There used to be a time when you had to choose between trail bike performance and cross-country race-ready weight. Not any more. Say hello to the NINETY-SIX 7000. It builds on the speedy genes of our short travel race winner with a CF4 carbon frame and adds a whole new layer of capability thanks to a longer travel 120 mm Fox 34 Float SC Performance Elite fork paired to 100 mm out back. Add in more aggressive tyres and a larger four-piston front brake and you’re ready to rock.

The NINETY-SIX is the new and exciting reincarnation of our former World Cup-proven XC and marathon machine. It inherits the forward-surging race genes of the old NINETY-SIX and combines it with a new readiness and ability to tackle today’s demanding XC and marathon courses. The carbon fibre frame platform and P-FLEX suspension are the perfect basis for a fun-packed, fast and trail-loving short-travel full suspension machine that helps define what a modern cross-country race bike should be. It’s able to take on rougher than ever world-class race tracks as well as the trail riders who want hyper-speed climbing with the ability to descend like never before. If you’re after lightning-quick climbing with downhill ‘down country’ capability, this model comes with a longer 120 mm travel fork more aggressive tyres and a more powerful front brake compared to our race-focussed ‘RC’ models.