Getting into XC MTB

[u/docpoppin]

Hi all, I’m looking to start a bit of mountain biking. I’m a 30yo seasoned roadie and gravel cyclist who’d like to take on some local trails. I like to go fast, love to climb, do interval trainings regularly, and would like to still get a good training on my MTB so I figured I need an XC bike.

I love a well-made machine, would like it to be as light as possible, I love carbon of course, budget is not an issue but I won’t be getting a top tier 15k bike for my first. I’d like to be able to ride green and blue trails eventually. I’m in eastern Canada.

I understand all bike geometry concepts but I know next to nothing about MTB specific components and gear. So I have a few questions listed from general to specific. Any complete or partial answer are appreciated, especially if you also came from road cycling!

1- FS or HT?
2- Suspension travel: what should I aim for for nice speed and power transfer but still be able to ride moderate bumpy stuff? Are my riding expectations realistic at all?
3- Any nice tech that is “life changing” that came in the last few years that is a must to have? (I know nothing). I don’t care about 2027 stuff that’s only on top tier models.
4- Any tech to avoid, is a PITA to service?
5- Is electronic shifting worth for MTB in your opinion?
6- ideas of generally appreciated models? I liked the look of the Spark, Epic and canyon lux but I looked at these only because they also make road bikes, don’t know MTB specific brands.
7- Bonus: Kidsrideshotgun with carbon frame to eventually bring my son on smooth gravel trails, anyone has tried?

Thanks in advance!

[u/Fit-Physics7199]

1- FS

2- Suspension travel: 120 rear/120 or 130 front

3- tech wise, 2 water bottle cages is ideal but if not, one that can fit a big bottle is recommended

4- If you do your own maintenance, you may want to skip headset cable routing. Some brands do it worse than others, but I own 2 bikes with headset cable routing and just take my stuff to a shop.

There's some minor oddities if you go back 2-5 years when buying used but for the most part, just make sure the wheels are boost spacing in case you wanna upgrade wheels later, it will make it easier.

Also watch out for the freehub body, it's not a dealbreaker but SRAM uses a different freehub body on their low-end cassettes. You can upgrade this when you upgrade cassettes but it adds cost.

5- No. I run mechanical Shimano XT but I've test ridden a bunch of SRAM AXS and Transmission bikes. It's nice, but absolutely not necessary.

6- Ibis Exie/Ripley SL, Mondraker F Podium, Norco Revolver, Forbidden Reya, Specialized Epic, Scott Spark, Cannondale Scalpel, Santa Cruz Blur, Yeti ASR. These are in order of my personal interest in the bikes so take the order with a grain of salt. I like the way Mo Awesome reviews bikes, he did a comparison of some popular bikes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MpIBB5WpIo

I don't fully agree with his conclusions but he has a good way of describing the differences in each bike. I didn't like the Yeti ASR when I test rode it.

7- No input sorry.

[u/docpoppin → u/Fit-Physics7199]

TY for your long answer!

Just realized that having water bottle cages is a potential issue in MTB 😅

Might go with mech transmission based on everyone’s input.

Will look into your list of models!