TOP 5 BEST VALUE XC HARDTAILS OF 2023 

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Just placed an order for a Specialized Chisel after watching this video! I have been doing tons of research and this video helped out tons! Will update once I pick up the bike from the shop

Whether it's a Canyon or any other brand of bike, most shops WILL know how to work on them. If not, just like this video, there is always info online. As a shop owner, I have confidence in saying that. Now, I also want to say that for bikes that are under $2000, that carbon frame is NOT the same as higher models. I guess at this price point, I would not see myself spending more money to get a heavier bike and less of a warranty. Like you, I'm a metal person, so aluminum, chromemoly or my favorite titanium. The frame is the heart of a bike, so as parts wear out, if folks are so inclined, then it would make sense to upgrade then. The other portion of this, if you find a shop that you trust and that is helpful, why not support them? If you need to send a bike back to a consumer direct company, you will need to box that bike back up and send it back to them. If you aren't able to do that, then your shop can do that, but at a cost, So in the end if you have to do that, please look at the cost...at that point you are very close to what a bike in a shop cost. That shop is going to help you in any way that they can, and get to know what you like or don't like. As a last reminder, if you ship your bike out, do you have another to ride until it arrives back home? Often times, shops may have a loaner or rental bike to help you with that. Just another side to the story...

The syncline c5 is the best, after upgrades, got it down to around 9kg+. Beast.

I just ordered the Polygon C5 a few days ago, can't wait!

I've got the 2021 Rapide VR that I bought during the pandemic for $1499. Bought it for the great spec at that price point and as far as I know it's exactly the same as the '23 model except mine came equipped with a Reba 110mm rather than the SID and Racing Ray/Racing Ralph tires. Great bike for the $$ except for a couple minor drawbacks. No water bottle cage for the seat tube and you can't fit any larger than a 32t ring in the front. But regardless, a fantastic bike for the $$. I did upgrade the WTB wheelset with a set of Hunt Race XCs but the stock WTBs are more than adequate. Thank you for profiling the great deals on these XC bikes. XC hardtails don't seem to get quite the same amount of love and airtime as its more gnarly trailbike cousin.

Josh! Brooo The BMC two stroke Al 1 XC bike would of been the best bike on this list!! 67 HTA 75 seat tube angle nice long reach, thru axles, and everything else. Not to mention the best aesthetics! Pink bike (your favorite) did a review on its channel about it! Check it out!

Great video! You should do under 3,000 next.. 👍

The Syncline C% with 27.5 in tires is the only one of the bunch that fits me.

I really like my Niner Air 9. It has lower spec components but, higher spec Bomber Z2 with 120mm of travel. I converted it to SS, and swapped over my XT brakes. It comes with Nobby NIcs, which are way more aggressive than what I ran in the past. Wheelset is heavy even with a 28 spoke count, but they have stayed true and can take some hits. Coming from a steel frame with a 70 degree head angle and 10mm longer chainstays, to Aluminum with a 68 degree angle 427mm chainstays, it's a revelation on downhill sections. I can keep my weight more neutral without risk of ending up end over a@@. It's much more playful, but more squirrely on technical climbs, especially on the local granite chunk. But it's hardly a disadvantage. Its has a very short 35mm stem. If I was to change anything else, it would be a dropper, and a good carbon bar to take some of the bite out opposed to the stock aluminum RaceFace Affect bar.

BMC Two Stroke would my choice on the alloy options. Under $2k for various models, down country race geo and it looks pretty legit cool. There is carbon models that start at $2k.

Wasnt really considering a chisel until your video but now it might be out my roscoe choice, especially with the sale Specialized has now

Have a Chisel Ltd frame built up with XT group set Judy gold forks, Hope wheels and hubs....it is a dream to ride on the ups with better shock absorbancy than a carbon bike. Down side is 12kg with pedals and cages...so an upgrade of wheels and fork will I hope get down to 10kg. I would say buy one if you want a great light trail xc bike , ✌✌

Bikesonline has some great deals going on right now with the Synclines, especially the C2, which is currently going for $799. Considering the carbon frame and Deore 1x11 group set, it's gotta be the best bang for buck deal on the planet right now. Bike could use an upgrade or two but then again it looks pretty trail ready out of the box. Price is 50% off from the true original price. I remember when that bike first hit the market it was at the listed $1599 for quite a while.

By the way, congrats to Wendy on getting the gig with Bikes Online. Saw her on the vid for the Path gravel bikes the other night 👍

Niner air 9 is a awesome xc hardtail

I dunno much about XC other than 1) I lack the conditioning and 2) There's lots of hardtails. I'm definitely on board with one of those things! Thanks for the shoutout and reppin' the gang! ❤❤❤

I will buy Bianchi nitron.

I got news for you I was choosing between the Chisel and the X-caliber. I could not find one shop that had it that I could go check it out in person.

How about scott scale 940? I think this bike is also in between price range..or is this bike not good enough?

Giant xtc slr 2 is the best value for money

I’m thinking of getting exceed cf 6 as currently $400 off in sale. Has better components than cf 5.would there be advantages to this?

How good is the giant xtc slr 2 (2023) compared to the bikes here? My budget is 1000€ I don't know anything about bikes. I just want a good and fast mountainbike to for streets and offroad. It should be easy to climb. I don't care about good downhill performance.

The Chisel frame is probably the lightest at 3.09lbs. The Chisel and Team Marin was the 2 XC bikes that i was looking at. Ended up with a Maniak and running a SID ultimate lol

Take an look at the Canyon and the specialized and you see those rider reviews have to be bought. I mean seriously an carbon fiber frame for equal money and the more bulletproof groupset? Put in some nice wheels down the line and you easily race that one. And you would be the limiting factor.

vitus actually has good warranty. They replaced my sisters fork even a year after buying it

Got all amped to buy some merch to support your channel and unfortunately there’s no 2XL’s for sale on your website. Big guys ride hard tails and need shirts too, Lol.

Also the Syncline only comes through BikesOnLIne and they have a horrible customer service experience if there is a problem and any warranty work means disassembly and boxing and send it back to them in CA.

Hi guys, im a newby.. im just wondering why i never see the Trek mtb in the list. Is it that bad or are the other bikes just better of you look to the price/quality. Excuse my English. Greetings from Holland

Giant xtc SLR 1

Serious question: how relevant are hard tail XC race bikes? Every race I've personally seen appears to be dominated by full-suspension bikes; it does not seem to matter the terrain. I love hard tail bikes, but I don't race and therefore don't have an insider's perspective.

From what I've heard, lifetime warranties are misleading. They only cover manufacturer defects for the normal life of the frame. So, if you rode a frame hard for 5 years, and it started developing a crack; the manufacturer could say that's normal wear and tear and not covered by the warranty.

Only the Canyon and Specialized come in an XS size for us wittle people.

1799 for aluminum frame with 11 speeds is INSANE!

You missed sentier 29

What about fezzaro bikes

Why doesn’t anyone talk about BMC bikes?

The Shimamo 11 speed 11-51t cassette is heaver than the 12 speed.

JUST ONE HUGE CRASH CARBON GONE 😢

I think you done messed up on some of your numbers for the Vitus. It has a 420mm reach for a M, not 402mm. Also the headtube angle is 67 degrees not 68 and the seat tube is 73 degrees not 72.5. You must be looking at the geo chart for the carbon version which is quite different (shorter and steeper) compared to the aluminum version. I see that the new US Vitus website has the wrong numbers posted for the AL Rapide so that's where the confusion must be from.

Ragley…?

Everyone's best bikes list seems to be filled with these stupid direct to consumer bikes. It seems that the reviewers have rarely if ever seen them or ridden them but they are recommending them. Being able to try a bike in a store is so much better and I don't have to spend a ton of money to have one shipped to me with the risk that it will not be the bike for me.

At those price points might as well get an entry level full sus Hardtails are great because you can get a great one for 700 dollars or less

Please talk in Metric weights ,the whole world including the British gave up on imperial measurement ( except for miles and pints🍺) circa 1970🤷‍♂️

SL C5 has been outta stock for mths. Kinda Pathetic. -U10

merida 600 easily beat all of them...

I wouldnt buy the specialized. SRAM SX is a bad groupset and the rockshox fork has factory set rebound.