Never owned an out and out 'modern' XC bike, but wouldn't use one enough to justify splurging loads of cash on a new one. Got a vague plan to keep an eye out over the winter for something second hand I can use round the woods and for the odd (nowhere near the pointy end) local XC race next year if they get up and running again.
I don't really know the genre, so not sure what to look out for brand/model wise. My (possibly ill-formed) thoughts are...
Maybe 3 or 4 years old (to keep cost down)
29er
FS - 100-120mm rear, ability to take 120-140mm forks
Aluminium
Not fussed on boost/non-boost
Reasonable weight (my main bike is a RocketMAX!)
Ideally 44mm headtube (I might want to slacken it off a bit)
Suggestions for what I should look out for will be gratefully received (pics would be a welcome bonus).
Cheers.
2017/18 Scott Spark sounds pretty much ideal if you can find a good one? I have a 2018 Genius and it's brilliant.
Bump for the Sunday crowd.
Specialised camber. They don't do them anymore (it's replaced with a stumpjumper short travel)
Great bikes, older models go for around £700 prior to covid.
Giant anthem is also a good bike to look out for.
Kona hei hei? Should be able to find last years model which is still relatively progressive for xc, nice and long and fairly cheap.
Very nice to ride.
although you said not new and out of stock at the moment - range tops out under a grand (currently) with rebas up front
Got a rough budget in mind? I have a Scott Spark (4 years old) I'm looking to sell.
I've got a canyon grand canyon. It's carbon with upside down rockshox forks. Swithering about selling it. Proper fast xc bike tho.
Something like a Camber Evo 29 can be had for sub-1k e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-Camber-FSR-Evo-29-Large-2015-120mm-Mountain-Bike/254695244131?hash=item3b4d050163:g:ukIAAOSw0X5fP-N8
With something like that you'll have a lot of fun on general rides but still be able to race in local XC races as long as you're not looking to podium.
On a different tangent, I have one of these - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Giant-Anthem-1-Mountain-Bike-Medium-Frame-27-5-Wheels-2017-Excellent-Condition/203110581513?hash=item2f4a558509:g:nFUAAOSwaHlfVj4U which go for more money but are absolute rocket ships, even though they run on 27.5 wheels.
I run mine with a 130mm fork and 70mm stem and it works well for XC racing / marathon as well as trail riding. The only place it feels out of its depth is Lakes / Peak District chunky rocky stuff, for which I usually just borrow or hire a longer travel bike. For everything else its just a great bike. It can easily keep up with any of my mates on 29ers and is always faster on tight twisty trails.