cross country (comfy ) bike for a big rider.

looking for a bit of advice.

it has been well over 10 years since i rode a suspension bike. so hopefully with tech being better now i should be able to find a xc bike suitable for a big rider.

allday comfort being my aim.

but i have not got a clue what to look at or far, so any advice greatly appreciated.

I am not sure this will help much but I have a lovely XL Specialized Epic Evo from 2020 carbon full bouncer and I thought it fitted me well, no issues. Then I had to buy another bike (don’t ask I “had” to) and it was a Specialized Epic HT as I thought it would be identical but as a 2022/3 model the geometry is different and it fits me much much better. So much so the Epic FS will go soon. (and loads of this years Epic Evo and HT going cheap if you shop around in the traditional recommend what you have STW way).

The moral for me with this little anecdote was that in both cases I bought them with no test ride (simply couldn’t get one) but they are night and day different so next time around test ride no matter what for me as the best way to find that comfort for long XC type rides 🙂

All bikes I think are pretty damn good now so if you can ride and then pick you will be a much better place and air suspension is so easy to tweak and tune to suit your needs and style of riding.

Good luck hunting, trying, and buying the next bike 🙂

James

I’m a big heavy rider happily bouncing along on an Epic Evo. Very happy with it. If you go for the “cheap” model it even comes with a bigger air can than the posher ones too.

To be honest the epic was on my list. It looks pretty much what i want. Thanks.

I would say Specialized Epic, Giant Anthem or the Cannondale Scalpel. Would you consider a hardtail ? Pauls Cycles have some stunningly good prices on Lapierre bikes currently. There are some Lapierre full suspension on there in XL too.

Tall or heavy?

Been very impressed with my Stumpjumper, does big rides with ease and is pretty much a 2024 epic evo.

https://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/shop/bikes/mountain/model/stumpjumper/?s=&subcategory3=&store_stock=yes&orderby=default&price-max=14500.00&price-min=425.00&store_stock=yes

If you’re a big rider looking for more all-day comfort with a bit more travel than an Epic, would an XL Nicolai Saturn 14 fit the bill? ‘Kin robust alloy frame and you’ll find a lovely condition 2nd hand one for sale at the moment for less than a new Epic.Not so stealth ad!

I’m tall and 95kg. I love my geometron G13.

If I had a pile of cash I’d buy a11y’s from eBay.

If I was less flush there is a second had XL geometron G13 frame on Facebook.

If I was after something new i’d get a geometron g1

Committed geometron fan boy 😀

I only ride full suss now because my back is **** and even XC messes it up on a hard tail for any sort of longish ride.

My bike is from a few years ago when “down country” was the thing it’s  a Whyte S120 C RS I think.  Plenty enough for my riding, not sure there are many  equivalent short travel relaxed geometry options now – but I’m not exactly up on what’s available

I have an XL Santa Cruz Bronson (Danny Mac on the ridge era) full susser going spare if you want it. Very very comfy with the best shock I’ve ever ridden (Cane Creek double barrel air). I’m 6’4″ and 120kg, so good for a big rider either way.