SPOT.
HomeDiscoverScoresWatchListen
SPOT.Sign In

Spot Sports

Everything worth following in sports

Content

  • Videos
  • Podcasts
  • Channels
  • Blog

Company

  • About
  • Support

Legal

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • YouTube Terms

© 2026 Spot Sports. All rights reserved.

Home
Scores
Watch
Listen
My Spot
You've Got This Bike All Wrong!

Video

You've Got This Bike All Wrong!

8:16

Cycling

You've Got This Bike All Wrong!

Global Mountain Bike Network›
Yesterday8:1616.0K views
Watch in the app

Gear context

Compare gear from this video.

Use the running gear hub or search links to keep comparing products after the clip.

Running gearSearch this gearCompare similar gear
Xc BikesGravel Bike

James dives into how modern XC bikes have completely evolved with slacker geometry, wider tyres, and dropper posts, making them arguably the ultimate "do-it-all" bikes for everyday trail riders. We also compare them to the massive gravel bike trend and explain why an XC bike might actually be the perfect ride for the trails you actually ride.

⏱ Timestamps ⏱
00:00 - The Most Misunderstood Bike?
01:01 - Why XC Bikes Got a Bad Rep
01:38 - How Modern XC Bikes Have Changed
02:08 - The Reality of Everyday Riding
03:15 - How Do They Perform on the Trails?
04:02 - What Happens When the Trail Goes Downhill?
05:34 - XC Bikes vs. Gravel Bikes
06:44 - Should You Buy an XC Bike?

Useful Links:
Join this channel to get access to perks: gmbn.eu/YouTubeMembership
🛍 Explore The GMBN Shop 👉 gmbn.eu/SpringTees
! 👉 gmbn.eu
Submit your Photo and Video to us 👉 gmbn.com/uploader
Won a prize on the Dirt Shed Show 👉 gmbn.eu/DSSPrizeWinner
Looking for MTB Insurance? Check here 👉 gmbn.eu/insurance
Sign-up to our newsletter 👉 gmbn.eu/newsletter

Modern XC bikes have changed a lot over the last decade, but do you think they’ll ever lose their reputation as pure 'race-day' machines? Let us know in the comments if you’d ever consider switching your trail bike for a modern XC setup!

Watch more on GMBN...
📹 youtu.be/P4KqVHdpUO4
📹 Watch our Editor’s Choice Playlist 👉 gmbn.eu/EditorsChoice
📹 Watch our weekly show, The Dirt Shed Show 👉 gmbn.eu/dirtshedplaylist

🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵
Cold Cash - dozeoff
Danger Ahead - Etienne Roussel
All That Talks - A Month of Sleep
RENEGADE - damnsonic
Swamp Man - Roy Edwin Williams
Roadmasters (Instrumental Version) - Suffer City
Blue Asparagus - TAGE

📸 Photos - © UCI Mountain Bike World Series / © Getty Images / © Sprint Cycling Agency

The Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) is the world’s largest and fastest-growing online mountain bike channel and community – and your destination for the best mountain bike content in the world.

GMBN is dedicated to inspiring and unlocking your riding potential. Our videos cater to fans of every mountain bike discipline: from mile-munching cross-country (XC) riders, through adrenaline-fuelled dirt jumpers, gravity-hungry downhillers or aspiring enduro racers, and beyond.

Our ex-pro presenting team are on hand to entertain and inspire you while also providing a uniquely qualified insight into the world of mountain biking. Every week we deliver original daily videos that include:

Adventurous and entertaining features
Mountain bike skills coaching
Technical advice and guidance
Mechanical know-how to keep you rolling
A place for the riding community with our weekly Dirt Shed Show

Thanks to our sponsors:
Canyon Bikes: gmbn.eu/Canyon
Propain Bikes: gmbn.eu/Propain
Park Tool: gmbn.eu/ParkTool
Crankbrothers Pedals: gmbn.eu/crankbros
Shimano Footwear: gmbn.eu/ShimanoShoes
Ergon: gmbn.eu/ergon
Vittoria Tires: gmbn.eu/Vittoria
Reynolds wheels: gmbn.eu/Reynolds
FSA: gmbn.eu/fsa
Topeak: gmbn.eu/topeak
Garmin: gmbn.eu/Garmin
CamelBak: gmbn.eu/CamelBak
Met Helmets: gmbn.eu/Met-Helmets
Bluegrass Protection: gmbn.eu/Bluegrass
Atlas Ride Co: gmbn.eu/AtlasRideCo

Watch our sister channels:
GMBN Tech - gmbn.tech/YouTube
Electric Mountain Bike Network - embn.me/YouTube
Global Cycling Network - gcn.eu/YouTube
GCN Tech - gcntech.co/YouTube
Global Triathlon Network - gtn.io/YouTube
GCN Italia - gcn.eu/ItaliaYouTube
GCN en Espanol - gcn.eu/EspanolYouTube
GCN auf Deutsch - gcn.eu/DeutschYouTube
GCN en Francais - gcn.eu/FrancaisYouTube
GCN Training - gcn.eu/TrainingYouTube
GCN Racing - gcn.eu/RacingYouTube

Frequently asked

Where can I watch this?

Press play above — the video streams right here. The free Spot Sports app also queues clips like this one alongside your followed teams and athletes.

Where is You've Got This Bike All Wrong! from?

From the Global Mountain Bike Network channel. Tap the channel link below the title to browse more uploads.

How long is this video?

8 minutes.

More from Global Mountain Bike NetworkCycling videosxc bikesgravel bikeLatest videosWatch guideWatch-cost calculator

Watch next

Watch next

All from Global Mountain Bike Network →
This stops pain on the descents!⁠

Up next

This stops pain on the descents!⁠

Keep the session moving with another watch from the same channel.

Today0:26

Watch next

This stops pain on the descents!⁠

This stops pain on the descents!⁠

Today0:26
What is arm pump?⁠

What is arm pump?⁠

Yesterday0:57
How did you get so good at this?⁠

How did you get so good at this?⁠

Yesterday0:09
All from Global Mountain Bike Network→