Christian Textor is Germany's most successful enduro MTB pro. He has already won the German championship title three times and has also recently finished in the top 20 several times in the highly competitive Enduro World Series. His speciality: mud, rain and technical downhills. He was therefore just the right person to support us with his expertise at the enduro test at Bikepark Geißkopf in the Bavarian Forest. What does "Texi" think about the créme de la créme of current enduro bikes? You can read it in BIKE 1/21 - on sale from 1 December.
But it wasn't just our test bikes from Santa Cruz, Specialized, Kona, Trek, Radon, Rocky Mountain and Last that were lined up in the car park at the bike park. We were also able to at least take a look at "Texi's" own bike, a Bulls Wild Creed Team in race trim:
Bike check: Interview with Christian Textor about his racing bike
BIKE: Texi, lightweight XTR components, high-quality DT Swiss wheels, carbon frame. Sounds like a lightweight bike, your racing machine.
CHRISTIAN TEXTOR: No, the bike is not exactly lightweight (laughs). Competition enduro bikes are heavy, because the parts have to be reliable and extremely stable in races. Since enduro racing is only downhill, weight doesn't play such a big role. But a flat tyre is guaranteed to mess up your results.
So you accept a little more weight for better puncture protection?
Exactly. Reliability is the top priority. That's why I ride with sturdy Schwalbe Super Gravity tyres with inserts and also have a few tools on board so that I can at least carry out rough repairs between stages. There are tyre plugs in the handlebar ends, a tube under the bottle cage, a tool in the headset and bent cable ties in the crank cavity, which you can always use. Despite the lightweight attachments, the bike weighs just over 16 kilograms with tools and pedals. Considering the range of use, that's still light, but it's easily a kilogramme more than the standard bike.
Couldn't you get something out of it with a carbon wheelset?
You could. Although the EX1501 from DT Swiss is already relatively light and the emergency running properties of aluminium are of course still unsurpassed. But I'm curious to see what happens next year with the carbon wheelsets that DT Swiss has developed specifically for enduro this year.
Shimano drivetrain and Rockshox suspension. That's quite an unusual mix, isn't it?
That's right. I only know a few other people who ride this combination. But I'm very happy with it. Especially with the new Rockshox Charger 2.1 cartridge in my fork. And nothing more needs to be said about the Shimano XTR parts.
You've also fitted a mudguard and a generous chainstay protector. Are these also sponsors?
No, but I have co-operations with Mudhugger and STFU. Because these are parts that I know simply work well. The Mudguard in particular is a must on long, muddy stages, especially because of the visibility. Otherwise the goggles are always covered in mud. And the chainguide from STFU (abbreviation for "Shut the F*** up", editor's note) not only keeps the rear end quiet, but also keeps the chain where it belongs.
Another little thing you particularly like about your bike?
Definitely the new oil slick parts from Ergon. It's just a really small detail, but they're really cool.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
