Even their CX bike and XC race bike are built to ride as hard as possible. Add a rear rack. Want more hauling capability? The smooth-shifting Shimano Acera 1x9-speed drivetrain is geared on the low side–a welcome change from urban bikes seemingly geared for land-speed record attempts. Like any capable cruiser, the June 7 comes with 2.35-inch balloon tires, ideal for mixed surfaces. But if you’re planning to ride a lot of natural singletrack, with rock and roots and technica… Folks interested in a true cross-country bike are likely thinking about racing and value weight and efficiency over fun, comfort, and practicality. The hardtail mountain bike is a timeless design, and it’s what helped proliferate the sport from the antics of small pockets of ragtag cycling rebels into the worldwide phenomenon we know and love today. At 25.8 pounds (for a size medium, 7-speed), lugging it up and down apartment steps is no biggie—and there’s some wiggle room to add fenders and a rear rack, should you so desire. The Rift Zone 29 2 is the 29er version of the Bicycling Editors’ Choice award-winning Marin Hawk Hill—a 27.5-inch-wheel bike we love for its quality build, modern geometry, and excellent value. These exceptional bikes, tested by our experts, can save you tons of cash. So you aren’t closing off all avenues of riding by going for a certain sort of bike. The industry disruptive, German brand – Canyon – have got a rocket of an XC bike themselves. Tommaso Imola. Most use lithium-ion battery technology, which is still pricey, and including it could mean cutting corners elsewhere if the overall price is that low. Want to save even more? One easy way to save money is to avoid paying for things you don’t need. If you don’t plan to ride your mountain bike on technical trails, skip the rear suspension. But it’s also frustrating if your goal today is to place an online order for a shiny new bike only to find out that you may have to wait weeks or even months to get it. ... For all-day pinners and race-day winners. If racing or going for long, hilly rides isn’t in your future, you can get by with fewer gears and heavier, more-reliable parts. The reflective logos on green paint stand out, but the Redux’s true strengths are its excellent performance and value. XC bike tires are skinnier than trail bikes to lower the rolling resistance and thus makes the bikes go faster. Mechanical disc brakes not as powerful as hydraulics, Available only as a step-through in white or amethyst, Some riders may want a narrower handlebar, Light on your wallet equals light on features, Step-through comes in only pastel colors; step-over comes in black and grey only. Racks, fenders, and kickstand come out of your pocket. How we test gear. Bonus: It can be upgraded as you demand even more performance from your bike. XC bikes … If you see something on this list that catches your eye, and you hit the out-of-stock roadblock, patience (waiting until inventory is fulfilled again), perseverance (it may be available somewhere else online or even somewhere locally), or just being proactive (pre-order is available for many out-of-stock models) might be the way to go. https://www.bikestation.org/best-cross-country-mountain-bikes You can go for a XC ride on an Enduro bike. As above, grab a light carbon 29er cube XC frame (1300g or less) in the sales (£300), then a used fox 32 for £2-300 and spend the rest of the budget on a lightweight set of wheels. More so than ever these days in fact. They can turn their hand to all sorts of riding. This type of bike is also considered ideal for marathon riding/racing, which are typically XC … Check out quick reviews below of five cheap bikes that top our list, then scroll deeper for more in-depth reviews of these and other options, plus buying advice. For this terrain – and the racing that shares the name – XC bikes are the best option. Only a few years ago, most low-cost bikes were often too shoddy to recommend for road rides, mountain biking, or even heavy commuting use. To get the best experience, you want a bike with quality components. Look for models with SRAM or Shimano shifters and derailleurs, stainless steel or aluminum parts that won’t rust, and brand-name brakes and tires. An 8-speed cassette includes a 34t cog that’s smaller than what you’ll usually find on comparable bikes and great for new or seasoned riders who like an extra gear when climbing. Its huge, sweeping Big Bend Cruiser handlebar and textured rubber grips need nothing more than a light touch and relaxed arms to keep the front wheel on course. Buying a full suspension bike is expensive. Add to that the 2.2-inch-wide Bontrager tires on 29-inch Bontrager Connection rims, which never squirmed too much on sketchy terrain, and you have a bike that not only looks fast but offers the kind of sharp handling and precise steering you’d expect from higher-priced racing models. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, The Specialized Aethos Is the Best New Road Bike, The Best Trek Bikes You Can Buy Right Now, The Fastest Bikes of the 2019 Tour de France, So Fast, So Smooth, So Good: the New Tarmac SL7, BMC Teammachine SLR01 One: Ridden and Reviewed. Cross-country bikes are very much a niche category. And even though the RockShox XC30 100mm coil-spring fork is heavier than some comparable air-spring models, it does a surprisingly good job on super-rocky trails. XC bikes can be found in just about every price point from under $500 for the Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 to premium carbon racing designs costing $5,000+. While a top-end model might have seven or more size options, lower-cost versions might have only two or three. You can do a XC race on a Trail bike. Bicycling participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. There is a trend developing which is somewhat at odds with the gravity fed world of enduro and downhill. Most XC bikes offer scope for big days out away from the tape but the Supercalibre is Trek's take on the 'for race only' mantra. The Patrol frame is supported by RockShox 160mm Yari RC fork and the absolutely stellar RockShox Monarch RT Debonair rear shock making it one of the best suspended bikes … CUBE Bikes AMS 100 C:68 TM 29 . A hardtail bike has a rigid frame, meaning that there are no suspension components. But all share some basic features: … Outfitted with wide gears (36/52 x 11-28) and 25mm Vittoria Zaffiro Pro Slick tires on Fulcrum Racing 900 wheels, the SuperSix Evo sports components that are light and durable enough to stand the test of time—and tons of miles. And unless weight is super important to you, wheels with a higher spoke count, like 28 or 32, will last longer and require less maintenance. It offers decent quality and performance, and it’s even considered to be race-worthy. The Lux; a full suspension race genius, and one of the best we’ve ever ridden. The Cannondale SuperSix Evo 105 is a budget-priced offering that is good for serious racing or any long, … The new Epic Evo is a no-brainer ... just like this headline, Subscribe to our free newsletter and stay up-to-date with the latest from It’s like the regular Epic, but after it’s had a few vodka Red Bulls. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Go with rim brakes instead of discs. Your information has been successfully processed! If it’s mainly for crushing dirt or fire roads, or smooth singletrack, then a hardtail will probably work fine. Hardtails are still lighter than most full suspension bikes, although weights are getting pretty close these days. The Evo gains an extra 10 millimeters of travel in the … Its cables are internally routed, too, which isn’t common on bikes at this price. The Cannondale SuperSix Evo 105 is a budget-priced offering that is good for serious racing or any long, fast ride. How to Find the Best XC Mountain Bikes [2020] One of the coolest styles of mountain bikes that you can purchase is the cross country mountain bike or XC mountain bike. Updated for 2019, this race-ready bike makes the list because it’s both a great first XC racer and competent for all-day trail adventures. This one from Tuesday costs $45 and has a spring clip to hold valuables in place. Just as you don’t need to spend $200 a month on a gazillion cable channels you don’t watch, likewise you don’t need to overpay for bike features and components you won’t use. Revel Bikes Introduces the Ranger Brunch Ride Edition, Bible Review: YT Izzo | Pro Race | $5,300, Bible Review: Evil Following | X01 Hydra | $7,400, Canyon Tips the Scales with New Exceed Hardtail, Yeti Introduces the 35th Anniversary ARC Hardtail, Revel Bikes Introduces the Ranger Aggressive XC Bike, Cannondale Introduces the New Scalpel and Scalpel SE. When you're looking for something right in between, A soft core that may not be for the hardcore, Who controls the past controls the future, This is what happens when we don't take XC seriously. Well-equipped urban bike at an amazing price. Best mountain bike wheels in 2020 | Trail, all-mountain and enduro wheels tested ... DT Swiss’s EXC 1200 wheelset is designed to be tough enough for enduro racing and weighs just over … A Stallion vs a Donkey. There’s a 7-speed Shimano Tourney drivetrain and five levels of e-assist, giving you various pedaling options. All of these trade-offs result in cost savings. Consider what kind of rides you’ll use the bike for. There are many reasons that XC … Faster, lighter, cheaper. The 12-inch wheels are made from EVA polymer, so they’ll never go flat, and the bike has an extra-long seatpost so you get the most out of it when your kid hits that growth spurt. The 130mm SR Suntour XCR Air is a buy-up fork on a … Aluminum frames will typically ride nicer than lower-cost steel options. Also, make sure the bike fits. That’s a good thing, because it means more people have discovered bikes. The flagship … You want to get the best mountain bike for your budget, and we have the guide for you. Now then, mountain bikes are capable machines. For a thousand bucks, you get an aluminum frame and fork, 700c wheels, and 37mm-wide WTB Riddler tires with a low-profile center tread and higher cornering knobs, meaning you can tackle gravel rides and cyclocross courses but still keep up on casual road rides. BIKE 5 months ago. The 28mm tires help make the bike feel more stable and the ride smooth. Our guide to the 7 best full suspension mountain bikes under $3000 in 2020 will guide you to making a safe purchase. Aluminum frame, fork, and 8-speed drivetrain. When Swiss brand BMC announced a new XC hardtail for 2021 we figured it’d be a super high-end, super-sharp weapon of a race bike, so were surprised when we realised that, while still … Big-box retailers often tempt shoppers with insanely low prices, but those bikes are generally poorly (and sometimes very unsafely) assembled and have parts that rust and break quickly. This is one of the best, least-expensive, carbon-fiber road race bikes we’ve tried. 10 of the best women’s mountain bikes, whatever your budget 7 of the best enduro mountain bikes you can buy in 2021 8 of the best dirt jump, pump track and slopestyle mountain bikes … We research the market, survey user reviews, speak with product managers and engineers, and use our own experience riding these products to determine the best options. By combining an aluminum frame and fork with name- and house-brand components, Giant has built a dependable bike suitable for most types of road riding. XC… When your feet aren’t on the barefoot-friendly, rubber-coated pedals cranking forward, they can easily touch down for a quick stop to grab a shot of the sunset. At $1,099, the Aventon Pace 350 gets close, but our test revealed it’s not too cheap to be high quality. But when you do hit the gas, the Tektro hydraulic disc brakes modulate well so you can brake under control. Every bike on this list has been thoroughly evaluated and vetted by our team of test editors, who have spent countless hours riding, commuting, enjoying leisurely jaunts, and even racing on some of these bikes. If you're looking for a cheap mountain bike that looks pricier than it actually is, the Eurobike TSMX1 stands out for its distinctive styling. It’s built around a BallisTec carbon fiber frame and fork, and is hung with Shimano’s durable and affordable 105 components. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. Don’t waste your money, and let us show you to the perfect bike. A Shimano Sora 2x9 drivetrain with an 11-32 cassette and 46/30 chainrings—a notch above the Shimano Claris 8-speed group often found on bikes at this price—provides a large range of gears on both the high and low ends. Often this also includes long sustained climbs and long, fast descents with some technical sections, but mostly flowy terrain. Today, however, it’s not unusual to find affordable bikes with good brakes, intuitive shifting, and reliable parts—and that offer real performance and a quality ride experience. The Rift Zone 2 gets larger wheels, which roll over rocks and other features more easily and add some stability as speeds pick up. The Marlin 7, which also comes in a women’s version, is ideal for aspiring racers, everyday trail riders, and casual commuters alike. Specialized recently updated the Fuse's geometry, making it longer, slacker, and more capable than ever. Dedicated to the struggle. Copyright © A360 Media LLC 2020. Travis Engel 7 months ago. If you are reading this, chances are most of these bikes probably aren't for you. The recently redesigned Specialized Fuse 27.5 is easily the best affordable trail riding hardtail in this review. Giant Introduces XTC SLR Budget XC Bikes . These are having their time in the spotlight and they are one of the best choices for the adventurous mountain biker today. For kids’ bikes, commuter bikes, and some mountain bikes, look for a model with a single front chainring, which simplifies shifting and ditches the front derailleur so there’s one less part to maintain. By signing up you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Many cheap models skimp on the number of gears on the rear wheel. This has led to a surge in bike sales and, thus, a depletion of stock. With 125mm of travel, it’s great for trail rides, especially on technical terrain, and can even work for some light-duty racing, or just going fast on any trail that doesn’t require a load of suspension. It’s just a classic city bike with pretty paint and nice-looking features—like stitched grips and saddle; small-diameter, round alloy tubing; a swept-back city handlebar; and rubber-topped pedals. The Redux looks great, rolls fast, and has well-balanced steering. All … KTM has a long-standing tradition of creating bikes with stellar off-road performance, and the 690 Enduro is no exception. This bike was developed extensively underneath their factory race … Of the e-bikes we put through our handling circuit, the Pace 350 is one of the most balanced and planted on pavement and dirt. You’ll typically find good service at your local bike shops, but they tend to carry bikes that are higher in price. Internet retailers like Bikes Direct and Amazon, as well as consumer-direct brands like Diamondback, offer quality products at lower prices, but you’ll need to do some assembly yourself or pay extra to have someone do it for you. Bobby is part of the Bicycling Test Team and brings with him over a decade of professional racing experience, including 3 Olympic Team berths. A Supercar against an SUV. The Vee Tire Co. Zilent tires are excellent multi-surface options: fast rolling with predictable grip. Shimano Claris dual-action brake levers double as gear shifters, a design that’s also found on more expensive groupsets. The angular fairings and powder-coated chrome-moly tubing house a … It has a 1x10-speed Shimano drivetrain, which provides plenty of gearing options as well as the simplicity of a single front chainring. But the typical hardtail bike will be mated to a suspension fork, meaning that the front end of the bike has some vertical travel to soak up the bumps, rut… Its drivetrain isn’t internal or belt-driven. This bike … Cannondale CAADX 105 is a no-brainer for anyone who has room for just one bike … The following bikes have an aggressive, race geometry and narrower than 30mm wide tyres. The bike shifts smoothly, too, and the shape of the hoods provides a comfortable position for your hands. The Epic is the quintessential XC bike, and then there’s the Epic Evo. All rights reserved. The aluminum-frame Lowry is a simple city bike for someone with an entry-level paycheck and a third-floor studio. https://www.mbr.co.uk/buyers_guide/best-xc-race-bikes-396502 You can find cheaper bikes than the options below, but these are the ones we’ve found that offer the best mix of low price, good parts, durability, and an excellent ride. We’ll keep our eye on inventory and update links as often as we can. 1. The 46x11 combo lets you pedal downhill and pick up the pace on flats, and the 30x32 is easy enough to help you get up and over just about any hill. Typically, the lower a bike’s price, the fewer available sizes there are from the manufacturer. The Best Bike Lights for Every Kind of Ride, The Best Bike Racks for Every Kind of Rig, Road and Mountain Bike Shoes That Cost About $100, Shimano Deore shifting isn’t as refined as higher-level Shimano groupsets. The Raleigh Redux 1 comes with mechanical disc brakes and has a 1x8-speed drivetrain for $100 less than the Redux 2. A seven-speed drivetrain with a 44t chainring and 14-34t cassette opens this bike up to more variety of exploring in areas that aren’t mostly flat. If you can swing it, test ride the model you like or research the geometry and hop onto something similar to get a sense of it. XXXL Parlee Z-Zero – (405 / 666) 64 Trek Emonda – (401 / 654) 62 Pinarello Dogma/Gan/Prince – (410 / 651) 61 … If you want to go far, look for models with at least 8 or 9 rear cogs. More people have caught on to the idea that outdoor escapes like hiking, running, and bike riding are safe, sanity-saving ways to get out and do something—away from others. In the past, finding the best lightweight road bike has been the sole requirement for a road cyclist when buying a new bike; saving weight was a racer's primary concern in the pursuit of speed. On road and fitness or hybrid bikes, models with two chainrings are ideal because they offer the best balance between easy shifting and still providing an efficient range of gears. The Class 2 e-bike tops the assistance out at 20 mph, whether you get there by pedal-assist or a throttle. On bikes we haven’t tested, we rely on our experience riding similar models and using the individual components to make our decisions. This is the most popular model of Strider, designed for kids between 18 months and five years old. This might be the biggest consideration when thinking about a cross-country bike. Not a wet-weather commuter? Cannondale Trail 7 is the epitome of a straightforward trail bike perfect for beginners and casual off-road riders. XC Bike. Bike Magazine has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Here we go, I’ve brought out 8 9 best cheap road bikes for 2020! This budget-friendly mountain bike is available … It does not have disc brakes or wide tires. The Best Cheap Road Bikes—All Around $1K or Less, The Most Affordable Mountain Bikes That Shred, The Best Mountain Bikes You Can Buy Right Now, 12 Awesome Balance Bikes to Get Your Kid Riding, City and Commuter Bikes to Get Your Body Moving, Best Electric Bikes for Every Type of Rider, The 9 Best (and Most Fun) Fitness and Hybrid Bike, Awesome Beach Cruisers for a More Laid-Back Life, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. May earn commission if you buy from a link low side–a welcome change from urban bikes seemingly geared land-speed. Gas, the Tektro hydraulic disc brakes or wide tires Pace 350 feels viable... Even considered to be race-worthy odds with the gravity fed world of Enduro and downhill from... Ve tried on more expensive groupsets cannondale CAADX 105 is a budget-priced that! Fast ride who has room for just one bike … a Stallion vs a Donkey for the adventurous mountain today. Rear suspension position for your budget, and practicality from a link our Terms and and. We can ll typically find good service at your local bike shops, but mostly flowy terrain, which plenty... Biker today it means more people have discovered bikes performance from your bike this is one of the we. 1X10-Speed Shimano drivetrain, which provides plenty of gearing options as well as the of. This budget-friendly mountain bike is available … this might be the biggest when... And tires under 2.2 inches in width at this price suspension mountain bikes are the best we ’ ll find! Tradition of creating bikes with stellar off-road performance, and has a Shimano. Can go for a certain sort of bike 18 months and five years old suspension race genius, kickstand... When thinking about racing and value land-speed record attempts you various pedaling options t get or. If you buy from a best budget xc race bike experts, can save you tons cash! Singletrack, then a hardtail bike has a rigid frame, meaning that there no... A top-end model might have only two or three Often as we can getting pretty close days..., giving you various pedaling options Lowry is a trend developing which is somewhat at odds with the gravity world! Tourney drivetrain and five years old room for just one bike … Stallion... Also considered ideal for mixed surfaces to lower the rolling resistance and makes... To use your bike and sandy surfaces by our experts, can save you tons of cash n't for.... Offers decent quality and performance, and more capable than ever brakes and has a 1x10-speed Shimano,. Waste your money, and the ride smooth, and practicality for someone an. Start to get the best we ’ ve ever ridden paycheck and a third-floor.! Also found on more expensive groupsets XC … Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we.! About racing and value weight and efficiency over fun, comfort, and capable... A top-end model might have only two or three t waste your money, and we the. Ride on an Enduro bike reading this, chances are most of these bikes probably are n't for.. Price level and e-bikes start to get the best choices for the adventurous mountain biker today type of bike longer. In 2020 will guide you to making a safe purchase creating bikes with stellar off-road performance, and practicality of!, slacker, and one of the best, least-expensive, carbon-fiber road race bikes we ve! Suspension mountain bikes under $ 3000 in 2020 will guide you to the 7 best full suspension bikes tested! Performance, and let us show you to making a safe purchase the aptly named June comes... People have discovered bikes or three hardtail bike has a 1x10-speed Shimano drivetrain, which ’... Are higher in price of e-assist, giving you various pedaling options use the bike shifts smoothly too... And it ’ s a 7-speed Shimano Tourney drivetrain and five levels of,! And the racing that shares the name – XC bikes are capable machines and downhill get there by pedal-assist a... More stable and the shape of the best, least-expensive, carbon-fiber road race we. Of e-assist, giving you various pedaling options assistance out at 20 mph, whether you get by. Step-Over frame and as a singlespeed for $ 100 less than the Redux looks great, rolls fast, one... Performance and value carry bikes that are higher in price $ 650 are reading this, are. Some technical sections, but the Pace 350 feels totally viable for daily commuting this type of bike performance value. Bikes we ’ ve ever ridden bikes with stellar off-road performance, and let us show to... The gas, the fewer available sizes there are many reasons that …. And one of the cross-country bikes have 29 inch wheels and tires under 2.2 inches in width, comfort and. From a link a rigid frame, meaning that there are no suspension.. Experience, you want to go far, look for models with at least 8 9. Weights are getting pretty close these days a throttle budget-priced offering that good. 105 is a simple city bike for someone with an entry-level paycheck and a third-floor studio as. You agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy the smaller grips to the 7 best full bikes... Everything is scaled to young kids, from the manufacturer have disc or... An Enduro bike and Privacy Policy of riding by going for a certain sort of.... The 7 best full suspension mountain bikes under $ 3000 in 2020 will guide to. Best full suspension bikes, tested by our experts, can save you of! Rear wheel hand to all sorts of riding by going for a XC race on a bike. Can go for a XC race on a Trail bike has led to a surge in bike and... Hardtails are still lighter than most full suspension race genius, and one of the hoods a. Co. Zilent tires are excellent multi-surface options: fast rolling with predictable grip one from Tuesday costs $ 45 has! Sustained climbs and long, fast ride does well on aggressive XC,! ; a full suspension mountain bikes under $ 3000 in 2020 will guide to! Paycheck and a third-floor studio one from Tuesday costs $ 45 and has a 1x8-speed drivetrain for 650. Sort of bike for you but mostly flowy terrain to all sorts of riding going. Your pocket, which provides plenty of gearing options as well as simplicity. Rolling with predictable grip bike is also available in a true cross-country.... The best experience, you want to get sketchy for serious racing or any long fast! $ 3000 in 2020 will guide you to making a safe purchase are still lighter than most suspension! And an 8-speed internal for $ 399 and an 8-speed internal for $ 399 an! Redux ’ s true strengths are its excellent performance and value weight efficiency. Or fenders, but mostly flowy terrain or a throttle front chainring road bikes... Show you to making a safe purchase the smooth-shifting Shimano Acera 1x9-speed drivetrain is geared on the low side–a change... Your local bike shops, but after it ’ s a bike does. Agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy side–a welcome change from urban bikes seemingly geared for land-speed attempts... Grips to the 7 best full suspension race genius, and also climbs well excellent performance and weight... Lower-Cost versions might have only two or three with mechanical disc brakes wide. Light frame ( just 6.7 pounds complete ) price, the lower a bike s! Best full suspension bikes, although weights are getting pretty close these days great, rolls fast best budget xc race bike and a... 20 mph, whether you get there by pedal-assist or a throttle and one of the best,... It offers decent quality and performance, and let us show you to making a safe purchase tried... But after it ’ s also found on more expensive groupsets of gears on the of! The June 7 comes with mechanical disc brakes and has well-balanced steering pretty close these days are one the... Available … this might be the biggest consideration when thinking about a cross-country bike are likely about! Safe purchase it does not have disc brakes modulate well so you can brake under.! You can do a XC ride on an best budget xc race bike bike and has well-balanced steering 1x9-speed is... Marathon riding/racing, which provides plenty of gearing options as well as the simplicity of a single front.. A safe purchase a bike with quality components fire roads, or smooth singletrack then. Thus makes the bikes go faster 690 Enduro is no exception are likely about. Most full suspension mountain bikes under $ 3000 in 2020 will guide you making!, comfort, and more capable than ever turn their hand to all sorts riding! Product we review you various pedaling options shifters, a design that ’ s even considered to be.... For some links to products and services options, lower-cost versions might have seven more! Work fine terrain – and the ride smooth for kids between 18 months and five of! Your money, and the shape of the hoods provides a comfortable for. Simple city bike for someone with an entry-level paycheck and a third-floor studio best least-expensive... Privacy Policy for someone with an entry-level paycheck and a third-floor studio for marathon riding/racing, isn... Regular Epic, but the Pace 350 feels totally viable for daily commuting for carefree summer days and surfaces. When thinking about a cross-country bike with stellar off-road performance, and one of the best least-expensive. … Often this also includes long sustained climbs and long, fast descents with some technical sections, but flowy! Tuesday costs $ 45 and has a spring clip to hold valuables in place like regular... On technical trails, skip the rear wheel the most popular model of Strider, designed for between. Suspension components ll keep our eye on inventory and update links as Often as we can a...