You can divide the enduro scene into two camps: For some it's a lifestyle, for others it's a racing format. but in the end it's all about the same thing: having fun downhill!
So if you get on a bike with 160 millimetres of travel, you have to be prepared to compromise. The climb is a means to an end - after all, you're not chasing Strava best times uphill. What counts is the fun of riding, and that is measured in kilometres of singletrack and adrenaline rush - with or without a race number on the handlebars. That's why an enduro bike only deserves top marks if you're so happy to high-five your bike mates after the descent. So the question in our test was: Which bikes stimulate the high-five reflex the most, and which are more likely to make you keep your hands in your trouser pockets?
But first another question had to be answered: Which route is suitable for enduro bikes? Where can the potent chassis with 160 millimetres of travel be coaxed out of its reserve? We decided to test the eight candidates under 3500 euros in their natural habitat: on the original race tracks of the German Enduro Championship in Schöneck. In both 2014 and 2016, the fastest enduro rider in Germany was determined here in the Vogtland region of Saxony. Numerous jumps, berms, root carpets, slope crossings and stone fields demand everything from the bikes and their testers. Speaking of test personnel: To create even more of a racing atmosphere during our enduro test, we brought an external expert into the team: Tobias Reiser. The man from Upper Bavaria earns his living as an enduro pro and shared his expertise with us as a kind of copy referee. His qualification: in 2014, he won the silver medal at the first German Enduro Championships on our test tracks, and bronze at another event in 2015. The perfect addition to the BIKE test team.
You can find the results of these eight enduro mountain bikes in the test:
- Alutech Teibun 2.0 Custom
- Canyon Strive AL 7.0 Race (BIKE-TIP: Shipper)
- Centurion Trailbanger 2000.27
- Giant Reign 1.5 LTD (BIKE TIP: Specialist retailers)
- Kross Moon 3.0
- Lapierre Spicy 327
- Poison Acetone 27.5
- YT Industries Capra CF Comp
The fact that we conquered the climb in the bike park just as often using our own muscle power as with the lift is part of the purpose of enduro bikes. After all, this category wants to be counted among the all-rounders among mountain bikes. So the question was: would the cheaper enduro bikes work just as well as the light but expensive professional bikes?
It is no easy task for bike manufacturers to put a good enduro bike on wheels for 3500 euros. Telescopic seatposts and high-quality suspension elements are essential, but expensive - so compromises have to be made on the rest of the equipment. Giant and Alutech roll on cheap tyres, Lapierre brakes with Deore stoppers and - just like Poison - does without a chain guide. However, the decision by Centurion, Giant and Lapierre to use a lower quality fork is reflected more clearly in the handling. After all, the suspension is the centrepiece of a good enduro bike. In a direct comparison, the cheaper fork counterparts cannot keep up with the top models from Rock Shox and Fox, but they still perform well. Despite the need to save money, mail order company YT even manages to offer a carbon main frame, while Alutech at least supplies a carbon seat stay. The rest of the field - as expected in this price range - compete with aluminium chassis.
All manufacturers agree on the gearing. Even if single-speed drivetrains have a small gear range, eleven gears have to be enough for enduro riders - you can't expect Sram's 1x12 Eagle with a wider gear spread in this price range. On most of the bikes in this test group, untrained thighs often have to surrender to the mountain on steep ramps. However, Alutech have pulled off a clever trick: the North Germans have cleverly extended the gear range with an E13 accessory cassette with 9-44 teeth (the custom programme from Poison and Alutech leaves all options open anyway). Chain guides are almost standard on enduro bikes: On six out of eight bikes, they keep the drivetrain in check downhill. Our interim conclusion is thus: The equipment alone does not bring tears of joy to your eyes. Does the endorphin release increase on the trail?
Uphill less so. The first few metres uphill make it clear: Enduro riders have to be prepared to compromise! Because it's not just the single-speed drivetrains that limit climbing ability, the weight of these test bikes, averaging 14 kilos, also detracts from uphill riding pleasure. If you're thinking of crossing the Alps or are mainly touring, you're definitely better off with a bike from the all-mountain or trail bike genre. Unless, of course, you go several price categories higher - then the enduro weights are sometimes under 13 kilos. In this group, however, only Alutech manages to break the 13-kilo mark. 12.8 kilos without pedals, light wheels and good rolling tyres make the Teibun powerful. The Lapierre Spicy is the cheapest bike in the test and marks the upper weight limit. With a ready-to-ride weight of 15.5 kilos, the French are definitely fighting in the heavyweight class.
Fortunately, the days when fullys rocked uphill like camel caravans are over. Efficient suspension and easy-to-pedal geometries make the climb bearable despite being overweight. Canyon demonstrates a high degree of innovation with its Shapeshifter. At the touch of a button, both the rear suspension characteristics and the geometry of the Strive are adapted for the climb. The bottom bracket moves higher, the steering angle becomes steeper and a more front-heavy riding position helps when climbing. The resulting reduced and, above all, firmer suspension travel on the shock fits perfectly into the concept. Even if the pneumatic piston of the Shapeshifter concept is noticeable with a little more weight on the frame - it's worth it. With this chameleon gimmick, the Koblenz-based company manages the best balancing act between descending and climbing. With narrow 2.2 mm trailking tyres, a sporty position and low weight, Poison places a lot of emphasis on good climbing capabilities, but has to forfeit this on the descents. That's a shame, because it's actually all about descending.
After the tough climb, none of the testers were thinking about euphoric high-fives with their mates - but that was about to change on the descent. At least according to theory. Enduro pro Tobi Reiser is already suffering from a lack of adrenaline and is therefore the first to turn into the former race track. He casually flies over the large table jumps in the upper part of the Schönecker Jumpline. The enduro bikes don't get rattled by the air, and even the odd bumpy landing is easily absorbed by the bikes with ample suspension travel. Then the route turns from the levelled crushed sand track into the winding undergrowth. Our guest tester jumps over stone fields, pushes powerfully through corners and balances over root carpets. YT, Canyon and Giant in particular crave high speeds with their forgiving chassis and successful geometries. The YT Capra and the Giant Reign support high-speed descents with their smooth-running characters. Not that these bikes are bulky in the bends, but the long wheelbase requires a little more vigour when changing direction. Racers like Tobi love this riding behaviour, less technically experienced riders have to get used to it first. Although the geometries on the Poison and Kross fit, the suspension on the rear end doesn't harmonise well enough with the rest of the bikes. With their lightweight superstructures, the Alutech, Kross and Poison are aimed somewhat at the all-mountain segment. They are more suited to occasional tours than trips to the bike park.
Some tyre combinations also have a limiting effect downhill. "If I know it's going to be downhill, I would always opt for tyres with a more stable sidewall," says Reiser. Not all manufacturers have taken this into account in their specifications - some flimsy tyres don't stand up to the rough terrain. Schwalbe's Hans Dampf performance tyres, for example, fitted to the Giant, lack grip just as much as the WTB rubber on the Alutech, not to mention puncture protection.
In general, however, this test group also offers beginners a high degree of safety. After the hard-fought climb, the descent brought the longed-for reward - and the realisation that fast downhills have never been easier than with these enduro bikes. Here's to a high five!
Conclusion from Ludwig Döhl, BIKE editor
Apart from a few flat tyres, the enduro bikes deliver what they promise. These bikes are great fun downhill! But be careful: the combination of high weight and single drive is not for the faint-hearted. If you like longer tours, you are better off with an all-mountain bike. If you fancy a visit to the bike park, this is the right bike category for you. In our track test, the bikes from Canyon, YT and Giant proved to be particularly strong.
