If you are spending that much on a bike go and test ride a few.
Different frames have very different ride characteristics even in the 180mm travel range depending on geometry and suspension kinematics.
If you are spending that much on a bike go and test ride a few.
Different frames have very different ride characteristics even in the 180mm travel range depending on geometry and suspension kinematics.
+1
My current 170mm bike pedals better than my old 150mm bike, but my newer 150mm bike pedals better than my old 115mm travel bike.
And the old 150mm travel bike (Mega 290) had a harshness to the ride feel that I couldn't quite cure.
I have been riding Enduros since 2004 and have never felt overbiked or underbiked. 26" 650b and now 29". I'm on my 7th now and the one thing they all have in common is they are fun to ride, always put a big grin on my face.
Got my latest a few weeks ago, a S3. the intention was for me to have my daughters medium 2018 S Works when she got her new one, however I found a good deal on the latest and got that instead.
Swapped out some stuff from the older one and just getting round to selling the older one, mostly with new kit on it, some one is going to get a bargain
We did try to get a frame only for a while but couldn't find one.
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Swapped the parts out from this
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If you can get a demo go and have a ride on one, only you will know if its right for what you want.
The enduro is a great choice, i honestly don't see a bad bike on the market these days, you just have to put a bit of effort into set up, and finding a good bike shop that can swap out a few bits for that is the key aim.
The days are gone where you would get badly designed single pivots, or way too bouncy 4 bar designs, they're all designed and tested to the best they can be, and specialized are one of the top ones at that (as are santa cruz).
Hope you enjoy the test ride and get what you're after, can't see you not enjoying them, but as always, remember set up is key, test rides can be as bad as blind buying for actually understanding the bike!
Ide be looking at a canyon strive we all know you get more bike for your money with canyon and for what your spending on a megatower that will get you a top strive , the other reason is the shape shifter so climbing won't be a problem as it becomes more xc .
I need to go and ride them now and get a feel for the difference
This is obviously the best option if you can. Try to keep an open mind though. Like renton up there. I was dead certain a Rallon was the bike for me, until I rode one, and it was strangely uninvolving, a lot like the Trek Slash that I tried at the same time. I'm not saying they aren't great bikes, but personal taste is such a massive factor in these things. Wasn't even going to try the Spesh. before I eventually bought one, but of all the bikes I test rode, it was one of the few that made me laugh out loud like a little kid, and that's way more important to me than a couple of kgs either way.
Strives were mega popular at the 650b boom, I don't know anyone who has one now.
where you ride the enduro rigs will be fine. Going fast downhill is more fun than being a bit more comfortable on a trail bike uphill.
Modern bikes climb well enough anyway
Go semi enduro. Deviate highlander with a 150mm link and dhf/dhr tyres, with some assegai spare for massive mountain days.
Climbs fine, descends amazing, better than my Nomad did in both with less travel.
I did 20 miles on one on a range of terrain and never felt overbiked, or underbiked for that matter!
Everyone i know who bought a specialized sold it quickly.
I did 20 miles on one
The OP said he wants to do big mountain days on his. Obviously that's a subjective thing but I'd have thought they start at 35 miles plus.
Though I guess it depends on whether he meant.
(Big mountain) days or
Big ( mountain days)
I'd assumed it was the latter since we don't really have the former in the UK. but I think I may be in the minority here.
What was it OP. Big mountains or big days?
Everyone i know who bought a specialized sold it quickly.
Up there, Tracy says she's ridden them for 16 years and I'm two years into owning mine, with no plans to change it soon. So that two people you now know that haven't.
The OP said he wants to do big mountain days on his. Obviously that’s a subjective thing but I’d have thought they start at 35 miles plus.
I expect he just means days in the mountains. What's "big" for some people will be normal for others - or perhaps just a quick spin for yourself.
Distance is not really a useful metric riding somewhere like the Lakes anyway IMO, altitude gain is much more relevant. You can do a similar altitude ride in Scotland and it'll typically come out much longer distance because you often need to pedal in to the start of the climbs.
Anyway, I digress. The new Enduro is probably one of the few bikes I'd buy without a demo (if I were minted), because the reviews and feedback have been so positive and all in agreement about how it rides.
Distance is not really a useful metric riding somewhere like the Lakes anyway IMO, altitude gain is much more relevant.
Yes, very good point.
Think he stated he was more interested in anything that means going down, so big days out sounds like going between runs, bit like going over to FoD and doing some of the main runs, going off-piste and so on, big day, but basically spinning to the top of descents, then having fun.
I doubt he's talking about doing generic miles through the lakes with barely any tech or fun stuff, if he is then does it matter if he's on an enduro or a 100mm hardtail, it'll be benign on either.
I'm unashamedly old skool and so would always pick something shorter travel, makes the ups much more fun (and the OP has stated that's an area he struggles) and the downs are just as much fun even if you're going a touch slower.
But, as said previously, if your riding is all about going downhill then get the longer travel option (or dare I say, an eBike) and just winch up the climbs.
I can't get my head round that as it means 2/3 to 3/4 of your time out is spent getting to the fun bits (takes longer to get up than come down), the ratio seems wrong to me. A bike that climbs well and makes that part of the ride more fun and less of a slog is a priority.
I’m unashamedly old skool ... A bike that climbs well and makes that part of the ride more fun and less of a slog is a priority.
Here's the bit that will probably feel to you slightly counter-intuitive, but modern geometry bikes (more precisely their steeper seat tube angles), makes climbing easier than "old skool" bikes. while it's still a winch on big mountains, my Enduro climbs better than any bike I've previously owned, it's a bit slower fo'shure, but if you're prepared to sit and spin, it'll get up most things.
my Enduro climbs better than any bike I’ve previously owned, it’s a bit slower fo’shure, but if you’re prepared to sit and spin, it’ll get up most things
I guess "climbs better" to me is "climbs faster". As I say, I suspect I'm not the person to be advising the OP, but I don't want to spin up climbs as that's dull, I want to attack them and make them interesting.
And I don't doubt that many new bikes climb brilliantly, but we'd all be riding enduro bikes if they did climb as well as trail bikes.
but we’d all be riding enduro bikes if they did climb as well as trail bikes.
They mostly do, I'll probs be a bit slower uphill (I aint that fit) but there's nothing I can't ride, (up or down) that a trail bike can, and a whole bunch of stuff they do better. I think most folk just think they don't live in a part of the world where 150mm+ travel bikes makes sense*, but they are waaay better value IMO.
*is a weird one, I'm all for choosing the bike that puts a grin on your face, if some one tells you that you're over-biked, or under-biked for that matter, one should feel free to blow a massive raspberry at them. Thankfully we've all gotten over that nonsense now, right?
Oh come on now. All this bullshit about Enduro bikes climbing as well as XC is just untrue.
Sure my Enduro is simply amazing at a short techy climb, but anything longer.....just no.
Y'all sound so similar to the VANists that try to maintain that T5s Vito's etc " drive just like a car"
No they don't, they may be much better than you initially expected, they may be much better than your old van, you may have got so used to it that you're content with how it drives.
But it just isn't " as good"
@nickc. Do you want to remove the n't from this post quickly?
but there’s nothing I can’t ride, (up or down) that a trail bike can’t
cheers @thegeneralist.
All this bullshit about Enduro bikes climbing as well as XC is just untrue.
Nah, they're slower, obvious, they weigh more...BUT, most times the average punter gives up on a climb is not because their bike weighs a couple of kilos more than another one, It's because they're just not fit enough, or haven't the bike handling skills. Look, I agree with most folk that if all you have available to ride locally is field edges or mild terrain, then a shorter travel bike is going to be a better bet, but if you want one of these bikes, and you're going to use the travel, they're much much better than a lot of folk (especially on STW, the home of the conservative* cyclist) think they are.
*In the true sense of the word, not the right wing ass-hat sense of the word.
To be fair, if i'm doing enduro/dh stuff on my 170/160 enduro bike i'm usually wearing body armour, full facer and goggles, so uphills aren't really there for the challenge, just to get me to the challenge.
If i'm doing trail with some enduro runs then i will usually leave that stuff off and be a good few lbs lighter and find climbing easier anyway!
If i'm just doing trail then the lighter wheels go on, compression goes on the shock/fork and i change my feel on the bike a bit (more upright feel).
Short answer, you adapt to what you do, and bikes nowadays are easily adaptable to change use.
Sorry, but I'm not going to change my mind. Unless you're racing enduro; you don't need an enduro race bike.
As to those riding electric motorbikes: there's a much simpler way to get 22km in an evening ride in an hour and a quarter (17.5kph average?) than to take £3000 out of your bank account and 5kg to the weight of your bike - just ride a bit more often and get fitter.
Raise your game; don't bring the mountain down to your level by spewing money at it.
As to those riding electric motorbikes: there’s a much simpler way to get 22km in an evening ride in an hour and a quarter (17.5kph average?) than to take £3000 out of your bank account and 5kg to the weight of your bike – just ride a bit more often and get fitter.
Raise your game; don’t bring the mountain down to your level by spewing money at it.
As that’s obviously aimed at me (although it’s not an electric motorbike, it’s a moped, I’ll have you know). I’ve just got back from doing 1500m in the same time & distance, looping different trails today, and I’ll probably do the same tomorrow, and maybe 2000m on a Friday as I finish early. Then if the weather is nice a couple of decent rides over the weekend.
I have literally zero interest in being fit enough to manage that, day in, day out - and riding that hard with that much climbing, so I’m not absolutely gassed for the descents (the fun bits).
I’d love to know what ‘riding a bit more often’ would look like, to do repeated back to back days as above. Perhaps I’ll ask Nino 😆
Oh, and for what it’s worth, I do race enduro, which is why I have a bike capable of being raced on. And most of my riding is of a similar style - climbs are up to trails to ride, that’s all 🙂
Sorry, but I’m not going to change my mind.
Get over yourself sunshine. We DGAF.
Having too much bike is never a bad thing in my opinion. Having too little bike is horrible!
continuity
Free Member
Sorry, but I’m not going to change my mind. Unless you’re racing enduro; you don’t need an enduro race bike.As to those riding electric motorbikes: there’s a much simpler way to get 22km in an evening ride in an hour and a quarter (17.5kph average?) than to take £3000 out of your bank account and 5kg to the weight of your bike – just ride a bit more often and get fitter.
Raise your game; don’t bring the mountain down to your level by spewing money at it.
Not sure if this is trolling or someone who's clicked on the wrong thread for their riding style, if it's the latter then changing your mind isn't of any interest to anyone on this thread, especially the author. If it's the former, then that would be a better thing!
As a side note, climbing I found quite tough on my Alpine 160 when riding in a group. Always felt I was peddling twice as hard but being left behind. They are generally all on 29ers. My Alpine was on 26inch wheels.
What bikes do all your buddies ride? Do you ride with them regulary? If so, I would consider buying something comparable. It can be a bit of a head buster if you feel over/under biked especially if you're still just starting to get into MTBing. Eg your comment about evryone being faster on 29ers.
Speak to them and get their thoughts on their bikes. Would they recommend them? What problems have they had? What would they buy if they were changing? Would they let you have a go?
Having too much bike is never a bad thing in my opinion. Having too little bike is horrible!
Couldn’t disagree more with this.
To much bike makes the trails dull and the climbs horrible. To little bike just means you need to pick lines better and add a bit more finesse when going downhill. And that can make dull trail interesting.
And I can’t be alone in that thought as it’s partly why gravel bikes have got popular.
"You need to pick lines better" - Otherwise the bike will break, the suspension will bottom out, and the brakes will overheat.
"Add a bit more finesse when going downhill" - You need to go slowly and go down the easier bits, avoiding all the interesting stuff for all the reasons listed above
"Can make a dull trail interesting" - because your bike isn't capable on actual interesting trails.
To be clear, I'm only gently taking the mick...Most modern bikes are really capable. if dull trails is all you've got, then make the most of them! But honestly, I rather go fast and not have to worry about whether my bike will still be in one piece at the end of the day.
It is interesting to see some of the comments here though, it reminds me of the early to mid 2000s when freeride was all the rage, same things being said, difference is that those bikes were different in many ways to the rest, whereas today it's not that much of a difference between a 160/170 enduro and a 140/150 trail bike, you add in sag, shock set up and climb switches and you're not really seeing a huge difference, folk make it sound like an extra 20mm (13mm after sag!) means the difference between making a 10ft gap or 4 or 5ft drop off a piece of cake!
It is interesting to see some of the comments here though, it reminds me of the early to mid 2000s when freeride was all the rage, same things being said, difference is that those bikes were different in many ways to the rest, whereas today it’s not that much of a difference between a 160/170 enduro and a 140/150 trail bike, you add in sag, shock set up and climb switches and you’re not really seeing a huge difference, folk make it sound like an extra 20mm (13mm after sag!) means the difference between making a 10ft gap or 4 or 5ft drop off a piece of cake!
IT's not just the travel but the head angle and overal riding characteristics of the bike too. The difference between a T130 and a G160 for me was MASSIVE, meaning i can ride much harder stuff, jump more, go faster down trails... it's only 20mm front (i had 140s) and a bit on the rear, but the bike rides night and day.
I don't time myself these days and the easier trails are there just for the pleasure of being outside, so the tricky techy stuff is where it's at for me.
I'd rather be correctly biked on 1 ride out of 10 and over-biked on the other 9, than having the right bike for the 9 and being underbiked for the proper hard one.
folk make it sound like an extra 20mm (13mm after sag!) means the difference between making a 10ft gap or 4 or 5ft drop off a piece of cake!
I get the point your making, when I changed from a trail bike to an Enduro bike it was the equipment that provided that extra travel which made the difference to me, thicker stanchions and burlier forks was a notable massive difference to the forks on the trail bike.
Yeah, biggest difference for me is that i run super gravity tyres, as had failures on normal ones, coil shock and so on due to needing something a little sturdier, if i then go and do trail stuff on that bike i would change the wheels over to the lighter ones and put the air shock on.
Buy the Enduro bike. Trail bikes are getting better all the time, but personally I’d rather have fun going down the trail flat out that bask in the achievement of riding up something a bit quicker.
I had a 2012 Alpine 160 for years and only got rid of it for a hardtail because I won’t be riding much as I am a stay at home dad of 2 year old twins and have no time to actually ride more than Ashton Court/Leigh Woods, maybe FOD once a month.
As soon as the kids are older and I get more time only be back on a bigger bike.
Tom KP.
Nickc
I doesn’t matter, I’ve one mountain bike, if I wanted to go and pick up the car, I’d pick out my bike…Here’s the thing, after 40 miles off road, you’d be tired. Would you be 10%? 20%? more tired if you had used a bike with 20mm more suspension and maybe a couple of kgs heavier…who cares?
Erm yep ... had they said "pick it up this evening" I'd have cycled the extra 5 miles to Swinley
So yesterday I picked the car up...cycled over and then drove the 10 miles or to Swinley and put in a couple of laps. After 10 miles on the kids new steel HT I dropped the stem but still had the HA... till I drop the travel on the forks.
Then some lycra clad guy 1/2 my age wearing a shop sponsor jersey on a carbon 29er smoked me on a climb... he seemed to be leading a group and much as I wouldn't have minded he then said "well done" when I got to the top.
