Racers, what training resources are you using? Programs like training peaks, trainer road or others? Nutrition planning? Web resources?

I’ve been doing structured training for the last 10 months with trainer road and getting mixed results. Focus is on marathon XC with first race coming up in November. The oak ass 100

Im looking to replace my current Vittoria barzo/mezcal 2.40 xc race setup to new tires. I live in middle of sweden and riding local races like engelbrektsturen, cykelvasan, mörksuggejakten, lugnet xco course etc.

Im looking for a good tire for race and training on gravel and deep foresta with lots of roots and stones.

I ride around 1500-1800km per season.

I have Looked into:
Rekon race/aspen
Trinotal/dubnital
Dubnital/dubnital

Give me your best suggestions please :)

Hello everyone long time lurker here. I am looking to get my hands on a Roval Control II cockpit for my specialized epic. Bike currently has specialized aluminum stem + enve m5 handlebar, and I wanted to know if theres any adapter I could use that could fit my wahoo bike computer to the provided garmin mount or if theres any other workaround this issue.

How many of you guys are running one of these?

I coach NICA but I don’t race myself BUT I’m also not hucking huge drop or anything. I only do 2’ drops or small jumps if I do any. I guess my question is how much can a chisel FS handle? I’m currently riding a Orbea Laufey HLTD but I want something that will climb faster.

Im looking at getting a xc style bike probably a more downcountry/light trail bike, as im doing more xc trail type riding (2hr). My current bike is a medium 21 nukeproof mega 290 weighing 16kg.

First thing i noticed with xc style bike is the slacker seat tube angles around 75deg compared to my enduro bike at 77+deg.

Im quite comfortable with the more upright pedalling position would 2deg slacker seat tube feel drastically different when accounting for the sag in the suspension when seated 160mm travel vs 120mm travel.
Xc bike im looking at is the new spark rc comp.

Hey y’all I have a question for the high mileage crew! I historically have ridden more winch and plummet style trails (8-15 miles 1.5-3k vert 1-3 times a week) and bigger softer bikes until a few months ago I had a kind of big crash. In trying to rebuild over the last 2 months I have been focused more on riding my hardtail on more XC/gravelly rides (20-60 miles 2-4k vert 2-3 times a week, occasional century ride) and I have noticed a few pains cropping up in my knees, it bands, and right hip.
I think it’s hip flexor tightness/weakness from the increase in saddle time, pedaling, and lower front end position. I have never really had any chronic pains or weakness when trail riding but I just turned 30 so maybe it’s also just the reality of aging. I’m going to take a break from long days in the saddle and start a regiment to try to address the hip flexor issues. I wanted to see if anyone else has experienced similar issues when shifting to XC from enduro/trail riding and if there are any other mitigations or suggestions from more experienced riders?

I’m looking at getting my first mtb, chosen to go XC as im not very interested in hitting big jumps.

Is this bike worth the price?
brand new, I can get for $3500 NZD which is roughly $2000 USD
Specs in photos

I have been riding xc for a year now with a full sus and it has been great. The bike is an 2019 model and I am thinking about upgrading. Here is the thing, I like the full sus but I feel like a lot of my power goes to waste trough the linkage, that is why i have been thinking about getting a hardtail. Also a hardtail is easier to maintain. I mainly ride marathon races but occasionaly also xcc and xco races. Will a hardtail be enough? . I have been looking at the trek procaliber 9.7 gen 3.

Anyone using MTB XC one piece bars? If so, which brand have you had luck with?

Time to get her dirty!

I’m looking at adding an XC bike to the quiver and the Oiz seems to be checking all the boxes for me. Looking at a 2026 M10. Those that have been riding one for a while what are your likes and dislikes?

I am leaning towards getting a down country bike like a IBIS Ripley SL vs as a true XC bike for more stability and confidence in descending.

If price is no object what would you put on your XC bike? This wheelset would be for my 2026 Pivot Mach 4 SL and would be used for both races (2X/year) and weekly riding. I want something super light but compliant enough for all day treks and tough enough for regular use.

I am considering the following and would appreciate your input.

• Roval Control World Cup
• DT Swiss XRC 1200
• Enve M5 Pro
• We Are One Whisp
• Berd Hawk 30 Gold
• Bontrager Kovee RSL 30

Hey y’all,

Another “what tires should I get” post.

Looking for recommendations or validation on what tires to get for my XL Epic Evo before Leadville in a month, bikepacking the Colorado Trail a few weeks after that, and general backcountry and XC riding on the Front Range. I’m also 6’ 4” and 215lbs in that’s relevant.

After scouring this subreddit and the internet as a whole, I ordered the Barzo/Mezcal trail 2.4 combo to replace the stock Specialized Ground Control’s that came on my Epic Evo, but I’d like to hear from yall before I put them on if there’s some other tires I should look into. Thanks!

Wrote this for all my friends who need a little push to do something out of the comfort zone: https://open.substack.com/pub/potential/p/no-one-cares-how-fast-you-are

Today was the first time wiping out on th trails. Scuffed my knee up pretty bad. How often does everyone else wipe out on the trails.

So my wife and I have been riding our local trails quite a bit I am on a Specalized Chisel FS that I build ground up and my wife is still on her 2020 Trek Marlin. She loves it, and I know she has been wanting to get a new FS bike. She plans to test out the Orbea Oiz at our LBS. My wife is a huge fan of Canyon since her gravel bike is Canyon and the new Lux Trail is checking all her boxes. I might surprise her with one for a Christmas gift. We will see….I might end up upgrading my Chisel to a IBIS Ripley SL but if this thing is as good as what reviews are saying I may have to get my hands on one too. I am not the biggest fan of canyon but this bike actually looks pretty hot.

Hear me out the first chip or scratch always hurts LOL. But….today I was cleaning off my bike from ripping it last weekend and needed to swap out my BB. Noticed some new scars on my bike and honestly it makes me appreciate my bike even more it’s like it’s growing with me as I grow as a rider. And makes the bike look even better then it was brand new. Not sure if anybody else is like this…but something I appreciate.

What is a fair price for a used 2024 epic 8 expert?

I’m using nuun at the moment. Works well enough. I’ve used LMNT before as well as tailwind with good results.

Would love some other recommendations.

Thanks!

Have it on good authority that both bikes will are coming soon in 32” flavors. Release date TBD. 👀

Hi everyone.

I'm buying my first "serious" XC hardtail and plan to keep it for at least 8-10 years.

I'm 180 cm tall.

My riding is:

• commuting a few times per week
• XC trails
• forest roads
• long weekend rides
• no racing

The prices are almost identical in my country.

I already rode the Alma and absolutely loved how light it feels.

I haven't ridden the Procaliber yet.

If you have owned either bike:

• What do you like?
• What do you dislike?
• Which one would you buy again?
• Any reliability issues?
• Does IsoBow/X-Fader actually make a noticeable difference over long rides?

Thanks!

Looking for an XC tire that’s fast on the pavement but also decent on the trails. I’ve had race Kings, dubnitals and mezcals. I liked them all and they all worked well for both use cases. Is there a tire I’m missing and should try? Preferably that comes in a 29x2.3-2.5.

Hey you guys nd girls,
i need advice on the topic above. I drive a hardtail Specialized Rockhopper with Sram Eagle SX. It comes with a one by 30 tooth chainring, which is too small for me. That‘s mainly because of the flat environment.
That‘s why I want to upgrade for „a bigger gear“. Is there any way to guess if I should go for a 34 or 36er ring? I‘d appreciate any advice on that!

My son is a NICA racer and just managed to outgrown his Small Chisel FS (base Shimano model) in 11 months after a 5" growth spurt. Luckily, we have younger kids so it can be handed down. He's currently about 5'4 1/2". It has been a great bike to him, so I am tempted to just buy a medium Chisel FS since we get a Specialized discount (would get a Comp this round).

However, I am open to other suggestions! There are some great deals on Canyon Lux Trails right now (assuming that a S Lux would serve him for a few years....their sizing is so odd), and we've also considered an Orbea Oiz. Ari Bikes Signal Peak seems promising as well, but I don't think they can give enough of a discount to make that a true contender.

Anything else you think I'm missing? NO HARDTAIL recommendations. We are in a NICA league with more technical trails AND we also ride more technical trails in general.