BIKE test: 6 enduro mountain bikes around 3500 euros in comparison

"You can only replace suspension travel with even more travel!" grins test leader Peter Nilges before setting pen to paper and scribbling down the riding impressions of the test lap in his notepad. I deny it: "For me, lightness is the most fun to ride, and you can only top that with an even lighter bike." Never before have our opinions been so far apart in an enduro MTB test. So far, we have always been able to make quick and unanimous judgements about the handling of the bikes on the challenging trails in the Geißkopf bike park. Enduro bikes fall. However, the fact that the field of six enduro mountain bikes tested this time also included a All Mountain is putting our judgement to the test.

Enduro mountain bikes are in an identity crisis

Why compare apples with pears, some will ask themselves. Quite simply, enduro bikes are in an identity crisis. Their area of use is actually defined by the racing format: time on the downhill stages is the top priority. Nevertheless, the way uphill is achieved with pure muscle power. Often tight time limits for the uphill and transfer sections place high demands on the riders' stamina. But also on the propulsion of the bikes. Strong downhill performance, but still easy to pedal, are the core competences of these bikes. Mountain bike category to the point. With current enduro bikes, however, these all-round qualities are being pushed further and further into the background. In favour of rigidity, the stanchions of the forks are becoming ever wider. Rims are getting wider and tyres are becoming even more stable. The result: Enduro MTB models in the entry-level segment weigh up to 17 kilos. So it's no wonder that enduro bikers only occasionally stray into mountain bike areas without gondola or shuttle services. Instead, the powerful bikes are penetrating further and further into the lift-operated territories of designated Bike park bikes and downhill mountain bikes before. However, there is no trace of all-round qualities.

Are all-mountain bikes an alternative to current enduro MTBs?

The candidates in this test field are no exception. The prices range from 3499 euros to 4699 euros and the average weight is around 15.5 kilos. Nukeproof, the most expensive participant, even breaks the 16-kilo mark when ready to ride. The idea that account-friendly enduro biking only exists when accompanied by sweat-inducing climbs does not inspire much enthusiasm when planning the test. So the question arose: Are all-mountain bikes perhaps an alternative?

To find out, we included the reference candidate from the all-mountain category in the comparison: the YT Yeffsy Uncaged 8. 150 millimetres of suspension travel, 29 inches and a full carbon frame with a total weight of 14.6 kilos sound promising. However, the price is 800 euros higher than the most expensive enduro bike in this comparison. Although this leaves a bigger hole in the wallet, the Forchheim-based company also has more room for manoeuvre to install higher quality and lighter components. This is a small advantage for the YT. Is the combination of less reserves and more budget the secret recipe against overweight enduro bikes? Test leader Peter says no and grabs one of the more powerful models for the next descent.

Suspension travel of the enduro bikes tested: 147 to 170 millimetres

Our test rig squeezes exactly 147 millimetres of travel out of the Cane Creek suspension fork on the YT. That's more than two centimetres less than the 170 mm enduro forks from Nukeproof, Propain, Last and Radon. The short suspension travel offers great support and provides a lot of feedback from the ground. This encourages an active riding style. Coupled with the low weight, the YT ignites a real firework of riding fun on winding trails. The competition from Nukeproof, Propain and Last, with their very forgiving rear triangles, are much more plush on the trail. However, power peaks that send the bikes flying over roots are lost in the suspension travel. We miss some sensitivity at the rear of the Radon Swoop. As a result, this enduro bike can't parry quick hits with confidence despite the 164-millimetre crumple zone. The Bulls with its 160-millimetre Lyrik fork has a similarly direct feel to the YT All Mountain. However, when I tackle the rough rocky sections of the Freeride Line at high speed, the firm YT suspension acknowledges big bumps with blunt blows to my wrists. "Suspension travel can only be replaced by more suspension travel," I think to myself as I let Peter pull away on his enduro mountain bike.

In addition to the pure absorption capacity of the fork, the thickness of the stanchions also plays a role, especially for heavy riders. For example, the Fox 38 on the Radon and the ZEB models from Nukeproof and Last have a stanchion tube diameter of 38 millimetres. Better guidance and more stiffness are the arguments in favour of the new standard dimension in the enduro sector. However, the more massive castings add around 200 (Rockshox) or 400 grams (Fox) to the front compared to the slimmer Lyrik and Fox 36 models. Propain and Bulls save on weight and, like YT, rely on the all-mountain-typical stanchion tube size of 35 millimetres. Coupled with the only full carbon frame among the enduro bikes and the above-average spec, the Propain comes closest to the YT on the scales at 15.06 kilos.

The differences in geometry between enduro bikes and all-mountain bikes

We also know from past tests that there are only marginal differences in the geometries of all-mountain and enduro bikes. Both categories have a steering angle of around 65 degrees, for example. Extremely slack enduro bikes also like to crack the 64-degree mark. Our reference bike is therefore a little out of line with its steep 66 degrees. However, if you make use of the fork on the YT, which can be converted to 160 millimetres, the difference is put into perspective. Roughly speaking, one centimetre more length flattens the head angle by half a degree.

However, the choice of tyres reveals special features. While YT equips its Jeffsy with super grippy MaxxGrip tyres, the moderate puncture protection of the simple Exo carcass requires a sure instinct on rough terrain. The super-gravity tyres from Schwalbe and the double-down shoes on the Bulls and Nukeproof, on the other hand, forgive even the worst riding mistakes. The rest of the test group offers sufficient puncture protection with EXO+ tyres.

16:30. The last ascent on the Geißkopf cable car heralds the showdown. From now on, it's all legwork on the trail. The heavy weight of the Nukeproof and Bulls makes us break out in a sweat after just a few metres of climbing. Radon falls into the same
Radon falls into the same weight category, but thanks to the light wheels it accelerates better. The two lightest enduro bikes from Last and Propain climb well. However, only the YT Jeffsy really makes you want to go for a second ride. Nothing can replace the uphill performance of a lightweight bike.

Test summary by Max Fuchs, BIKE editor:

Enduro and all-mountain bikes now both offer enormous downhill potential. However, the All Mountain in this test cannot replace the confidence that an Enduro MTB radiates at high speeds. Thanks to its acceptable weight, high-quality equipment and flawless function, the Propain emerges from this enduro bike comparison test as the class leader. However, if you prioritise agile handling over high-speed skills, the All Mountain is the better all-round mountain bike.

>> You can download the entire test with all data and test results here <<

You can find these six enduro bikes for around 3500 euros in the test:

• YT Jeffsy Uncaged 8 (Reference bike, 5499 Euro)
• Bulls Wild Creed (available here)
• Last Coal MX
• Nukeproof Mega 297 Pro
• Propain Tyee CF 29
• Radon Swoop 10.0

>> You can find more articles on enduro mountain bikes here <<