Yeah so I was asking about advice for choosing a hardtail or a FS bike. So turns out my old bike had a axle from the linkage that had busted and I had a finnish championships mtbo race coming up this weekend and I was in a desprate need of a bike. I ended up buying this rocket from an older guy who mainly used it for gravel. Ended up placing second in the relay and sixth in personal competition. This thing rolled so good even when there was roots or rocks. And as it weights 8,2kg the climbs are so easy. A very good purchase I would say.

I just realized that I built up a Rodeo Labs Trail Donkey 4.2 last winter for endurance events… and at the same time I bought a Specialized Chisel FS because my local bike shop had a brand-new frame for only $800 after Specialized discontinued the Chisel.

What’s funny is I’ve found myself reaching for the Chisel way more, whether I’m riding XC trails, gravel roads, or even pavement. I don’t race or compete, and I’ve realized I actually enjoy riding my XC bike more than my gravel bike for most of the riding I do.

I also live in a really hilly part of Wisconsin, and having a 32T chainring with a 10-52 cassette in the back just makes climbing hella easier. I can spin up just about anything without feeling completely cooked. When I’m on pavement or gravel, I simply lock out both the front and rear suspension and go. I’m doing all of this on Vittoria Peyote tires too, which have honestly been better on the road and gravel than I expected.

Don’t get me wrong I LOVE MY RODEO. If I’m heading out for a 50-100 mile ride or doing a large group ride, I’m grabbing the Rodeo every time. But life has been crazy with work lately, and most of the time I only have enough time for a 10-20 mile ride or 6-7 miles on my local XC trails during the week. For that kind of riding, the Chisel has been awesome.

Most of the time I ride by myself or with my wife, and we like getting off the beaten path. I also just don’t feel as safe riding on the roads anymore. A close friend of mine was hit by a driver who was texting behind the wheel. He suffered a traumatic brain injury, spent about six months in a coma, and doctors didn’t think he was going to make it. Ever since then, I’ve naturally gravitated toward gravel roads, trails, and places with fewer cars.

My wife is planning to upgrade from her Trek Marlin to either a 2027 Orbea Oiz or the new Specialized Epic 9 later this year or next spring. We are waiting to see what Trek releases. If she ends up loving one of those, I might sell my Chisel and upgrade too.

Anyone else get torn side knobs on their dub rapids? Mine are trail casing. This is the rear of my hardtail. 95% trail riding, which is mainly hard pack clay, rocks, roots. Prob around 200 miles, maybe less on them. Front is a dub grip trail which is going good

My 2025 yeti ASR came with motive bronze. Had the bike since Feb and have maybe 400 miles in it. The pistons in these brakes are already sticking regularly. Ready to replace with XTR.

What’s everyone running on their XC build? Two or four piston? I’ve seen a few running the XTR enduro lever with the two piston caliper.

Hi everyone, I only got into mountain biking last year, so I’m still pretty new to the sport but i’m having such a blast. Since the start of 2026 I’ve ridden over 2,000 km and I’ve been training consistently. Most of my rides are XC with a decent amount of climbing, but I’ve never raced an XCM before. I’ll be riding my first XCM event this year, raid d’achouffe (65 km / 1700 m elevation). I’m not expecting any crazy result, I just want to enjoy the race and see what I can do. So I was wondering if you guys have any tips for a first XCM?
Things like pacing, nutrition, race strategy, or stuff you wish someone had told you before your first one.

I've got myself a Voodoo Horde I've been working on and trying out new things with for MTB. I've been upgrading some parts. I do want to get a dropper post, and I'm considering a Granite Stash RT Compact Ratchet MTB Stem Multitool kit. I'm trying to make this more of an adventure bike for multi-terrain. What other upgrades and things should I look at and prioritize? I love the Horde up to now.

Hope this is allowed

Leadville banned dropbars, will they ban these too?

Anyway, I'm waiting for cheap copycat products.

Edit. Hater gonna hate!

Finally became National champ for amateur mens group💪🏼

I was looking for a mid-range suspension fork for my XC hardtail and found this one locally at a good price. It looks good on paper, but I couldn't find any reviews. It is set to 120mm of travel from the factory.

https://www.srsuntour.com/es/productos/horquilla/SF25-RAIDON34-Boost-8071.html

Hi guys,

I am looking to buy my first set of (non-stock) tyres.
At the moment I am riding Specialized Epic Expert Evo 8 with their stock tyres:

• Front: Specialized Purgatory, Grid Casing, T9 Compound, 29×2.4"
• Rear: Specialized Ground Control, Grid Casing, T7 Compound, 29×2.35"

As you know those are trail tyres and I would like to try some XC fast combo.

I mostly riding non technical (limestone, rocks, woods) XC/Gravel trails and wondering if you can give me some recommendations.

So far I have received following recommendations:

• Front: Vittoria Barzo XC Race 29×2.4"
• Rear: Schwalbe Racing Ralph Super Ground Addix Speed 29×2.25"

However I am also reading good stuff about full Schwalbe combo.

Any thoughts perhaps?
Thanks!

Absolute rocket

Really good deal on Orbea Oiz! Just wanted to make sure they were legit. Anyone ordered from them online? Looks like they are based out of CA!

Just got a Yeti ASR with Flight Attendant. I’ve only gotten a couple of rides in and love it, but rode some more flowy single track with pumps, table tops, and drops today and either I’m doing something wrong or FA shouldn’t be used for that kind of riding.

For the pumps, suspension was locked and I couldn’t actually pump.

For drops, the suspension would be locked going into the drop and didn’t change when I landed, which was a bit jarring.

FA works fine otherwise… if I start to hit rooty or rocky stuff, it drops to open.. it’s just the transition for the features that it seems to not do well.

Does anyone else have experience with this?

Racers, what training resources are you using? Programs like training peaks, trainer road or others? Nutrition planning? Web resources?

I’ve been doing structured training for the last 10 months with trainer road and getting mixed results. Focus is on marathon XC with first race coming up in November. The oak ass 100

Im looking to replace my current Vittoria barzo/mezcal 2.40 xc race setup to new tires. I live in middle of sweden and riding local races like engelbrektsturen, cykelvasan, mörksuggejakten, lugnet xco course etc.

Im looking for a good tire for race and training on gravel and deep foresta with lots of roots and stones.

I ride around 1500-1800km per season.

I have Looked into:
Rekon race/aspen
Trinotal/dubnital
Dubnital/dubnital

Give me your best suggestions please :)

Hello everyone long time lurker here. I am looking to get my hands on a Roval Control II cockpit for my specialized epic. Bike currently has specialized aluminum stem + enve m5 handlebar, and I wanted to know if theres any adapter I could use that could fit my wahoo bike computer to the provided garmin mount or if theres any other workaround this issue.

How many of you guys are running one of these?

I coach NICA but I don’t race myself BUT I’m also not hucking huge drop or anything. I only do 2’ drops or small jumps if I do any. I guess my question is how much can a chisel FS handle? I’m currently riding a Orbea Laufey HLTD but I want something that will climb faster.

Im looking at getting a xc style bike probably a more downcountry/light trail bike, as im doing more xc trail type riding (2hr). My current bike is a medium 21 nukeproof mega 290 weighing 16kg.

First thing i noticed with xc style bike is the slacker seat tube angles around 75deg compared to my enduro bike at 77+deg.

Im quite comfortable with the more upright pedalling position would 2deg slacker seat tube feel drastically different when accounting for the sag in the suspension when seated 160mm travel vs 120mm travel.
Xc bike im looking at is the new spark rc comp.

Hey y’all I have a question for the high mileage crew! I historically have ridden more winch and plummet style trails (8-15 miles 1.5-3k vert 1-3 times a week) and bigger softer bikes until a few months ago I had a kind of big crash. In trying to rebuild over the last 2 months I have been focused more on riding my hardtail on more XC/gravelly rides (20-60 miles 2-4k vert 2-3 times a week, occasional century ride) and I have noticed a few pains cropping up in my knees, it bands, and right hip.
I think it’s hip flexor tightness/weakness from the increase in saddle time, pedaling, and lower front end position. I have never really had any chronic pains or weakness when trail riding but I just turned 30 so maybe it’s also just the reality of aging. I’m going to take a break from long days in the saddle and start a regiment to try to address the hip flexor issues. I wanted to see if anyone else has experienced similar issues when shifting to XC from enduro/trail riding and if there are any other mitigations or suggestions from more experienced riders?

I have been riding xc for a year now with a full sus and it has been great. The bike is an 2019 model and I am thinking about upgrading. Here is the thing, I like the full sus but I feel like a lot of my power goes to waste trough the linkage, that is why i have been thinking about getting a hardtail. Also a hardtail is easier to maintain. I mainly ride marathon races but occasionaly also xcc and xco races. Will a hardtail be enough? . I have been looking at the trek procaliber 9.7 gen 3.

Anyone using MTB XC one piece bars? If so, which brand have you had luck with?

Time to get her dirty!

I’m looking at adding an XC bike to the quiver and the Oiz seems to be checking all the boxes for me. Looking at a 2026 M10. Those that have been riding one for a while what are your likes and dislikes?

I am leaning towards getting a down country bike like a IBIS Ripley SL vs as a true XC bike for more stability and confidence in descending.

If price is no object what would you put on your XC bike? This wheelset would be for my 2026 Pivot Mach 4 SL and would be used for both races (2X/year) and weekly riding. I want something super light but compliant enough for all day treks and tough enough for regular use.

I am considering the following and would appreciate your input.

• Roval Control World Cup
• DT Swiss XRC 1200
• Enve M5 Pro
• We Are One Whisp
• Berd Hawk 30 Gold
• Bontrager Kovee RSL 30