Mountain Biking - Top 3 XC Mountain Bikes for Racing

List the top 3 cross country mountain bikes for racing. Something light, durable and under $7,000. I need something for this summer in Colorado. Naturally I have been considering Trek and Specialized but kinda only because they are the most commonly sold bikes at local bike shops. So list your top 3 and explain why. Remember, this is for CROSS COUNTRY RACING !!

S-Works HT and Epic #1 & 2, Moots HT #3. Both S-Works are light and smooth and made specifically for racing, the Moots will last you a looong time.

Seems to me you'd actively have to try to get a bad bike with that budget.

Personally I'd go custom.

S-Works HT and Epic #1 & 2, Moots HT #3. Both S-Works are light and smooth and made specifically for racing, the Moots will last you a looong time.

This looks like a pretty good recommendation to me, but I would (and did) go with an Eriksen over a Moots. The hardtail Erisken has a nicer seat stay design (IMHO), it is full custom (an option on the Moots), and you can pick your colors. A nice hardtail Eriksen build could squeak by under your budget.

The Trek Elite 9.9 looks like a nice bike as well. While I'm not a huge fan of carbon fiber, I'm sure it would get the job done. The MSRP is also ridiculously high, so it would make short work of that budget.

Of all of these I give the obvious advantage to the Eriksen for durability and awesomeness.

Don't forget Seven and Litespeed, weenies.

Also, if you talk to the peeps at Roark they might make you a MTB.

yeti asr-c...in my mind nothing else even comes close. Yeti has one of the best suspension platforms out there and ive seen a number of people build this bike to 22lbs and still be reliable

http://yeticycles.com/#/ourrides/ASR_CARBON/TURQUOISE/

The only problem is that no one else can ride it.

how come no one mentioned a Trek ? Lance rode one in Leadville

how come no one mentioned a Trek ? Lance rode one in Leadville

...


The Trek Elite 9.9 looks like a nice bike as well. While I'm not a huge fan of carbon fiber, I'm sure it would get the job done. The MSRP is also ridiculously high, so it would make short work of that budget.

I'd go custom TI, consider 29er if you are 6'+.

Why? Cuz your dropping 7g's man, you might as well get a frame made for you.

If stock I would go with Titus Racer X 29er Exogrid, or the 26'' version if you prefer.

There are sooooooo many good bikes out there if you have a budget of 7 grand. You might look at Turner also.

Intense Spider XVP. I'm throwing that out for all the aluminum fans out there. Not exotic, but seriously desireable.

DO WANT.

SC Blur XC.

Specialized will also give you a lifetime warranty on the frame. If it ever dies, they will just give you a new one of their latest frames.

I have an S-Works Enduro frame and built up the parts.

Is it just me, or shouldn't someone willing to spend 7k, claiming to want to race, already know what their personal top 3 bikes are? Call me crazy...

Well, I would say Epic (1), Epic (2), followed very closely by the Epic (3) but since your budget is only $7K you can't afford a new S-Works so you need to get a second job. I guess you could downgrade and get a Cdale Rush Carbon 1 for about $6K or a Scalpel Team for about $6500.

Mike

I changed my mind. Get a 1600 dollar stumpjumper and a 3000 dollar Epic. Choose full suspension or hardtail based on the course. Save money. Neither bike will limit you in the slightest.

1. Giant Anthem X for the sole reason you can get the frame for $1,200 bucks and build a nice bike. For a light weight 6013 AL frame with a very nice VPS style suspension its price is unbeatable. If you compare it to a similar frame with VP/DW link style suspension with a high grade AL chassis(Turner, Pivot, BMC, Intense FRO) it's between $500 to $1000 cheaper and lighter.

2. Pivot Mach 4 because it's bad ass and if I had the money this would be my ride.

3. Trek

Before you throw away your ruse money you should come here first and ride. You'll be riding at 6,000 ft plus altitude on granite rock, roots and deep sand and gravel.
If the Air Force Academy will let an ex-patriot from down under on base you should try the Falcon trail before you consider buying anything. Once you have riden that trail you will know what bike to purchase. If you need more tests try Ute Valley and Palmer Park. Specialized has many demo days and both those park multiple times a year.
Good luck.

http://www.forzacycles.co.uk/oizcarbon_03.jpg

Choose full suspension or hardtail based on the course.

What he said.