"Enduro", "all-mountain", "all-cross", "tour", "all-rounder", "fun bike": every manufacturer uses a different term to describe the all-rounder in their range. Our requirements are the same for all test bikes: We want to climb extreme climbs without back pain and not get shaky hands on the subsequent downhill.
That's why variable suspension travel is the hallmark of a true enduro bike - and a challenge for manufacturers. A year ago, we travelled for the first time to test enduro bikes. Even back then, the bikes gave us a lot of pleasure, but the suspension travel and geometry could usually only be adjusted in a cumbersome manner: using bolts and Allen keys.
In the new generation, there are two small revolutions in the adjustment systems. The Fox Talas damper on the Trek Liquid and the Swinger damper from Manitou.
There are a number of technical solutions for adjusting the rear suspension travel. When it comes to suspension forks, however, the Rock Shox Psylo remains unrivalled - at least in this test field: the fork can be lowered from 125 to 80 millimetres of travel during the ride in a completely relaxed manner without the suspension hardening significantly.
With the front lowered, the enduro bikes achieve the climbing values of a race fullys. The only difference is the weight: around one to two kilos more than a light full-suspension bike in the Elite class. This is acceptable in view of the generous suspension travel and the consistently robust components. After all, the enduro bikes should also survive a trip to the bike park undamaged.
The bikes in this test:
Corratec Airtech Four, Bergamont Evolve 9.3, Cube XC Pro, Fuji Adventure Comp, KTM V-Mas, Kona Dawg, Scott G-Zero FX-20, Specialised Enduro, Stevens F-9 Race Disk, Trek Liquid 10, Wheeler Hornet 25
