Enduro bikes up to 4199 euros in the test: They still exist, these real "all-mountain bikes"

The natural habitat of enduro bikes used to be challenging descents, which riders were happy to tackle themselves thanks to their outstanding all-round qualities. However, over the course of time and driven by racing, the former all-rounders for alpine trails have increasingly developed into uncompromising downhill riders. The most difficult routes, a high power density in racing and high demands on the durability of the material are increasingly pushing the current enduro bikes into the role of downhill specialists.

Does the saying "Only a heavy enduro is a fast enduro" still apply?

The curious thing is that the weight of the bikes has often increased to such an extent that they even outshine some downhill bolides. Our test field of six enduro bikes between 3500 and 4200 euros weighs an average of 16.5 kilos including pedals. Outliers like the Marin Alpine Trail even scratch the 18-kilo mark and roll on wheels weighing over six kilos. An order of magnitude that is actually only known from bikes with a motor. But high weight doesn't necessarily have to be bad, at least as long as you're going downhill. "Only a heavy enduro bike is a fast enduro bike," claims German enduro champion Christian Textor. So it's no wonder that even the high-end bikes in the Enduro World Cup rarely weigh less than 16 kilos. In downhill use, a higher weight - keyword inertia - has a positive effect on riding behaviour and calms the bike down.

We tested the following enduro bikes

Here you can find the respective MTBs in the individual tests:

• Cube Stereo One77 >> available here e.g.
• Dartmoor Rocbird Pro >> available here for example*
• Giant Reign 1 V2 >> available here for example*
• Marin Alpine Trail 1 >> available here e.g.
• Radon Jab MX 9.0 >> available here for example*
• YT Capra Uncaged 10 CF >> available here for example*

Of course, the distribution of mass also plays a role: in general, however, a lighter bike rides more nervously and bounces more due to the input from the ground. This is also the reason why, for example, e-MTBs with a higher weight and lower centre of gravity are much more stable in rough sections or why additional weights are sometimes attached to the lower part of the main frame in enduro racing. It is even easier to decouple the rider from the bumps on the trail if the unsprung mass, i.e. the wheels and tyres, are as light as possible in contrast to the sprung mass.

But wasn't there something else before you even start the descent? That's right: if you want to go downhill, you first have to get to the top somehow. As long as the lift and shuttle are not the first choice, the weight that is useful on the downhill turns into an annoying brake anchor. Because physics has no mercy on the uphill either and plays the inertia card with vigour. As long as the geometry is right, the rear triangle doesn't pump excessively and, above all, the uphill is steady, the extra pounds usually fade into the background. However, short acceleration and frequent acceleration, as is the case on undulating terrain, quickly sap your energy and put the brakes on your riding pleasure. Even a bunny hop, lifting the front wheel or a quick change of direction become a feat of strength. If you don't just want to pedal stoically uphill on gravel and are looking for a relatively light-footed enduro bike, you shouldn't disregard the weight. So it's all the more pleasing that the 14.9-kilo Radon Jab MX There are also some easy runaways who make it to the summit almost by themselves.

Conclusion Peter Nilges, BIKE Test Manager

Thanks to the best driving behaviour and its top handling, the Giant Reign with a narrow margin ahead of the Radon Jab MX. Thanks to its lightweight frame and slim overall weight, the Radon deservedly wins the all-round rating.

RATING: The BIKE judgement is made up of the subjective impressions of the test riders and our laboratory measurements. The judgement is independent of price. Range of grades: very good (0.5-1.5), good (1.6-2.5), satisfactory (2.6-3.5), sufficient (3.6-4.5), poor (4.6-5.5). Frame stiffness: Lateral stiffness in N/mm separately for the rear triangle and the front triangle including the suspension fork. Wheel inertia: The lower the measured value, the better the wheels accelerate. Weight: BIKE measured values, total weight with pedals, wheel weight with tyres, cassette and brake discs.

Kirchberg: Our photo location for the test

The flagship of the Kitzbühel Alps is actually the great KitzAlps Enduro circuit: a marathon with 6 trails, 75 kilometres, 3972 metres in depth - and cable car support. The photo shoot for our enduro test group took place last autumn. The actual test was carried out at the end of June in the Geisskopf bike park.

Our pictures in Kirchberg were taken on these two trails:

Fleckalm Trail

One of Tyrol's "Great Trails", which was specially relocated to the flanks of the Ehrenbachhöhe for the first European Enduro Championships in 2015. It starts with gentle Alpine meadow hairpin bends and then winds its way through the forest to become a monster of roots, rocks and steps. Mini counter-climb included. A long, legendary challenge.

Gaisberg Trail

The berms of the Gaisberg Trail on the opposite slope are significantly shorter, steeper and more flowy. Here, the bikes have to deal with rather gentle compressions over waves, jumps and tables. A chairlift helps you uphill.

The KitzTrailCard costs 51.50 euros per day and includes eight lifts: kitzski.at