xtrpickels wrote:
XC Race / Trail - ~ 120mm of travel. This is a newer category where manufacturers are taking what is essentially the efficient mountain bike and adding a bit of "Fun" to it. This is the Scott Spark (Non-RC), The Epic Evo. I think this what you are after. These make great learning bikes from riders who are used to going fast on the road, but are looking for some forgiveness on the trail. These can still be raced, but they're about 1.5 lbs heavier than their true race counterparts.
I just switched from an Epic World Cup to a Pivot Mach 429sl (120/100). The slight difference in geometry and travel between those two bikes (XC Race vs. XC "trail") is pretty astounding in terms of how different they feel.