XC and Marathon race bike choices

[Leadman]

Narrowed my bike choices down to 4 for next year although only 3 can be had at the moment. Any opinions or comments on these bikes for Marathon and Stage races?

Pivot Mach4 SL 120/100
Rocky Mountain Element 130/120
Norco Revolver 120/120
Santa Cruz Blur TR 120

Thanks

 

[Wrong Way Dan]

I have the Mach 4 SL. Bike is super capable. Bike climbs and handles tech amazing and does just fine downhill.

 

[Steve Vai]

Epic EVO.

 

[jdog]

Narrowed my bike choices down to 4 for next year although only 3 can be had at the moment. Any opinions or comments on these bikes for Marathon and Stage races?

Pivot Mach4 SL 120/100
Rocky Mountain Element 130/120
Norco Revolver 120/120
Santa Cruz Blur TR 120

Thanks

What size frame.. I have a Med Mach 4 on the floor..

Also a Scalpel SE in MEd and a Lg orbea Oiz

 

[xc62701]

I have a pivot Mach 4 SL 120/100 on order. Until then I have an Epic FSR that is plenty capable.

 

[Leadman]

Epic EVO.

Already have An Epic and a Yeti SB95

 

[Leadman]

What size frame.. I have a Med Mach 4 on the floor..

Also a Scalpel SE in MEd and a Lg orbea Oiz

Good to know. Thanks. I can go either way Small or Medium but was leaning towards a small.

 

[Steve Vai]

Already have An Epic and a Yeti SB95

The EVO is between those 2 bikes. If I were building an XC bike, that's where I would start, especially for the stuff we ride. The Epic always felt like a heavy hardtail to me.

 

[Leadman]

Got a call about a Scott Spark RC Team Issue that just came in. Short ride but impressive. Anyone have any thoughts on this bike?

 

[jShort]

Got a call about a Scott Spark RC Team Issue that just came in. Short ride but impressive. Anyone have any thoughts on this bike?

I have no thoughts. I ride an outdated Turner Czar. I would add the ibis exie to your list. Super light 120/100 XC race bike. I have no idea about availability though.

I’ve thought about updating but it seems like it’s so hard to test ride at the moment.

The Scott seems interesting. I’d love a 120/120 built for XC. I like the shock design.

 

[Dave Taylor]

Narrowed my bike choices down to 4 for next year although only 3 can be had at the moment. Any opinions or comments on these bikes for Marathon and Stage races?

Pivot Mach4 SL 120/100
Rocky Mountain Element 130/120
Norco Revolver 120/120
Santa Cruz Blur TR 120

Thanks

All of them except the Norco. The Borco doesn’t feel like a race bike and no remote lockouts. I am going with the Ibis Exie

 

[Dave Taylor]

I have no thoughts. I ride an outdated Turner Czar. I would add the ibis exie to your list. Super light 120/100 XC race bike. I have no idea about availability though.

I’ve thought about updating but it seems like it’s so hard to test ride at the moment.

The Scott seems interesting. I’d love a 120/120 built for XC. I like the shock design.

@Riggedfmx has the new Scott….

 

[MadisonDan]

Oh, hey Harry.
Just buy one of each.

 

[Leadman]

Oh, hey Harry.
Just buy one of each.

The Enabler!!

 

[Leadman]

@Riggedfmx has the new Scott….

I might pull the trigger on the Spark TE. It's the only one I can find in my size that I can be riding by the week end. @Riggedfmx how is yours?

 

[Dave Taylor]

I might pull the trigger on the Spark TE. It's the only one I can find in my size that I can be riding by the week end. @Riggedfmx how is yours?

He hasn’t ridden it. Doesn’t want to get it dirty 🤣🤣🤣

 

[Joe J]

Epic

 

[UtahJoe]

I have no thoughts. I ride an outdated Turner Czar. I would add the ibis exie to your list. Super light 120/100 XC race bike. I have no idea about availability though.

I’ve thought about updating but it seems like it’s so hard to test ride at the moment.

The Scott seems interesting. I’d love a 120/120 built for XC. I like the shock design.

ya, pretty much impossible to test ride....then add in tires, wheels, set up.....lot of guess work. I still cant see any reason to upgrade from my scalpel yet.

Harry, just from my personal experience....Past year or so transitioning to Enduro racing....When I go back to the XC bike after months off of it. The tires and the lack of grip are usually the hardest things to get used to again....not really the geometry. Point being, I think you can make most of the modern XC bikes work fine on technical courses with a decent set of tires and of course a dropper post.

 

[Leadman]

ya, pretty much impossible to test ride....then add in tires, wheels, set up.....lot of guess work. I still cant see any reason to upgrade from my scalpel yet.

Harry, just from my personal experience....Past year or so transitioning to Enduro racing....When I go back to the XC bike after months off of it. The tires and the lack of grip are usually the hardest things to get used to again....not really the geometry. Point being, I think you can make most of the modern XC bikes work fine on technical courses with a decent set of tires and of course a dropper post.

Thanks Utah. Appreciate the insight.

 

[MadisonDan]

and of course a dropper post.