Difference between XC & Trail mtb?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by MemBrain, Jan 10, 2010.

  1. MemBrain

    MemBrain Bone Healer

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    Yes I am a newb and I have a lot of questions hopefully you won't think i'm that naive. But, I would like to know what the difference is between a XC and a Trail mtb. (some specific answers would be nice) I can see the major differences in Downhill and some All-Mountain bikes, but will a XC be efficient enough to be a good all-around rig? thanks y'all.

    MemBrain (CJ) :-s
     
  2. Manny43

    Manny43 New Member

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    In a nut shell, the XC bike will render 3 to 4 inches of travel vs. 5" on a trail bike. Cranks, stem, and handlebars will differ as well. Usually straight bars with longer stems, and triple rings for XC. Shorter stems, riser bars and triple/double rings on cranks for trail. Trail bikes are designed to be sturdier than XC bikes...generallly. Oh yeah, it's mandatory you wear tight, nut-choking spandex with the XC bikes, and cool baggies with trail.;)
     
  3. Garrett

    Garrett Active Member

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    Trail bikes basically bridge the gap between 3-4" travel XC bikes and 5.5-6.5" travel AM bikes in weight and style. Take a look at the Specialized Stumpjumper and Intense 5.5 for excellent examples of trail bikes (imo).

    Some AM bikes can make good trail bikes too, it just depends on your riding style.
     
  4. NipomoGuy

    NipomoGuy Tink's first sponsor

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    you want all around? look no further than a transition vagrant or a banshee morphine!

    lol yeah, trail bikes are made sturdier than XC bikes and are for, in my opinion, people who like XC, but also like to do some small drops and small jumps.
     
  5. SeanC

    SeanC Active Member

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    I would like to echo the last sentence here- some of these terms are interchangeable as it depends more on the type of riding and your ability to ride than the bike you have.
    e.g. some people go "downhilling" with their "AM" bike, and some people use "trail bikes" for jumps and whatnot.

    As a noob, I would suggest you try not to get too hung up on how "niche-y" this sport has become.
     
  6. NipomoGuy

    NipomoGuy Tink's first sponsor

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    agreed 110%
     
  7. Garrett

    Garrett Active Member

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    Oh I misread your questions. When looking for a good all-around bike try to find one that fits your style best. You like to climb fireroads or want great pedaling efficiency, and don't mind the feeling of having a foot up your ass the whole ride? Get a hardtail. If you don't mind sacrificing some pedaling efficiency for comfort and prefer more technical trails, look at a full suspension.

    I don't know you or your skill but I'd say that 4-5.5" of travel in a full suspension bike will suit almost anything around here, and if you get a bike with a good frame and components, it will last you a LONG time. Unless you start getting into freeride or dirt jumping, then you will need something beefier.
     
  8. afgenkuong

    afgenkuong Guest

    Personally, I would not try to classify bikes in specific classes. Basically, ride what feels best for you. I think as technology advances, we have been advancing the amount of travel on each niche of bicycles- creating a confusion of discriptions of each niche. Cross-Country bikes are gaining more travel and entering what some consider trail-bikes. All-Mountain bikes are gaining more travel and are closing the gap between a Free-Ride or Downhill bike. Trail bikes are lost somewhere in between.

    Throw all of that crap aside. Don't pay attention to niches.
     
  9. Lovin

    Lovin Calmer 'n you are

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    8 to 12 lbs.
     
  10. MemBrain

    MemBrain Bone Healer

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    OK so it seems as if my XC bike will do me good for an all around bike. XC or Trail or even AM seems to be based more on comfort and feel rather than what most people ride. am i wrong or naive with that statement? Put it this way, I ride a Titus Racer X am 5'10" 180lbs, what kind of riding will break this rig?

    btw Manny43, i'll definitely wear those tighty, nut-choking spandex since i ride a XC rig, maybe bring back the 80's and get some neon color or tie-dye.
     
  11. hobie

    hobie Member

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    dude i been in your shoes, i was too worried about pedal efficiency and not about having fun. so i waisted money on a hardtail and started riding socal trails only to find out that most trails around here are alot more fun on full suspension. so i bought a 4" bike xc bike. then i learned that i really like drops and some tehnical stuff. so i would of rather spent all that money and bought a nice 5 to 6" AM bike. a do everything bike like a yeti 575 or 5 Spot.
     
  12. SnglTrckMnd

    SnglTrckMnd New Member

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    In general, another difference between XC, Trail and AM is the geometry. For example, in the Giant line of bikes the head angles are the 71 degrees for the Anthem (XC), 69.5 for the Trance (Trail), & 68 for the Reign (AM).

    When it comes to geometry your Titus is on the steep side of the spectrum. If you love the way the bike handles then stick with it, it's a nice frame. If you feel it is too twitchy and squirrelly in the descents then maybe something with slacker angles will feel better and provide you with a confidence boost.

    In regards to what will break your frame.....probably hucking it over and over again, charging really hard over very technical terrain, using it as a dirt jumper on a regular basis. With that said, your frame probably should be fine with most of the terrain in So Cal.
     
  13. Rockinthecasbah

    Rockinthecasbah A.D.D. Unleased

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    XC, steep headtube angle, longer cockpit
    Trail, slacker head tube, shorter TT more upright riding postion ,

    Travel isnt really an accurate means of categorizing bikes anymore since there are plenty of long travel XC bikes and shorter travel freeride bikes now, its all about geo
     
  14. sasquatch9billion

    sasquatch9billion Active Member

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    Nothing you wear while riding a bike is "cool."
    Bikes are very expensive and complicated. They are also exxxtremely expensive and dangerous. a xc bike will help you look geeky and obnoxious on the trail while a longer travel am "rig," will look equally geeky but more "aggressive," on the trail. Basically it's a very expensive and dangerous version of on-line gaming. World of Warcraft! That's what you're really looking to get into.:beer:
     
  15. jeepr84

    jeepr84 Member

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    Hardtails may not be for everyone...agreed.....and admittedly, I do love to get out on my full suspension rigs. But I'm probably on my hardtail about 80% of my riding time and have never felt like "I have a foot up my ass". Am I doing something wrong?
     
  16. calzone

    calzone Banned

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  17. Garrett

    Garrett Active Member

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    No it's probably me. I'm riding the backup bike right now and the saddle is the most uncomfortable POS I've ever rode. It's just my opinion, but I'm mainly a full suspension rider and spend 99% of my time on my enduro. It's just something (very) different #-o
     
  18. SeanC

    SeanC Active Member

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    And you've got the Cove Hustler XC with a 67 degree HA. hhhmmmmmm . . . .

    http://www.covebike.com/bikes/hustler.html
     
  19. Rockinthecasbah

    Rockinthecasbah A.D.D. Unleased

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    my trail bike sits at 66 degrees with a 5.5 inch fork and 0" in the back , its all preference
     
  20. SnglTrckMnd

    SnglTrckMnd New Member

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    That's why I said "In general", I didn't say it was the rule.

    In addition you're saying it's an XC bike just because Cove put that label on it? Look at the geo and compare it to any of the big brands, they're probably the ones that created this lame labeling of categories. It fits pretty easily in the trail category and probably more along the lines of AM when compared to brands such as Giant, Specialized, Trek, etc.

    Take a look at this link and look at the first line of review.

    http://www.silverfish-uk.com/content/reviews_of_cove-bike-frames.php?articleshow=249

    :beer:
     

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