There are many disciplines of mountain biking for amateurs and professionals to enjoy, from downhill mountain biking to enduro. The differences between each discipline can be very subtle, as a few have many similarities.
What is cross-country (XC) mountain biking? In this article, we will be providing you with all the key information you need to know about cross-country mountain biking and what makes this discipline different.
Simply put, cross-country mountain biking focuses on distance and speed instead of technical terrain. Unlike some of the other disciplines like downhill mountain biking, a few parts of the course may require uphill pedaling, instead of taking a cable car to the top. Endurance is essential due to the long distances typically covered, and the bikes used are lighter than the mountain bikes used in other disciplines, such as downhill.
Cross-country mountain biking is a very accessible form of mountain biking, as it requires a much lower level of technical skill in comparison to a few of the other disciplines. However, it is recommended that if you’re looking to do your first race, you should be able to ride confidently off-road and on uneven terrain.
If you’re an amateur, you don’t have to throw yourself into the deep end by riding a challenging trail during your first ride. In most cases, there are beginner-friendly trails that you can take instead of the ones with multiple jumps and rock gardens, which may be more suitable for advanced cross-country mountain bikers.
During cross-country races, riders usually all race concurrently. This differs from some of the other mountain biking disciplines, where riders complete a trail solo and their times are recorded.
Within cross-country racing, there is a subset of specialized races.
Although cross-country mountain biking may seem closer to road cycling, cross-country riders ride on trails like in the other disciplines. These courses can range from singletrack paths to fire trails. The paths are generally quite mild, featuring twists and turns, hills and occasional jumps.
In fact, one of the key differences between downhill and cross-country riders is that downhill riders usually prefer more adrenaline-inducing trails allowing them to go faster. Generally, cross-country trails are milder, so riders can also race each other up hills and between certain distances for the quickest time.
Cross-country bikes are light compared to bikes used in other disciplines, as the paths they ride on aren’t as rough or steep. The bikes are designed to support cross-country riders' riding style, since they travel lower than downhill mountain bikers. There are many options you can choose from which allow you to pick the right bike for you, from tire size to seat height.
Typically, cross-country bikes’ wheels are 29 inches, which is the same as the average mountain bike. However, cross-country bike tires are skinnier than downhill mountain bike tires, as downhill mountain bikes need to be able to navigate rocky terrains featuring jumps.
You don’t need to bring a lot of equipment or mountain bike protective gear to ride cross-country, but here is a list of a few essentials you should consider: