The top cross-country bikes as rated by our expert reviewers, plus our buyer's guide for everything you need to know
This competition is now closed Grooved Elbow
Cross-country is one of the most exciting disciplines within mountain biking. Races are often close, with elbow-to-elbow action right until the line, and the best cross-country mountain bikes combine everything we love about mountain biking – riding fast, uphill and downhill.
Cross-country mountain bike technology has advanced quickly in the last few years. Cross-country bikes are now lighter, faster and more capable than ever, while many cross-country race tracks have become more demanding at the same time.
If you’re thinking about buying a cross-country bike, then read on for our pick of the best bikes reviewed by our expert testers.
We’ve also put together a buyer’s guide so you can learn everything you need to know about cross-country bikes at the end of this article.
If you’re tempted to start riding competitively, we’ve got a separate beginner’s guide to cross-country racing.
The Prorace is Lapierre’s top-end carbon race hardtail and uses its 3D Tubular concept that the brand has employed on its road bikes since 2015 to boost compliance. This is effectively a triple-triangle design, which sees the seatstays separated from the seat tube.
We found this really helped when climbing because the frame reduces the amount the bike skips and slips around and it smoothes out the trail when descending, too. That said, don’t expect it to tame the trails to the extent of a full-suspension bike.
The Prorace handles well and the geometry gives it a fun and engaging ride, even if it’s not the most progressive.
This SRAM-heavy build features a RockShox SID SL Ultimate fork up front, a wireless AXS drivetrain and a set of Level TLM brakes.
We really rate the Maxxis Rekon Race tyres, their low-profile, densely packed tread rolling fast on smooth surfaces, balanced with their suppleness.
This Specialized Epic is one of the best cross-country bikes on the market, with its geometry proving both contemporary and more trail-oriented than XC.
The bike uses Specialized’s proprietary Brain technology to control the suspension system, using weighted inertia valves to open the fork and shock when a bump is detected.
We found the bike to ride calmly in the rough without feeling sluggish. The long 470mm reach on our large frame, in conjunction with the 67.5-degree head tube angle, enables the bike to easily roll over rocks and roots, and instills confidence when tipping it into corners too.
The bike comes equipped with a SRAM X01 Eagle AXS wireless electronic groupset. Top-flight S-Works finishing kit and Roval Control carbon wheels round off the build. The bike doesn’t come with a dropper seatpost, but there is routing for one should you wish to add it.
There may be better-value bikes out there, but this is a hard one to beat.
Vitus’ Rapide FS CRX is a great performing full-suspension cross-country bike that packs a punch with its value-for-money spec.
The unidirectional carbon frame utilises a four-bar linkage system and a flexstay design to deliver 100mm of suspension travel.
One look at the geometry sheet tells us Vitus has drawn from its experience in the trail and enduro market for the Rapide’s design – the reach comes in at 500mm in size large. The head angle, at 67 degrees, is also rather slack and the 77-degree effective seat tube is bang on trend.
The Vitus is decked out with some of the best components on the market, including a RockShox SID SL Ultimate fork and Shimano XT brakes.
On the trail, the Vitus Rapide FS CRX is quick to pick up speed and efficient under power. Pointed downhill, the capable suspension and geometry make for a confidence-inspiring ride.
With the Izzo, German direct-to-consumer brand YT has entered the world of XC with a bang.
Packing 120mm of suspension controlled by a four-bar linkage, the Izzo Uncaged 7’s carbon frame also features adjustable geometry.
A flip chip offers 0.4 degrees of adjustment to the head and seat tube angles and a 5mm bottom bracket height adjustment, enabling riders to set their bike up to suit a variety of trails.
The Izzo’s geometry is very progressive, with a 66.5-degree head angle and 77.5-degree effective seat tube angle in the slack setting. The reach comes in at 475mm in size large.
As we’ve come to expect from YT, the spec offers incredible value for money. The Izzo is equipped with top-of-the-line RockShox SID and SIDLuxe Ultimate suspension, SRAM G2 Ultimate brakes and a wireless XX1 AXS drivetrain.
On the descents, the YT’s balanced suspension and capable geometry make it a riot to ride fast and it comfortably takes on trails well above its pay grade.
Despite packing more travel than most other XC bikes, the Izzo also excels on the climbs, offering a supportive pedalling platform and fast-rolling performance.
BMC’s Fourstroke piloted Tom Pidcock to Olympic Gold. On our trails, it made for a fairly poised race-ready ripper.
The Fourstroke’s geometry is up-to-date and it climbs with near-impeccable pedalling manners. It pumps through rolling terrain well and the bike eggs you on to accelerate and push yourself towards your limits on a wide variety of trails.
The SRAM GX Eagle AXS drivetrain performed flawlessly and the Fox suspension package felt supple.
However, it does require a tyre change to fully unlock its potential because the stock Vittoria Barzo tyres made the ride feel nervous and skittery. We’re not fully sold on BMC’s RAD integrated dropper seatpost, but admittedly it looks aesthetically pleasing.
The Scalpel HT Carbon 4 is the most affordable bike in the Scalpel line-up, aimed at the gnarlier end of cross-country.
Cannondale has evolved the typical XC race geometry by offering slacker head angles, giving the Scalpel HT handling character similar to an enduro bike. Steeper seat tube angles retain climbing ability and we were impressed by the traction provided by the zones in the rear triangle.
The Scalpel HT Carbon 4 features a RockShox SID SL fork and uses both Shimano XT and Deore drivetrain and brake components.
The Canyon Exceed CFR is aimed at going as fast as possible in a race scenario.
The frame is stiff and fairly uncompromising with a short and steep geometry. Every ounce of effort you put through the pedals forces the bike forward through the short and stiff rear triangle. Be under no illusion – this is a race bike through and through.
The Exceed comes with Canyon’s one-piece CP08 bar and stem, which is shaped for an aero position and offers a neat, integrated aesthetic. However, the fixed shape and measurements may not work for all riders.
The Giant Anthem saw a refresh in late 2021 with updated geometry, a longer 110mm-travel suspension fork, and flexible seatstays and chainstay to simulate the articulation of a pivot point.
This particular model uses the Fox Live Valve suspension system. The system has electronic link sensors on the fork and frame, which automatically open and close the fork and shock’s compression circuit when a bump is detected.
With its modern geometry, the bike climbs reasonably well, although there is some bob. Heading downhill, the bike feels stable and secure over loose surfaces with supple suspension (Live Valve settings-dependent).
The Anthem is equipped with a Shimano XT drivetrain and brakes, which offer next-to-identical performance to Shimano XTR. The bike has own-brand carbon wheels and handlebars.
Although Intense is best known for its gravity-oriented bikes, the Sniper XC has an engaging ride quality that’s fast around a cross-country race course.
The geometry is nice and modern, with a long 468mm reach and a 67.5-degree head tube angle, which is slack for a cross-country bike.
The Sniper climbs well, bearing in mind there is no remote lockout. There is some pedal bob though, especially when sprinting.
The bike descends assuredly, offering a smooth ride on rough descents while maintaining stiffness.
Shimano’s third-tier SLX drivetrain performs excellently, as does the Fox Performance suspension. The bike comes with a dropper seatpost.
Although Merida’s Ninety-Six seems conventional with its 100mm of suspension travel front and rear, it features trail-friendly geometry with a 68.5-degree head tube angle and a steep 76-degree seat tube angle.
The bike features a Shimano XTR groupset, Fox Factory-level suspension and own-brand finishing kit.
We found it to be a rocket ship up the climbs, with the active suspension helping you maintain speed up rough and loose climbs. It has plenty of character through corners thanks to its reactive steering.
On descents, the Ninety-Six is slightly more nervous than the long reach would suggest.
The rear shock can lurch deeper into its travel than expected.
The Orbea Oiz M-Team comes locked-and-loaded for the race course, with a refined carbon layup and slightly shorter stays to reduce weight.
The geometry is fairly orthodox and that may hold you back on the most technical of courses. The bike comes with a Fox Factory 32 Stepcast fork and DPS shock, and a Shimano XTR drivetrain.
We were particularly impressed by Orbea’s Squidlock remote lockout lever for its ease of use. What’s more, using Orbea’s MyO programme, you can customise the paint scheme for free, but it will take a few weeks longer to arrive.
Pivot’s LES SL is a carbon race bike with clean lines and an innovative carbon construction, in that the frames are moulded from the inside out to reduce imperfections. The carbon frames have also been optimised to provide the same ride feel, whatever the size.
The bike climbs well, with the frame feeling stiff but not to the point of being harsh. The winning geometry also means there’s room to shift your weight around to maintain traction.
Heading down the other side, the LES SL handles well, thanks to its moderately long reach, head tube angle and 60mm stem. It holds its speed well over chattery trails and the handling feels precise.
The LES SL is adorned with a host of Pivot-branded kit, a Factory-level Fox 32 StepCast fork and a Shimano XT groupset, with an upgraded XTR rear derailleur.
Pvc Elbow With Thread The only real criticism we can level at the bike is the spec doesn’t represent the best value for money when compared to its competitors.