Hi,

I rarely post or visit here, but I’ve had a question in the back of my mind for a while and I knew this would be a good place to air it as i don’t know anyone in my ‘real world’ who could answer it.

I recently picked up a Specialised Camber Evo 29er (140mm front and back) second hand with a nice few upgrades on it and I have a mate who’s always wanted me to go Enduro racing with him. I didn’t pick it up for that reason but it did get me thinking ‘does it have enough travel in it to give it a go?’.

I wouldn’t be looking to be ultra competitive, but just as an experience and a bit of fun. I’ve been racing XC one and off for a few years on a rigid 29er (SS at times) so I don’t mind a bit of bumping around and I’ve raced him down some natural DH trails on my old 140mm HT 26er and comfortably pulled away from him on a FS 160mm 27.5 (but he is newer to MTB than I am).

So what do you think, 140mm on a 29er, enough to ‘give it a go’?

Matt

yes.

Yes. Bigger wheels need bit less travel anyway. Many variables including rider, bike, course etc but you’ll be fine.

Thats what I was thinking, why i make sure i called out the 29er bit. Enduro bikes with 27.5 seems to start from about 150mm, im not 100% sure how much difference that 10mm is really gonna make.

Also, I have one issue with my riding, im very much a wheels on the ground kind of a rider, I like fast and technical, but not keen on kickers, for the domestic Enduro scene at the entry level, is that going to be an issue?

Yes, the vast crowds will boo and jeer you. 🙁

So what do you think, 140mm on a 29er, enough to ‘give it a go’?

I’m racing this year on a 130mm 29″. I think even with limited riding/testing it’s faster than my old 155mm 650b ‘enduro’ bike. I still expect to be at the point end of my category. I’ll be racing it at the EWS’s if I get my entry too, no issues with the travel 🙂

Your bike will be spot on and might even give you an advantage over contestants on 160mm 650b bikes.

Jumps and drops have always either been rollable or had chicken lines in the enduros I have raced.

It’ll be ideal!

Greg Callaghan won the Irish round of the EWS two years on the trot on a 140mm Cube 29er… Tracey Moesley won pretty much everything she entered on a 140mm Remedy

It won’t be the bike holding things back I guess.. Same for us all!

Lovely. Thank you all for the answers. You’ve inspired to find 1-2 fun events to give it a go.

Any recommendations?

I’ve raced enduro on a 140mm hardtail with (whisper it) 26 inch wheels, and on a rigid fatbike. And also some actual proper enduro bikes, which to be fair were ridiculously better at it.

The most succesful EWS race bike of all time is a 140mm 29er incidentally. Mine is 150/140 and is unlikely to ever be the most sucesful EWS race bike of all time.

The camber is 120mm travel?
Either way, more than capable.

Any recommendations?

North, east, west or south?

My Enduro is 160mm and I’ve never felt under biked (Peaks/Wales/Dartmoor), I suspect 140mm would be more than adequate.

That’s said, knowing I can hurl my pathetic body out into the void and all that boing will save me on landing is very comforting.

@ jam bo

For fun weekender events, i dont mind a travel. I guess i prefer something like that for starters, rather than getting in the way of someone in a serious race series.

Im London, but originally from York (where my friend who wants to do one with me is from) so SE to NE is desired. But i head 4-5 hours to wales every year to race Battle on the Beach.

I’ve just entered Southern enduro champs on exmoor Easter weekend. Should be a cracking weekend.

120mm/140mm 29r…

The PMBA Enduros have a great atmosphere and are expertly run. Have a look at their Facebook page.

As mentioned above is it 120 travel?

I’d slap a -2 degree headset and put a 130 air sleeve in the fork (is it a pike? Some evo ‘s got these).

The PMBA Enduros have a great atmosphere and are expertly run. Have a look at their Facebook page.

Yep, I’d recommend Gisburn for a beginner – and it’s almost in Yorkshire.

@alexh the normal camber is 120mm, but the evo model from a few years back (the one I have) is a slacker geometry with 140mm front and back.

@chakaping yes I think my friend rides there. I think we’re going over in a few months. Will check race dates. Thanks.

It’s this http://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/full-suspension-bikes/specialized-camber-evo-2015-longterm-review

That link is a 120mm travel 29er.

It does seem to be a 120mm bike – but it’ll still be totally fine. Probably better actually.

@alexh the normal camber is 120mm, but the evo model from a few years back (the one I have) is a slacker geometry with 140mm front and back.

Interesting. Mine (camber evo) is 120mm. The stumpy evo was 140mm IIRC.

Now that the evo tag has gone, why not the stumpy – its not such a jump down from the enduro models?

Enduro is good cause you can do it on any bike. defo give it a go. Shade on the light side, but should be plenty of people on similar or even shorter travel bikes with kids wheels.

You’ll be fine on a Camber Evo. It’s our daughters do it all bike at Uni from Peak epics to the Wharncliffe down hills. It has some 140mm Pikes on it as we got a good deal on them. She also competes in Enduro but with a bit more travel.
Pick a couple of events with your mate and get the entries in, the good ones get fully booked early. It will give you something to look forward to.

LMAO @teamhurtmore you’re spot on. Im such an idiot. Its 120mm. Sorry ive only ridden it a hand full of times and im not one for sitting and staring at spec sheets all day. Plus my HT is 140 and i might be getting that number in my head.

I didn’t buy it for Enduro, just wondered if it was within its range, if i cant, im not gonna loose sleep.

Thanks everyone else for the comments 😀

Just to be clear, its 120mm FS, i got my numbers wrong. I was thinking the non-evo was 120 and the Evo was +20mm. Im such an idiot. Sorry for the confusion. I’ve only ridden a hand full of times since getting.

In that case, no chance.

I’m in the process of getting rid of my ‘proper enduro’ 170/165mm bike, to go back to a 150/135mm 29er as I was quicker everywhere Inc up and down hill on the one I had previously.

120mm travel 29er will be fine for enduro races in the uk.

PMBA is a great race series, gisburn is sold out though but there is a facebook page where people sell unwanted entries. The bike will be fine, you should have an advantage on any pedally bits

I used to have a Commencal MEta AM29 which was 130mm both ends… but because of the Geometry and build of it, rode like a superb enduro bike, it was just an animal that carved it’s way through rocks like they didn’t exist.

It’s all of £30 for a different air shaft to push the Pikes out to 140mm.

This is what I’ve done with my camber evo, and it’s happy going down anything enduro-like.

Mine doesn’t have the Pikes, its got RS Reba Solo Air unfortunately.

My comment still stands, angle headset and air shaft/spring would make it a very capable bike.

I’ve found I’m as quick across the board on my 140/130 slack, long 29″ (in arguably worse conditions) as I am on my 160/150 Bronson

weeksy – you sound far to good for me to meet up at Swinley!!

Having seen the speed and line choices possible on an Evil the Following at the Megavalanche which opened to 29ers, I’m sure you’ll be good.

My Codeine 29 is yet to feel out of its depth.

Its still a great bike!

Mine has opened up a lot more riding for me – every now and again I wonder if I should have bought a stumpy evo – but so far, my technique and bottle has held me back before the bike.

Recently had a great ride in the Lakes on it and ride some (easy) DH lines down south. Its a great all round bike IMO.

Take a look at http://www.tantrumcycles.com
Even the 160mm 29er always pedals like a hardtail and is made to climb well..

Thanks for all the comments on this everyone. Decided i will give it a go this year. Might avoid turning up in team kit to look like an ‘all the gear no idea’ and just take it easy.

Yeah, just go for it, it’ll be grand.