What would be a good mountain bike brand for me to use for XC riding and XC races? preferably a dual suspensio

Question

What would be a good mountain bike brand for me to use for XC riding and XC races? preferably a dual suspensio

Answer 1

To answer this question is kind of tricky, the problem comes from not knowing what type of terrain you are riding on. The next is how much XC racing you are going to be doing and is this your primary focus or is it trail riding and an occasional race? Either way here is my two cents worth, the bikes that will do the best will have either a Horst link or a virtual pivot design, stay with these and then based on if XC racing is #1 go with 3.5~4" of susp. travel or if trail riding is #1 go with 4~5" of susp. travel.  Add the Giant Anthem to Ben's list and you have a good selection to choose from.

Answer 2

This is an awfully broad question if price is no object.  I’ll start with the brand issue.  With the exception of the highest price bikes, bicycle brands are just labels.  A very few plants contract manufacture almost every bike you’ll see, either in Taiwan or mainland China.  I’ve attached an article below on where you bike is made.

If cost is truly no object then you’re going to have a blast making a choice.  Here are some suggestions, in no particular order:

Titus Racer X

Merlin Works 4.0 (titanium)

Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper FSR

Ellsworth Truth

Santa Cruz Blur XC

There are several others.  If you are on a budget, take a look at the full suspension bike that Bikes Direct is offering for only $419 delivered: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/wind...

Local shops (I used to own one) like to knock Bikes Direct because their prices are so low.  It’s owned by a man who has multiple shops, mainly in Texas and Florida.  I know at least a dozen people who have bought from them and are very happy.  Please understand, however, that these bikes will pale by comparison to the high-end ones I’ve listed above.

I envy you if you are really looking at the cream of the crop, and am sure others will suggest some more.  

Good luck, and happy riding.