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Enduro vs entry-level bike6 high-end enduro bikes 2023 in the test

Laurin Lehner

 · 27.05.2023

Ride until the chain rattles: To test the DH characteristics, we pushed all the bikes 1000 metres downhill on the Tschilli trail in Latsch.
Photo: Max Fuchs
We sent six brand new high-end enduro bikes into a tough comparison. For a reality check, we added the entry-level enduro bike from YT. Was that unfair? Read for yourself.

We tested these enduro bikes:

Click to go to the individual rating

All topics in this test:

The test bikes at a glance

The details of the luxury enduro bikes

Test commentary on the enduro bikes by Peter Nilges, BIKE test manager

Facts, figures and data

How FREERIDE tests

The test bikes at a glance

Good news: While bike companies have been stingy with new products in recent years, preferring to develop e-bikes, there are finally new enduro bikes again. Here is our selection.

New, stylish, expensive: the Swiss label launches the third generation of its Bold Unplugged. | Price: €10,999Photo: Max FuchsNew, stylish, expensive: the Swiss label launches the third generation of its Bold Unplugged. | Price: €10,999Cube offers a lot of bike for the money. The new carbon model of the One77 comes with steel spring suspension. | Price: 4399 €Photo: Max FuchsCube offers a lot of bike for the money. The new carbon model of the One77 comes with steel spring suspension. | Price: 4399 €The brand new Giant Reign won the first Enduro World Cup of the year. Will the bike get us going too? | Price: 6999 €Photo: Max FuchsThe brand new Giant Reign won the first Enduro World Cup of the year. Will the bike get us going too? | Price: 6999 €The Prime label from Poland is very young. We were all the more excited about their Enduro Thunderflash. | Price: 7999 €Photo: Max FuchsThe Prime label from Poland is very young. We were all the more excited about their Enduro Thunderflash. | Price: 7999 €Exclusive: We have the first comparison test of the recently launched Propain Tyee. | Price: 7200 €Photo: Max FuchsExclusive: We have the first comparison test of the recently launched Propain Tyee. | Price: 7200 €The US brand Transition equips its Patrol with a small rear wheel. It was the only mullet bike in the test. | Price: € 7699Photo: Max FuchsThe US brand Transition equips its Patrol with a small rear wheel. It was the only mullet bike in the test. | Price: € 7699Four times cheaper than the Bold: the Capra from YT in the budget version. Can it keep up, or will the Goat experience a fiasco? | Price: € 2699Photo: Max FuchsFour times cheaper than the Bold: the Capra from YT in the budget version. Can it keep up, or will the Goat experience a fiasco? | Price: € 2699

The details of the luxury enduro bikes

In the Bold, the shock is nested in the down tube. To adjust the sag, the Bold engineers placed a sag-o-meter on the bottom bracket. It broke.Photo: Max FuchsIn the Bold, the shock is nested in the down tube. To adjust the sag, the Bold engineers placed a sag-o-meter on the bottom bracket. It broke.Cube was the only manufacturer in the test field to install a coil shock. This polarised the test riders. There is a separate mount for air shocks.Photo: Max FuchsCube was the only manufacturer in the test field to install a coil shock. This polarised the test riders. There is a separate mount for air shocks.Giant's storage compartments replace a rucksack or hipback on short rides. A tube, pump and tool can be stowed in the down tube of the Reign.Photo: Max FuchsGiant's storage compartments replace a rucksack or hipback on short rides. A tube, pump and tool can be stowed in the down tube of the Reign.Fine, velvety, Thunderflash: The Öhlins suspension on the Prime provided a lot of comfort. If you want, you can also fit a steel spring damper thanks to a special mount.Photo: Max FuchsFine, velvety, Thunderflash: The Öhlins suspension on the Prime provided a lot of comfort. If you want, you can also fit a steel spring damper thanks to a special mount.The Tyee is agile, lively and has a lot of fun potential. Shorter chainstays would support the playful character of the bike and make manuals easier.Photo: Max FuchsThe Tyee is agile, lively and has a lot of fun potential. Shorter chainstays would support the playful character of the bike and make manuals easier.

Comment on the 2023 high-end enduro test:

The manufacturers' air pressure recommendations on the forks are a guideline. During the test, the suggestions from Fox and Rockshox turned out to be far too high. With Rockshox, we used up to 10 psi less, with Fox even more than 10 psi and thus achieved clear improvements. - Peter Nilges, BIKE Test Manager
Peter Nilges, BIKE Test ManagerPhoto: Max FuchsPeter Nilges, BIKE Test Manager

Facts, figures and data

Impeller inertia

Giant is ahead with its carbon wheels. Transition only achieves good values due to the small rear wheel and the tyres (heavy wheels).

Impeller moment of inertia: the lower the value, the better the impellers can be accelerated. wheels can be acceleratedPhoto: BIKE-TestabteilungImpeller moment of inertia: the lower the value, the better the impellers can be accelerated. wheels can be accelerated

Weights¹

Four frames make it under the 3-kilo mark, Cube has the lightest frame and the lightest complete weight. Price breaker YT brings up the rear.

¹BIKE measurements, ²with pedals (350 g),³without rear shock, with rear thru axle if necessary, 4with tyres, cassette and brake discs. The measurements were taken on a test stand of the Zedler-Institut.Photo: BIKE-Testabteilung¹BIKE measurements, ²with pedals (350 g),³without rear shock, with rear thru axle if necessary, 4with tyres, cassette and brake discs. The measurements were taken on a test stand of the Zedler-Institut.

How FREERIDE tests

The score reflects the overall impression of the testers (downhill and uphill) and is not an addition of performance points.

Freeride rankingPhoto: FREERIDE-TestabteilungFreeride ranking

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Laurin Lehner

Born in South Baden, Laurin Lehner is, by his own admission, a lousy racer. Maybe that's why he is fascinated by creative, playful biking. What counts for him is not how fast you get from A to B, but what happens in between. Lehner writes reports, interviews scene celebrities and tests products and bikes - preferably those with a lot of suspension travel.

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