The Cross Country Bike or (XC)

In continuing with my current mountain biking topic of defining the differant types of rigs available, this week I will be describing the Cross Country or XC bike. The XC bike is a ligher weight bike not designed for large drops or jumps but mainly for reduced weight. The purpuse of a XC is for longer rides over relative light terrain, tarmack, fire roads, and the occational down tree or rock. XC bikes are most commonly found multi-disipline and obviously cross country races as well as the recreational mounation biker. Below is a more "offical" description that I found here.

"Cross country (XC) mountain bikes are designed primarily around the discipline of cross country racing. Cross country racing with its emphasis on climbing as well as speed and endurance demands bikes that are both lightweight and efficient. In the 1980s and early 1990s XC mountain bikes typically consisted of a lightweight steel hardtail frame with rigid forks. Throughout the 1990s XC bikes evolved to incorporate lightweight aluminium frames and short travel (65 to 110mm) front suspension forks. Recently full suspension designs have become more prevalent, the use of advanced carbon fiber composites has allowed bike designers to produce full suspension designs under 10 kg. Full suspension bikes such as the Specialized Epic and the Mérida Ninety Two have been successfully used to win the World Cross Country Championships. The geometry of Cross Country bikes favours climbing ability and fast responses over descending and stability and as a result typical head angles are 70-71o Although intended for off-road use, Cross Country mountain bikes with their emphasis on lightweight construction are not designed for use on the most steep or severe terrain."