I have a large Enduro 29 and agree with the comment about feeling perched. It also definitely feels shorter than my other current favourite 29er – its a slightly strange bike, because (apart from the tall BB), the geometry feels nice and agile for general trail centre type stuff, but then IMO, it has too much travel for trail centres. For winch and plummet natural descents in the Peak and Wales, I really like the bike and, from a big near miss this week, I can confirm that it’s suspension travel does give it a decent safety margin for bashing through stuff:) The Enduro I’ve got is a 2016 with pressfit bottom bracket, so my plan is to fit an offset BB to drop it by 10mm when the stock BB is knackered. With the BB lowered I think it’ll be a good bike for general trail riding on rough stuff, but definitely not my first choice for trail centres!
My current favourite is my Cotic FlareMAX; it’s a bit slacker, has got a longer reach and wheelbase than the Enduro 29. Ride wise, it’s just a brilliant all-rounder. Only had the bike for 3or 4 weeks, but done a few Peak District rides (natural and man made flow trails), and been to Glentress with it. It was brilliant around Glentress – even the off-piste ‘enduro’ trails. The only time I’ve felt that I would have been more confident and comfortable with a bit more travel and/or wheelbase has been on a couple of natural descents where I’ve deliberately stayed off the brakes just to explore its stability envelope. I have felt the bike starting to get a bit squirelly when speeds really get up, or charging fast when the terrain starts getting loose and rocky – but then, this is probably fairly deeply into RocketMAX territory.
I’d recommend getting a demo of a RocketMAX and FlareMAX. On paper, they’re heavier and don’t get as good a spec as some of the big brands, but they ride lighter than their on paper weight, and have quite an indestructible feel to them. IMO, their geometry is also spot-on.
Sam from Cotic travels around the country with Cotic demo fleet, so you might be able to find a local demo if you have a browse on their website.
HTH
p.s. Also previously owned a Spesh Camber Evo 29- brilliant trail centre bike, but I prefer the Flare MAX for natural trails.