Cross Country Mountain Biking Essentials | What Do You Need For XC?
VloĆŸit
- Äas pĆidĂĄn 20. 07. 2024
- Cross country mountain biking can be great fun! The satisfaction of speeding up a lung busting climb, conquering a tech descent on a twitchy, featherweight bike, and covering lots of distance quickly all make it one of Rich's favourite types of riding. Here are his top five essentials that will make your XC riding easier and more enjoyable.
Subscribe to Global Mountain Bike Network: gmbn.eu/subscribe
Explore our new GMBN T-shirts and more! gmbn.eu/28e
Follow us on Instagram or Facebook! @globalmountainbikenetwork & sign up to the GMBN newsletter: gmbn.eu/newsletter
Submit your content to our uploader: upload.gmbn.com/ we love to check out what you have been up to and may feature it on the show!
Do you have a cross country bike?
Watch more on GMBN...
đč gmbn.eu/WhySoExpensive
đ” Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound
Ivory Halo - Power Druid
Half and Half - Mike Franklyn
April Fools' Day - Vendla
#GMBN #MountainBiking #MountainBike #MTB #BikeLife #Cycling
Click here to buy GMBN T-shirts, hoodies and more: gmbn.eu/GMBNShop
The Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) is the worldâs largest and fastest-growing online mountain bike channel and community - and your destination for the best mountain bike content in the world.
GMBN is dedicated to inspiring and unlocking your riding potential. Our videos cater to fans of every mountain bike discipline: from mile-munching cross-country (XC) riders, through adrenaline-fuelled dirt jumpers, gravity-hungry downhillers or aspiring enduro racers, and beyond.
Every day of every month, our ex-pro presenting team are on hand to entertain and inspire you while also providing a uniquely qualified insight into the world of mountain biking. Every week we deliver original daily video that include:
Adventurous and entertaining features
Mountain bike skills coaching
Technical advice and guidance
Mechanical know-how to keep you rolling
A place for the riding community with our weekly Dirt Shed Show
Thanks to our sponsors:
Canyon Bikes: gmbn.eu/Canyon
Nukeproof Bikes: gmbn.eu/nukeproof
Park Tool: gmbn.eu/ParkTool
POC helmets and eyewear: gmbn.eu/POCsports
Crankbrothers Pedals: gmbn.eu/crankbros
Shimano Footwear: gmbn.eu/ShimanoShoes
Dainese Protection: gmbn.eu/Dainese
Ergon: gmbn.eu/ergon
Vittoria Tires: gmbn.eu/Vittoria
FSA: gmbn.eu/fsa
e*thirteen: gmbn.eu/EThirteen
Topeak: gmbn.eu/topeak
Garmin: gmbn.eu/Garmin
Muc-Off - gmbn.eu/Muc-Off
Crankbrothers Seatposts: gmbn.eu/8b
Komoot: gmbn.eu/Komoot
CZcams Channel - gmbn.eu/GMBNsubs
Instagram - gmbn.eu/GMBNIG
Facebook - gmbn.eu/GMBNFB
Twitter - gmbn.eu/GMBNTW
GMBN Shop - gmbn.eu/gmbnshop
GMBN Tech - gmbn.tech/subscribe
EMBN - embn.me/subscribe
Leave us a comment below! - Sport
Do you have a cross country bike?
Nope
hopefull... no
No
Yeah:)
Yea
I told my wife that a Full SRAM AXS XX1 is an essentials for sunday familiy ride..... Please confirm :)
I can confirm this to be true, anything less is madness.
That's bare minimum for each ride, you might as well head out without a bike if it ain't got XX1 AXS
I tried the same thing with my wife. I convinced her that my Mavic Crossride rear wheel is rubbish and I really need something with a DT 240s. The miracle happened and now I am waiting for the components for the wheel builds. However, today, while riding in the forest, my Mavic hub actually exploded and I had to push the bike more than 10km as there was no engagement in the hub. Starting to believe she is a witch and she made sure that I really needed those new wheels. But with great deal of pain for me...
What a stupid question.... of course it is đ why would you want wires in your way
of course kids might get tangled by the wires
Energy gels, please do the decent thing, take the sachet home, donât leave it on the trail, leave only tyre tracks.
Best thing you need is to have fun and not let the bike snobs put you down because we can't all afford the top gear.
Yes, I love XC biking but when it comes to professional racing I don't find sports so interesting in general where only the people with the most expensive gear win.
My fist xc race for over a year tomorrow because of covid! Iâm 40 watts down, and 8 kilos up! My cross country essential needs to be a magic wand đđđ
How did it go?
Rich is killing it with these videos. I have to admit it tho. At first, I thought he wasnât gonna cut it for GMBN. Now, heâs one of my favorite presenters. Keep it up!
Cheers fella đ
Agreed. He's top notch, still miss Henry though.
Agreed
Yea Rich is legit legit
Love Rich. And for me as a XC rider Iâm really happy it gets more attention lately.
Sunny day in whales hey now thatâs a once in a lifetime experience
please note* the sun is a paid actor
Whalesđ€Ł
Whales đ
Tis quite the rare occasion when the sun finds itself illuminating the innards of large cetaceans
Clipless pedals are fragile?? My 20 year old Shimano SPD pedals beg to differ.
and they cost like 25 bucks for the lowest model and are durable as hell
He's talking about super light weight pedals, most clipless pedals are bomb proof but there are some super light weight ones that comprise strength
@@nebnollock5198 No, he did not single out lightweight clipless pedals. He made a general and inaccurate statement about clipless pedals. There may be one specific brand and model in the past but nothing in the industry news or user forums would suggest it's rampant.
Looking at those Crank Bros egg beaters, there's nothing to protect the mechanism so I can see a rock strike making short work of those. SPDs on the other hand seem more robust.
@@shrewsburyacousticboutique5176 true, and they're so expensive that it's just not worth it, even a lot of pros don't use them
I used to be a big weight weenie, now so much anymore. Dropper post adds 1 lb to the bike, on a 20km xc lap you might lose 5 seconds from that weight, but probably gain it back depending on the descents so I love my spark rc 900 with dropper post :)
Another essential that is overlooked: Proper and enough time of sleep and rest.
Hell yes to the dropper post. Before I put one on my XC bike, I had the saddle a little lower and farther back to get a workable position for both climbing and descending. With the dropper post, I can now put the saddle farther forward and higher so that when the saddle is up I'm in my dedicated "climbing position." I'm going faster uphill with better biomechanics despite nearly an extra pound of weight, and obviously faster downhill. No regrets.
I'd never go out on my bike - excluding commuting trough the town - without lycra. Never used a dropper post either. XC hardtails all the way!
Just upgraded my factory wheels to Hope Pro 4âs and DT rims. I actually canât believe how much better the bike feels. Itâs quicker, more agile and seems to just roll nicer. Moved to XC tyres and tubeless. 1.2kg of weight gone!
I bought a cross country bike because I love going fast and the trails are 20 km distant from my house
Finally XC content!! Love it!
TRUE *XC essentials?!:*
- a wise selection of spare parts and a multitool, since you ain't doing small runs/laps near a chairlift,
- proper amount of nutrition and hydration,
- functional (breathable) clothing + layers (no lycra needed!),
- chafe preventing measures (go ride and you'll see if/where you need it đ),
- small first aid kit,
- phone (gps+map).
Much better
I don't carry a first aid kit around, as I don't know what supplies necessarily need. I can make an emergency bandage/touriquet out of the clothes I'm wearing, and everything else just seems unnecessary when help is always less than 30 minutes away.
Lycra is used for its functionality aka its breathability, weight, fit. It IS needed, unless you're riding casual.
I think you're on the more adventure riding side with this list. And I am with you on this, I've got a very capable enduro bike which I use very rarely because I love riding random unknown forest roads or wild hills on my xc or gravel bike. That's what I like and for these rides your list is spot on. However, if you're riding xc for training or fitness in an relatively accessible area, then his list makes more sense.
Lycra undershorts and leggings in winter. Otherwise no Lycra, I donât race so happy in a flappy T and Baggy shorts :)
Quim Carn! Love it đđ. Great vid as always!! I grew up around there. Itâs beautiful
Top job Rich!
The most essential items are a fat bike, a big smile and a friendly wave. đ
I've started making my own oatmeal bars and mixing my own Gatorade. I got one of those big Gatorade powder mix thingies and I mix my own whenever I ride. I've saved so much money doing this as store bought granola, gels and drinks can get really expensive.
for drinks, I use Nutrend Unisport syrup and it's really good price - 20 euros for 1 liter, and you need 10ml per 650ml of water - absolutely worth it
I usually just mix peanuts and raisins in a small bag. Easy, cheap and packs a punch
Same here, made my own trail mix. Peanuts, raisins, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, chocolate m&m's. You can use anything you like from the dried fruits section and nuts. I carry mine in a small water bottle instead of single use bags. Keeps everything dry and clean during those wet and muddy rides.
@@Philipp_MTB Say the water bottle sounds like a great idea when I think about it! Thanks
@@revolversntulips You can get reusable zip lock type bags. They're just like zip locks except they use way thicker plastic and are washable. I use those to store my munchies. Try look for some online. The drink idea though is not bad.
Nice tire combo! Vittoria Agarro and barzo.. just got in a Agarro/Mezcal for my Ibis Ripley to make it more đđđ
I disagree with the not needing a dropper on a hardtail..I recently put one on my new build and its been a game changer..I can get that saddle out of the way for descents and back up for seated climbs. I feel way more confident and faster when going downhill getting that seat out of the way
it is a game changer, but for beginners - if your hardtail comes without dropper, learn how to ride that first - you will have more skills than any enduro bros who had a 160 front and rear and a dropper as their first bike
Most XCO and marathon courses are fine with no dropper.
I made a noob mistake and bought aggressive grippy tires for my first bike, a 100mm xc hardtail. I guess I thought I was going to be like some pro riding the gnarliest of trails right away. But it turns out that Iâm just even slower now on the blue flow trails I ride. Lol đ€Šââïž
Yes. Devinci Moonracer SL3 XC 2010. Great Video.
Another brilliant one - cheers !
Love to see some xc content!!
I was there on that day and I saw you with the camera crew
And my mans really just said cwimcarn đđ
Due to lockdowns and a duty of care, cross country has been my go to rides.
Lungs burning and blowing out of my arse.
It's either the Norco Fluid HT or my old Spark from 2015.
Been great for the fitness but I still really miss the gravity enabled madness.
Longest descents locally are 30 seconds at most.đ
fitness is why I got back into this after 20+ years
@@dopeytripod I'm a 50 year old spring chicken.đđ
REQUEST!!! Could y'all please do a video on methodology/strategy for using a DOUBLE chain ring!? Should you be running most of the time in the small or the large and then switching to the ? when ? etc. Thanks lots of Love for y'all! FWI I aint from Wales, but we race XC in Texas too ;-)
One thing you need for xc is deep deep pockets to keep pace with ever changing parts.Xc tyres alone last one month if your lucky.Chains and sprockets have a short life.Front and rear shocks need specialized servicing regularly.It is as cheap to run some cars as it is to run a top end xc bike for one year.Then there is winter and summer clothing.LED front light are a must but some are as expensive as car headlights.Still all in all its still great fun.
Quimcarn? Haha, it's pronounced "Coom-carn". Great video đ
This drive nails through me!đ
You would think the "essential" thing to do when saying anything in Welsh is google how to pronounce it.
Great video. Dropper a definite. My last two hospital visits would have been avoided!!
Loved the sound effects, you could be a good stand in as a voice over. LOL. Made me chuckle. Thanks!
Tubeless setup: great weight save and upgrade handling, traction, rolling resistance and reliability!
XC Have a good cardiovascular endurance. Can't ride if your lungs can't handle the miles. I use to be a good long distance runner. Translation went great.
Excellent Video!
Love your videos
heres some tips from me
buy a skinsuit for racing and a regular kit for training and bring a compact windbreaker with you
buy a large amount of fuel it doesnt matter too much just get something with a good amount of carbs
droppers will often make you go slower overall in a race and you need to train on the bike you
dont buy cheap carbon wheels they can be heavier than some stans crest wheels
a nice bike and kit really does help with motivation
its usually better to have a bike thats less capable than one thats excessive because heavy bikes suck to pull up the clims
The Mars nailed it for me.
XC FOREVER đ€đ€
Thanks for efforts and guide. What about navigation skills?
Long sleeves aren't gonna cut it in my country, we get on average 35C to 40C temps.
Looking at the giant xtc advanced 3 29er, 1 frame is carbon, 2nd changing the wheels to carbon, 3rd seat post and seat to carbon, 4th handle bars to carbon, 5th changing the front fork to carbon....no suspension. My end goal is a carbon bike for exercise
4:10 I've been riding with a dropper for more than a year. I tried my friend's bike without a dropper and I was scared shift.
Can't imagine myself riding trails without a dropper.
you learn better bike handling without dropper, because you have to actually manouver around your bike
Well, Nino Schurter almost never uses a dropper on his XC bike and is still regarded as the fastest descender among all the other world cup racers. If he doesn't need it, do you need it? I think it's more of a comfort thing that belongs on trail/enduro bikes.
@@diviscadilek1764 it is not about confort on trail/enduro. The seattube on these bikes is way steeper therefore the saddle is more towards your "ribs" rather than further back. It's really a necessity.
Oooh are those the Cwmcarn trails? Thought I could recognise them
Need more xc contents. A specific video on xc sitting position should be great!
Iâm not really into XC but nice vid Rich đđŒ
Yep, I have a 2016 Specialized Camber but dying to get rid of it and buy a IBISS Ripley AF. Its old school Geo and Components by today's standards
I love my XC bike, so fast compared to my beefcake enduro rig..Love it!!! LYCRA!!!!!!!!!!!!
where was this, quimcarn??? haha bless, Cwmcarn!
Nice video
Wow!
Proud to be xc racer
Power meter pedals rally garmins for next level results đȘđȘđȘđȘđ„đ„đ„đ„đlove it
Essentials for XC racing, a Training Plan and a heart rate monitor!
Does anyone know some good upgrades?đ
i run flats pedals and use a trail Helmet and i wear lycra
Can we get the name/brand of those pants? Lookin sharp
Would you recommend an XC bike for someone who is coming over from road cycling to mountain biking? I think an XC might be more my thing than a trail bike, but I'm not sure.
All depends what you want! If you are interested in long days out and maybe racing, then defo an XC bike, but you'll be more limite technically. If you are more about trying to have fun in some decent single tracks and not necessarily racing, a trail bike will be more capable, maybe slightly cheaper (since you don't care about the weight that much) and loads more fun! That is just my two cents.
@@ldutoit2 I want a bike that is fast on and off the road. I am used to getting on my bike and ride for 2-3 hours without stopping. I live in a part of my country where there are no hills in a 100 km radius, so 90% of my riding will be roaming the countryside, no long climbing or downhill. But I want a bike that doesn't care about terrain and will handle whatever is in front of me, and not worry if there is a paved road all the way.
@@Zenedoboz definitely a hardtail! much better value for your money. Still comfortablish on the road
@@Zenedoboz I would recommend you an XC hardtail. Take one with an aluminum frame, better for the environment and cheaper, especially for the beginning!
What are your shoes?
Do you ride Tubeless on XC?
Good old Canterbury thermalđđœ
gmbn have you been in Polend?
Yay I'm not the only one who does the skinny
Yes you do
And CJ falls off it
The long pants you are Wearing in the video, what pants is that? :)
Can you set your 150mm travel fork to 120mm for xc ride? Thanks!
Why would you want to lower your fork's travel?
@@diviscadilek1764 most xc setup only have 110 to 120mm travel front. I was just thinking if its possible.
It would change a lot the geometry of the bike. Chances are that if you had a 150 mm fork you probrably have a more enduro or downhill bike?
What shoes are those blue one..? Love them..?
Shimano xc9, but they are very expensive as they are the top of the line.
Get the XC5 instead. They are just as good and 50 grams heavier đđ€©đŽââ ïž
Love xc
Epic
Dropper post is the most important lol
What helmet is that
I'm afraid I had to laugh at the pronunciation of Cwmcarn (Quimcarn?), it's actually pronounced sort of between Cumcarn and Coomcarn (with the C like a K sound).
I reckon there's potentially more weight difference to be had (for cheaper outlay) in the tyre choice than there is in wheel choice.
Speaking of XC, anyone else finds doing manuals, wheelies and american bunny hops on XC bike really hard?
XC
bikes are made for racing... Not for tricks... So yes
Harder yes, but definitely still doable!! Don't be discouraged if your bike isn't specifically designed for the things you want to do. It's all about having fun and the harder the challenge, the more rewarding it will be when you finally land the trick!
@@janceyssens6667 true story
Next time freeride essentialsđ ?
are those bar ends!??!?! 0:00
I Dont think there is anything that would Benefit Me more in XC that droppin a good 60lbs lol
an e bike
@@jajo8306 Nah fam, would need a power plant to keep it running
In XC you are basically a Roadie... but waaaaay Cooler ;)
This is my life, I started as a roadie and still only ride in lycra
so early I saw rich put on his helmet
can I pay to have assembled
5:38 also, saving weight on wheels is more important than anywhere else because it's rotating unsprung mass. When you're pedalling you're not just pushing the weight of the wheels, you're also rotating them.
That only makes a difference when you're changing speed. The mass of a rotating object has no effect on the power needed to keep the rotation going.
This effect is not as big as people make it to be. Bikes are just not accelerating fast enough for it to make a non negligible difference.
Not even a sneaky shot of the big wall ride in an xc vid
Legs?
Big lungs and a high pain threshold đ
More essential? Learning how to say Cwmcarn.
a bike
I don't often make comments regarding pronunciation but the first part of"Cwmcarn" is like the song Kumbyah my Lord, pronounced "Kum". Sorry to be pedantic...
First like of the video!!
I do X/C riding, but I enjoy wearing unduro style clothing, and I have the attitude of a downhill rider. Send help
This bikeâs color look cool! Anyone can name this bike ?Thank you in advance
You need to buy ultra light carbon parts.
It will make both your bike and your wallet lighter!
So letâs talk about winter wear *Florida people head out*
I think so best viedos your I am lucky me your subscribe
Why should anyone wear lycra? I would use Flex Paste instead.
wearing lycra is if you take it more seriously, or do long marathons constantly, but if you wanna have fun there's no need for it
Can I have that helmetđą
No tight fitting lycra for me. I'm like the manchester 90's music scene. Baggy
I use chamois underwear and wear normal baggy shorts on top. Best of both worlds.
I remember the Cannondale XCO riders, Fontana and Fumic a few years back were the only riders wearing baggy shorts at the races - I prefer that too
I also liked baggy clothing, but then I got myself some lycra bib shorts, and once I got rid of the uncomfortable nature of feeling like I'm one step away from being naked all the time, I came to realize that there's nothing more comfortable I could possibly wear. The freedom of movement, and the lack of sweat pooling up in certain places take the win over looking more "casual".
Not everyone is race orientated
First
Some much ad
ad block?
First essential for XC riding ... not an ebike. Get a proper bike you strokers !
Unless you have a physical disability or over 65 there is no reason for you to be using an e-bike.
@@carlsberg-gs6rl what are you talking about? The e-bikes are great for anyone at all. You don't need to have an excuse to make the sport easier. You should let people do their thing outside of competition.
I'd recommend an e-bike to almost any newbie that's coming on a ride with me, as I'm fairly bike fit, and they're likely not, which turns every hill into a massive mood killer. With an e-bike, however, they get a nice and calm climb up the mountain, and I get a workout. Same goes for the downhills - if I'm running an XC bike and the newbie is running a beefy enduro bike, I won't have to wait for them so much. E-bikes are great, as long as the people riding them are sensible.
@@diviscadilek1764 I don't think it's funny that u get overtaken by an e bike rider aged 15-30 while u are paddling up a massive hill and u are bike fit
I have an xc bike and I don't want to wear a lycra
It's OK. But lycra is very comfortable. People don't wear it for its looks.