2. Best value lightweight XC bike
3. Best for state-of-the-art cross-country tech
5. Best for ultimate lightness and simplicity
6. Best lightweight cross-country hardtail frameset
7. Best lightweight full-suspension frameset
8. Best lightweight MTB for technical riding
Sub 10kg (22lb) has always been a benchmark for the best light mountain bikes. However, with XCO courses becoming more and more technical and riders demanding bigger tires and dropper posts to tackle them, 10kg bikes are rarer than ever. That's not to say it isn't achievable, many bike brands manage to get their hardtails and even some of the best full-suspension mountain bikes sneak under the 10kg mark.
In reality, you’d be hard-pressed to tell any difference in the ride between a 10.2kg bike and a 9.8kg bike but the psychological/bragging rights of going under 10kg is massive. Developments and demands of riders mean it’s harder than ever for cross-country mountain bikes to hit that target though. 29in wheels, tires, and forks will always be heavier than 27.5in or 26in (remember them?) but their smoother speed makes them an XC essential. Some top racers like Nino Schurter are routinely using 2.4in tires now too, while others are wide rim or wide handlebar fans.
Most of the world’s fastest racers are now using dropper posts for extra control on challenging courses despite a 400-500g penalty over fixed posts. Huge cassettes mean simpler 1x transmissions are often heavier than old double chainring setups too. Even fitting a remote control lockout to the best XC forks adds significant weight, but again most racers won’t be without it for smashing smoother climbs.
Best lightweight mountain bikes under 10kg
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1. Best lightweight XC bike
Cervelo has plenty of race heritage albeit mostly on the road. Its first foray into mountain biking comes in the form of two cross-country bikes, the full-suspension Cervelo ZFS-5 and the lightweight Cervelo ZHT-5 hardtail.
While the full-suspension bike doesn't quite nip under the 10kg mark, the ZHT-5 more than achieves this target weight. It's not just the numbers that make the ZHT-5 a flattering ride either. The low weight is going to naturally give it an instantaneous kick and shift character that accelerates out of corners and breezes up climbs, but when Guy test rode it he found it offered far more confidence and grip than you would expect from a race-focused hardtail.
In his first ride review, Guy remarked that "there was always more turn in or lean in grip than I expected. And as long as I looked up rather than thinking about angles, fork leg diameters, and bald tires, the ZHT-5 would track the targeting laser up the trail like a Top Gun hero moment."
To find out more, head over to the full Cervelo ZHT-5 hardtail first look.
2. Best value lightweight XC bike
Canyon has grown from a small trailer-based spares ‘shop’ at German XC races to a global bike-brand superpower with an ever-increasing number of World Cup and World Championship race wins under its belt.
This top-line hardtail features a 69-degree headtube angle, 1,154mm wheelbase, and 455mm reach on a size large. It also gets a sweet exclusive paint job, and the full build comes in at 8.9 kg.
For the build kit, the bike features a SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS drivetrain and a remote-controlled RockShox SID SL fork. SRAM also provides the braes with Level Ultimates bringing the stopping power. Reynolds Blacklabel XC wheels are paired with Maxxis tires to keep you rolling.
It has a sharp classic XC ride feel, which Guy found out when he tested the bike, "the unfiltered stiffness, super lightweight, and direct drive efficiency of the Exceed CFR will be an unholy trinity that’ll create a religious experience for many hardcore racers. They’ll rejoice in the rapid, climb-friendly steering feel from the relatively steep head angle and 740mm bars too.
On a budget? There are multiple other Exceed models to choose from with more wallet-friendly build kits. They feature the same frame geometry but will have different components and will be heavier, however even the lower spec Exceed CF is still sub 10kg.
For more, check out our full Canyon Exceed CFR LTD.
3. Best for state-of-the-art cross-country tech
Scott totally redesigned their Scale cross-country hardtail which had remained unchanged for the last six years. With the launch of the new bike, the Scale sees a radical redesign that revolutionizes Scott's hardtail race bike.
Built from Scott's HMX SL carbon, Scott has refined the frame's carbon layup but also the construction and hardware. There are some new features too, including adjustable headset cups as used on the Spark to give + / - 0.6-degree head angle adjustment. The new geometry can be adjusted between 67.9 degrees as supplied, neutral cups (included with the bike) for a 67.2-degree, to a super slack (for XC) 66.7 degrees in a few minutes. The seat angle is 75.3 degrees in the standard 67.9 head angle position and reach is measured at 463.6mm on a medium.
Scott put Guy through his paces at the Scale's launch but the bike's qualities weren't lost on Guy. "Between the hyperventilating, lactic burn, and hallucinogenic lack of oxygen though it was still clear that the new Scale is blisteringly, brutally fast. While it’s not the lightest hardtail option by over a kilo and the DT Swiss-based hub internals have a ten-degree lag before engagement, when they do connect, the power delivery is sledgehammer direct".
Regarding components, Scott has kitted their new top-of-the-range hardtail with an equally best-of-the-best spec list. Highlights include Trickstuff Piccola Carbon brakes, a Quarq power meter, carbon finishing kit from Syncros, and the incredibly light Silverton SL2-30 CL carbon that weighs a claimed 1280g per wheelset and are the same wheels Tom Pidcock chose to ride at the Olympics.
The astronomical asking price of the Scale RC SL is far beyond what most people could possibly comprehend spending on an XC bike. the good news is the Scale RC World Cup retails for less than half and still slips under the 10kg mark.
For more details head over to our full Scott Scale RC SL review.
4. Best for race proven tech
A couple of years ago now, Trek created an all-new type of full-suspension bike, using what it calls ‘Isostrut,' a tiny but full feature remote control Fox air shock delivering 60mm of travel. It doesn't sound like much, especially with many XC bikes now coming with 120mm front and rear, but it has more than proven its capabilities with both Olympic and World Championship wins to its name.
It's not going to be as forgiving as a lot of longer travel XC bikes but the suspension is soft enough that it boosts traction and stops the bike from stalling on square edges compared to a hardtail. It's still tight enough that you can really enjoy the performance you get from a sub 10kg mountain bike when you stamp on the pedals and when Guy Kesteven tested the bike he rarely felt the need to twist the shock into lock mode.
For a deeper dive into the details, plus a comparison with the Specialized's Epic World Cup bike, check out Guy's Trek Supercaliber SLR 9.9 XX AXS Gen 2 review.
5. Best for ultimate lightness and simplicity
In terms of frame weight, Orbea’s carbon fiber Alma OMR race hardtail isn’t crazy light at over 1kg, but they’ve done something radical to get complete bike weight low enough to kill on the climbs. Most riders will probably opt for a suspension fork but for those brave enough Orbea’s 550g Spirit Rigid fork will save you 800-1,000g over a 100mm suspension unit to bring complete bike weight well under 8kg.
The kinked, super-flat top tube is designed to help dissipate the extra shock coming through from the front end too, although the long, tapered, carbon legs deliver a smoother ride than you’d expect. The super-slim stays are designed for extra flex but there’s still plenty of meat around the cranks and chainstays for kicking hard and making that low weight count. The fork is also the same length as a 100mm travel unit so swapping around won’t disturb the agile, short wheelbase handling.
The same OMR frame appears on the top four Alma models with another four Alma models using the slightly heavier OMP frames. Whatever your starting point, Orbea’s ‘MyO’ customization program lets you pick and mix from a range of components to tune cost, weight, and character. You can even choose from multiple color options (fully custom on-the-top models) so that you get a truly personalized Alma built for you in Orbea’s Basque factory. The direct-sell model means they’re generally very good value too although you will have to wait longer for delivery than if you pick an off-the-shelf bike from your local shop.
6. Best lightweight cross-country hardtail frameset
Mondraker claims the Podium is the lightest production cross-country frame available and although it was released back in 2021, Mondraker's 'Forward Geometry' means it's still pretty up to date with the modern crop of XC bikes.
Born on DH race tracks thanks to the work of Unno’s Cesar Rojo and others, Forward Geometry was the spark point for the current trend for super-short stems on extended reach frames. Mondraker was the first mainstream brand to be bold enough to use the concept right across its range from gravity bikes to cross-country machines.
Mondraker claims that the Podium Carbon RR frame weighs just 775g, which is spectacularly light and the perfect base for a super light custom build if you don't fancy Mondrakers complete builds. The Podium was designed a while ago now but the geometry has been refreshed, bringing a 463mm reach, 68.5-degree headtube angle, and a 70mm stem on a size large.
If you can afford the price tag for this beast of a hardtail, then you'll be smashing the climbs in no time.
7. Best lightweight full-suspension frameset
Specialized recently updated its S-Works Epic cross-country bike resulting in a super capable and super fast race bike. It's also one of the most technically advanced cross-country bikes loaded with RockShox Flight Attendant, wireless shifting, and a power meter. While this undoubtedly boosts the bike's velocity on track, it adds a little extra weight to the package as well.
The previous generation S-Works Epic build snuck under the 9.7kg mark, the S-Works Epic 8 package Specialized offers now is 10.49kg – although Spesh claims that the latest frameset is now 260g lighter. That means if you are willing to build the S-Works Epic 8 up yourself, with the right parts and budget it could be pieced together to be sub 10kg.
If low weight is the main goal, you will probably need to forego the computer-controlled suspension. However, you will still be able to reap the rewards of XC-benchmark performance that is on offer from the Specialized S-Works Epic 8 frameset.
Check out the Specialized S-Works Epic 8 review to find out more.
8. Best lightweight MTB for technical riding
Scott recently updated its long-running Spark XC format; a bold new look and a seriously progressive and tech trail-ready ride mean it has been a real hit. It’s more than accurate enough to get really aggro with too. The latest iteration also has the best Spark suspension by far, with proper chunder-calming, and speed-breeding performance in its ‘Open' mode. Push the TwinLoc trigger on the bar though and you can toggle into a tauter, reduced travel ‘Traction’ mode for feisty climbs or fully lock it for sprinting, and that response is matched by the front fork, too.
Arguably the Spark shouldn't be on this list as the range-topping Spark RC SL EVO AXS model doesn't actually meet the sub 10kg criteria for this buyer's guide. We are willing to forgive that 400g though considering it has an uncompromising spec including a stout Fox 34, a dropper, a power meter, and big tires mean you can really rally this bike to its full 120mm of travel potential.
We reviewed the more affordable Scott Spark Team Issue AXS model and were very impressed with its performance.
Giant's Anthem is another cross-country bike that just misses the 10kg mark but with its lighter weight frame and a few upgrades the Anthem could meet that weight.
Previously, the Anthem came loaded with Fox's Live Valve system which automatically controlled the suspension as you rode but added a bit of weight with its battery, wiring, motors, and sensors. For 2024, Giant has dropped the Live Valve meaning the current generation of Anthem Advance Pro 29 1 is now the lightest it has ever been. A bit of careful spec tweaking, especially around the drivetrain, should get an Anthem Advanced 29 1 spec bike under the mystical 10kg. Alternatively, Giant offers the Anthem as a frame-only option if you want to build up your own spec with the bonus of a jazzy paint job too
Not only could the Anthem Advanced 29 slip under 10kg, but it also rides incredibly well. We reviewed the latest generation Giant Anthem Advanced Pro 29 1 (with Live Valve) when it first launched, finding that the Anthem felt more like a trail bike than a cross-country bike. On the descents, the Anthem feels very composed even when you feel like you are riding on the edge, and on the climbs, the rear suspension helps stick the rear tire to the ground giving it great traction.
What you need to know about the best lightweight mountain bikes
What are the lightest mountain bike frames?
When it comes to frames the big weight penalty that racers are now routinely paying is opting for a full-suspension bike rather than one of the best hardtail mountain bikes. Unless it’s a super-smooth or strength-sapping high-altitude course most of the men’s World Cup XCO field will be on a double-damped rig, and more and more women are lining up on full sus every race.
They’re a lot more fun and forgiving outside the tape if you’re not a completely competition-focused rider too. That inevitably means a roughly 250g rear shock plus pivot bearings, other mounting hardware, and extra frame parts piling on the weight. As a result, even the ultra-light 1,870g Scott Spark is still over 1000g heavier than the hardtail Scott Scale and most head-to-head, in-brand comparisons are significantly heavier. Softail bikes like Trek’s Supercaliber race bike split the difference in weight and full suspension function.
Are cross-country race bikes lighter?
Cross-country race bikes that are ridden by pros are very light as they feature specs that are either too expensive or not available to the general public. That said it's not uncommon to find brands selling premium models that are even lighter than the bikes their team riders use. That’s generally due to sponsor demands (for example, RockShox SID Ultimate SL forks are heavier than Fox 32 Step-Cast, and Shimano XTR is heavier than SRAM XX1). With no contractual obligations for consumer bikes, sometimes brands just fit cost-no-object component mixes to create a super-light show stopper you can buy off the shelf.
What is the lightest MTB in the world?
Some bikes like Orbea’s Alma M-Ltd and Scott's Scale which can be specced with a rigid fork are lightened further than most of us would regard practical. Alternatively, you can get a bike with an eccentric bottom bracket or sliding drop-outs and go single-speed and ditch gears altogether. If you really want to see what’s possible then click on the infamous gram-hating hangout weightweenies.starbike.com. Or check out how anti-gravity artists like Gustav Gullholm (Dangerholm on Instagram) get Scott Spark and Scale bikes down to 7kg with belt sanders, paint stripper, and ultra-light carbon fiber cockpit and seating combinations.
NB: We’ve had to rely on some manufacturers' weights for this run down, so if you want to be sure of weights take your scales with you when you go shopping. Please contact us if any of the numbers are right off so we can update the feature for everyone else.
How we test the best budget full-suspension bikes
We test bikes on a wide range of trails, from singletrack to technical woodsy riding, in a variety of weather conditions, from bone dry to properly sodden. We test bikes over a number of months so we can assess how they fare over time.
Meet the tester
Guy's been testing and writing about mountain bikes since the '90s. He’s written several million words about several thousand test bikes and a ridiculous amount of riding gear.
Graham is all about riding bikes off-road with almost 20 years of riding experience covering downhill, enduro, and gravel.
