Cross-country (XC) mountain biking is the most common discipline of mountain biking and probably also most common entry point for amateur hobbyists getting into the sport. It is less publized than downhill mountain biking due to dh's fast pace and excitement, but requires the highest level of endurance out of all mountain biking catagories.

Cross country mountain biking is defined by the terrain on which it is performed. XC courses and trails consist of a mix of rough forest paths and singletrack, smooth fireroads, and even paved paths connecting other trails.

^{Cross-country bicycles are some of the lightest mountain bikes, typically between 7-16 kilos (15 and 30 lbs). They usually feature suspension forks in front and sometimes have suspension in the rear. Due to the nature of XC mountain biking, the bikes and equipment need to be lightweight but yet strong. This unfortunately means that the best equipment can be costly. However due to the popularity of this entry point into the market of mountain biking, the best manufacturers offer entry level models for considerally lower cost.}