XC or TRAIL ?? or is there an ALLROUNDER ??

dp1

I would like to buy a new bike but dont fully understand the differences so i need to know so that i can start looking properly into the minefield of bikes out there. My main rides will be from my doorstep down a few roads until i hit the bridleways, cycleroutes, old railway tracks etc oh the downs arent far away either so theres some bumpy riding along there. Other rides will be through the New Forest in the sring, summer. I dont want a full suspension but an all rounder mainly for fitness. The Whyte bikes 901 or 905 or 809 bikes look interesting but i dont understand the 809 is classed as a XC bike and the 901 / 905 is classed as TRAIL / XC. Does that mean it is equally good for both types of riding and the 809 only good for flat routes? I am Confused !!! By the way i like a more upright position. Any help / advice appreciated. Those are the price range bikes i am looking at

Thanks

tsenior

i wouldent worry too much about it get one that is comfortable, fits well and you like the riding position. if you are spending that sort of money make sure you try a few out.

i've never been entirely certain what differnetiates 'trail' from xc anyway.

getonyourbike

I've always taken trail as a class between XC and AM. Basically xc but with some scarier downhills, drops, jumps and the like.

Mark909

Trail bikes are built up a bit tougher at the expense of weight. They also have a slacker head angle so the front end isnt as skittish when going down hill as an xc bike. It will therefore be more confidence inspiring when pointing the bike downhill. However this is at the expense of going uphill in which the front will start to raise up on steeper slopes.

Noclue

dp1 - where are you based? your description of the riding you'll be doing sounds like where i live.

bartimaeus

... and where in West Sussex are you? I'm local to Kingley Vale and the South Downs... I didn't really know there was anything other than XC when I got my bike, and to be honest it's capable of anything that I've the bottle to go down :shock:

dp1

I'm in Oxfordshire not far from Abingdon

dp1

Anthem looks good

Noclue

Bartimaeus wrote:

... and where in West Sussex are you?

Crawley Down, between East Grinstead and Crawley, mostly ride in Tilgate or the Surrey hills, with occasional trips out further a field, often with Sussex muddy@rse mtb club.

supersonic

XC has beceome the term for racier bikes - trail bikes are essentially xc bikes from 5-10 years ago.

MuddyMarky

dp1 wrote:

I'm in Oxfordshire not far from Abingdon

Hello mate, I've just joined this forum and live in Marcham! Been scouring OS maps trying to get some routes together around here.

Good to see someone else local

dp1

Trying out Anthem X4 this weekend. FS or Hard Tail ...FS or Hardtail that is the question

rockmonkeysc

Get what ever is comfortable & rides well. Don't worry about xc bikes being a bit weedy downhill. I saw a lad on a Cube Attention, budget xc bike riding 6' drops & big jumps on a DH course this weekend, nothing broke except his face when he landed on it (twice).
I ride a 5" travel full sus trail bike & a 4" travel hardtail xc bike both can take a surprising amount of abuse.
If I was buying another bike I would go for a hardtail, probably the On-One Carbon 456. Although full sus is nice I like the challenge of riding a hardtail fast downhill. You get a better bike for your money with a hardtail.