PRICE Good models from €3000
WEIGHT 13 to 15 kilos (without pedals)
FEDERWEG 150 to 170 mm
AREA OF APPLICATION Bike parks, steep descents, blocked trails, enduro races
If you have the technical skills, you can ride an enduro bike downhill even on the roughest terrain. Light-footed climbing is not one of the strengths of enduro bikes. Clever suspension systems suppress bobbing when pedalling better and better, but the tyres are usually trimmed for maximum grip and not for minimum rolling resistance. Enduro riders therefore like to use lifts and shuttles for more downhill fun. The suitability for touring increases with decreasing weight and is usually bought at a high price with carbon. 29ers are becoming more popular, but are a challenge for designers in terms of suspension travel and weight.
Cannondale Jekyll 29 1
Long-travel bikes with 29-inch wheels are all the rage, and Cannondale is responding to this trend with this version of the Jekyll. In a direct duel, it was narrowly beaten by the Scott Ransom, but it is still a star in its class. All you need to do to move forwards efficiently is press your thumb and the shock travel shrinks to 133 millimetres, which eliminates the nodding of the shock. Climbing: good! On descents, the suspension performs better than the measured travel promises. The 36 mm Fox fork, meticulously tuned with a little time for setup, is high in its travel. And the sensitive rear also sensitively utilises the entire travel without bottoming out. With its smooth, sporty geometry and secure handling, the Jekyll is therefore impossible to unsettle.
Price 6500 Euro
Wheel size 29"
Weight 14.26 kilos without pedals
Spring travel front: 150 mm / rear: 149-133 mm
Tested in BIKE 10/18
BIKE judgement super
Canyon Torque CF 9.0 Pro
The Torque was developed with downhill mastermind Fabien Barel. With its wide seat dome, it is visually reminiscent of Canyon's Sender downhill bike. It scored 10 out of 10 points in the downhill category, where its strengths clearly lie. The balanced, playful handling was convincing. Thanks to the low position integrated into the bike, you're ready for anything - with a lot of confidence and good cornering feel, even if you do touch down when pedalling. Short chainstays keep the Canyon agile in tight corners and the rear suspension works sensitively. Only in hard use would a little more progression protect against bottoming out. Chain guides with a solid bashguard, rattle-free and maintenance-free cables under the down tube cover and a rear wheel axle that can be operated without an Allen key round off the harmonious image of the Canyon.
Price 4999 Euro
Wheel size 27,5"
Weight 14.08 kilos without pedals
Spring travel front: 180 mm / rear: 177 mm
Tested in BIKE 8/18
BIKE judgement very good
Cube Stereo 150 C:62 SL 29
This bike was developed for use in the Enduro World Series, but is not just fun for racers. With 29er wheels, grippy tyres, a perfectly harmonised chassis and powerful brakes, the Enduro leaves hardly any questions unanswered on the downhill. However, it is more suited to rough straight sections than winding forest trails. The rear suspension works progressively and has reserves for rough terrain. Uphill, the downhill-orientated Cube surprises positively, especially if you stabilise the rear triangle with a platform. The full carbon frame is trimmed for low overall weight with top components, the long top tube with a long reach almost makes you forget that you're sitting on an enduro bike. This concept makes the Stereo the perfect bike for technical tours. It is also great value for money.
Price 3499 Euro
Wheel size 29"
Weight 13.32 kilos without pedals
Spring travel front: 159 mm / rear: 153 mm
Tested in BIKE 9/18
BIKE judgement very good
Liteville 601 MK4
Wow! 215 points is a rare score in the BIKE test. The 601 thus confidently secured the test victory in the long-travel enduro category and prevailed against very strong competition. The Liteville exudes composure. With its lightweight aluminium frame, unchanged in the fourth generation, it puts the carbon competitors in the bag. Top stiffness values and lightweight wheels make the difference. This makes the bike agile and even light-footed for an enduro bike, which is also helped by the sensitive rear suspension. Downhill, the 601 impressed us with its very precise handling. The Fox Float Factory fork left nothing to be desired with 177 millimetres of suspension travel. The rear offers 176 millimetres of travel with high progression and good bottom-out protection. Useful details provide real added value. Rating: very wide-ranging!
Price 7240 Euro
Wheel size 27,5"
Weight 13.45 kilos without pedals
Spring travel front: 177 mm / rear: 176 mm
Tested in BIKE 8/18
BIKE judgement super
Santa Cruz Bronson CC Reserve
The Bronson was not only the most expensive, but also the lightest bike in the high-end enduro test. Its lively character invites you to play on every corner of the trail, and its low weight also makes tours with many metres of climbing easier. This is largely due to the lightweight 27.5 mm wheels, which are easy to accelerate and allow fast cornering with little effort. Racers will perhaps choose the Hightower LT from the Santa Cruz model range, which has similar suspension travel and large 29er wheels and is more suited to speeding downhill. Others were also faster downhill in the comparison test. But the Bronson was by no means overwhelmed on the descents, was a lot of fun to ride and earned a well-deserved tip for the best touring enduro bike in the test.
Price 8599 Euro
Wheel size 27,5"
Weight 13.50 Kilo without pedals
Spring travel front: 160 mm / rear: 149 mm
Tested in BIKE 12/18
BIKE judgement super
Scott Ransom 900 Tuned
Sometimes it's worth taking a closer look, because the Ransom is actually designed for freeriding with its long suspension travel. But with its low weight and lockable suspension, the Scott is absolutely suitable for touring. In a sporty riding position, it climbs better than many trail bikes. The long reach is compensated for by a short, futuristic carbon handlebar/stem unit, which makes handling pleasantly direct off-road. On the descents, the Scott is brimming with confidence. The long-travel, potent suspension irons out anything that could slow down the speed rush. And with the large wheels, it remains confident even on rough terrain. As a result, it won the high-end enduro test against strong competition.
Price 7599 Euro
Wheel size 29"
Weight 13.65 kilos without pedals
Spring travel front: 171 mm / rear: 171 mm
Tested in BIKE 12/18
BIKE judgement super
Trek Rremedy 9.9
With its low weight and slightly less suspension travel than the class average, the Remedy poaches in the all-mountain category. Thanks to the drive-neutral rear suspension, it was one of the best bikes in the high-end enduro test. Although the generous 2.6 tyres make it a little more difficult to accelerate, the rear suspension doesn't need the shock platform on the climbs. Downhill, the Remedy is playful. It feels right at home on flow trails and weaves nimbly around every bend. However, when the trail gets really rough, the Trek reaches its limits. Fast riders then exhaust the comparatively tight 146 millimetres at the rear relatively quickly. The Fox fork offers good travel. It has more potential than the rear triangle on big hits.
Price 6999 Euro
Wheel size 27,5"
Weight 13.75 kilos without pedals
Spring travel front: 162 mm / rear: 146 mm
Tested in BIKE 12/18
BIKE judgement very good
YT Capra 27 CF Pro Race
Without question, the YT makes a proud visual appearance, with ample suspension travel (181 mm front, 185 mm rear) that comes close to the potential of a downhill bike. This made the Capra unbeatable in the downhill classification of long-travel enduro bikes. But it's not just the design, the equipment list also makes your eyes light up. 5199 euros for a bike with carbon wheels and the lightest full-carbon frame in the test are a declaration of intent on the part of the sender. Uphill, the high cockpit gets in the way of better climbing characteristics. You have to actively put pressure on the front wheel, which also applies when cornering. Tough rolling tyres and the slightly bobbing rear end also cost a few points on the climbs. But these are minor issues in view of this top enduro bike, which is extremely stable and secure on rough terrain.
Price 5199 Euro
Wheel size 27,5"
Weight 13.77 kilos without pedals
Spring travel front: 181 mm / rear: 185 mm
Tested in BIKE 8/18
BIKE judgement super
You can find this article in BIKE 4/2019 in the special "The 37 best bikes 2019". You can read the entire digital edition in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or the print edition in the DK shop reorder - while stocks last:
