How do you choose? It's a common question for riders looking to cover miles quickly and efficiently for a marathon-style epic ride: should you go for an XC hardtail or an XC full-suss? To find out, Neil and Rich are taking two Shimano XT-equipped examples from Merida & putting them both through their paces as they go the distance over some wild terrain!

In association with Shimano: https://gmbn.eu/shimano

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Check out the route we took on Komooot here: https://gmbn.eu/296

Watch more on GMBN...
Ever thought about electric gears on your bike? https://gmbn.eu/ShimanoDi2 📹
Are DH Bikes dead? https://gmbn.eu/deathDH 📹

🎵 Music - licensed by Artlist
Welcome to the Afterlife -Macifif
Lowkey Sunday - Fassounds
Temptation - Instrumental Version - Ride Free
Hit-the-ground-running - Instrumental Version - Ryan Prewett
She Writes - Instrumental Version - Lance Conrad
Everybody Get Up - No Vocals -FX - Ian Post
Spicy Lounge - Ian Post
Freeway - Veshza
Jungle Games - Roman P

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