Best of Test 2016 – All Winning Bikes of this Season
ENDURO Issue #021: 8 Modern XC Bikes in Comparison
Fast, efficient, and not adverse to taking some hits: modern cross-country bikes are proving time after time that they are more than up to the demands of increasingly challenging World Cup races. But once the race is over, which ones are equally as fun to take home, and what’s worth considering? We’ve got the answers.
Best in test: Pivot Mach 4 Carbon
Not just marketing hype, Pivot’s revamped Mach 4 Carbon does have the skills to redefine XC performance. An efficient climber, it left the field for dead on the descents and dominated the test. A well-deserved winner!
Best value: Giant Anthem SX Advanced
With a spot-on handling package, the Giant Anthem SX Advanced is a thrill while descending, no matter how tech the downhill might be! Thanks to the potent suspension and superb spec, this is an XC bike for downhillers, and an enduro bike for XC racers! There are only minor bugbears on the climbs, so it’s still more than decent enough to be tipped as our one to buy!
All bikes in this group test: Canyon Lux CF 9.9 Race | Giant Anthem SX Advanced | Pivot Mach 4 Carbon | ROSE THRILL HILL 3 27,5″ 2016 | ROTWILD R.R2 FS 29 Evo | SCOTT Spark 710 | Specialized Epic Elite Carbon 29 World Cup | Trek Top Fuel 9.8 SL
