These are the fastest cross country bikes in the world

How is success measured? In the case of a professional athlete, the case is clear. Victories and records are the yardstick for the most successful minds in the Mountain Bike World Cup. On the cross-country race track, everything about their sports equipment has to be just right: Weight, stiffness, propulsion, handling and - most important of all - speed. The best cross-country and marathon mountain bikers on the scene rely on particularly exclusive bikes. With a well-filled wallet, even amateur athletes can buy the bikes of the world stars. Almost all manufacturers have wickedly expensive and, above all, lightning-fast hardtails and fullys in their range. These twelve top models will give every biker a speed boost.

1. cross country fullys for top speeds

These race bikes can only be described in superlatives. Among the most successful racers on the scene, they are permanent guests on the winners' podium. These are the fastest cross-country fullys in the world.

BMC Fourstroke 01 LTD

• Price: 12.999 Euro
• Weight: 10,5 Kilo
• Frame2286 grams (incl. autodrop hardware)
• Spring travel100 / 100 millimetres

Among the fastest cross-country bikes in the world, the smallest detail counts. Thanks to the Autodrop technology of the Fourstrokewhich can lower the seatpost without having to sit on it, BMC riders like Jordan Sarrou save themselves additional squats. The integrated seatpost lowers 80 millimetres automatically at the touch of a button. Despite the air tank in the down tube, the BMC remains a lightweight sports bike. In BIKE 02/23 we certified the innovative XC-Fully high directional stability at high speeds and a high degree of playfulness at the same time.

Cannondale Scalpel Hi-Mod Ultimate

• Price: 12.499 Euro
• Weight: 9,9 Kilo
• Frame: 1842 gram
• Spring travel100 / 100 millimetres

Henrique Avancini is not only one of the most charismatic, but also one of the fastest cross-country bikers in the world. Until the end of 2022, the Scalpel was always involved in the success of the Brazilian superstar. Former team-mate Alan Hatherly continues to ensure that Cannondale is at the forefront of the XC World Cup. With the sensitive Lefty Ocho fork and the Flex-Pivot rear triangle, the Scalpel convinced us as a race fully. Thanks to its efficient propulsion, the lightweight is at home on any racetrack.

Orbea Oiz M LTD

• Price: 9999 Euro
• Weight: 10 Kilo
• Frame: 1750 gram
• Spring travel120 / 120 millimetres

Georg Egger and Lukas Baum rode the Orbea Oiz to victory in the Cape Epic 2022, and it's not just Orbea itself that describes it as the fastest cross-country bike in the company's history. Our tests also attest to the Oiz's impressively light-footed handling. Orbea manages to combine a sporty, long riding position with manoeuvrable handling characteristics on the cross-country fully. On the race track, the extra suspension travel increases control, while the low frame weight maintains the race genes.

Scott Spark RC SL

• Price14.999Euro
• Weight: 10,3 Kilo
• Frame: 1870 grammes
• Spring travel120 / 120 millimetres

The high-end version of the Scott Spark is the superlative among superlatives. Not only is it the most expensive production bike in the world, no other bike has been in first place more often in the World Cup. The reason for this is the inseparable link with cross-country superstar Nino Schurter. From world championship titles to Olympic gold, the Spark has won it all. With 2.4-inch wide tyres and 120 millimetres of suspension travel, the downhill cross-country fully has already won several BIKE test victories.

For the increasingly demanding World Cup courses, the 120 millimetre travel of the Scott Spark is the optimum for me. The sensitive suspension has a positive effect on the rolling characteristics and helps me to avoid fatigue on long distances - Nino Schurter, Scrott-Sram MTB Racing

Specialised S-Works Epic

• Price12,500 Euro
• Weight: 9,65 Kilo
• Frame1441grams
• Spring travel100 / 100 millimetres

Nomen est omen: This year the name is Winning bike of the Cape Epic Specialised Epic. The Epic is also an integral part of the World Cup. This year, Haley Batten and Christopher Blevins, among others, will be chasing seconds on the cross-country fully. In the BIKE test, the feather-light Epic showed great traction and strong downhill performance. A successor to the race classic with Brain suspension technology is probably in the starting blocks. We are curious to see whether it can build on its successes.

Trek Supercaliber 9.9 XX1 AXS

• Price: 13.249 Euro
• Weight: 9,8 Kilo
• Frame: 1764 gram
• Spring travel: 100 / 60 millimetres

The trophy wall of the Trek Supercalibre is not only home to the Cross Country World Cup successes of Jolanda Neff and Evie Richards, but also the coveted race tip from BIKE 06/22. In the comparison test, the Trek Cross Country Fully topped the uphill rankings thanks to its excellent propulsion even without a lockout. With the minimalist 60 millimetre suspension travel of the IsoStrut rear suspension system, it fills the gap between hardtail and full suspension perfectly. The Supercaliber moves forwards with almost no loss and yet with plenty of traction.

The 60 millimetres of travel on my Trek Supercaliber feel like a lot more. At the same time, the system saves weight and lets me fly up every mountain. I can't imagine a better bike on demanding routes like the one in Tokyo. - Jolanda Neff, Trek Factory Racing

2. cross county hardtails as pace setters

These racers convert every pedal stroke into propulsion without compromise. Fast as an arrow and yet versatile, they are the professionals' first choice when it comes to pure speed. These are the fastest cross-country hardtails in the world.

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod Ultimate

• Price10.499 Euro >> available here
• Weight: 9,1 Kilo
• Frame: 1045 gram
• Spring travel: 110 millimetres

With a 110 millimetre Lefty Ocho fork and a super slack 66.9 degree head angle, the Cannondale Scalpel revolutionised the world of XC hardtails. Mona Mitterwallner, among others, relies on these reserves in the World Cup. Our readers chose the Test winner from BIKE 03/22 to the Hardtail of the year 2022. Thanks to its forgiving and flat front end, the Cannondale stays on track even in rough terrain. With plenty of comfort and a smooth ride, it is the ideal marathon raceras the BIKE endurance test proves.

Canyon Exceed CFR LTD

• Price6999 Euro
• Weight: 9 Kilo
• Frame: 962 gram
• Spring travel: 100 millimetres

For marathon world champion Andreas Seewald, the Canyon Exceed is the first choice on long and altitude-heavy routes. It climbs even the steepest slopes effortlessly. In the BIKE test showed the Canyon with a low weight as a clear commitment to starting block A. Excellent acceleration values also save cross-country racers valuable energy. In terms of price, the direct mail order company is in a league of its own anyway, costing only half the price of Scott's top model.

Due to the defensive riding style of a marathon, the potential of a full-suspension bike cannot always be fully utilised. And every gram counts when the going gets steep. A hardtail therefore still has the advantage, especially on long distances. - Andreas Seewald, Canyon Northwave MTB

Cervélo ZHT5

• Price: 9999 Euro
• Weight: 9 Kilo
• Frame: 907 gram
• Spring travel: 100 millimetres

With the lightweight Cervélo ZHT5, the Canadians are transferring their racing expertise from the road and triathlon sector to cross-country mountain bikes for the first time. The reason for this was the founding of a dedicated XC team centred around multiple World Cup winner Milan Vader. The combination was convincing in the BIKE test of a light and stiff frame and wide tyres, especially in race mode. Short chainstays keep the Cervélo agile and manoeuvrable on trail descents.

Scott Scale RC SL

• Price: 13.999 Euro
• Weight: 8,9 Kilo
• Frame: 976 gram
• Spring travel: 100 millimetres

Scott doesn't miss out on the opportunity for superlatives in the cross-country hardtails either. Never has a bike with a rigid rear end been more expensive in series productionas the high-end version of the Scale. The elaborately crafted carbon frame is equipped with the most exclusive parts that money can buy. These include the Syncros Silverton SL monocoque wheelset with carbon spokes and the Trickstuff Piccola brakes. On the BIKE test track, the Sott Scale effortlessly pushed ahead and made steep ramps child's play.

Simplon Razorblade IV SL

• Price8599 Euro
• Weight: 8,5 Kilo
• Frame: 870 gram
• Spring travel: 100 millimetres

Simplon rider Markus Kaufmann has already won the BIKE-Transalp win. The long-distance specialist is also a two-time German marathon champion. His sensationally light Razorblade hardtail offers everything that has made cross-country racers happy for generations. The frame weight is the lowest, ever measured by the scale in the BIKE test lab. Nevertheless, the Austrians manage to achieve very good stiffness values.

Stoll R1 Race Lightweight

• Price11,100 Euro
• Weight: 7,8 Kilo
• Frame: 936 gram
• Spring travel: 100 millimetres

Altitude metre world record holder Kai Saaler needs a light base. The bike of the world champion in the 12 and 24-hour race mode weighs less than a half-full crate of mineral water. In addition to the carbon frame manufactured in Germany, the uncompromisingly light equipment is responsible for this. The Pi-Rope wheels with textile spokes accelerate as fast as the wind. In the BIKE test, the slim Stoll also proved to be a pleasingly comfortable cross-country hardtail.