The current mountain bike is made up of several modalities, many of which have appeared recently. Two of them are cross country (or XC) and cross country marathon (XCM). Each has its own peculiarities and also a specific type of bicycle. Although sometimes, if you are not very experienced at identifying models, they can be confused. Knowing how to differentiate between the two modalities and their bikes can help you refine your choice of your next mountain bike, depending on what type of biker you are, the kind of routes you do, or your riding style. In this post, we want to clarify the most common doubts about these two mountain bike specialties, their routes and competitions, as well as give you some tips to distinguish between a pure XC bike and a marathon one.
What is cross country (XC)
2021/09/Depositphotos-MTB-5.jpg"> Cross country (or cross-country) is the most classic and conventional modality of mountain biking. That is, the original mountain bike, with mixed routes through the mountains or countryside that combine flat trails with sections of obstacles, climbs, and descents. In cross country, the technical component is low and obstacles should be manageable, so speed, agility, and the cyclist's physical fitness are prioritized over skill or good bike handling. The professional competition associated with this modality is Olympic cross country (XCO). It's called Olympic because it's the only MTB discipline that is an Olympic sport. It takes place on a closed circuit, with climbs, descents, and sections with obstacles, which riders must lap a certain number of times. These are short-duration races (no more than an hour and a half), but fast and explosive at the same time.
What is a cross country bike like
The current cross country bikes They have a conventional or classic frame design, with compact measurements, closed and vertical head tube angles (69 – 72º) and seat tube angles (72 – 74º). The materials and assembly should be lightweight and easy to use. In cross country, you need to ride fast and adapt perfectly to changes in pace. That’s why the bike must be light and very manageable and responsive in corners and accelerations. On the other hand, the bike can have front suspension, front and rear suspension (full suspension), or be completely rigid. The latter are no longer used in XCO competitions but are still very suitable for courses with hardly any technical sections or obstacles. The suspension travel is short, from 80 mm to 100 mm. Marathon is a subcategory that originated from cross country, in which the courses are also mixed like pure XC, but the distance is much longer. If cross country is identified with classic, short, and fast mountain bike circuits, marathon is associated with long-distance courses or multi-hour off-circuit routes. Or multi-day stage races.
What is marathon (XCM)
2021/09/Unplash-28.jpg"> Marathon is not an Olympic Games event like XCO, but it does have races on the UCI calendar and its own world championship. Likewise, any mountain bike stage race such as the Cape Epic, the Swiss Epic, or the Andalucía Bike Race, also fall within this discipline, which is identified by the acronym XCM.
What is a marathon bicycle like
XC marathon bikes are very similar to conventional XC bikes, although they have a series of elements that differentiate them and make them easier to identify. These are the most common:
Relaxed design and geometry
We say relaxed in the sense that comfort is prioritized over characteristics such as agility, quick reactions, or an aggressive riding position. Marathon bikes are usually longer between axles. Their angles and measurements favor a more upright and therefore more comfortable rider position, since you’ll be pedaling for longer than in XC.
Greater suspension travel
In general, although there are marathon bikes with 100 mm, the suspension travel is longer, from 110 mm to 120 mm. This enhances qualities such as comfort, obstacle absorption, and adaptation to different types of terrain.
Specific components
Wider tires are usually fitted, 2.20" or 2.30", which provide greater comfort, absorb bumps better, and are more durable than the 2" and 2.10" typical for XC races. As for gearing, a few years ago marathon bikes were often the last stronghold of the double chainring. However, with the recent boom of high-range single chainring transmissions (1x11 and 1x12), marathon bikers can now have a wide range of gears with just one chainring. Other components that many bikers change to adapt their bike for marathon are the grips. Silicone and curved or ergonomic grips are the most comfortable and prevent hand numbness . There are also saddles specifically for XCM with more padding and a larger contact surface. On the other hand, a marathon bike must have two bottle cages, allowing you to carry an extra water bottle for long days on the bike.
Cross country vs Marathon, which bike to choose?
2021/09/Depositphotos-8.jpg"> Taking these differences between an XC bike and an XCM bike into account, it will be easier for you to choose one model or another when buying a bike or upgrading the one you already have. If you don't know whether you are a pure cross country biker or marathon suits you better, think carefully about what type of routes you do, whether they are shorter but more intense or longer and more relaxed. In the first case, classic XC is for you, and in the second, without a doubt, marathon. You also have to know your body and limits. If you don't have much endurance or stamina, maybe opting for a conventional XC is the best option. On the other hand, if you can easily handle three or four hours of cycling without a break and you like to do routes with a lot of elevation or participate in stage races, you should have a marathon bike, with longer suspension travel and a setup adapted to withstand long days of cycling.
Recommended cross country bike models
- BMC Fourstroke
- Orbea Alma
- Trek Supercaliber
- Specialized Epic
- Scott Scale
- Canyon Exceed
- Mondraker Podium
- Cannondale Scalpel
- MMR Rakish
- BH Lynx Race