighter bike to avoid gettign dropped quite so quickly while on climbs.

No complaints about the rest of the bike though - it really shines despite the problems I'm having with the fork. I take 12" to 18" drops in stride, and log hits and failed bunny hops are easily absorbed. I keep the rear shock pumped to 260lbs, with the slowest possible rebound setting. This absorbs bumps 'like buttah' but still allows me to feel the trail, instead of floating above it as if I was riding a hammock. The stock wheels have been fine, but I sense a little flex in the bb area. Not an issue though if you're spinning.

Just the problem with the fork - I think that specialized really boned on that one.