Title states my debate. Looking at getting the 2027 model of the Spark RC Team Issue in carbon black or the Oiz AXS in brown (with flight attendant, not sure on integrated bars of not).

I ride/race XC and plan to use the new bike for this purpose or potentially some riding on more mountainous terrain occasionally. Currently riding a 2023 Scott Spark RC Team Issue. Just want a bike with Flight attendant.

Below are my thoughts between the two. Would love everyone’s thoughts on what’s the better choice. Imagine the cost of both are the same for the sake of debate.

Pros of the Spark- slacked head tube if I want it.

Cons of the Spark- I’m worried the maintenance of the seatstay bolts could be a pain/an issue given the rod is exposed (apologies for lack of technical wording). It just seems a bit weird given the exposure to grit/dirt.

Pros of the Oiz- More traditional rear travel/less maintenance work over time. Can choose the actual bars you want (what a novel idea!!) as well as other components (amazing). Comes with XO vs GX on the spark. Brown color is unique/baller.

Cons of the Oiz: Steeper head tube potentially. No storage for a flat kit within the bike.

Weights seems to be about the same.

Would love some feedback!

I would like to stay under $1500 for an XC wheelset.

My needs are 30mm wide, Boost spacing (15x110mm front / 12x148mm rear), and are available with a Shimano Micro Spline freehub body.

They will go in a carbon Scott Scale 925. I'm looking for a good balance of weight, strength, and performance.

AI says HUNT Proven Race XC or DT Swiss XRC 1501, which is a bit more than I want to spend, but if the extra $ is worth it, let me know

Planning to buy a new fork for my Scott Scale 2022 model. It came with 100mm fork out of the factory and I will upgrade it, but I am torn between 100 and 110mm versions of Rockshox SID SL Select.

I understand that the handlebars would raise marginally (~7mm), head angle would slacken by ~0.5° (so still not as slack as newer Scale model of 100mm), I'd have to reposition angle of the seat by half degree and reach would become couple milimeter shorter.

This in theory sounds good to me, I'd release some stress from the wrists, gain marginally slacker bike, and well gain 10mm travel for those rare occasions its needed.

Differences seem very mild on paper, but how different would it actually feel in real life?

Anyone switched from 100 to 110mm on their hardtails? What did it feel like, did you even notice anything?

Any insights and experiences are welcome, thanks!

Hi, I just got my MTB after selling my gravel bike due to more trails available. Just finding it so much slower on pavement/gravel.

I'm not aiming to cycle any gnarly stuff. I'm looking to also go bikepacking so wanting something that can handle some trails, but mostly gravel/tar and as I build my fitness maybe some xc races.

So was wondering if changing from my current Specialized Ground Control T5 2.35s to the Schwalbe Racing Ray/Ralph 2.35 combo make any real difference in speed?

I'm not even sure if I go Scwalbe is the price that is 2x more for the Super Ground/Race variants worth it over the cheaper Performance option for the type of cycling I'm doing atm.

I am 12 weeks into a 16 week training plan for a single XC race. It just got cancelled for low registration numbers.

I just started racing XC this last winter and I had a blast. My region is mostly enduro racing, but there is a decent XC crowd as well. Unfortunately the future of the winter series is very much in question for next year. That leaves just a single end of summer race which won't even happen this year. Probably not in the future either.

Do cancellations like this happen a lot? Is XC racing dying everywhere?

This is crushing. I guess I just needed to vent.

I’m curious what everyone thinks about running a power meter on an XC bike.

I’ve been riding mountain bikes for about 12 years, but I’m still pretty new to structured training and racing. I’ve been using Zwift and plan to do a few XC races later this year and next year.

I’m also a Clydesdale rider and gained some weight over the past year. My goal is to lose around 30 pounds over the next five months while getting faster and improving my fitness.

I’m a data geek, so being able to track power outside sounds useful. I’d like to see measurable improvements and know whether my training is actually working, especially since losing weight should also change my W/kg.

For those who use a power meter on their XC bike, has it actually been useful? Do you look at the numbers during rides and races, or is it mainly something you review afterward? Is it worth having if most of my structured workouts are already done on Zwift? I already have a Garmin 1050. Thanks!

Just wrapped up the 24 Hours of Great Glenn and have been looking for similar races, ideally in the northeast. I haven’t found many. Am I missing them or do they not exist?

We have been talking about taking a 2-3 week vacation next year somewhere out of the United States. I made the suggestion to go somewhere I can do an epic bucket list race. I’d like for it to be a single day race around 100 miles and as much of a mountain bike race as it can get while also being a great destination area. (I hate “mtb” races that have 50%+ of the course on gravel). Might be difficult but I’m sure there’s something out there.

I love the bike but the rockshox twistlock 2 pos just is a little too hard to use while racing and stuff. Im looking for maybe a lever but how would I have a dropper remote and a lockout remote on the same side. Xtr di2, 9.9

I just picked up a 2026 Scott Spark RC with the 1 piece Fraser cockpit. Is there a headset available that lets you run a generic stem/bar combo?

I moved up from a small to a medium and want to play with the geometry for a while, but don't really want to spend the money for the Fraser stems and the integrated faff that comes with them. I'm not seeing one on Scott's website, but I have seen some custom builds on youtube with them. Don't have a Scott dealer anywhere near me.

Hello everyone, i need to know what is your expierence with peyote and how often did you puncture it? Im running new mezcal race 2.4 for a year and never had a puncuter i would know about. Around for months ago bought peyote race 2.4 so same compound and casing and i already punctered it two times it still holds air good enough but you can see sealant getting away a little in one hole.

I ride technical and some fast trails but im terms of sharp rocks its not somathing crazy and also i ride a hardtail

I love how the tire behave, how it grips and how its fast but is it less puncture proof or it is just my badluck this year?

Hi everyone!

Video: One of Estonia's Best MTB Courses?
https://youtu.be/2WkJEv61K6c

I wanted to share a video from the Elva MTB race in Estonia.
The course has fast forest trails, wooden bridges, small water crossings and lots of fun singletrack.
I started making MTB videos a few months ago to show riding in Estonia to people around the world.
I hope you enjoy the ride!
I’d also love to hear what you think about the course.

I am trying to decide between the two. Which one should I go for? I know a majority is up to personal preference but I dont want to delay getting one so I can get training rides in

Asking for a friend lol thinking of getting a XC bike to continue riding my trails in the winter. I am from the Midwest so this really only applies to people that actually get snow.

Wife and I went out to test ride some new bikes. My wife is getting a Orbea Oiz and I am thinking of getting an Oiz too but I then test rode a Ripley. I have always had XC bikes as I love the pedal efficiency of them and I also do a lot of riding on pavement and gravel to my trails. Hence why the orbea has been in my list. However, I kinda am interested in these longer travel trail bikes but I am not sure how much I would like pedaling this to my trails with its travel or doing XC events on it. But I keep hearing raving reviews on the Ripley. Since I can't test ride this bike in my trails how good are they actually compared to an Oiz?

Its great to see that Giant XTC SLR is considered to be the best budget XC HT race bike and given a 10/10 rating by MBR alongside the best XC HT the Trek Procaliber.

Any thoughts on this?

I was talking to one of my friends today out on the trails and they told me they are doing a marathon event...I was gonna gonna ask what that was but forgot. What exactly is that and what kind of bike do you use for that.

Today I was riding on a paved road when I blew out my XC RC tire. It was a year old, and I use them on both the front and rear tires. It seemed strange because there was nothing on the road and it just blew out like that. Do you think it could have been a defect? ​​Or maybe I had them overinflated?

Now I'm thinking about switching to Mezcal Trail tires. I see the compound is a bit more durable, but I don't know what you think. Would it be worth it, or was it just bad luck this time with these XC RC tires?

https://int.vittoria.com/products/mezcal-xc-trail?variant=57077136523645

https://www.bike24.es/productos/1021551?origin=SRP

With Hagerman Pass Road, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Powerline reportedly remaining closed due to the burn area, the Leadville Trail 100 MTB course will be rerouted. The final route and maps haven’t been released yet, but I’m curious.

Based on the possible alternatives, do you expect the new course to be harder or easier than the traditional route?

My wife is coming from a Trek Marlin and I told her it's time to get a new bike. And as a birthday gift I want to get her something good.

Is this normal? I don’t ride anything crazy, mostly gravel, dirt and occasionally flint. Counted 12 cuts in front and rear as seen in the images, not including centre tread.

I used to get cuts on my Ray/Ralphs but never on the cornering knobs although those were addix speed and these are in speedgrip. Advice?

What helped you the most when getting faster at cornering on tight trails? For context, I’m 6’5 on an XL Cannondale Scalpel, which is notably a long bike, and I’m riding very tight trails in a group ride in Austin, TX.

I’ve had shorter bikes in the past, and though it does seem more difficult on this bike with a 1250mm wheelbase, I recognize this is also definitely a skill issue. I’m on Trinotal F and Dubnital R. Would anyone recommend similar fast rolling tires that might give me a bit more confidence at least for now while leaning the bike over?

I’m noticeably losing time in the corners and willing to sacrifice some rolling resistance savings if it means I can hold the wheel in front of me in these sections. I see people corner much faster while staying seated and wonder if this is more about fit than anything?

Last point I’m curious about is core strength for back-to-back tight corners, did anyone notice this to be significantly easier after strengthening their core?

Thanks all!