Haven't seen more than the first half a second of the video but can say that XC riders typically are the problem with most trails, hence not cool. Always gotta get their stats up, never clear a stick or grab a shovel and yell Strava like they've got a tic
Mtb riding is cool, the least of which ends up being xc. Mostly because of the emphasis on efficiency over skills and having fun. I used to ride road bike and my mind was full occupation on pedal cadence and breathing and being aero and efficient. Which is great for getting from point a to point b as fast as possible. As I transitioned into off-road mtb I was able to shed that mentality and focus on the experience not a destination. Rather than riding past obstacles for the sake of time, and missing the whole point of why I was out there, I took a step back from that scope and realized all the potential that natural terrain has to offer. And then learn skills and techniques that would allow me to conquer previously untrainable features and obstacles. Taking the time to appreciate the journey has freed me to be more joyful and get back to playing-which is why the majority of people stared riding bikes to begin with. Straying away from that objective made riding about destination not experiencing the wonderful raw world around me. Never again…
I’ve always liked XC, but I think it’s more cool now with it becoming more technical so you have an endurance bike race with lots of trail hazards and obstacles. It is handlebar to handlebar fierce!
I am an XC rider and I believe we younger rides are stepping up the game because we started when we were young so we have time to master our skills and fitness. Also, we ride a lot, so eventually you'll learn a thing or two...
Shorttrack may be fun and attract new audience, but it's endurance on main day after that gets you in newspapers. But it's not pure endurance of marathon either - remember those are still raced?
I don't know if XC riders are cool but XC bikes have gotten cool, especially the XC bikes with 120mm forks and modern geometry. The new Specialized Epic 8, Transition Spur, Pivot Mach 4 SL, Yeti ARC, are all very cool.
I honestly think the boys hosting should have a shot of booze before filming. Would make every episode overflowing with fun. I mean, ask Graham Norton.
I can ride up hills but I don't really think XC is cool. I mean it's ok, good on 'em, but not really cool. It's kind of road cycling on dirt, not my thing.
I think XC is hella cool. But XC and enduro here in Southern Colorado is ridiculous. Its single track, gnarles barkley super long hill climbs with super sharp hair pin turns, and scary as shit off-camber traverses. I see enduro, and XC vids and I'm like eff, these pros would die on the shit I've been riding. Just my two cents.
@@johndef5075 they aren’t as warp speed excellent as the downhill guys. I’ve ridden with both. Most downhill guys pedal for training. The downhill guys can pedal with best of em, but the xc guys cannot keep up with the downhill guys where the downhill guys have specialty. Just the facts. Both are fast sure, but downhill guys will win everytime
@MasonJobe43 The downhill guys would not be anywhere to be seen on the climbs. The Elite XC riders have massive w/kg and high Vo2 max like the road pro's. They might have decent 5 min aerobic power but nowhere near the same fitness level for 90 min full gas.
Hear me out. “Cross-country bikes” have become so good that they are now essentially “trail bikes.” Trail bikes are so capable they are now comparable to “enduro” bikes. Enduro bikes are good enough to be downhill bikes. So, everything has jumped up a level. That’s what makes XC so exciting to watch; the XC bikes and riders are as good as, or even better than, trail bikes were just a few years ago. But you ask, “If your theory is right, and everything has jumped up a level, what’s replacing XC bikes?” Well, that’s simple - gravel bikes! Gravel bikes now have front shocks and are running 2.1 mountain bike tires. Bonus: Endurance bikes have changed, slowly starting to morph into gravel bikes, which will lead to aero bikes becoming more comfortable and turning into endurance bikes. Double Bonus: I guess that means DH bikes will become aero bikes. And the cycle continues.
So, an XC is just a trail bike that’s been called an XC. Got it👍. So, XC can get even cooler if you take an Enduro and call it an XC. We’ll just have to wait for marketing to milk this long enough until they need a new gimmick.
I'm doing my best to lower the tone. Over 60yrs old, 90s bike and tatty kit. Back at it after a long 20 year gap. Is it cooler now? Dunno, it's always been fun and when it started anarchic... not like that anymore, well the fun is but not anarchy. There's always been cool kit, age of innovation. Doing Cannock today, just the fun race .
Do you watch XC racing? Do you think it's becoming cool? 🤔
It’s always been cool, but it’s getting even better!!! I miss Isaac!!! He was cool and incredibly fit!!! Did GTN steal him away from us?!
How d.i get my stunt mug my dudes
Haven't seen more than the first half a second of the video but can say that XC riders typically are the problem with most trails, hence not cool. Always gotta get their stats up, never clear a stick or grab a shovel and yell Strava like they've got a tic
XC racing is cool, but XC riders on mixed use trails are as entitled and arrogant as roadies.
XC is ready for a big boom once gravellers realise their bikes need upgrading.
Mtb riding is cool, the least of which ends up being xc. Mostly because of the emphasis on efficiency over skills and having fun. I used to ride road bike and my mind was full occupation on pedal cadence and breathing and being aero and efficient. Which is great for getting from point a to point b as fast as possible. As I transitioned into off-road mtb I was able to shed that mentality and focus on the experience not a destination. Rather than riding past obstacles for the sake of time, and missing the whole point of why I was out there, I took a step back from that scope and realized all the potential that natural terrain has to offer. And then learn skills and techniques that would allow me to conquer previously untrainable features and obstacles. Taking the time to appreciate the journey has freed me to be more joyful and get back to playing-which is why the majority of people stared riding bikes to begin with. Straying away from that objective made riding about destination not experiencing the wonderful raw world around me. Never again…
Xc needs more video coverage and angles and cameramen etc It’s awesome
I’ve always liked XC, but I think it’s more cool now with it becoming more technical so you have an endurance bike race with lots of trail hazards and obstacles. It is handlebar to handlebar fierce!
The funniest episode of dirt shed show I've ever seen. Cheered me up on night shift. 😀
I am an XC rider and I believe we younger rides are stepping up the game because we started when we were young so we have time to master our skills and fitness. Also, we ride a lot, so eventually you'll learn a thing or two...
I love sending stairs! 😈🤘
You guys are awesome! I would watch this even if I wasn't into mountain biking.
Shorttrack may be fun and attract new audience, but it's endurance on main day after that gets you in newspapers. But it's not pure endurance of marathon either - remember those are still raced?
Yes Marathon mtb is still a thing
Absolutely brilliant rendition of the "Hacks and Bodges" song. Even Niel would have been impressed, I'm sure.
Neil.
An hour into an XC race, I consider it very stylish if I can just hang on to the grips,and not fall off the saddle.
#captioncontest Neil is afraid to fall in love
😂 Rich and Blake the classic duo!👍🏻
Always were, racing yourself, the course with technology trying to keep up... and if you were any good other riders elbow to elbow...
FUBAR - F*cked Up Beyond All Recognition\Repair
I like bacon
XC rules! Great singing!
09:50
He rode 600 METERS LIKE THAT !!? Uncredible !
John Tomac, Ned Overend, Tinker Juarez...yes XC has always been cool.
Blake and Rich are a couple of Goofballs! They do a good show too!
I guess the lines between XC and Enduro are getting blurrier still, which is fine.
Combo for sure you guys.
I don't know if XC riders are cool but XC bikes have gotten cool, especially the XC bikes with 120mm forks and modern geometry. The new Specialized Epic 8, Transition Spur, Pivot Mach 4 SL, Yeti ARC, are all very cool.
Yep. And they’re even cooler as the only MTBers that aren’t riding e-bikes!
#captioncontest Neil didnt realise when Blake said its gonna be a dirty ride
#Caption Contest "I hope that's the end of your handlebar that I can feel."
Xc racing are cool enough to make wearing Lycra is not just for roadies.
Hot pants do not belong in mountain biking. This is the root of XCs' image problem.
@@zed5129get used to it, downhillers suits are getting tighter now!👀
I honestly think the boys hosting should have a shot of booze before filming. Would make every episode overflowing with fun. I mean, ask Graham Norton.
#captioncontest When he finally asks you out, but took you mountain biking in the rain and mud.
How does gmbn get ahold of you when you win the caption contest, yay I won a stunt mug shweeeet
#CAPTIONCONTEST Bike Buddies. Its exactly what you think it means.
#captioncontest. “we all know Blake loves a hardtail”
You mean dirt Roadies?
#captionContest is just a little muddy kiss
30 to 20 years ago cool 😎 riders were riding 1 bike for every disciplines
#CaptionContest I've told you before, that won't clean off the mud.
Only people who can't ride up hills don't think XC isn't cool.......More to MTB than just riding Downhill.......
I can ride up hills but I don't really think XC is cool. I mean it's ok, good on 'em, but not really cool. It's kind of road cycling on dirt, not my thing.
@@zed5129 you should try riding a xco world cup course on an xc bike following the pro’s 😂 good luck
#captioncontest Reason number 1 why you should never to go clipless
Do best multi tools
#captioncontest "Blake was serious about being ready to have Neil's babies"
"Till mud do us apart" #CAPTIONCONTEST
Xc are the real bikers
XC is cool because it’s an Olympic sport
#captioncontest - 5 minutes after you've just re-inflated your tubeless tyres for the 5th time... psss
I saw you're title & without watching have to say, .... Nah ! Not whilst there's lycra involved !
#captioncontest Love is in the air and it smells like chocolates.
These two will crash any pitch correction software 😂
Why are e-bikes in the bike vault for gmbn.
They are paid $$$ to shill ebikes to us. Pathetic right?
@@TheTrailRabbit source please don't believe this is true
#captioncontest That wasn't mud.
I'll take a 25 lb. XC bike over a 35 lb. "Enduro" pig anyday 😅
I think XC is hella cool. But XC and enduro here in Southern Colorado is ridiculous. Its single track, gnarles barkley super long hill climbs with super sharp hair pin turns, and scary as shit off-camber traverses. I see enduro, and XC vids and I'm like eff, these pros would die on the shit I've been riding. Just my two cents.
People said roadies are a bunch of elitist. Apparently mtb are the real elitist one judging from the comments. How ironic huh?
XC is gravel with flat bars.
just has olympic hype
FOO Bard... f'd up beyond all recognition.
So not technically correct in this situation as you can still clearly see it is a wheel
FUBAR = F'd up beyond all recognition. Sounded like a word maybe not recognized from your side of the pond.
The way You couldn’t pronounce Vlassis 😂
He had loads of zip ties. AND a saw???
Evie Richards and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot make it cool they are some of the hottest chicks on the planet
No is not, is so far to be cool 🤟🏻 because the ride like a roadie 😜
#OMG!!! ଘ(੭ˊᵕˋ)੭
No
fubar = fucked up beyond all recognition
Fubar… fucked up beyond all recognition….
Xc is boring af
Xc will never be cool that’s what dh, enduro, dirt jumping and freeride are for, xc just can sit in the corner.
Can we pls have less cringy stuff in this podcast?
Nope 😅
No it's not
NO, no tbey are not. End of PSA
Commercial.
First! Let’s goooo!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Why didnt matt jones get a mention for jumping the canyon gap?
No
For a bike show you show basically no riding… I wanted to see why the xc sounds so good.. like so we the viewers get to see what you’re talking about.
Questions for the folks in the comment:
Would XC racers do better in downhill than downhill racers would do in XC?
Zero chance of that
Both are very fit, but DH is doing press ups where XC is doing sprints. I love it all!!!
@@MasonJobe43the XC guys I ride with are all excellent descenders.
@@johndef5075 they aren’t as warp speed excellent as the downhill guys. I’ve ridden with both. Most downhill guys pedal for training. The downhill guys can pedal with best of em, but the xc guys cannot keep up with the downhill guys where the downhill guys have specialty. Just the facts. Both are fast sure, but downhill guys will win everytime
@MasonJobe43 The downhill guys would not be anywhere to be seen on the climbs. The Elite XC riders have massive w/kg and high Vo2 max like the road pro's. They might have decent 5 min aerobic power but nowhere near the same fitness level for 90 min full gas.
#captioncontest everyones got that one buddy who likes to get a little to close for comfort
What a plane crash of a show 😂 Loved it :D
Yes, XC is cool. It's cool to be an absolute animal on the bike.
Hear me out.
“Cross-country bikes” have become so good that they are now essentially “trail bikes.” Trail bikes are so capable they are now comparable to “enduro” bikes. Enduro bikes are good enough to be downhill bikes. So, everything has jumped up a level. That’s what makes XC so exciting to watch; the XC bikes and riders are as good as, or even better than, trail bikes were just a few years ago.
But you ask, “If your theory is right, and everything has jumped up a level, what’s replacing XC bikes?”
Well, that’s simple - gravel bikes! Gravel bikes now have front shocks and are running 2.1 mountain bike tires.
Bonus:
Endurance bikes have changed, slowly starting to morph into gravel bikes, which will lead to aero bikes becoming more comfortable and turning into endurance bikes.
Double Bonus:
I guess that means DH bikes will become aero bikes. And the cycle continues.
#captioncontest Blake loves dirty moments with Neil.
At least he didn’t call the bar Rim inn! 😂
So, an XC is just a trail bike that’s been called an XC.
Got it👍.
So, XC can get even cooler if you take an Enduro and call it an XC.
We’ll just have to wait for marketing to milk this long enough until they need a new gimmick.
#captioncontest We are finally going to Starbucks, I could kiss you!!
if you drop the 'race' i think most of us are Cross Country riders... That's mountainbiking.
#captioncontest When your friend says you can just roll down and you actually can!!
I got a trek marlin 8 2nd gen 2022 ..I could have got even better bike for same price if I waited until 2024, but it is a good bike
#captioncontest: After their one night together, poor Blake gets handed divorce papers and loses everything, even the bikes
Has XC become the new/old Enduro???
#captioncontest MooooOOOOOOO
no
That me Deviate! Thank guys,,,,, building another ride. Will send in the pixs guys ❤
I'm doing my best to lower the tone. Over 60yrs old, 90s bike and tatty kit. Back at it after a long 20 year gap.
Is it cooler now? Dunno, it's always been fun and when it started anarchic... not like that anymore, well the fun is but not anarchy. There's always been cool kit, age of innovation.
Doing Cannock today, just the fun race .
#captioncontest Blake trying to convince Neil to ride the wireless remote brake setup.
#captioncontest - The occasional dirty weekend keeps the romance alive for Blake and Neil.
#captioncontest Neil, do you want to see how much mountain biking in the rain sucks? This much!
#captioncontest
When you make your friend buy the pre ride coffee
nope, you're just getting old
#captioncontest Gi’us a kiss. I like it mucky!
Doesn't look like a freecoaster that Neil's made, but a front freewheel. A freecoaster would allow you to fakie without the cranks going backwards.
good spot! You are correct, it's a front freewheel to make a 'coast-shift-able' drivetrain setup