The best Cross-Country Bikes 2024

During testing on the Marathon World Series courses, the F-Podium truly showcased that race bikes with increased suspension travel and dropper posts are entirely justified in their existence. Mondraker consistently implements the modern design of their full-suspension race bike with 120mm of travel. The geometry and function of the fully-bearinged rear suspension work seamlessly in practice.

Mondraker sets itself apart from competitors with flexing seatstays or chainstays. The minimal extra weight compared to a traditional race full-suspension with 100mm of travel is undoubtedly offset by a wider range of application and more riding enjoyment. The aggressive riding position and the ability to mount two bottle cages will particularly please marathon riders.

Canyon doesn’t build its 120mm full-suspension on the Lux Worldcup race bike platform, but rather blesses the Lux Trail with a completely unique frame design. With a well-executed geometry and a rear triangle that’s notably different from the race bikes, Canyon hits the nail on the head. The plush reserves towards the end of the travel are particularly golden for those who cherish speedy descents on the trail.

At 11.4 kilos, the weight of our test bike was on point. And the ease of maintenance is not a dealbreaker, either. Routed internal cabling, the threaded BSA bottom bracket, and the headset can be tackled by DIY wrenchers without costly specialty tools, some technical skill assumed. An integrated storage compartment in the downtube and a factory-mounted mini-tool beneath the top tube render the backpack superfluous.

Cannondale is stripping down to the essentials with the new Scalpel full-suspension race rig. Despite increased travel in its latest iteration, the race bike maintains an aggressive riding posture. Downhill, the bike impresses with its well-executed geometry. In terms of suspension, Cannondale stays true to its Lefty fork and is sure to captivate many riders with its distinctive appearance. But the single-sided concept also proves its worth on the trail. Weight-wise, Cannondale shows no weakness, yet it doesn’t set a new benchmark either.

The new Scalpel is a bike that walks the fine line between a sporty race whip and a fun machine on the descents better than many others. It’s also a bike that, beneath Simon Andreassen in spring 2024, has already secured a Cross-Country World Cup victory. The Scalpel foregoes trendy features like a storage compartment in the downtube or a steering stop limiter. Those put off by the steep prices of the Scalpel full-suspensions may find an excellent alternative in the Scalpel HT, a truly successful hardtail with a Lefty fork.

The ARC8 Evolve omits a storage compartment in the down tube or even a steer stop limiter, fully committing to lightweight construction. As a result, the rear suspension not only features lightweight flex stays but also does without a linkage with industrial bearings. Instead, the shock absorber operates on a delicate glider construction. With this recent makeover of their E-Wolf full-suspension model, the Swiss have managed to reduce the frame weight to under 1600 grams. The complete bike, equipped with a 120mm fork and dropper post, hits the scales at 10 kilograms without pedals, priced at 8,999 euros. You really have to tip your hat to that.

On the trail, the rear suspension with its unique construction responds very well. However, in the second half of the travel, the rear end of the ARC8 full-suspension was a bit too obstinate. Other bikes, like the Mondraker F-Podium for instance, were significantly more comfortable. Getting accustomed to the combination of a super short 30mm stem and 490mm reach takes time for a cross-country rider. The steering is extremely direct. It truly excels at higher speeds. In the very tight core, which is often encountered on a CC course, you need to know how to handle the bike with a slack 65-degree head angle. The ARC8 Evolve FS clinches the lightweight crown among the 120mm-travel full-suspensions, but it doesn’t conquer the trail without making some compromises.

Rose is making the 120mm of travel and a dropper post also viable on a hardtail. The Bocholt-based crew has managed to significantly broaden the range of use for the PDQ compared to traditional hardtails. The 120mm fork, beefy tires, and dropper post are indeed game changers. Despite the downhill-focused gear, the weight is still on point. The frame and geometry give off a really well-thought-out vibe.

For those who yearn for more comfort than their current hardtail offers or who love tackling gnarly trails but simply don’t want to spring for a full-suspension rig, the PDQ will be a source of happiness. Priced at just under 3000€, the PDQ is a truly successful alternative to the sinfully expensive full-suspension bikes.

Specialized is doing the unthinkable in 2024. The new Epic not only offers increased travel but also features like the SWAT storage compartment in the downtube, a steerer stop to prevent bar spin, or the BSA bottom bracket—all within an ultralight frame. Paired with the electronic Flight Attendant suspension system and a complete bike focused on weight reduction, the Epic breaks the 11-kilogram barrier with 120 mm of travel.

In field tests, the bike impresses with its riding characteristics, setting the bar high for other manufacturers. The S-Works version of the Specialized Epic is currently the premier race bike available for purchase. However, at €14,500, it’s certainly a costly investment.

Scott made a bold statement in the Cross-Country domain with the Spark in 2021. The Swiss were the first, along with Nino Schurter, to capitalize on 120 mm of suspension travel in the XC segment. The frame design, featuring an integrated shock, is sleek and combines a host of structural benefits. Its broadly supported bearings enable a low frame weight while maintaining high stiffness.

The integrated shock is a unique selling point. In 2021, Scott demonstrated full innovative power with the Spark. However, much has happened since then. Other manufacturers have caught up not only in terms of suspension travel but also in decreasing frame weights. Additionally, compared to newer rivals, the top tube of the Scott Spark RC seems a bit shorter.

After the Scott Spark, the unveiling of the Orbea Oiz made it crystal clear that 120 millimeters will sooner or later dethrone the classic 100-mm race bikes. Following Georg Egger and Lukas Baum’s victory at the Cape Epic with the predecessor model, Orbea has fine-tuned details rather than throwing everything out and starting from scratch.

The new Orbea Oiz aims to differentiate itself with a stiffer frame compared to its predecessor. A slack head angle of 67 degrees and a reach of 472 mm in size L are in line with current geometry trends. The lightweight frame enables complete bikes around the 10-kilogram mark.